8.1 Exploring Space Homework: Page 332 # 1, 6, 7, 8

Key Concepts: There are 2 basic types of optical telescopes. Refracting telescopes collect light using a lens and Reflecting telescopes collect light using mirrors. There are also telescopes that detect non- visible radiation. Alternatives to human exploration of space are telescopes, planetary orbiters, landers and satellites.

There are hazards, risks, benefits and ethical issues related to exploring space and developing space technology. The Canadian government, Canadian companies, and individual Canadians have contributed to the exploration of space in many different ways.

The Thrill of Exploring Humans, by nature, want and need to explore – Need to understand – Find new resources – Explore new areas of Earth When Earth wasn’t enough, we ventured into space! – More difficult Far $$ Extreme cold and danger Need ways to explore space from Earth

ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM Telescopes: Use electromagnetic radiation Electromagnetic Radiation = electromagnetic waves that travel at the speed of light

Telescopes Traditional telescopes (optical) detect visible light (small part of the spectrum) Refracting telescopes use a lens to collect the light from an object. Reflecting telescopes use mirrors to collect the light. They both require darkness and clear skies

Telescopes Non-optical telescopes detect non-visible radiation. Radio telescopes detect radio waves. Since radio waves can travel through clouds and do not require night-time conditions to be detected, they can be studied in both day and night and even in cloudy weather.

“MOST” – Canada’s Space Telescope Microvariability and Oscillations of Stars Launched in 2003 Purpose: to study stars similar to the sun – Was expected to study 10 stars and last 1 year – Has provided data on over 1500 stars and is expected to last until 2016

Orbiters and Landers Planetary orbiters travel to other planets and take very detailed observations. – Orbit another planet and take high-resolution pictures – Short life expectancies (2-3 yrs) Planetary landers can study weather and the ground – Can’t move around – small environmental sample – Shorter life expectancies (few months)

Satellites Definition: Human-made object or vehicle that orbits a celestial body Communication – TV, Internet, weather reports, telephone GPS Satellites – More than 2 dozen are spread above Earth Remote-sensing Satellites – Low orbiting – survey Earth quickly – Useful for meteorology, climatology, oceanography

Satellites “Sputnik” – 1 st artificial satellite put into orbit – Soviet Union – Oct 4, 1957 – Burned up in the atmosphere 5 months later Canada launched the first commercial satellite – For the CBC on Nov 9, 1972 – called: Anik 1 – For remote communities

International Space Station (ISS) Partnership between many countries to share costs Orbits only 360km above Earth! Space-based lab – Microgravity Canadarm, Canadarm2 and Dextre – Used on NASA’s space shuttles to help with construction of the ISS