Exploring the Universe with Space Telescopes
What are Space Telescopes?
Types of Space Telescopes
- Hubble Space Telescope: launched in 1990, the Hubble has helped scientists learn more about the universe’s age, evolution, and composition, among other things.
- Chandra X-Ray Observatory: designed to detect X-rays from high-energy regions in the universe, such as black holes, galaxy clusters, and supernova remnants.
- Spitzer Space Telescope: used to observe infrared radiation emitted by objects in the universe, such as star nurseries, exoplanets, and comets.
- Kepler Space Telescope: designed to detect exoplanets, Kepler has discovered thousands of new planets orbiting other stars in our galaxy.
Importance of Space Telescopes
Future of Space Telescopes
- James Webb Space Telescope: set to launch in 2021, the Webb telescope is a joint venture between NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. It will study the universe’s first galaxies, stars, and planets, as well as the origins of life.
- Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST): slated for launch in the mid-2020s, WFIRST will study dark energy and dark matter, detect exoplanets, and image galaxies, among other things.
