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A
Brief Look at Observatories
Observatories are the homes of large
telescopes that gather light from distant objects and makes them
appear larger. They let scientists view the sky in more detail
than the naked eye allows. There are observatories all over the
world. Most optical observatories are located at on top of mountains
where the air is calm and dry and the weather is clear. Observatories
are located far from city lights which interfere with viewing.
Optical telescopes are one
kind of telescope used in observatories. There are other instruments
such as cameras, computers, and spectroscopes.
Before
cameras, astronomers drew everything they observed! Other non-optical
instruments use electromagnetic radiation energy to observe the
skies. They observe things like infrared, x-ray, ultraviolet,
and radio waves. Infrared telescopes, like one aboard the Hubble
Space Telescope, can "see" objects that are smaller and farther
away then optical telescopes can see. Hubble is also equipped
with an ultraviolet telescope, which is really a mirror coated
with special substances that only reflect ultraviolet light. Some
of the hottest and brightest stars can be seen with ultraviolet
telescopes.
Mauna
Kea Observatory
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