The unique telescope

For more than four centuries telescope has been the Earth’s window on the universe. But the views they give have been limited by the size and shape of the instruments. Now scientists in many countries are developing bigger telescopes that will enable astronomers to look deeper into the corners of the Universe. The main principle of a telescope is: the larger the mirror, the clearer and brighter the reflected image will be.

The world’s largest optical telescope is in the North Caucasus at 2,100 metres above the sea level. It was designed and created at the Leningrad Optical and Mechanical Association (LOMO). The main part of the telescope is the mirror which is six meters in diameter and weighs 42 tons. The mirror’s area is about 30 square metres and it has been polished to the highest degree of accuracy. The telescope is housed in a tower a revolving 1,000-ton dome.

Many countries have developed large-size optical telescope in the recent 30 years, but this telescope is the most powerful. The following gives an idea of what the telescope can do. With this telescope a candle flame can be seen from a distance of 25,000 km. Its power is 40-50 million times greater than that of a naked eye. With this telescope astronomers can investigate the most remote bodies in the Universe, it will help to solve many important scientific problems, to make a great contribution to the mankind’s knowledge. Astronomers have used the telescope to take several unique photographs of stars. The development of this unique telescope is a great achievement of science and technology.

Words to be learnt

association n – объединение

candle flame – пламя свечи

clear a – ясный

dome n – купол

image n – изображение

mirror n – зеркало

naked eye – невооруженный глаз

polish v – полировать

recent a – недавний; зд. последний

remote a – удаленный

tower n – башня

view n – вид, картина

Завдання 1.Дайте відповіді на запитання.

1. What is the main principle of a telescope?

2. Where is the world’s largest optical telescope situated?

3. What is the main part of an optical telescope?

4. What can astronomers investigate with this unique telescope?

5. Where is the telescope housed?

Завдання 2. Заповніть пропуски, користуючись змістом тексту.

1. For a long time telescopes were the Earth’s ________on the Universe.

2. Now scientists in many countries are developing ________ telescopes.

3. Large telescopes enable astronomers _______ deeper into the Universe.

4. The largest telescope is situated at _________ above the sea level.

5. The mirror of the telescope is six metres ________ and weighs 42 tons.

Завдання 3. Доберіть відповідні англійські слова та словосполучення підкресленим українським.

1. вежа: a) view; b) tower;

c) square; d) body.

2. важити: a) to solve; b) to develop;

c) to give; d) to weigh.

3. віддалений: a) limited; b) deep;

c) remote; d) clear.

4. відстань: a) image; b) level;

c) distance; d) contribution.

5. досліджувати: a) to use; b) to investigate;

c) to enable; d) to reflect.

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