telescopes readings note sheet
name_____________________
telescopes 101 reading

1. what is the key factor in a telescope in determining how well it collects light?

2. there are 2 types of telescopes typically used. for each describe what is used to collect light and how this impacts the ability for the telescope to be used in space:
a. refracting telescope:
b. reflecting telescope:

3. what is the shape of the mirrors used on telescopes usually set up as? draw a general 2 - dimensional shape of this below:

4. sometimes the mirrors are coated with substances to help the telescope collect particular types of waves. for example, a gold layered mirror helps the telescope to reflect which type of electromagnetic radiation? _______________

5. x - rays are very powerful electromagnetic waves that can travel through the materials that make up the telescope. so how do astronomers set up the telescope mirrors to be able to collect them?

6. which type of radiation is even harder to detect than x - rays because they are the most powerful wave type from the electromagnetic spectrum and then go through all materials? _______________

Question

telescopes readings note sheet
name_____________________
telescopes 101 reading

1. what is the key factor in a telescope in determining how well it collects light?

2. there are 2 types of telescopes typically used. for each describe what is used to collect light and how this impacts the ability for the telescope to be used in space:
   a. refracting telescope:
   b. reflecting telescope:

3. what is the shape of the mirrors used on telescopes usually set up as? draw a general 2 - dimensional shape of this below:

4. sometimes the mirrors are coated with substances to help the telescope collect particular types of waves. for example, a gold layered mirror helps the telescope to reflect which type of electromagnetic radiation? _______________

5. x - rays are very powerful electromagnetic waves that can travel through the materials that make up the telescope. so how do astronomers set up the telescope mirrors to be able to collect them?

6. which type of radiation is even harder to detect than x - rays because they are the most powerful wave type from the electromagnetic spectrum and then go through all materials? _______________

Accepted Answer

### Question 1
# Brief Explanations:
The key factor in a telescope for collecting light is the diameter (or area) of its objective (the part that collects light, like the lens in a refractor or mirror in a reflector). A larger diameter means a larger light - gathering area, so it can collect more light.
# Answer:
The key factor is the diameter (or area) of the telescope's objective (lens for refracting, mirror for reflecting). A larger diameter/area allows more light to be collected.

### Question 2a
# Brief Explanations:
Refracting telescopes use lenses (usually a convex objective lens) to collect light. In space, the lens can be affected by temperature changes which may cause expansion/contraction and distort the image. Also, the lens is heavy, making it difficult to launch large refracting telescopes into space.
# Answer:
- Collects light with: Lenses (convex objective lens).
- Impact on space use: Lenses are heavy, hard to launch large ones. Temperature changes can distort the lens, affecting image quality.

### Question 2b
# Brief Explanations:
Reflecting telescopes use mirrors (usually a concave primary mirror) to collect light. Mirrors are lighter than large lenses, so it's easier to launch larger reflecting telescopes into space. Also, mirrors are less affected by temperature changes in terms of image distortion compared to lenses.
# Answer:
- Collects light with: Mirrors (concave primary mirror).
- Impact on space use: Mirrors are lighter, easier to launch large ones. Less affected by temperature - induced distortion than lenses.

### Question 3
# Brief Explanations:
Telescope mirrors are usually parabolic (in 2 - D, a parabola). A parabola is a curve where any point is equidistant from a fixed point (focus) and a fixed line (directrix). This shape helps to focus parallel light rays (like light from distant stars) to a single point (the focal point).
(For the drawing: A parabola can be drawn as a U - shaped curve that is symmetric about its axis. The vertex is at the bottom, and it opens upwards or downwards depending on the orientation. The focus is a point inside the parabola along the axis of symmetry.)
# Answer:
The shape of telescope mirrors is usually parabolic (2 - D shape is a parabola). [Drawing: A symmetric U - shaped parabola with the vertex at the center and the arms curving upwards/downwards, and the focus marked along the axis of symmetry inside the parabola.]

### Question 4
# Brief Explanations:
Gold - layered mirrors are good at reflecting infrared radiation. Gold has high reflectivity in the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
# Answer:
Infrared radiation

### Question 5
# Brief Explanations:
Since X - rays can pass through telescope materials, astronomers use grazing - incidence mirrors. These mirrors are set at a very small angle (grazing angle) to the incoming X - rays. The X - rays hit the mirror surface at this small angle and are reflected, rather than passing through the mirror. The mirrors are usually arranged in a nested or Wolter - type configuration (e.g., Wolter Type I or II) to focus the X - rays.
# Answer:
Astronomers use grazing - incidence mirrors (set at a small angle to incoming X - rays) in nested/Wolter - type configurations. X - rays hit the mirror at a grazing angle and are reflected (not passing through), allowing collection.

### Question 6
# Brief Explanations:
Gamma rays are the most powerful waves in the electromagnetic spectrum and can pass through almost all materials, making them harder to detect than X - rays.
# Answer:
Gamma rays

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