The wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum viewed by HST, and why HST is better than earth-based telescopes for studying objects at these wavelengths.

Question

The wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum viewed by HST, and why HST is better than earth-based telescopes for studying objects at these wavelengths.

Answer 1

Instruments on the HST (cameras and spectrographs) span the wavelength range from far-ultraviolet to near-infrared. Depending on the instrument used, the capability is to observe wavelengths from 90 to 1700 nm.

For visible wavelengths the HST is often superior because of not having atmospheric blurring of images. The HST also observes wavelengths in most of the UV and some of the near-IR domains that are not accessible from Earth's surface because light at those wavelengths is absorbed by atoms and molecules in Earth's atmosphere.