Astronomy
Astronomy
1st Edition
ISBN: 9781938168284
Author: Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. Wolff
Publisher: OpenStax
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 6, Problem 1E

What are the three basic components of a modern astronomical instrument? Describe each in one to two sentences.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
To determine

The three basic components of a modern astronomical instrument.

Answer to Problem 1E

The three basic components of a modern astronomical instrument are the telescopes, the wavelength sorting device and the detectors.

Explanation of Solution

The three basic components of a modern astronomical instrument are the wavelength sorting device, the telescopes and the detectors.

  • The telescopes:
  • It is an optical device used for observing distant objects so that they appear near. It consists of an arrangement of lenses or a curved mirror. It is used to collect faint light from astronomical objects and focus all the light into a magnified image.

  • The wavelength sorting device:
  • After the telescope collects light, an instrument is used which can sort light according to its wavelength.

  • The detectors:
  • Detectors are electronic devices which permanently record data so that it can be analyzed later. Visible light detectors can be the human eye which can observe at observatories located far away on Earth using computers, other detectors are photographic films.

Conclusion:

Thus, the three basic components of a modern astronomical instrument are the telescopes, the wavelength sorting device and the detectors.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
What is an astronomical unit? In what context ( For example galaxies, solar systems and planets, places on Earth) do astronomers use this unit of distance?
The smallest detail visible through a Earth-based telescope is about 1.00 arcsecond in diameter. Use the small angle formula to determine to the right number of significant figures the size of the object in meters this would represent on Mars as it is at the closest distance from Earth. (??????? ???????? (arc−seconds)2.06×105=?????? ??????????????? ; ???−????????????−????=5.46×105 ??).
One of the earliest astronomical CCDs had 160,000 pixels, each recording 8 bits (256 levels of brightness). Today's CCDs may contain 100 million pixels, each recording 15 bits (32,768 levels of brightness).How many times more bits of data are produced by today's CCDs in a single image than that of the earliest CCDs?

Chapter 6 Solutions

Astronomy

Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Physics
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Astronomy
Physics
ISBN:9781938168284
Author:Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. Wolff
Publisher:OpenStax
Text book image
Foundations of Astronomy (MindTap Course List)
Physics
ISBN:9781337399920
Author:Michael A. Seeds, Dana Backman
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Stars and Galaxies (MindTap Course List)
Physics
ISBN:9781337399944
Author:Michael A. Seeds
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
The Solar System
Physics
ISBN:9781337672252
Author:The Solar System
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Horizons: Exploring the Universe (MindTap Course ...
Physics
ISBN:9781305960961
Author:Michael A. Seeds, Dana Backman
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
The Solar System
Physics
ISBN:9781305804562
Author:Seeds
Publisher:Cengage
General Relativity: The Curvature of Spacetime; Author: Professor Dave Explains;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7V3koyL7Mc;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY