Question

Did you know that telescopes also use lenses?

1. The largest telescope in India for studying celestial objects is located in the district of Nainital, Uttarakhand. Commissioned in 2016, it is maintained and operated by ARIES (Āryabhaṭa Research Institute of Observational Sciences).
2. The Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) is a high-altitude astronomy station located in Hanle, Ladakh, India. It is situated at an elevation of 4,500 meters (14,764 ft), and supports optical, infrared, and gamma-ray telescopes.
3. The largest, most powerful, and most complex telescope ever launched into space is the James Webb Space Telescope. NASA launched it on, 25 December 2021. It orbits the Sun at a distance of 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. To learn more, visit the link below.
   https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/
4. The Mauna Kea Observatory, astronomical observatory in Hawaii, US, that has become one of the most important in the world because of its outstanding observational conditions. The Mauna Kea Observatory is operated by the University of Hawaii and lies at an elevation of 4,205 metres (13,796 feet) atop the peak of Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano on north-central Hawaii island. The summit hosts a world-renowned collection of astronomical research facilities and large telescope observatories, including the Keck Observatory and Subaru Telescope, for optical, infrared, and submillimeter astronomy.
   The observatories are set up here because of Mauna Kea's high elevation, dry environment, and stable airflow that make it a prime location for astronomical observation. The focus is scientific research across the electromagnetic spectrum.
   Public Access: The Onizuka Center for International Astronomy provides visitor information and exhibits about the mountain and its observatories, and offers guided tours of the summit.
   Find out more about them from the internet and discuss with your science teacher and classmates.

Answer 1

1. The 3.6-metre Devasthal Optical Telescope in Nainital, Uttarakhand, is India’s largest optical telescope for studying celestial objects. It is operated by ARIES and can observe objects in visible and near-infrared wavelengths.
2. The Indian Astronomical Observatory at Hanle, Ladakh, is located at a very high altitude. Such high-altitude locations are useful for astronomy because the air is thinner, drier, and generally clearer, allowing better observation of space.
3. The James Webb Space Telescope was launched on 25 December 2021. It studies the universe mainly in infrared light and orbits the Sun near the L2 point, about 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. Its large mirror helps scientists observe very distant galaxies, stars, and planets.
4. Mauna Kea in Hawaii is an important place for astronomical observation because of its high altitude, dry climate, and clear skies. Several major telescopes, including the Keck Observatory and Subaru Telescope, are located there.