Astronomy Chapter 5 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is a primary reason astronomers conduct infrared astronomy from high-flying aircraft?

  • Infrared radiation is more effectively gathered at higher altitudes.
  • High altitude provides a wider range of infrared wavelengths.
  • Infrared observations do not require a clear line of sight.
  • It allows the infrared telescope to operate above dense areas of air. (correct)

Why is it beneficial for optical telescopes to be built on mountain tops?

  • To minimize light pollution from the city.
  • To improve accessibility for researchers.
  • To reduce the amount of light that reaches the telescope.
  • To take advantage of thinner air, which improves seeing conditions. (correct)

Which factor does NOT contribute to the limitations of observing infrared radiation from the ground?

  • Humidity levels affecting light transmission.
  • Atmospheric absorption of infrared radiation.
  • Scattered light from nearby stars. (correct)
  • The thermal noise from Earth's surface.

What technique can astronomers employ to reduce the impact of atmospheric distortion on their observations?

<p>Active optics to adjust the telescope's optics in real-time. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What atmospheric condition primarily affects infrared observations?

<p>The presence of ozone, which absorbs certain wavelengths. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a result of atmospheric distortion during astronomical observations?

<p>Blurring of images, reducing resolution. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can significantly impair infrared observations aside from humidity?

<p>High levels of pollution in urban areas. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a significant reason for conducting infrared astronomy from high altitudes?

<p>Minimization of high-energy cosmic ray effects. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why radio observations have poorer resolution than visible light observations?

<p>The wavelength of radio waves is much longer than that of visible light. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of electromagnetic radiation can penetrate the Earth's atmosphere and reach the surface unimpeded?

<p>Infrared radiation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of a telescope primarily determines its resolving power?

<p>The diameter of the objective. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to the correction of atmospheric disturbances in optical observations?

<p>Adaptive optics adjust for real-time atmospheric effects. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does chromatic aberration affect the observations made with a small diameter refracting telescope?

<p>It causes different wavelengths to focus at different points. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the resolving power of a telescope with a diameter of 2 meters?

<p>0.1 arc seconds (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of device does CCD stand for in astronomy?

<p>Charge-coupled device (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding light-gathering power?

<p>It is proportional to the square of the diameter of the objective. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for building large optical telescopes on the Earth's surface?

<p>To collect as much light as possible from faint objects. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does the Spitzer Space Telescope orbit far from Earth?

<p>To escape thermal emissions that interfere with its observations. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is chromatic aberration primarily associated with?

<p>Different colors of light not focusing at the same point in refracting telescopes. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The light-gathering power of a telescope is directly related to which of the following?

<p>The diameter of the primary mirror or lens. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the refraction of light?

<p>The change in direction of a light ray when it transitions between media of different densities. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of combining signals from multiple radio telescopes spread over a large area?

<p>To produce higher resolution images. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of telescope is primarily classified as reflecting?

<p>A telescope that uses mirrors to gather and focus light. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of radio telescopes?

<p>They utilize large dish antennas for capturing radio waves. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Wavelength of visible light

The distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of a light wave. Visible light spans a range from approximately 400 nanometers (violet) to 700 nanometers (red).

Longest visible wavelength

700 nanometers, corresponding to red light.

Shortest visible wavelength

400 nanometers, corresponding to violet light.

Infrared radiation

Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light.

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Telescope resolving power

A telescope's ability to distinguish fine details in objects viewed through it.

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Atmospheric distortion (seeing)

The blurring of astronomical images caused by changes in the Earth's atmosphere.

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Ultraviolet radiation

Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible light.

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Infrared astronomy challenges

Infrared light is absorbed by the lower layers of Earth's atmosphere, making observations difficult from the ground.

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Light-Gathering Power Ratio (5m/0.5m)

A 5-meter telescope gathers 100 times more light than a 0.5-meter telescope.

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Telescope Magnification

Calculated by dividing the objective focal length by the eyepiece focal length.

