BETA
Chapter 1
The birth of looking closer
Chapter 2
Bending and bouncing light
Chapter 3
Beyond the visible rainbow
Chapter 4
Leaving Earth behind
Chapter 5
The global eyes of tomorrow
YOUR GOAL
Master of Everything about the telescope
Ch 4 · Leaving Earth behind
artiteacher Leaving Earth behind
A million miles from Earth at L-Two— (Looking back in time to find you!)
artiteacher The Kepler Space Telescope discovered thousands of exoplanets by watching stars dim.
artiteacher The James Webb Space Telescope uses gold-coated mirrors to peer back to the dawn of time.
Fun Fact
Gold mirrors: The James Webb Space Telescope's giant gold mirrors use only a golf-ball-sized amount of gold, vaporized into an incredibly thin layer.
Glossary
space telescope (noun)
An astronomical observatory located in outer space. In 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched into orbit to bypass Earth's atmospheric distortion.
An astronomical observatory located in outer space. In 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched into orbit to bypass Earth's atmospheric distortion.
Quiz
What shape are the 18 segments that make up the James Webb Space Telescope's primary mirror?
Quiz
What material is coated onto the James Webb Space Telescope's mirrors to reflect infrared light?
Quiz
How does the transit method help telescopes find planets orbiting distant stars?