Why would astronomers put telescopes in airplanes? a. to get...

Name: Problem 14, Chapter 6: 21st Century Astronomy
Uploaded: 2020-07-03T18:25:46-08:00
Duration: 1 min 8 s
Channel: Matthew Miranda
Description: Why would astronomers put telescopes in airplanes? a. to get the telescopes closer to the stars b. to get the telescopes above the majority of the water vapor in Earth's atmosphere c. to be able to observe one object for more than 24 hours without stopping d. to allow the telescopes to observe the full spectrum of light

Why would astronomers put telescopes in airplanes? a. to get the telescopes closer to the stars b. to get the telescopes above the majority of the water vapor in Earth's atmosphere c. to be able to observe one object for more than 24 hours without stopping d. to allow the telescopes to observe the full spectrum of light

Why would astronomers put telescopes in airplanes?
a. to get the telescopes closer to the stars
b. to get the telescopes above the majority of the water vapor in Earth's atmosphere
c. to be able to observe one object for more than 24 hours without stopping
d. to allow the telescopes to observe the full spectrum of light

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Key Concepts

High-altitude Observation

Observing from high altitudes reduces the amount of atmospheric interference, such as water vapor and pollutants, that can absorb and distort incoming light from celestial objects. This is crucial for obtaining clearer astronomical data, particularly in wavelength ranges that are susceptible to atmospheric absorption.

Atmospheric Water Vapor

Water vapor in Earth's lower atmosphere absorbs significant portions of the infrared spectrum, which can hinder astronomical observations. By positioning telescopes above most of the water vapor, scientists can minimize this interference, allowing them to study celestial objects in wavelengths that would otherwise be obscured.

Airborne Telescopes

Airborne telescopes are mounted on aircraft or balloons to elevate the instruments above the densest parts of the Earth's atmosphere. This approach leverages the benefits of high-altitude observation by reducing the effects of atmospheric absorption, which is especially important for infrared astronomy.

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