Telescopes have been able to revolutionize our perception of the universe through them being very crucial instruments for astronomers and scientists. From the refracting telescopes of the 17th century to the powerful space-based observatories of today, these instruments have, on their own, contributed to widening our view and leading to groundbreaking discoveries in understanding the universe.
Galileo Galilei, among other pioneers, built the first telescopes and therefore enabled humans to see celestial bodies in ways that had never been imaginably possible. The observations made by Galileo of the moons of Jupiter, the phases of Venus, and the detailed structure of the moon laid the very foundations of modern astronomy as it started to touch people's lifelines with questions against prevailing beliefs. The early telescopes gave an idea of how vast space is and how vast their mechanics will be.
Now, improved quite significantly with the advent of new technology in its design, was the telescope. In the late 17th century, the invention of the reflecting telescope by Isaac Newton marked a big milestone. Since now the problem of chromatic aberration, distortions due to the different wavelengths of light, was absent, objects in space were viewed clearly and in greater detail.
In the 20th century, large ground-based observatories with advanced instrumentation were built. The installation of Mauna Kea Observatories in Hawaii and ALMA in Chile offered astronomers the opportunities for learning a wide range of phenomena in the universe, from the birth of stars to the way galaxies act. Such observatories use adaptive optics and others to remove disturbances caused by the atmosphere so that extremely high-resolution images of the universe can be achieved.
While ground-based telescopes are affected by the limiting effects of our atmosphere in masking and warping light from astronomical objects, technological advantages have been gained through the deployment of space-based telescopes, among which is the Hubble Space Telescope, launched as far back as 1990. Images and valuable data provided through this telescope led to the very important discoveries of the acceleration of the expansion of the universe and detection of exoplanets. The ability to observe wavelengths beyond the visible spectrum-in ultraviolet and infrared-has been an extension of our view of space.
The next frontier in the observation of space is going to be the future James Webb Space Telescope, JWST. Scheduled for launch soon, JWST will study infrared wavelengths of the universe and thereby improve scientists' ability to study the formation of stars and galaxies. Advanced capability promises something new in understanding a great chunk of our knowledge about the early universe and exoplanets that can help us seek life beyond Earth.
Telescopes are not merely observation tools but also an instrument for public engagement and education. Planetariums and other public observatories are seating places where various stargazing events take place and at times interact with the cosmos. In most cases, such activities will plant a fascination for the sciences in people's minds, thereby inspiring upcoming scientists and astronomers.
The telescopes have been a tool of immense importance in the quest to unravel the mystery of the universe. From the early designs that revolutionized our view of the solar system to modern space-based observatories probing the depths of cosmos, telescopes continue to propel scientific discovery. There remain many more secrets to be unlocked by the next generations of telescopes as technologies advance, further deepening our understanding of our place in the cosmos.
