The methods that astronomers use to observe the Universe have changed over time.
The Table shows some of these changes.
Table
| Approximate date | Method of observing |
|---|---|
| before 1600 | naked eye only |
| 1610 | optical telescope |
| 1840s | photography through optical telescopes |
| 1930s | radio telescope |
| 1990 | optical telescope in orbit around the Earth |
Give one advantage of observing stars with an optical telescope rather than with the naked eye.
Explain one advantage of recording observations using photography rather than by drawing what is seen through a telescope.
Explain why radio telescopes allowed astronomers to discover objects that could not be observed with optical telescopes.
Give two reasons why an optical telescope in orbit around the Earth produces clearer images than the same telescope on the ground.
75 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Physics 7.3 Stars, covering 7.3.1 Evolution of stars similar to the Sun, 7.3.2 Evolution of massive stars, and 7.3.3 Observing the Universe. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.