The most important tool for studying the skies is the telescope. Today, there are several different types of telescope, ranging from simple ones used by amateur star-gazers to immensely powerful space telescopes that allow astronomers to see into the furthest reaches of the Universe. Observatories are special places where astronomers study space and, to give the best view of the night sky, most are built on mountain tops far from city lights.
The largest telescopes can see about 100 billion galaxies. Most modern optical telescopes are reflectors and the bigger the mirror, the more light Is collected. The some goes for radio dishes-big ones or Ms of little ones see furthest
Galileo Galilei
The great Italian mathematician and astronomer, Galileo Galilei(1564—1642). studied the skies through his telescope. which he demonstrated to members of the Venetian senate. Learning of the invention of the telescope. Galileo made his own to look at the Moon. Venus and Jupiter. Through his telescope. he discovered four of Jupiter’s moons and studied the phases of Venus.
Observatories
The most powerful optical telescopes are housed in observatories — specially designed buildings which allow astronomers to Study space in comfort. To give the best view of the night sky. most observatories are built on mountaintops for away from city lights. They generally have domed roofs that can turn around in order to aim at the some stars as the Earth rotates. The oldest existing observatory is the Tower of the Winds in Athens. Greece. which dates from 100 BC. One of the largest observatory complexes (shown here) is 4200 m above sea level, in the crater of the extinct Hawaiian volcano, Mauna Kea.
Amazing
Telescope dishes have to be made accurate to within 2 billionths of a millimeter.
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