Tag Archives: telescope
The Hubble Telescope and its origins
There has been a desire to explore the stars and the distant reaches of the galaxy ever since we were able to see the other planets of our solar system. Ever since Galileo invented and proved the power of the telescope, the quest for knowledge has put a greater and greater demand on the improvement of telescope technology and new conceptions of how to achieve photographic representations of space; it is not conceivable for astronomers and other scientists to continue to try to view heavenly bodies with starter telescopes. Many large optical telescopes have been established for use by research teams in locations amenable for astronomical viewings. Places like Hawaii, Chile and the Canary Islands are territories on which multiple high-powered telescopes reside and are used on a regular basis. However, while research stations on our planet are continuing to be improved and records for the size of the largest telescope ever created, even the tethering of a telescope to the Earth may be limiting. That is part of the allure and functionality of the Hubble Telescope, also known as the Hubble Space Telescope, and named after Edwin P. Hubble, a groundbreaking theorist in the field of astronomy whose work … Continue reading
What to look for in a telescope
Astronomy is a difficult field to get into without the right conditions. For the amateur astronomer, of course, you will want to make sure you have a good location above all from which to view any stars, moons, planets or constellations. If you live in, say, an urban area where visibility is often obscured by cloud cover/pollution and there are a number of bright lights being shone that might interfere with the natural illumination of stellar bodies, the prospect of stargazing might be a lost endeavor from the start. Likewise, if you are trying to orient yourself to the stretches of the Milky Way Galaxy and you are trying to accomplish this with a starter set of binoculars, you might have quite a task on your hands. The proverbial weapon of choice for the starting stargazer and serious astronomy enthusiast is the telescope. Telescopes are common fixtures in many people’s mountain homes, and a starter telescope might be a fun solution for what gift to get a child, especially if they are really interested in the sciences. Who knows, you may be starting off the next great astronomer on the way to a prize-winning discovery! If you are serious contemplating … Continue reading