Exploring with telescopes
The light of the electromagnetic spectrum is the key to finding out about space without leaving Earth. Using a telescope to study the different wavelengths of light given off by an object in space, astronomers can find out such things as what a particular space object is made of, how hot it is, how old it is, how it is changing and much more.
Space observatory
Astronomers use telescopes that detect radiation from different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. This interactive explains which part of the spectrum various telescopes are able to view and the sources of radiation that they detect.
In this activity, students learn about four different telescopes – radio, infrared, optical and ultraviolet – and how each uses different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum to view objects in space. Students then test their knowledge of telescopes with an online or paper-based quiz.
Which telescope? – Quiz
Test your knowledge of telescopes with this quiz. The Space observatory interactive has useful information about the telescopes featured in this quiz.
The activity Exploring with telescopes has suggestions on ways to use this quiz and interactive.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
match the telescope with the part of the electromagnetic spectrum it is able to view
discuss the benefits of using a particular telescope to view a particular type of space object
choose a telescope that will help answer a question about a space object.
Download the Word file (see link below).
Related content
Space revealed – introduction curates many of our telescope resources in one handy place. Meet some Kiwi astronomers who use telescopes to investigate planets, stars and galaxy clusters.
In Hunting galaxies far far away – here’s how anyone can explore the universe astronomer Dr Sara Webb talks about her fascination with distant galaxies and provides information on some great online tools that can be used to look at our universe through the eyes of many different telescopes.
