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they are mostly located on mountains if they are near urban areas so that the telescope will have an unhibated at the solar system. In the next town over from mine there is an obserbatory that is located on the ground because their is very little polution or smog and the galaxies are unimpeded. these telescopes search the ends of our universe noy planets likea home telescope will for us amatuer astrometors.

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16y ago
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13y ago

The Earth's atmosphere provides interference to optical telescopes because the molecules in the air scatter and disrupt light. Many telescopes are placed at high elevation because the atmosphere is thinner and will cause less interference.

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15y ago

Observatories on remote mountain tops:

* expensive to build * hard to access * spoil natural scenery * get struck by lightning * building shakes with buffeting wind

Best place for an observatory is in a desert.

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15y ago

To avoid interference by the Earth's atmosphere. Yet another option that is seriously being considered is to put the telescopes in some sort of airplanes - cheaper than outer space!

Also, because of light pollution.

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14y ago

Only one. Cost

_______________

And maintenance; with a terrestrial telescope, a few guys drive up in a pickup truck to do basic repairs. For orbital telescopes like the Hubble, maintenance requires a space shuttle mission planned years in advance. The last Hubble maintenance mission is done; the Hubble is on its own, and will start to break down in a few years. Eventually, the Hubble will need to be deorbited and crashed into the ocean because the gyros will have failed or it will be running out of maneuvering fuel. And there are only two more space shuttle missions before the end of the program. There is nothing planned after that.

And size; the Keck telescope in Hawai'i is enormous, far larger than the Hubble, far larger than the James Webb Space Telescope will be when it is launched in a few years.

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12y ago

A major obstacle to get around when using telescopes on the surface of the earth is the atmosphere. When you put observatories on the tops of mountains there is a lot less atmosphere then at sea level.

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12y ago

Because they usually don't work as well if you put them in or under the mountains.

High altitude has several advantages from an astronomical point of view. The air is thinner, and there's therefore less atmospheric distortion. If the mountains are tall enough, many times the cloud tops will be below the summit, which is also an advantage. Finally, they tend to be remote, a much bigger advantage now than it used to be before artificial lighting became so commonplace.

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15y ago

Astronomers are people too, and they enjoy entertainment, the company of other people, and everything else that people enjoy. And living at an observatory does have some drawbacks.

1. Higher elevations mean less air pressure and less oxygen.

2. It's COLD.

3. It's lonely.

Many of these problems are being resolved with modern telescopes with cameras rather than the cartoon image of a scientist in a lab coat (more likely, a parka!) with his eve pressed to the objective lens of a telescope. Remote control of the telescope means that the astronomer can live at the university and have a real life instead of freezing in the thin air of the observatory.

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13y ago

To be closer to the stars. Less atmosphere between the telescope and the stars. They are also further away from city lights that can cause a problem as well.

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14y ago

Higher up there is less atmosphere to interfere with the incoming starlight.

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Q: Why are radio telescopes not placed on top of mountains?
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Why do optical astronomers place telescopes at the top of mountains while radio astronomers put their telescopes in valleys?

Optical telescopes are placed high to avoid having to look through the thickest part of the atmosphere. Radio telescopes are place in valleys to avoid the effects of man-made electrical noise in the telescope.


Why are radio telescopes not located on top of mountains like the visible light telescopes?

It is not necessary to do so, as atmosphere doesn't distort radio signals as much as visible light.


Why are big telescopes found on top of mountains?

The Earth's atmosphere provides interference to optical telescopes because the molecules in the air scatter and disrupt light. Many telescopes are placed at high elevation because the atmosphere is thinner and will cause less interference.


Why have astronomers built the largest optical telescopes on the top of mountains?

To get above the thickest part of the Earth's atmosphere. The air absorbs light and its movements distort the image.


Large telescopes are often housed where?

Large telescopes are often housed in observatories located in remote and high-altitude areas to minimize light pollution and atmospheric interference. These locations provide clearer skies and better visibility for astronomical observations.


Scientists on earth Build telescopes on top of ------so the atmosphere doesn't interfere with what they can see?

scientist on earth build telescopes on top of


Are reflecting or refracting telescopes more top heavy?

Refracting telescopes tend to be more top heavy than reflecting telescopes because the lens at the front of the telescope, which is used to gather light, can be heavier than the mirrors used in reflecting telescopes. This imbalance can make refracting telescopes more prone to tipping if not properly balanced or supported.


Why are some buildings placed on top of mountains?

Buildings are sometimes placed on top of mountains for various reasons, including strategic military advantage, religious or spiritual significance, tourism attraction, and stunning views. Additionally, being on higher ground can offer better defense or visibility, depending on the context.


What do scientists build telescopes on top of?

Scientists often build telescopes on top of mountains or in deserts where the air is clearer and there is less light pollution. This helps to minimize atmospheric interference and optimize the visibility of celestial objects.


Where are most optical telescopes are located?

Most optical telescopes are located on mountain tops or in remote areas with clear skies and low light pollution. Popular locations include Mauna Kea in Hawaii, Chile's Atacama Desert, and the Canary Islands. These locations offer optimal viewing conditions for observing celestial objects.


What are the linking verbs in this sentence at the top of the building is an observatory that has telescopes for viewing the surrounding area?

In the sentence "At the top of the building is an observatory that has telescopes for viewing the surrounding area", the only linking verb is "is".


Where are telescopes found?

Optical telescopes are found through out the world. They have even been taken to space as in the Hubble Telescope. The Optical telescope is the main telescope used by amateur astronomers. They are used in Gardens through out the world. Professional optical telescopes are generally placed on the very top of mountings. This is to reduce the amount of distortion caused by the atmosphere. The Keck observatory for example is at an altitude of 4.2 km atop the summit of Mauna Kea on Hawaii.