Describe the difference between refracting and reflecting telescopes.

5.2

Describe the optical principles and relative merits of refracting and reflecting telescopes.

5.3

Explain that telescopes reveal more detail on the Moon and planets, and reveal many faint stars.

5.4

Calculate the magnification of a telescope using: Magnification = f_O of objective/f_e of eyepiece.

5.5

Explain that light-gathering power is proportional to the area of the aperture of the telescope.

Draw ray diagrams for a refracting telescope and Newtonian and Cassegrain telescopes.

5.7

Describe how exterior lighting affects the visibility of stars.

5.8

Explain why large telescopes are often built on high mountains.

Explain that refraction in the atmosphere alters the apparent position of objects in the sky.

5.10

Describe the use of photography for star trails, meteor trails, and enhancing faint objects.

5.11

Draw a simple diagram to how the passage of white light through a prism.

5.12

State that visible light and radio waves are both part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

5.13

State the principle wavebands of the electromagnetic spectrum and their wavelength order.

Distinguish between active (radar), and passive (radio waves from space), radio astronomy.

5.15

Describe how the distance of a nearby object can be determined using radar reflection.

5.16

Explain why radio ‘scopes are so much bigger than optical ‘scopes (wavelength and resolution).

5.17

Describe the principles of observing techniques in infrared, ultra-violet and X-ray astronomy.

5.18

Describe the main components and functioning of a simple radio dish.

5.19

Describe the contribution of radio and infrared astronomy to our current picture of the universe.

5.20

State that the Sun’s corona emits X-rays.

5.21

Distinguish between the appearances of Earth satellites, stars, meteors and aircraft.

5.22

Explain why the light from and Earth satellite may suddenly cut out due to entry into shadow.

5.23

Distinguish between a rocket and a spacecraft, and explain energy requirements for launching.

5.24

State the names and purposes of Apollo, Voyager, Giotto, Galileo, Magellan, Cassini/Huygens.

5.25

Discuss problems and advantages of the Hubble Space Telescope

5.26

Describe uses, benefits, limitations and problems of unmanned and manned space flight.

5.27

Describe the limitations of space travel outside the confines of the immediate solar system.

5.28

Discuss some of the technical, financial and ethical issues arising from space research.

5.29

Describe the historical development of our knowledge of the scale of the Universe.