Science is made up of many legs. For example, we have biology, which deals with life, while engineering is designed to look into the mechanics of things. And we have astronomy, telescopes, and astrophysicists, all in a great work of taking humanity forward.



Now, we need to look at the question how does telescopes help scientists and science? The real answer we seek is how telescopes and astronomy helps humanity, because we have seen that astronomy is a science, and telescopes are scientific instruments.

So, how does telescopes help scientists, and ultimately humanity? Since the dawn of time, one of the first things that man must have done was to look up at the heavens. For centuries people have always wanted to know what the future holds. Here astronomy has been the basis of astrology. Though, some people may disagree, with this point. In either case, you likely have heard of astrology, and likely even know your own star sign!

On a practical note, telescopes have helped scientists in many ways. For example, telescopes are helping with monitoring the meteors and asteroids, which potentially could pose a threat to Earth. Here is a very practical application, because advanced knowledge may allow us to do something!

Another way is with the Sun. At times our Sun emits Solar flares, and these flares are so powerful, that they can cause problems on Earth. It has happened where the Solar flares have cause brownouts in some areas.

Some scientists have said that some asteroids and meteors may contain precious items, such as gold, diamonds, etc. These could be very valuable for humanity, and our progress forward. The telescopes help scientists find this information out, however, not with normal telescopes.

A telescope is used to see objects far away, but we often think of telescopes as scientific instruments, we look through and get an image, through some optics. As an example, the Hubble Space Telescope, though it is a telescope, it has no optical parts, people can look through. Instead images are taken and transmitted back for viewing.

A more practical way where people are benefiting from astronomy, and telescopes, is with the knowledge of how to put a satellite into space. This has made a big impact, and you almost likely have a cell phone, which utilizes satellites.

Another is with GPS technology, which allows you to know where you are. And now, we have technology, such as a Tom-Tom, which allows you to drive without the need of looking at a map in a book!