Great Heroes and Discoveries of Astronomy Season 1 Episode 2 Designing and Building the Modern Telescope

Great Heroes and Discoveries of Astronomy season 1 episode 2, titled "Designing and Building the Modern Telescope," delves into the history of the telescope and the remarkable innovations that have led to the sophisticated instruments used in astronomy today. The episode takes us on a journey, from the earliest days of telescopes through the many different iterations and advances that have occurred over the centuries.

We start by examining the telescope's humble beginnings with a look at the first recorded use of a lens for magnification by Roman philosopher Seneca in the 1st century AD. From there, we are taken on a tour of the many different designs and prototypes that were used throughout history. We explore the earliest models, such as the Dutch invention of the spyglass, to later adaptations like the refracting and reflecting telescopes.

However, the episode mainly focuses on the invention of the modern telescope in the 17th century, which was catalyzed by several great discoveries in the field of optics. We learn how Johannes Kepler's theory of the optics of lenses had helped to refine the way the telescope was constructed, thus making it easier to produce and operate. Also, how Galileo's famous astronomical observations with his telescope helped to change how astronomers studied the sky.

The greatest achievement of the episode though is how it takes us through the journey of the creation of the modern telescope. Starting with the designs and prototypes of the earliest telescopes, it moves on to the milestones of astronomical observing by Galileo with his designing of the first quality and detail telescope, followed by Isaac Newton's invention of the reflecting telescope.

The episode goes into great detail on how the early refracting telescopes suffered from chromatic aberration, an optical error where different wavelengths of light do not focus at the same point, thus creating a blurred image. This issue was addressed by the creation of the achromatic lens that combined light of different wavelengths to form a clear image. The episode then shows how the construction and innovation of reflecting telescopes lead to create some of the biggest telescopes in the world.

Furthermore, "Designing and Building the Modern Telescope" shares how the most important aspect of telescope design is the "seeing" of the telescope site. The "seeing" describes the turbulence of the atmosphere over a site that disturbs the light waves that pass through the air, resulting in distorted images. The observatory in Mauna Kea, Hawaii's elevation, and climate make it the home of some of the largest telescopes in the world.

The episode concludes by showcasing the latest in telescope technology, the James Webb Space Telescope. We learn the hows and whys of space telescopes and how they have revolutionized the field of astronomy by observing the universe in a way that is impossible from the ground, and how the James Webb Space Telescope is expected to unveil new mysteries of the universe.

In summary, "Designing and Building the Modern Telescope" is a fascinating episode of Great Heroes and Discoveries of Astronomy that sheds light on the incredible ingenuity and innovation of the designers and builders of telescopes throughout history. The episode takes viewers through the many different versions of telescopes used for astronomical observation from the earliest days to the modern telescope, which is capable of probing the very edges of the known universe. It is a must-watch for astronomy enthusiasts and those interested in the history of science and technology.