How do we explore space?

We will talk about how we explore space.

Theoretical astronomy looks at what might exist and what conditions might have to be met to create it. It looks at properties this theoretical object might have.

_{Inductiveload, NASA / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)}

Observational Astronomy looks at data from satellites, telescopes, and space probes. It looks at this data finds what it came from then determines other properties of that object. It can often provide data to support theoretical astronomy.

There are two types of rockets - solid-fuel and liquid-fuel. Once solid-fuel rockets have be started, you cannot shut them off. You can, however shut off liquid fuel rockets, which makes them ideal for long-term missions. Both run without oxygen, meaning both types of rockets can run in a complete vacuum. These rockets can be used for a wide variety of things. Satellites launched using these rockets are used for a wide variety of things, from determining weather to communication. The space shuttle is a reusable vehicle that brings astronauts to and from sites where they may conduct tests on board, or fix satellites, or even help construct space stations. A space station floats in space, and an astronaut may stay there for long periods of time. The ISS, or International Space Station, is a cooperative space station with modules from more that 16 nations. Some things go far into space to send data about the other parts of our solar system. These are called space probes, and they have gone to many places in our solar system.

_{Rob / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)}

Electromagnetic Radiation is a wide spectrum. Optical Light is a tiny part of the electromagnetic spectrum. While most telescopes used to be optical, radio telescopes have appeared on the scene as well. Most telescopes are on the ground. However, Earth’s atmosphere can get it the way. The Hubble Space Telescope, as you can probably guess, is a telescope in space, where Earth’s atmosphere cannot get in the way. However, sending telescopes into space is expensive, and if something goes wrong, more missions must be made to service it, as when the largest mirror of the Hubble was made. To correct this, active and adaptive optics correct for turbulence and other weather conditions. Radio telescopes don’t have this problem, as radio waves don’t get affected by weather and other similar conditions quite as much.