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Chapter 37: Problem 7

Radio astronomers have discovered many complex organic molecules in interstellar space. Why were these discoveries made with radio telescopes and not optical telescopes?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Complex organic molecules in interstellar space emit specific signatures in the radio wavelengths. These cannot be observed using optical telescopes, which observe visible light. Furthermore, radio signals are not absorbed or scattered by the Earth's atmosphere, unlike visible light, thus making radio telescopes more effective for this particular research. Hence, radio telescopes are used to discover complex organic molecules in interstellar space.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the functionalities of different telescopes

Radio telescopes are designed to observe radio waves from space, and optical telescopes are used to observe visible light. These forms of radiation are very different, for example, radio waves have much longer wavelengths than light visible to the human eye. As a result, the two types of telescopes are built differently and used for observing different phenomena in space.
02

Identifying the nature of complex organic molecules

Complex organic molecules in the cosmos often exist in the low energy, low temperature conditions of interstellar clouds. These molecules produce specific signature emissions in the radio wavelengths when they undergo transitions between low energy states. This radio signature is what radio astronomers look for when discovering these molecules.
03

Understanding why radio telescopes are used

Given the nature of complex organic molecules and their emission patterns, radio telescopes are the right equipment to observe them. Additionally, radio waves are not significantly absorbed or scattered by the Earth's atmosphere, unlike visible light. Therefore, radio telescopes on Earth can observe these radio signals effectively without the need to be in space.

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You're designing a new medical MRI imager. The design calls for a long solenoid wound with 75 turns per meter of niobiumtitanium superconductor. The upper critical field for your particular Nb-Ti alloy is 12 T. To avoid a disastrous loss of superconductivity (see Example 27.9 ), you want to limit the actual field to half the upper critical field. What maximum current do you specify for your device?

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