Visible light astronomy encompasses a wide variety of observations via telescopes that are sensitive to the range of visible light. Visible light ranges from 380nm to 750nm in wavelength.
Space-based Observatories
In ancient times, visible-light astronomy was solely limited to the unaided eye. Visible light observatories are present both on Earth and in Space, with observatories in Space having several advantages over Earth-based ones. The Space-based observatories allow for much clearer observations, as the Earth’s atmosphere is not disrupting the image and viewing quality of the telescope, meaning objects can be observed in much greater detail, and much more distant or low-light objects may be observed.
You might want to see Asteroid Bennu: OSIRIS-Rex Spacecraft’s Exciting Story Will Make You Impressed
Types of Telescopes
There are three main types of telescopes used in visible-light astronomy; Refracting telescopes, Reflecting telescopes, and Catadioptric telescopes.
Refracting Telescope
In a refracting telescope, the light first passes through a large lens, called the objective lens. The objective is the part that intercepts the incoming light, so it determines the light-gathering power of the telescope. The light passing through the objective is concentrated on a second lens, called the eyepiece. The eyepiece is used to inspect the image formed by the objective.
Refracting telescopes suffer from Chromatic aberration, which causes colors to be shown on edges separating light and dark parts of the image, this is due to the lens being unable to focus all the colors to the same convergence point.
You might be interested in Voyager Probes: Top 10 Amazing Facts To Make You Awestruck
Reflecting Telescope
In the Reflecting telescopes, the objective mirror is used instead of the lens. Almost all major telescopes used in astronomy research are reflectors.
Reflecting telescopes also suffer several types of optical inaccuracies, such as off-axis aberrations near the edges of the field of view.
You might want to see AI Explained: Important Things You Need To Know
Catadioptric Telescope
Catadioptric telescopes use a combination of lenses and mirrors to form the image.
The celestial objects commonly observed using visible light astronomy are the Moon, meteors, planets, stars, and constellations.
The Hubble Space Telescope observes in the visible region.
Also see Betelgeuse is Surprisingly Smaller, Closer to Us.
For more content and updates, do follow us on Social Media
Join our Whatsapp Group, Facebook Group, and Telegram Group.
- THERMODYNAMICS
It is the branch of physics that deals with the concepts of heat and temperature and the inter conversion of heat and other forms of energy. - THERMAL PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Temperature is a relative measure or indication of the hotness or coldness of a body. The temperature of a body determines the direction of the flow of energy. The SI unit of temperature is kelvin (K). °C is a commonly used unit of temperature. - MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF FLUIDS – PART 2
The viscous drag increases with increases velocity of the body, but it is found that the body after attaining certain velocity starts moving with a constant velocity called terminal velocity. - MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF FLUIDS – PART 1
The materials that can flow are called fluids. Liquids and gases are collectively known as fluids. Unlike a solid, a fluid has no definite shape of its own. - MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SOLIDS
The property of a body, due to which it tends to regain its original size and shape when deforming force is removed, is called elasticity. The deformation caused is called as elastic deformation.
Share this article