It is basic knowledge that Galileo invented the first reflecting telescopes, taking the world by storm. However today there are two main telescopes that we use today, Optical and radio.

OPTICAL TELESCOPES.

There are two types of optical telescopes reflecting which is the most common and refracting telescopes. A reflecting telescope uses anarangement of mirriors to reflect light from far away. It is because of this that reflecting telescopes are so large in size.

 Refracting telescopes use an chain of lens to make an object apear larger by bending light. Refracting telescopes are smaller because of lens are made of finely ground glass.

RADIO TELESCOPES

Before 1937 astronomers had to approximate on what an object looked like in space, but because of the invention of the radio telescope we can now see a clearer image of our universe. Stars shine visible light(see electromagnetic spectrum below) which make them “twinkle”, the light emitted from the shining causes looking at stars of an optical telescope easy. However stars also emit radio waves that can be picked up by a radio telescope.

A Radio telescope uses low frequency waves waves to create a clearer and focus and image.Radio Waves are usually consist of a large concave dish that makes up an antenna. This antenna gathers up radio waves and sends it to a receiver. and the receiver sends it a computer which then created images.Radio telescope are slightly better than optical telescopes because they are not affected by the weather. They are not affected by the distortion of clouds or pollution. Radio telescopes can be used iy either day or night.

ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

The electromagnetic spectrum is a range of different frequencies of waves like radio and gamma rays. An angstrom is the unit of measurement for wavelengths of light.