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5.3: Module Introduction

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    244232

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    He burned his house down for the fire insurance
    And spent the proceeds on a telescope
    To satisfy a lifelong curiosity
    About our place among the infinities

    The strongest thing that’s given us to see with’s
    A telescope. Someone in every town
    Seems to me owes it to the town to keep one.
    In Littleton it may as well be me.

    Robert Frost
    The Star-Splitter

    This module introduces you to the primary instrument used by astronomers: the telescope, as well as how the telescope works. From its historical first use to today’s modern instruments, the telescope changed forever how we look at our Universe.

    Objectives

    Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:

    • Identify the types of telescopes and telescope mounts
    • Describe the differences between the refracting telescope and reflecting telescope, including both positive and negative features
    • Describe the types of instruments astronomers use with the telescope and the function of each type
    • Explain why space-based telescopes are of such importance to today’s astronomers and the collection of information
    CC licensed content, Original

    5.3: Module Introduction is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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