102,815
edits
Changes
→Optical astronomy
===Optical astronomy===
===Optical astronomy===
The [[Subaru Telescope]] (left) and [[Keck Observatory]] (center) on [[Mauna Kea]], both examples of an observatory that operates at near-infrared and visible wavelengths. The [[NASA Infrared Telescope Facility]] (right) is an example of a telescope that operates only at near-infrared wavelengths.]]
The [[Subaru Telescope]] (left) and [[Keck Observatory]] (center) on [[Mauna Kea]], both examples of an observatory that operates at near-infrared and visible wavelengths. The [[NASA Infrared Telescope Facility]] is an example of a telescope that operates only at near-infrared wavelengths.]]
Historically, [[optical astronomy]], also called visible light astronomy, is the oldest form of astronomy.<ref name="moore1997">{{cite book, Philip's Atlas of the Universe, ISBN 0-540-07465-9 ) Optical images were originally drawn by hand. In the late nineteenth century and most of the twentieth century, images were made using photographic equipment. Modern images are made using digital detectors, particularly detectors using [[charge-coupled devices]] (CCDs). Although visible light itself extends from approximately 4000 [[Ångstrom|Å]] to 7000 Å (400 [[nanometre|nm]] to 700 nm), the same equipment used at these wavelengths is also used to observe some [[near-ultraviolet]] and [[near-infrared]] radiation.
Historically, [[optical astronomy]], also called visible light astronomy, is the oldest form of astronomy.<ref name="moore1997">{{cite book, Philip's Atlas of the Universe, ISBN 0-540-07465-9 ) Optical images were originally drawn by hand. In the late nineteenth century and most of the twentieth century, images were made using photographic equipment. Modern images are made using digital detectors, particularly detectors using [[charge-coupled devices]] (CCDs). Although visible light itself extends from approximately 4000 [[Ångstrom|Å]] to 7000 Å (400 [[nanometre|nm]] to 700 nm), the same equipment used at these wavelengths is also used to observe some [[near-ultraviolet]] and [[near-infrared]] radiation.