Question
Which of the following accurately explains why the telescopes
that detect invisible waves, such as infrared, microwaves, and
gamma rays, are placed in space?
There are not enough places on land
to build observatories that hold large
telescopes.
Most radiation reaching Earth from
space is blocked by the atmosphere.
Therefore, some telescopes must be
placed above the atmosphere.
All telescopes must be placed in
space. There are not telescopes on
land.
• The waves in the electromagnetic
spectrum are all too small to be
detected by telescopes on land.
Therefore, in order to see any
electromagnetic radiation, telescopes
must be placed in space
Answer
Telescopes must be placed in space in order to detect electromagnetic radiation, as the atmosphere blocks most radiation reaching Earth from space and the waves in the electromagnetic spectrum are too small to be detected by telescopes on land.