Lesson Two Topics

Lesson Two Overview
Optical Astronomy
Radio Astronomy
What Do We Learn From Radio Astronomy?
Tools of Optical Astronomy
Tools of Radio Astronomy
Resolution
Interferometry
Analyzing Radio Data
The Advantages of Radio Astronomy
The Disadvantages of Radio Astronomy

Activities and Quizzes

Lesson Two : What Do We Learn From Radio Astronomy?

Astronomers can study the same objects in radio wavelengths as they can through optical. However, radio observations are not limited by the effects that often prevent study at optical wavelengths, like interference by light pollution, distortion of light by the earth's atmosphere, and obscuration due to clouds of dust in our own Milky Way Galaxy. Also, radio astronomy can be performed either day or night whereas optical observations can only be conducted at night and in good weather. Radio observations have opened up a whole new view of our universe not accessible by optical astronomy.

The Milky Way in optical wavelengths

The Milky Way in radio wavelengths