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Resolving Power (arc seconds)

Describes the smallest angular separation two objects can be to be seen as distinct, related to telescope diameter.

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CCD in Astronomy

A charge-coupled device, a light-sensitive electronic detector in telescopes.

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Radio Telescope Resolution

Radio telescopes have poorer resolution than optical ones due to the longer wavelengths of radio waves.

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Atmospheric Transparency (Light)

Visible light and radio waves can reach Earth's surface; X-rays are absorbed by the atmosphere.

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Refracting Telescope Disadvantages

Small diameter refracting telescopes suffer from chromatic aberration (color distortion) and lower light-gathering power.

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Spitzer Space Telescope's Orbit

The Spitzer Space Telescope orbits far from Earth to avoid Earth's infrared radiation, which it also observes.

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Large Optical Telescopes

Large optical telescopes collect more light from faint objects to produce higher resolution images, overcoming atmospheric blurring.

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Refraction of Light

Refraction is the change in direction of a light ray as it passes into a medium of different optical density.

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Telescope Light-Gathering Power

The light-gathering power of a telescope is directly proportional to the diameter of its primary mirror or lens.

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Chromatic Aberration

Chromatic aberration in refracting telescopes occurs because different colors of light do not focus at the same point.

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Multiple Radio Telescopes

Combining signals from multiple radio telescopes across a large area improves image resolution.

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Radio Telescopes Type

Radio telescopes are reflecting telescopes.

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Refracting Telescope

A telescope that uses a lens as its objective, without mirrors.

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Study Notes

Multiple Choice Questions - Astronomy Chapter 5

  • Wavelength of Longest Visible Light: 700 nm
  • Wavelength of Shortest Visible Light: 400 nm
  • Violet Light Wavelength: Approximately 400 nm
  • Electromagnetic Radiation Longer than Visible Light: Infrared radiation
  • Electromagnetic Radiation Shorter than Visible Light: Ultraviolet light and Gamma-rays
  • Nanometers per Meter: 1x109
  • Astronomical Telescope Placement: On mountaintops due to less atmospheric distortion (air) affecting light
  • Ultraviolet Radiation: Does not penetrate Earth's atmosphere; shorter wavelength than visible light
  • Telescope Fine Detail Resolution: Resolving power
  • Infrared Astronomy: Often done from high-flying aircraft because infrared radiation is absorbed by the lower Earth's atmosphere.
  • Adaptive Optics: Technique that uses a computer to adjust telescope optics, compensating for atmospheric distortion
  • Telescope Light Gathering Power Ratio: The ratio of the light-gathering power of a 5-meter telescope to a 0.5-meter telescope is 100.
  • Telescope Magnification: Calculated by dividing the objective focal length by the eyepiece focal length. Example: 200 cm objective / 0.2 cm eyepiece = 1000x
  • Telescope Resolving Power: The smallest angular separation of two objects that can be distinguished by the telescope, expressed in arcseconds (1 arcsecond = 1/3600 of a degree).
  • CCD: Stands for Charge-Coupled Device.
  • Radio Telescope Resolution: Poorer than visible light observations due to radio waves' longer wavelengths
  • Radio wave wavelengths: Long
  • Electromagnetic radiation that reaches the earth surface: Radio waves, visible light
  • Hubble Space Telescope: Not affected by atmospheric distortion (seeing) and chromatic aberration.
  • Spitzer Space Telescope Orbit: Far from Earth to avoid infrared radiation emitted by Earth
  • Large Optical Telescopes: Built to maximize light collection from faint objects and reduce the blurring effect of Earth's atmosphere
  • Refraction Definition: Change of a light ray's direction as it passes into a medium with a different optical density
  • Light Gathering Power of Telescope: Directly proportional to the square of the diameter of the primary mirror or lens.
  • Chromatic Aberration: In refracting telescopes, different colors of light do not focus at the same point.
  • Radio Telescope Signal Combination: Used to enhance resolution and observe more objects simultaneously.

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