Exploring Space from Earth
Both binoculars and telescopes can be used
to explore space from Earth. Binoculars can
be used for looking at the details of the moon
and can also be used to see some of the
planets close to Earth. Telescopes can also
be used to view the moon and planets close
to Earth. They are a better choice for viewing
other planets, comets, and stars.
There are advantages and disadvantages to
observing space from Earth. The main
advantage is that you don't have to spend the
money it would cost to go into space – that's
a great advantage! The main disadvantage to
exploring space from the Earth is the
interference caused by the Earth's
atmosphere, water vapour, and air
turbulence. This interference makes it more
difficult to view objects in space.
How have people overcome those
disadvantages? The largest telescopes on
Earth are located at the tops of mountains.
The highest telescopes in the world are
located at the top of Mauna Kea on the Big
Island of Hawaii, about 4200 meters above
sea level. At that level, these telescopes are
above almost half of the Earth's atmosphere
and most of its water vapour. The air there is
transparent, dry, and calm, making it much
easier to observe objects in space.
Much of what we know about space was
learned through ground-based telescopes.
The Canada France Hawaii Telescope is one of the telescopes located on Mauna Kea in Hawaii.
To find out more about this joint project telescope go to www.cfht.hawaii.edu/en/about). To see
some of the amazing images taken with the telescope's attached 340 Megapixel digital camera, go
to www.cfht.hawaii.edu/HawaiianStarlight/HawaiianStarlight-AIOM.html.
Ontario Observatories and Planetariums
There are a few ground-based observatories in Ontario. You may wish to visit one to view the sky
at night. Many of these observatories also have websites with images of what they have been able
to see with their telescopes. To find the location of Ontario observatories, enter “Ontario groundbased observatories” in your web-browser or go to one of the following links, many of which offer
free public open houses and observations of the night sky:
Queen's University in Kingston, York University in Toronto, The Canadian Science and Technology
Museum in Ottawa, the Hallam Observatory in the Windsor Centre of the Royal Astronomical
Society, the Cronyn Observatory at the University of Western Ontario in London, the Buckhorn
bservatory north of Peterborough, and the David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill.
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Famous People
Don't underestimate your ability to be a space scientist if you only have a pair of
binoculars or a small telescope. Galileo Galilei, a famous scientist who made
important discoveries, used a simple telescope, and much what has been learned
about our solar system was learned while looking through a telescope from Earth.
Canadian Contribution
Richard Bond, Canada's most famous astronomer, studies the structure of
the universe. Courtesy of Virtual Museum of Canada.
Exploring Space from Space
Humans have found many ways to explore space from space. They have built space telescopes
(e.g. the Hubble Telescope), walked on the moon, sent spaceships to look at the details of specific
planets (e.g. the spaceship Galileo went to Jupiter), sent probes to collect data and perform
experiments (e.g. the pioneer space probes) and built an International Space Station to learn more
about space and its effects on humans living there. Just as there are advantages and
disadvantages to exploring space from Earth, there are also advantages and disadvantages to
exploring space from space.
Canadian Contributions to Space Exploration
In Canada, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) directs Canada's involvement in space exploration.
In the United States, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) performs the
same function. The websites for both of these organizations are trusted sources of information for
the research you will do in this unit. Canada's various astronomical societies and university
astronomy departments are also trusted sources of information.
Dr. Roberta Bondar is one of many Canadian astronauts who have served
on missions in space. Courtesy of The Canadian Space Agency.
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