The Hubble Space Telescope

The Hubble Space Telescope

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This task is about the Hubble Space Telescope.  

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) was placed into an orbit around the Earth at an altitude of 610 km in April 1990. The Hubble weighs 11 tonnes on the Earth.

labelled diagram of the Hubble telescope

Source: Image: Nasa, Public domain 

Question 2Change answer

a)  What would be the function of these parts on the HST?
     i)  Antenna:       
     ii) Solar panels: 

Question 2Change answer

b)  What is the main advantage of having a telescope above the Earth's atmosphere instead of on the Earth's surface?
     

Question

c)  The scientific instruments on the HST measure all of the following about stars and distant faint objects except their

    • composition

    • origin

    • motion

    • brightness

    • temperature

Explain your answer.
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online (with some auto-marking).
Copyright: 
labelled diagram of the Hubble telescope
Source: Image: Nasa, Public domain 
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
Science, Knowledge, Planet Earth
Keywords: 
astronomical systems, space exploration
Description of task: 
Students answer three questions about the Hubble Space Telescope.
Answers/responses: 
 

Y10 (12/1997)
a) i)
ii)		 Communications/relay pictures (data) to the Earth.
To provide energy for telescope motors.		 easy
easy
b)   So the light from distant galaxies is not distorted/Earth's atmosphere distorts light from space. very difficult
c)   B - origin  easy
Diagnostic and formative information: 

 

Common error

b)

23% of students stated "because it is further away from the Earth/closer to the stars."
25% of students stated "because it can see further/see a greater distance."