Space Astronomy and Astrophysics

• Published in: Physics today Vol. 44; no. 4; pp. 60 - 67
• Main Authors: Canizares, Claude R., Savage, Blair D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York American Institute of Physics 01.04.1991
• Subjects: Astronomy; Astrophysics; Observatories; Satellites; Space exploration; Spacecraft; Stars & galaxies; Telescopes

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...