Describing The Universe
In terms of time distance and organization
What's Astronomy?
Objectives
- Identify the visible and nonvisible parts of the electromagnetic spectrum
- Compare refracting telescopes.
- Explain how telescopes for nonvisible electromagnetic radiation differ from light telescopes.
Astronomy Vocabulary
Universe
Most astronomers agreed that the universe began 14 billion years ago in one giant explosion called the Big Bang. The Universe is a very large, and the objectives within it are extremely far apart.
Light Year
A Light-Year is the distance that light travels in one year; about 9.46 trillion kilometers.
Astronomical Unit
A astronomical unit is the average distance between the Earth and the sun; approximately 150 million kilometers (AU)
Electromagnetic Spectrum
The electromagnetic spectrum is all of the frequencies or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
Refracting Telescopes
Refracting telescopes use lenses to gather and focus light from distant objectives.
Reflecting Telescopes
Reflecting telescopes use mirrors to gather and focus light from distant objectives.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Refracting & Reflecting Telescopes
Invisible Light & Space-Bound Telescopes
In Retrospect, Earth's Atmosphere cannot interfere with the detection of any Electromagnetic Radiation and with that said they announced that the James Webb Space Telescope will be launched in the year 2014.