Download History of Telescopes - Stevenson High School

Mr. Gord
Astronomy
Date: Mar 2014 Hour: 1, 5
History of Telescopes
Total Possible = 15 Points
PART A: Remember, as an extra credit option you can make 3 observations of your own from your house (or
elsewhere). The Directions/Explanation is detailed on my website as OPTION 2. You do not need a telescope or
binoculars, but if you have either you can use them too! The only true requirement is to have a clear sky. There are
many tools that can help you to identify what you might be seeing. For example we made a Star Chart Disc to assist you
with becoming familiar with the sky. There are many websites online that offer assistance to the ever-changing night sky
as well. Below is a link to Tonight’s Sky. Please click on the link and watch the 5-minute video to help you. The
forecast for tonight is a clear sky!!
http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/tonights_sky/ 1. Which planet will be visible high in the southern sky after sunset? FYI: it will be near UPPER TRANSIT.
2. Which planet will be visible about 3 hours later in the East?
3. Define Zodiac.
4. Which Constellations will be visible high in the southern sky around 9pm?
5. In ancient mythology what is the picture made by Gemini?
6. What is M35? Where is it located?
7. What is the picture that is associated with Cancer?
8. How far away is the Beehive Cluster? .
9. Which planet rises about Midnight and is visible for the rest of the night?
10. Which planet is visible in the east on your way into school?
PART B: To summarize the importance of the telescope, I have found a website that will assist you in understanding the
history of the telescope. Please click on the link
http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/resources/explorations/groundup/index.php
This first page is a SITE MAP. I have some questions that follow a particular “chapter”. Please read the section and
answer the corresponding questions in a neat and organized manner on a separate sheet of paper.
ERA OF GALILEO’S REFRACTOR
1. What year did Galileo make his first astronomical observation?
2. What was Galileo’s first name?
3. How many lenses did his first telescopes have?
4. What type of Universe did Ptolemy believe?
5. Why did Galileo’s discoveries get him into trouble?
6. What did Galileo SEE through his telescope that was evidence that the Earth was not the center of the universe?
7. What was Galileo’s legal fate? What was his punishment?
ERA OF EARLY REFRACTORS
8. Explain chromatic aberration.
9. Refracting telescopes were getting longer and longer. Why did these telescopes have to get so big?
CON’D -->
ERA OF NEWTON’S REFLECTOR
10. What type of telescope to Newton invent?
11. Why does his telescope not cause chromatic aberration?
ERA OF EARLY REFLECTORS
12. What shape must an objective mirror be in order to eliminate Spherical Aberration?
13. Why do stars twinkle?
14. If you were viewing from the moon would stars twinkle? Why or why not?
ERA OF HUGE REFLECTORS
15. Instead of eyepiece lenses, what are used in place of the lens in huge reflecting telescopes?
ERA OF SPACE TELESCOPES
16. What are the advantages of Space Telescopes?
17. What are the disadvantages of Space Telescopes?