Space Astronomy and Astrophysics

Nearly everything we know about the cosmos comes from studying celestial electromagnetic radiation over roughly 16 decades of wavelength from radio to gamma ray. But most radiation is totally absorbed by our atmosphere—only radio and optical waves penetrate to Earth, and even these are subject to di...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhysics today Vol. 44; no. 4; pp. 60 - 67
Main Authors Canizares, Claude R., Savage, Blair D.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New York American Institute of Physics 01.04.1991
Subjects
Astronomy
Astrophysics
Observatories
Satellites
Space exploration
Spacecraft
Stars & galaxies
Telescopes
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Summary:Nearly everything we know about the cosmos comes from studying celestial electromagnetic radiation over roughly 16 decades of wavelength from radio to gamma ray. But most radiation is totally absorbed by our atmosphere—only radio and optical waves penetrate to Earth, and even these are subject to distortion or interference. The ability of space astronomy to escape the effects of Earth's atmosphere has literally opened new windows on the heavens, windows through which we have glimpsed a universe far more diverse than previously known and tantalizingly rich with information about its structure and evolution.
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ISSN:0031-9228
1945-0699
DOI:10.1063/1.881306