Astrophysics

Question 1

For optical telescopes what are the major advantages and disadvantages? Where can they be placed?

Answer 1

Advantages:

• Gives very detailed images
• Can detect distant galaxies

Disadvantages:
-Ground telescopes can suffer from atmospheric refraction

Location: ground or satellite

Question 2

For radio telescopes what are the major advantages and disadvantages? Where can they be placed?

Answer 2

Advantages:
-Radio waves pass through dust and space through the atmosphere

Disadvantages:
-Large supporting structure needed for steerable dish

Location: ground

Question 3

For infrared telescopes what are the major advantages and disadvantages? Where can they be placed?

Answer 3

Advantages:

• Can detect warm objects that do not emit light
• Can detect dust clouds in space

Disadvantages:
-Mirror needs to be cooled

Location: ground (on high up locations with dry air) or satellite

Question 4

For ultraviolet telescopes what are the major advantages and disadvantages? Where can they be placed?

Answer 4

Advantages:
-Gives useful information when combined with infrared telescopes on hot spots

Disadvantages:
-Must be above the Earth’s atmosphere

Location: satellite

Question 5

For X-ray and gamma telescopes what are the major advantages and disadvantages? Where can they be placed?

Answer 5

Advantages:

• Can detect distant celestial objects such as pulsars
• No observable diffraction

Disadvantages:
-Must be above the Earth’s atmosphere

Location: satellite