Lesson 8.3 – Space Telescopes & Observatories

Why Telescopes Go to Space

Earth’s atmosphere blocks and distorts much of the electromagnetic spectrum. Space telescopes avoid this interference.

They observe:

• Infrared

• Ultraviolet

• X-rays

• Gamma rays

Hubble Space Telescope

Launched in 1990, Hubble:

• Revolutionised astronomy

• Produced iconic images

• Measured cosmic expansion

James Webb Space Telescope

JWST observes primarily in infrared:

• Sees star formation inside dust clouds

• Studies early galaxies

• Analyses exoplanet atmospheres

It represents a new era of astronomy.

Key Takeaways

• Space telescopes see what ground telescopes can’t

• Different wavelengths reveal different physics

• JWST expands our cosmic reach