1. Observing space
Telescopes
LO:
Be able to state why we would want to observe objects in space.
Be able to describe how we observe objects in space using the
Hubble telescope.
Be able to explain how the Hubble telescope works & be able to
provide examples of objects that it has found.
TASK:
Why would we want to see objects in space?
Write down your thoughts on a mini-whiteboard!

2. So what did you think?
• How about this for a reason why we
should observe space?
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNtsVP
42bOE
• Other ideas?

3. How have telescopes developed over the years?
Pirates telescope – 2 Lenses

4. Richmond Park telescope

5. Richmond Park telescope

6. Home telescope containing mirrors

7. Optical Telescope, Hawaii

8. Jodrell Bank radio telescope, England

9. An array of radio telescopes

10. Arecibo Radio Telescope

11. What factors control how effective earthbound telescopes are?
What might
these refer
to?

12. Where is the best place for a
large telescope on earth?
• Paired activity – using the fact file below, choose the best site to
place a large optical telescope.
Place
Latitude
Population density Altitude
Mauna Kea,
Hawaii, USA
19 degrees N
1650 per sq m
4205 m
Oruro, Bolivia
17 degrees S
150 per sq m
3710m
Greenwich,
London, UK
52 degrees N
3750 per sq m
28 m
Kharga, Egypt
25 degree N
6 per sq m
59 m

13. Where should the telescope be
placed?
In my opinion, the best site for the telescope is.............
This site is better than the others because .........................
....so how can we overcome
and also .......................................................
these problems? Where
should ..............................................
It is not perfect through, aswe put the
telescope? Is there
Another really good site is ........................................
somewhere else?
because ...........................................................
The worst site would be .............................. because
...................................................................

14. The Hubble Space Telescope
Good websites:
1. http://hubblesite.org/
2.http://www.nasa.gov/mission_p
ages/hubble/main/index.html
3. http://hubblesite.org/gallery/
Homework - Draw a labelled
diagram to describe and
explain how the Hubble
telescope works & include an
image that was taken by the
telescope.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=SpkrVw_E6Nw

15. Telescopes
Optical telescopes have bigger lenses than your _________. The bigger the lens the more _________
the telescope takes in. Bigger lenses can see _________ . The best optical telescopes tend to reflect
the light using _________ instead of glass lenses. Large dishes like in _________ are used to detect
_________ from space. The _________ telescope is in orbit around the Earth. An advantage of a
space telescope is that it is above the Earth’s _________ and the view doesn’t get blocked by clouds,
water __________ or dust. A disadvantage of space telescopes is that it is difficult to _________
them.
missing words; repair,
atmosphere,
radio waves,
light,
Hubble,
eye,
Jodrell Bank,
further,
gamma rays, vapour
less far, mirrors,
moon
Telescopes
Optical telescopes have bigger lenses than your _________. The bigger the lens the more _________
the telescope takes in. Bigger lenses can see _________ . The best optical telescopes tend to reflect the
light using _________ instead of glass lenses. Large dishes like in _________ are used to detect
_________ from space. The _________ telescope is in orbit around the Earth. An advantage of a space
telescope is that it is above the Earth’s _________ and the view doesn’t get blocked by clouds, water
________ or dust. A disadvantage of space telescopes is that it is difficult to _________ them.
missing words; repair,
atmosphere,
radio waves,
light,
Hubble,
eye,
Jodrell Bank,
further,
gamma rays, vapour
less far, mirrors,
moon

16. Telescopes
Optical telescopes have bigger lenses than an eye does. The bigger the
lens the more light the telescope takes in. Bigger lenses can see
further. The best optical telescopes tend to reflect the light using
mirrors instead of glass lenses. Large dishes like in Jodrell Bank are used
to detect radio waves from space. The Hubble telescope is in orbit around
the Earth. An advantage of a space telescope is that it is above the Earth’s
atmosphere and the view doesn’t get blocked by clouds. A disadvantage of
space telescopes is that it is difficult to repair them.