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An astronomical instrument is a device for observing, measuring, or recording astronomical data. [ citation needed ] They are used in the scientific field of astronomy , a natural science that studies celestial objects and the phenomena that occur in the cosmos, with the object of explaining their origin and evolution over time.
This category contains articles about instruments used for astronomy ... Pages in category "Astronomical instruments" The following 116 pages are in this category ...
The oldest form of astronomy, optical or visible-light astronomy, observes wavelengths of light from approximately 400 to 700 nm. [149] Positioning an optical telescope in space eliminates the distortions and limitations that hamper that ground-based optical telescopes (see Astronomical seeing), providing higher resolution images.
Here is a list of currently existing astronomical optical interferometers (i.e. operating from visible to mid-infrared wavelengths), and some parameters describing their performance. Current performance of ground-based interferometers
Star Diagonal: Used to change the angle of the light coming out of a telescope, for easier viewing. Herschel Wedge: Similar to a star diagonal with a wedge-shaped unsilvered prism reflector that reduces incoming light by up to 95% for solar viewing. Coma corrector a correcting lens used to reduce coma distortion in fast reflecting telescopes.
This glossary of astronomy is a list of definitions of terms and concepts relevant to astronomy and cosmology, their sub-disciplines, and related fields. Astronomy is concerned with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth. The field of astronomy features an extensive vocabulary and a ...
The instrument is then rotated until a single light beam passes through two points on the instrument. This fixes the orientation of the instrument in all three axes. The angle between the vertical and the light beam gives the solar elevation. The solar elevation is a function of latitude, time of day, and season. Any one of these variables can ...
List of Solar System objects most distant from the Sun; List of Solar System objects by size; Lists of geological features of the Solar System; List of natural satellites (moons) Lists of small Solar System bodies; Lists of comets; List of meteor showers; Minor planets. List of minor planets. List of exceptional asteroids; List of minor planet ...