Telescopes are tools used to observe the Universe. Since the 1600s, people have used telescopes to explore the night sky. Telescopes make it possible to see objects that are very far away. This includes huge numbers of stars and galaxies, and even new planets.
Today, telescopes are not only based on Earth. Some are located in space. By placing telescopes outside our atmosphere, astronomers can view the Universe in greater detail.
Early telescopes required people to look through them directly and draw what they observed. Now, telescopes can capture images and collect scientific measurements using a range of instruments.
It is also possible for you to use telescopes. The Schools’ Observatory connects you to robotic telescopes around the world. These telescopes allow you to take images and study real astronomical data from home. This means you can take part in real science.
This section explains how telescopes work and what they can help us discover.
