Understanding Space: From Telescopes to Satellites

Observing the Cosmos

Astronomers use telescopes to observe space. Optical telescopes capture light from stars or reflect light and magnify images. With radio telescopes, radiation emitted by galaxies, stars, and planets is captured. But the Earth's atmosphere blurs and obscures the image. As a result, many astronomical observatories are usually placed on mountain tops to minimize atmospheric interference.

Space Travel and Vehicles

To escape Earth's enormous gravitational pull, the power of a rocket is needed, launched from launch pads.

Rocket Launches

The first satellite launched was Sputnik 1 in 1957, followed by the first manned spacecraft, Vostok 1, in 1961. Currently, rockets like the Ariane place payloads such as:

• Manned spacecraft
• Space probes
• Satellites
• Space station components

into orbit.

Conquest of the Moon

The first probe to land on the Moon was the Soviet probe Luna 9 in 1966, which landed softly. In 1969, the Saturn V rocket successfully carried the Apollo 11 spacecraft to the Moon, with Neil Armstrong being the first person to step onto the surface.

Space Shuttles

Manned spacecraft are designed to stay in orbit around the Earth and return to complete their mission (placing and repairing satellites, experiments, etc.). They are covered with an insulating system that protects them from high temperatures upon re-entry into the atmosphere.

Space Probes

These are unmanned probes equipped with cameras and other instruments.

Space Stations

Space stations are bases in orbit that, with ground support, allow for life in space for long periods.

Artificial Satellites

These are vehicles equipped with solar panels to capture energy, which is used for power. They are used for:

• Telephone communications
• Weather forecasting
• Military purposes
• Navigation systems
• Scientific investigation

Understanding Star Formation

Stars form in nebulae, which are large concentrations of cosmic dust with some chemical elements. An example of a nebula is the Orion Nebula. To see the formation of stars within nebulae, scientists use infrared telescopes, which can see through the thick dust.

The world's highest observatory is in Hawaii, at about 4260 m altitude.

Stars are large balls of hydrogen and helium gas at high temperatures that allow them to shine. The JCMT telescope can detect the exact time of the formation of stars.

Infrared telescopes can also be used to observe stars by day by taking photographs of the formation process. These images are processed and converted into three-color photos to help identify new stars or nebulae.

More than half of the stars in the universe are binary stars, such as Alcor and Mizar in the Big Dipper.

In the future, thanks to infrared telescopes, we may learn whether or not we are alone in the universe.