From the Book - Revised edition.
How did ancient people use observatories? Focus on: ancient observatories Focus on: Chichén Itzá: architecture and the gods How do modern observatories differ from ancient observatories? Why are many observatories round with a dome? Why are many observatories on mountains? What kinds of telescopes are used in observatories? How far out in space and back in time can telescopes see? What do astronomers study using ground-based observatories? What is an optical telescope? Focus on: Keck Observatory: at the edge of the heavens What are magnification and resolving power? Who invented the first optical telescopes? Focus on: new moons, new wonders How does a refracting telescope work? Focus on: the pursuit of light Who invented the first reflecting telescope? How does a reflecting telescope work? How does a reflecting-refracting telescope work? How do telescopes make images? How do astronomers use computers to create astronomical images? Why are there different types of telescope mirrors? What is light pollution? What have ground-based observatories taught us about the solar system? What have ground-based observatories taught us about the larger universe? Focus on: Kitt Peak Observatory: an astronomical oasis What does the future hold for ground-based observatories?
