"An introduction to observatories in space with information about their history and use. Includes diagrams, fun facts, glossary, resource list, and index"--Provided by publisher.

Introduction -- Why do astronomers need observatories in air and in space? -- Focus on: balloon observatories -- What is an airborne observatory? -- What are sounding rockets? -- What are space probes? -- What is an orbiting observatory? -- What were the first observatories in space? -- How does an observatory get into space? -- What are the parts of an orbiting observatory? -- Focus on: the electromagnetic spectrum -- What can astronomers learn by studying light from space? -- What is the Hubble Space Telescope? -- Focus on: Hubble's view of the universe -- Are radio telescopes used in space? -- How does an infrared telescope work? -- How do scientists use orbiting infrared telescopes? -- How does an ultraviolet telescope work? -- How do scientists use orbiting ultraviolet telescopes? -- How does an x-ray telescope work? -- How do scientists use orbiting x-ray telescopes? -- How is a gamma-ray telescope unique? -- What have orbiting gamma-ray telescopes revealed about gamma-ray bursts? -- Can orbiting observatories be used to study deep space? -- Can orbiting observatories be used to study Earth? -- Can orbiting observatories be used to study the sun? -- Can orbiting observatories be used to search for extrasolar planets? -- What does the future hold for space-based observatories?