Optics+in+Space

Jordan Rosenblood

=**//__ The Hubble Space Telescope __//**=

[[image:2012grade10/hubbletelescope.jpg width="250" height="164" align="left" caption="The Hubble Space Telescope"]]
The Hubble space telescope is a **telescope** in space currently orbiting earth, which was made by **NASA** and **ESA**. It was named after Edwin Powell Hubble, who discovered that there are other galaxies and that the universe is expanding. The telescope is used to observe the far reaches of the universe. It is able to view visible, infrared and ultraviolet light. When the telescope was first made, it revolutionized **astronomy**, as it was the first space telescope; however, it has become almost obsolete by newer telescopes. media type="custom" key="18675024" width="114" height="114" align="right"

Why is it in space?
Ground-based telescopes have several problems they have to deal with. The main problem is how light coming into the atmosphere is refracted and distorted causing ground telescopes to receive slightly blurred images. Another major problem is that ground telescopes are at the whim of weather, a rainy day can stop a ground telescope from observing a critical event. Space telescopes don’t have to deal with any of those problems. In fact, the Hubble telescope receives image of five times the quality of ground-based telescopes. Being in space also has the added benefit of allowing the telescope to sense and measure **ultraviolet** and **infrared** light as well as avoid any light pollution from civilization.media type="youtube" key="Jv59B58L4FM" height="241" width="486" align="left"

How does it work?
The Hubble telescope uses a system of mirrors and cameras to capture images. Two mirrors are used: one primary **concave** and one secondary **convex**. The mirrors' are set-up in a Ritchey-Chretien Cassegrain system. Incoming light reflects off of the primary mirror and hits the secondary mirror where the light is reflected back through a hole in the primary mirror into the cameras and other scientific instruments.

Why is it important?
The Hubble space telescope helps astonomers make new discoveries every day. It helps show the the farthest reaches of the universe and helps give us a better understanding.

Glossary

 * Telescope || An optical instrument for making distant objects appear larger and therefore nearer ||
 * NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) || The federal agency that institutes and administers the civilian programs of theU.S. government that deals with aeronautical research and the development of launch vehicles and spacecraft. ||
 * ESA (European Space Agency) || A multinational organization that provides for and promotes cooperation among its member European countries in space research and technology ||
 * Astronomy || The science that deals with the material universe beyond the earth's atmosphere. ||
 * Ultraviolet || In between visible light and X-rays on the light spectrum ||
 * Infrared || In between visible light and radio waves on the light spectrum ||
 * Concave || Curved like the inner surface of a sphere ||
 * Convex || Having a surface that is curved or rounded outward ||