The Spitzer Space Telescope

The video discusses various telescopes, focusing on the Spitzer Space Telescope's infrared capabilities. Spitzer detects infrared images, revealing activities invisible in visible wavelengths. It orbits the sun, isolated from infrared radiation, and uses liquid helium to cool its detectors. Spitzer's infrared observations penetrate dust clouds, revealing star formation and a massive asteroid belt. These observations suggest prolonged periods of violent collisions in stellar systems. Despite running out of helium, Spitzer continues to function in a limited capacity.

What is the primary reason Spitzer uses liquid helium?

• To cool its infrared detectors

• To communicate with Earth

• To maintain its orbit

• To power its solar panels

How does Spitzer's infrared capability benefit its observations?

• It helps in observing through dust clouds

• It increases its speed

• It allows it to detect radio waves

• It enhances visible light images

What significant discovery did Spitzer make about a distant asteroid belt?

• It contains more water than Earth's oceans

• It has 25 times more material than our solar system

• It is moving towards our solar system

• It is composed entirely of ice

What does Spitzer's observation suggest about the duration of violent collisions in stellar systems?

• They occur only in our solar system

• They may last hundreds of millions of years

• They are shorter than expected

• They last only a few years

What is the current status of Spitzer's helium coolant?

• It has been refilled

• It is still fully operational

• It has run out

• It is leaking into space