Book 8, Question 128
Why Put Telescopes in Space?
We put telescopes in space to get above the air that blurs and blocks starlight! Up there, there is no twinkle blur, and some kinds of light, like sharp ultraviolet or infrared, get through better. Space eyes see cleaner, and that helps us discover more.
More fun facts
- The main reason to put telescopes in space is to get above Earth's air for a clearer view.
- From space, Hubble can catch kinds of light that our eyes cannot see and that Earth's air blocks.
- Being high above the air makes Hubble's views sharper and deeper.
- The Spitzer Space Telescope was called Hubble's infrared sister.
- Space telescopes that see different kinds of light have helped discover all sorts of surprising objects and events.
Sources: Scientific American, Scientific American
Questions kids ask
What does Earth's air do to starlight?
It blurs the view and blocks some kinds of light completely, which is why telescopes in space can see more.