The curiosity to figure out what’s beyond Earth’s atmosphere has existed since the beginning of time. As such, even before rockets were invented, astronomers relied on telescopes for space exploration. Thanks to these devices, humanity discovered more stars and planets than most people had presumed. However, it took a lot of time and effort to make more advanced telescopes with the power to see further and more clearly. Were it not for telescopes, there probably wouldn’t be astronauts and spacecrafts roaming all over space today. Keep reading to learn more about telescopes’ impact on space exploration over time.
Who Invented the Telescope?
Contrary to popular belief, Galileo Galilei did not invent the telescope. However, he was the first astronomer to systematically use this device to explore celestial bodies. He made critical contributions to the field of astronomy.
The first telescope was independently made in 1608 by Zacharias Jansen and Hans Lippershey, who were spectacle makers. This concept was conceived from the works of different Islamic scientists and was based on optics and spectacles. Another interesting fact is that telescopes were initially used for earth-based observations, such as during wars. It was the likes of Galileo who first pointed telescopes to the sky, marking the beginning of space exploration.
How Galileo Galilei Used the Telescope for Space Exploration
A year after the first telescope was invented, Galileo built his own and tweaked it to explore celestial objects better. It is important to note that many astronomers in the 1600s used the telescope to explore space. The only difference is that Galileo noted and published his findings in journals passed down to future astronomers.
Some of Galileo’s telescope’s notable discoveries include identifying the moon’s imperfect shape. Before then, people assumed that the moon had a perfect spherical shape. Galileo, with the help of his telescope, could spot craters and mountains on the moon.
Galileo could estimate the heights of these features using the art skills he had learnt during the Renaissance. Through his adventures, the human race started speculating what life could be like on the moon. This eventually led to the first mission to the moon almost 400 years later, led by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.
Another astronomer who also shared detailed telescopic recordings of the moon was Thomas Harriot. If anything, his observations were more thorough than Galileo’s. His only undoing was he didn’t share more copies of his findings.
The Role of The Telescope in Identifying Other Planets
It’s also through the telescope that humanity learned about new planets. Before Galileo and other astronomers pointed their telescopes to the sky, our ancestors did not know about the existence of other planets.
Yes, there was speculation about planets similar to Earth. However, before the new findings, they were just that: speculations. While Galileo was exploring the cosmos, he observed three undiscovered stars. Upon further examination, he discovered Jupiter and its three moons. Through this telescopic discovery, Galileo pushed for the narrative of a sun-centered cosmos, which was later proven true. This discovery profoundly impacted space exploration because it provided evidence of other planets orbiting the sun with their respective moons. The telescope also made us aware of planets with more than one moon.
How Telescopes Have Evolved Over Time
For centuries, telescopes have been fine-tuned to be more powerful and advanced. Three hundred years later after they were first invented, astronauts sent them to space. Known as space telescopes, these devices ushered in the modern age of space exploration.
Telescopes such as the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory (OAO) 2 gave astronomers a more detailed view of the electromagnetic spectrum. Further advancements in technology led to the invention of the Hubble telescope, which was sent to space in 1990 and has been there ever since.
The Hubble telescope is so powerful that it can see a firefly in New York from Tokyo. So far, the Hubble telescope has observed the existence of black holes, dark matter, and galaxies that are millions of light years away. It has also documented the collision of stars, the presence of moons on faraway planets, and much more.
Just like Galileo’s telescope fueled the mission to the moon hundreds of years later. Who knows what mission the Hubble telescope will inspire? It could be a trip to Jupiter or another galaxy or even provide more information about dark matter.
Conclusion
Unlike the era of Galileo, in which telescopes were limited to astute astronomers, today, anyone can own a telescope. This has sparked interest in space exploration amongst people of all demographics. One can observe the moon, sun, stars, planets, comets, and much more with a telescope. This nifty device also comes in handy in guiding space missions by assessing risks and identifying suitable landing spots for spacecraft. As technology keeps on advancing, so do telescopes. With time, there is a chance that telescopes can see much further into space and unlock new possibilities.