Question

when people look through a telescope, air currents in the earth’s atmosphere can distort the images they see. in the 1950s, a scientist named h. w. babcock thought of a way to reduce this distortion by using a special device within the telescope. however, this device was not used until the 1990s. which best explains why babcock’s idea took many years to become a reality?
○ scientists started using electron microscopes instead.
○ scientific telescopes were already using advanced technology.
○ scientific ideas often have to wait until advancements in technology make the ideas possible.
○ scientists often feel their ideas place an unnecessary burden on the research to develop telescopes.

Explanation:

• Option 1: Electron microscopes are for different purposes (studying small objects like cells), not related to telescope image distortion, so this is incorrect.
• Option 2: If telescopes already had advanced tech, Babcock’s idea would have been implemented earlier, so this is illogical.
• Option 3: Babcock’s idea needed technological advancements (like better manufacturing, materials, or related tech) to be built and used, which likely took time until the 1990s. This matches the scenario.
• Option 4: There’s no indication scientists felt the idea was a burden; the delay is more about tech feasibility, not reluctance.

Answer:

C. Scientific ideas often have to wait until advancements in technology make the ideas possible.