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Question

Why are optical telescopes located in uninhabited places on mountains?

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Solution

  • The visible light coming from a heavenly body has to pass through the earth’s atmosphere to reach the earth’s surface.
  • During this journey, some of the light is absorbed by the atmosphere and the intensity of the light reaching the earth’s surface decreases.
  • A second problem is caused by the changes in atmospheric pressure and temperature.
  • These changes cause turbulence in the atmosphere which in turn cause the light rays to change their path slightly and thereby shake the position of the image.
  • We cannot use optical telescope during the day. because of sunlight also.
  • During the night too, city lights and cloudy weather can cause difficulties in observing the heavenly bodies.
  • Hence, optical telescopes are located in uninhabited places on mountains.

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