Observing and Studying the Stars

Astronomy is a branch of study that involves the study of bodies of matter and events that occur in outer space. Observational astronomy is a branch of astronomy that deals with the use of telescopes to observe and record the movement and nature of these celestial bodies and other phenomena that occur. Theoretical astrophysics develops physical models and analyses measurable implications and feasibility. Galileo Galilei was one of the notable astronomers that contributed to astronomy. His contributions include an astronomical telescope, a model which he used during his own research. The main goal of this essay is to elaborate on how astronomers use three different types of EMR when they are studyingthe stars. This is because different telescopes observe the wavelenghts of light and each wavelenght displays different objects in the universe. Our solar system is a vibrant and an exciting space which is filled with asteroids, planets, black holes, quasars, comets, and several other wonderful things. Many scientists have for the past centuries studied the stars and discovered new objects which enhanced them to refine their thinking ability concerning the older discoveries. Astronomers usually use several types of telescopes when observing the universe. In addition, they require dissimilar types of telescopes because each shows or displays different things. Furthermore, light usually comes in different wavelengths that range from short wavelengths to long wavelengths (Kaler, et al, 200). The light us human being see with our naked eyes is in the centre of the range. The X-rays and gamma rays are used to observe short wavelengths, while radio waves and microwaves are used to observe longer wavelengths. However, most astronomers who are amateurs usually use optical telescopes which are either refractors or reflectors to observe objects in the visible range. Radio telescopes usually collects long-wavelength light used to investigate various things; they convert the waves collected into pictures. It is surprising that majority of objects present in space emits radio noise; thus this means that they produce waves in the light spectrum of the radio range. They are large and look like dish-type antennas. Additionally, scientists build and locate them far away in space so as to avoid interfering with TVs and radios. A special technique that is used in only radio telescopes known as interferometry; it enables the astronomers to combine findings from two telescopes that are located far apart for one another to create an image that a person can think was created from just one radio telescope. This proves that radio telescope can be used to observe incredibly small details (Kouveliotou, Chryssa, Ralph, and Stanford, 350).Gamma ray and X-ray telescopes usually collect light present in short wavelengths. Both of them do not work as expected on the surface of earth because their short wavelengths get weakened and disrupted in the atmosphere. Therefore, scientists put these telescopes in space where atmosphere does not alter them. The popularly used telescope in a lot of astronomy researches is the reflecting telescope. It uses either a combination or just one mirror to reflect the light emitted from the image to the observer. The way this telescope is designed enables astronomers to observe objects that are in space and do not produce a lot of light (Hammond World Atlas, 150).In conclusion, light usually carries various information; it enables the observer to know the various objects that exist in the space, their brightness, their composition, their hotness, their dense, how they move and the strength of their magnetic fields. With the help of radio telescopes, X-ray and Gamma ray telescope and reflector telescope astronomers have been able to study and analyze the stars clearly and extensively. Works citedHammond World Atlas. Union, N.J.: Hammond World Atlas Corporation, 2008.Kaler, James B. Stars and Their Spectra: An Introduction to the Spectral Sequence. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2011. Print.Kouveliotou, Chryssa, Ralph A. M. J. Wijers, and Stanford E. Woosley. Gamma-ray Bursts. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. Print.