Why do astronomers like to build telescopes on Mauna Kea?

Why Mauna Kea is a unique site for astronomy The atmosphere above the mountain is extremely dry — which is important in measuring infrared and submillimeter radiation from celestial sources – and cloud-free, so that the proportion of clear nights is among the highest in the world.

Why do we have space based telescopes Why do we not simply make our observations from the ground?

The main reason for this is that the atmosphere of our planet does not hold back space telescopes. While the atmosphere lets through visible light, to which our eyes are sensitive, it absorbs light at some other wavelengths so we can never see it from the ground.

Why is the Hubble space telescope better than telescopes on Earth?

Earth’s atmosphere changes and blocks some of the light that comes from space. Hubble flies around, or orbits, high above Earth and its atmosphere. So, Hubble can see space better than telescopes on Earth can. Then Hubble uses radio waves to send the pictures through the air back to Earth.

What are some reasons that we have some telescopes in space in orbit around Earth?

The main reason we put telescopes into space is to get around the Earth’s atmosphere so that we can get a clearer view of the planets, stars, and galaxies that we are studying. Our atmosphere acts like a protective blanket letting only some light through while blocking others. Most of the time this is a good thing.

Why did NASA elect to build a space telescope rather than a grounded telescope?

Space-based telescopes like Hubble get a much clearer view of the universe than most of their ground-based counterparts. They’re also able to detect frequencies and wavelengths across the entire electromagnetic spectrum.

Why do space telescopes obtain clearer images than Earth based telescopes?

Because the Hubble telescope is located in space, Earth’s atmosphere does not interfere with light from objects the telescope is aimed at. This lack of interference allows it to obtain clearer images than ground-based telescopes with much larger mirrors.

Why do radio telescopes have to be very large?

Because radio telescopes operate at much longer wavelengths than do optical telescopes, radio telescopes need to be much larger than optical telescopes to achieve the same angular resolution. The Very Large Array (VLA) near Socorro, New Mexico.

What are the 2 reasons that we keep building larger and larger telescopes?

Larger telescopes collect more light and allow you to see greater detail. Telescopes make objects appear larger. Larger telescopes allow astronomers to see farther into space.

Is Mauna Kea the best place to build the world’s largest telescope?

Despite years of legal battles and months of protests by Native Hawaiian opponents, the international coalition that wants to build the world’s largest telescope in Hawaii insists that the islands’ highest peak — Mauna Kea — is the best place for their $1.4 billion instrument. But just barely.

What can we learn from Webb Telescope?

Data from the Webb telescope can be combined with information from other Earth-based telescopes to compensate for the infrared advantage that Mauna Kea has over La Palma, Mather said. He said Webb will open up “new territory that you’ll never be able to tackle from the ground.”

Why are Hawaiians protesting the construction of a giant telescope?

Demonstrators gather to block a road at the base of Hawaii’s tallest mountain, Monday, July 15, 2019, in Mauna Kea, Hawaii, to protest the construction of a giant telescope on land that some Native Hawaiians consider sacred. AP

Why is the Hubble Space Telescope in Hawaii?

AP But Hawaii has advantages that scientists say make it slightly better: higher altitude, cooler temperatures, and rare star-gazing moments that will allow the cutting-edge telescope to reach its full potential.