PHYS310 Spring 2024 Theme-7: Space Telescope Missions

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What is a common requirement for space telescopes mentioned in the text?

Short and interrupted observation time

Fast and flexible communication with astronauts

Use of low-quality science instruments

Pointing accuracy and stability (correct)

Why must space telescopes avoid bright objects such as the Sun, Earth, and Moon in their observations?

Bright objects cause telescope malfunctions

Bright objects interfere with telescope communication

Bright objects may damage light-sensitive components (correct)

To save energy on the spacecraft

Which factor is crucial for the thermal control of space telescopes?

Long-lasting mission life

Avoiding international collaboration

Thermo-elastic design (correct)

Using low-quality science instruments

Why do space telescopes need long and uninterrupted observation time?

To observe objects accurately for minutes to hours (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for successful space telescope missions?

Short mission life (C) Signup and view all the answers

What can happen if space telescopes do not have precise telescope orientation?

The observations will be inaccurate or unstable (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the Space Telescope International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) mission?

To perform ultraviolet astronomy (A) Signup and view all the answers

Where was the Space Telescope International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) telescope's geosynchronous orbit located?

Over the Atlantic Ocean (D) Signup and view all the answers

What altitude range did the Space Telescope International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) telescope orbit in?

32,000 km - 52,000 km (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a unique feature of a geostationary orbit?

It remains fixed relative to a point on Earth's surface (C) Signup and view all the answers

Where were the two ground stations responsible for the Space Telescope International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) located?

Washington DC, US and Madrid, Spain (B) Signup and view all the answers

What made the Space Telescope International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) mission unique in terms of observations?

It was the first spacecraft to allow international astronomers fast observation requests (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the function of the Fine Error Sensors (FES1 and FES2) on the space telescope IUE?

To verify and correct space telescope observations (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the space telescope IUE was responsible for capturing short light wavelengths of 115 to 200 nanometers?

SW camera (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the unique function of the SWR and LWR cameras on the space telescope IUE?

To serve as primary cameras for short and long light wavelengths (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why were diffraction gratings used in each spectrometer of the space telescope IUE?

To generate spectra for analysis (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) space telescope until 1996?

To study ultraviolet light in space (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is the Andromeda Galaxy not evident to the eye?

It is larger in the sky than the full Moon but not very bright. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the UV space telescope image of the Andromeda Galaxy primarily capture?

Young hot stars in a ring at the galaxy edge (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of light does the Infrared space telescope image of the Andromeda Galaxy primarily use?

Far infrared light (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the XMM-Newton space telescope image of the Andromeda Galaxy focus on?

Neutron stars and black holes (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested by the structure of dust rings and holes in the Andromeda Galaxy's infrared image?

Movement of an accompanying dwarf galaxy through Andromeda (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why are few young stars found in the galaxy center according to the UV space telescope image?

The source of energy for star formation is at the galaxy edge. (C) Signup and view all the answers