A webcast for the International Year of Astronomy 2009...

A webcast for the International Year of Astronomy 2009 called "Around the World in 80 Telescopes" can be accessed at http: $/ /$ eso.org/public/events/special-evt/100ha.html. The 80 telescopes are situated all over, including Antarctica and space. Pick two of the telescopes and watch the videos. Do you think these videos are effective for public outreach for the observatory in question or for astronomy in general? For each telescope you choose, answer the following questions: Does the telescope observe in the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere? What wavelengths does the telescope observe? What are some of the key science projects at the telescope?

Key Concepts

Public Outreach in Astronomy

Public outreach in astronomy involves using engaging media—such as videos, webcasts, and interactive displays—to communicate scientific discoveries, technological advancements, and the beauty of the universe to the general public. This approach helps build interest in science, educates diverse audiences, and fosters support for astronomical research and observatories.

Observational Techniques

Observational techniques in astronomy refer to the methods and instruments used to collect data from celestial sources. These techniques vary based on the type of telescope, its location, and the wavelengths it observes, impacting the quality and type of information gathered about astronomical objects.

Electromagnetic Spectrum Observations

Observing in different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum is crucial in astronomy because various wavelengths—from radio waves to gamma rays—reveal different physical processes and components of celestial objects. Multiwavelength observations allow astronomers to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the universe.

Hemispherical Coverage

The geographical location of a telescope, whether in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, determines the portion of the sky it can observe. Telescopes in different hemispheres are complementary, each accessing unique celestial objects and regions that contribute to a more complete mapping of the universe.

Science Projects and Research Goals

Key science projects at observatories encompass a wide range of research goals, such as studying the formation and evolution of galaxies, searching for exoplanets, understanding cosmic phenomena, and exploring fundamental physics. These projects drive the development of new technologies and observation strategies, ensuring that telescopes remain at the forefront of astronomical discovery.

Transcript

00:01 I went to the link and it came right up.

00:03 Then you can just scroll down and click on any of the telescopes.

00:08 I watched first the vatican observatory, which is in arizona.

00:13 I found that it's a 16 -minute video.

00:17 However, it's really not much that occurs until five minutes in.

00:25 It's in the northern hemisphere.

00:27 The only statement about wavelength was that it's in the full range of visible light.

00:37 And so 400 to 700 nanometers because this is visible.

00:44 It was interesting how the astronomer indicated that color is very important as he observes stars and other celestial bodies.

00:58 Even though the color often comes back as red, he can identify what color the stars would have been, had there not been interference within the dust of the galaxy.

01:20 Some projects that they're working on is putting the telescope and its images online.

01:27 It seemed like the major thing was a less expensive mirror designed by the university of arizona that was not a ceramic mirror, but a less expensive one, and it was able to be made with more curvature so that it had a much lower focal length.

01:54 Also, there are more.

01:56 There are more.

01:57 Multiple astronomers and students studying the stars and asteroids, both within the milky way galaxy and beyond.

02:13 All right, i also watched the shanghai radio telescope.

02:21 It's in the northern hemisphere near shanghai...

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