Exam 6: Light and Telescopes

Diffraction, optical quality, and atmospheric conditions all contribute to the limitations of what power of a telescope?

Which form of electromagnetic radiation is able to easily reach Earth's surface through an atmospheric window?

Why is magnifying power the least important of the three powers of a telescope?

Refracting and reflecting telescopes form an image that is small, inverted, and difficult to observe directly; therefore, an eyepiece is normally used to magnify the image and make it convenient to view.

What type of electromagnetic radiation does Chandra collect?

Which telescope is the largest refracting telescope in the world?

What telescope instrument is used to counter the eastward rotation of Earth?

What is so unique about the mirrors of telescopes such as the Keck Observatory, Gran Telescopio Canaries and the soon-to-be-built Giant Magellan Telescope?

Radio telescopes are often located near populated areas.

What is a major selecting factor for astronomers looking to place a telescope atop a mountain?

Explain the difference between cosmic rays and electromagnetic radiation, and how cosmic particles are captured.

What modern-day instrument do astronomers use to record images from telescopes?

The Very Large Array radio telescope in New Mexico is an example of the use of which astronomical technique?

Reflecting telescopes suffer from chromatic aberration because the light must pass through the glass.

Optical telescopes are intended for the study of _______________ light.

What are the three factors which can limit the resolving power of a telescope?

What technique often requires the use of a laser guide star?

Why do large reflecting telescopes, like the Keck Observatories, have segmented mirrors?

Space t elescopes carrying long-wavelength infrared detectors must carry _______________ for their optics to avoid the insides of the telescope and instruments from blinding the detectors.