Which type of telescope can observe cosmic microwave background radiation?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Solution: The correct answer is Radio Telescope.
Explanation:
☛ Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation is the thermal remnant left over from the initial stages of the Big Bang that permeates the entire universe.
☛ CMB radiation falls in the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum (wavelengths ranging from millimeters to centimeters), which directly overlaps with high-frequency radio waves.
☛ Therefore, Radio Telescopes equipped with sensitive microwave receivers are used to observe and map this cosmic radiation.
☛ CMB was accidentally discovered in 1965 by American radio astronomers Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson using the Holmdel Horn Radio Antenna, earning them the 1978 Nobel Prize in Physics.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Optical Telescopes: Use lenses or mirrors to collect and focus light primarily from the visible spectrum (e.g., Hubble Space Telescope's optical sensors).
☛ Infrared Telescopes: Detect heat radiation from celestial bodies, allowing scientists to see through cosmic dust clouds (e.g., James Webb Space Telescope).
☛ X-ray Telescopes: Observe high-energy phenomena such as black hole accretion disks, neutron stars, and supernova remnants (e.g., Chandra X-ray Observatory).
☛ CMB Space Missions: Major dedicated space missions that mapped the CMB include NASA's COBE, WMAP, and the European Space Agency's Planck satellite.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Who first discovered the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation in 1965? → Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson
☛ What is the average background temperature of the universe measured via CMB? → Approximately 2.73 Kelvin (-270.42 °C)
☛ Which NASA satellite provided the first precision map of cosmic background fluctuations in 1992? → COBE (Cosmic Background Explorer)
☛ Which electromagnetic waves have the longest wavelength and lowest frequency in the spectrum? → Radio waves
☛ What is the name of India's world-class low-frequency radio telescope array located near Pune? → Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT)