Because we can't see through a gas cloud, we would not use optical telescopes which collect visible light to form images of stars inside a gas cloud. Which type of telescope would we use to study new stars inside the giant gas cloud and why?
My thoughts are Infrared and radio telescopes - just not sure of how to explain why...can someone help me if my answers are right...
ok thank you - I will read through them
Yes, you are correct in suggesting that infrared and radio telescopes would be suitable for studying new stars inside a giant gas cloud.
Infrared telescopes would be especially useful for observing new stars within a gas cloud because infrared radiation can penetrate through the gas and dust that make up the cloud. Compared to visible light, infrared wavelengths are longer and can pass through the particles of the cloud more easily. This allows astronomers to detect and study the heat signatures emitted by the stars within the cloud. By observing the infrared emissions, scientists can gather valuable information about the stars' temperatures, compositions, and other physical properties.
On the other hand, radio telescopes can also be used to study stars inside a gas cloud. Gas clouds typically contain a mixture of molecular gas and dust that emit radio waves. These telescopes are designed to detect and capture radio waves emitted by celestial objects. By using radio telescopes, astronomers can observe the radio emissions from the gas cloud and its contents, including the stars within it. This can provide valuable information about the gas and dust distribution, magnetic fields, and activity levels within the cloud, contributing to our understanding of star formation processes.
So, both infrared and radio telescopes are excellent choices for studying new stars inside a giant gas cloud due to their ability to effectively penetrate through the gas and dust, allowing us to observe and study the stars within.
Yes, you are on the right track! When observing stars inside a giant gas cloud, optical telescopes, which collect visible light, are not ideal because the gas cloud blocks and scatters the visible light, making it difficult to observe the stars within.
In such cases, astronomers would utilize infrared and radio telescopes to study the new stars inside the gas cloud. Here's why:
1. Infrared Telescopes: Infrared radiation has longer wavelengths than visible light, allowing it to penetrate through the gas cloud more effectively. By using an infrared telescope, astronomers can detect the heat emitted by the stars at longer wavelengths. This enables them to observe the stars even if they are hidden within the gas cloud.
2. Radio Telescopes: Radio waves have even longer wavelengths compared to infrared radiation. These wavelengths can easily pass through the gas cloud without being significantly scattered or absorbed. By using a radio telescope, astronomers can detect the radio emissions coming from the stars within the gas cloud. These emissions may include radio waves generated by the stars' magnetic fields, ionized gas, or interactions with other objects in the cloud.
Both infrared and radio telescopes allow astronomers to study stars within gas clouds because they operate at wavelengths that are less affected by the scattering and blocking properties of the gas. This enables them to gather valuable information about the stars even when they are not directly visible in the optical spectrum.