astronomical

instruments
EARLY HISTORY
➢   
The origins of astronomical observations go back to remotest
antiquity. The necessity of keeping track of time for agricultural and
civil purposes must have led primitive man to a serious study of the
daily rotation of the heavens, and to the motions of the sun and moon
relative to the stars
➢ The earliest known sundial or shadow-clock is Egyptian and dates
back to approximately 1000 b.c.(See also Sundial.) 
➢ From 1000 b.c. to around 300 b.c., little was added to the science of
observational astronomy. The practice of carrying out systematic
astronomical observations, and the use of these in the formulation of
theory, was revived in the third and second centuries b.c. by
astronomers of the Alexandrian School, notably Aristyllus and
Timocharis (third century b.c.), Aristarchus (c.220-c.150 b.c.),
Eratosthenes (c.276-194 b.c.), and Hipparchus (c.190-c.125 b.c.).  
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT
TYPES OF ASTRONOMICAL
INSTRUMENTS?

➢ An astronomical instrument generally refers to a type of

equipment used for the study, observation, or
measurement of celestial objects.
➢ Astronomical instruments are usually classified in two
categories. The first category includes all instruments
that are used for observation, such as the telescope. The
second category pertains to instruments employed for
recording or standardizing the data provided by the
observational instruments.
 TELESCOPES
-Telescopes are devices for
“seeing” distant objects.
To see faint objects, collect
more light by using a
bigger aperture.
Magnification is much,
much less important.
Two types of optical
telescopes:
Refracting
Reflecting
-All types of telescopes are usually
broken down into three categories:
refracting telescopes, reflective
telescopes, and mirror lens
telescopes. These telescopes differ in
how they employ lenses or mirrors in
order to capture light. Supplements
may also be added into the central
plane of the telescope in order to
perform specific tasks.
REFRACTING
TELESCOPES
-Common in older
telescopes.
-Use a large lens as
the primary light
collecting element.
-Chromatic
aberrations and
ultraviolet cutoff
 REFLECTING TELESCOPES

-Use a large mirror as the

primary light collecting
element.
-Easier to make a large
mirror than a large lens.
Modern telescopes are
reflectors.
-Reduced chromaticity
problems.
REFRACTING VS REFLECTING
PRIME ,NEWTON AND
CASSEGRAIN
 Optical Detectors and Instruments
▻ Second greatest advance in astronomy was the
use of photographic film
■ Longer integration time than the eye.
■ Images available for later (re)inspection.
➢ The 3 uses of telescopes:
▻ Imaging
▻ Measuring brightness and color
▻ Spectroscopy
➢ All benefit from longer integration time.
 Charge-Coupled Device
➢ A modern advance is the use of charge-coupled
devices or CCD’s.

➢ These are the “digital film” of digital cameras

Optical and Infrared Observatories
➢ Ground based telescopes are housed in domes or
other structures to protect them when not in use.
➢ They are often located on remote mountains, away
from lights, and smog, and above humid and
turbulent air.

•South
African Large
Telescope
Observing Other Radiation

➢ To learn the most about planets, stars, and galaxies,

astronomers use as many types of radiations as
possible.
▻ Radio
▻ Infrared and ultraviolet
▻ X-rays
▻ Gamma rays
 Radio Telescopes

➢ Many objects emit radio waves, from long wave to

microwaves.
➢ Radio telescopes generally look like large satellite
dishes.
➢ They can operate during the day and night.
➢ Large facilities in Puerto Rico, West Virginia, and
New Mexico
 Observatories Outside the Earth’s
Atmosphere
➢ Some wavelengths of radiation are absorbed by
Earth’s atmosphere (gamma rays, x-rays, and
ultraviolet).
➢ Telescopes for these wavelengths must be put in
space.
➢ The Hubble telescope demonstrates the advantages
for an optical telescope to be above the atmosphere
The Swift Satellite
(GRB’s)