Expert: Paul Wagner - 2/6/2006

Question
Hi there my college professor has give me a series of questions that need I need to write an essay on but, can't find answers to some of the questions. Please do not feel like you have to detail everything but, some would be nice.

1 What problems are encountered when the magnification power of a telescope is increased?

2 How is the "resolution" of a telescope affected by the diameter of its "objective"?

3 What happens when the diameter of the telescope "objective" is changed?

4 How does the atmosphere affect the image viewed through a telescope?

5 How can using differents portions of the electromagnetic help us with astronomical observations?

6 What are the advantages to orbital telescopes?  

Answer
Dear James:

I normally don't get involved in school work.  These are quite important questions, and it is really important to undestand these issues to understand astronomy.  

Have you read your astronomy textbook?  Most of them have a whole chapter on this topic.  What book are you using?  You can also consult a couple of reference books:  

Sam Brown's All About Telescopes

Isaas Asimov's History of Astronomy

And if you are somehow allergic to books (!) you can also find some good info on a few websites;

http://www.my-spot.com/whatkind.htm

http://physics.weber.edu/planet/telescope.html

Have fun!

Paul Wagner