Galileo Galilei’s groundbreaking discovery in 1623 opened up new possibilities in astronomy. He observed the Sun with a telescope and made several significant discoveries that changed the way we view the universe. Galileo realized that the Sun was not a perfect sphere and had spots that moved over time. He also discovered craters on the Moon, named the four main satellites of Jupiter, and suggested that Saturn had rings.
Since then, astronomers have worked hard to develop instruments that can capture more light and observe different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. Today, we have advanced tools like the Gran Telescopio de Canarias (GRANTECAN), Atacama Large Millimetre Array (ALMA), and James Webb Space Telescope that allow us to study the universe in great detail.
GRANTECAN is currently one of the largest optical telescopes in operation, with a 10.4-meter main mirror. It has made significant discoveries, including detecting distant galaxies and observing the smallest star ever observed. ALMA is an interferometer on Earth’s surface that allows astronomers to study the cold universe in millimeter wavelengths. It has provided valuable data on protoplanetary disks, star formations, and even captured the first image of a black hole.
The James Webb Space Telescope is a space-based observatory operated by multiple space agencies. It aims to study the formation of the first galaxies and stars as well as planets in our solar system. With its sharp imaging capabilities outside Earth’s atmosphere, it has already provided stunning photographs and scientific data such as images of the oldest known galaxy.
These advanced telescopes and observatories have significantly contributed to our understanding of the universe. They continue to push boundaries of astronomy and promise to unveil even more mysteries of cosmos in future.
In conclusion, these sophisticated instruments are helping us see beyond what was previously possible with traditional telescopes, allowing us to explore new realms within our universe today and paving for future discoveries yet to come