Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What do you know about space telescopes?
- What do you think happens when a telescope is launched into space?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- launch /lawnch/
- galaxy /gal-uhk-see/
- investigate /in-VES-ti-geyt/
- detect /dih-TEKT/
- contribute /kuhn-TRIB-yoot/
[verb] – to send something into the air or space, typically by force.
The rocket will launch from the space center tomorrow.
[noun] – a large system of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity
The Milky Way is a galaxy that contains our solar system.
[verb] – to carefully examine or study something to find out more information
The police will investigate the mystery of the missing keys.
[verb] – to find or discover something, often something that is not easily seen or noticed
The sensors can detect changes in temperature.
[verb] – to give or add something in order to help achieve a result
I will contribute my notes to help with the project.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
NASA recently launched the Spherex space telescope, which will map the entire sky to study galaxies and the evolution of the universe. The mission, which cost $488 million, aims to understand the formation and development of galaxies over billions of years and investigate the rapid expansion of the universe. Launched by SpaceX from California, the telescope is currently traveling over Earth’s poles. Unlike previous telescopes, Spherex will study the collective light emitted by all galaxies, including light from the earliest galaxies formed after the Big Bang. Its ability to detect infrared light will offer a unique view of the universe and reveal hidden cosmic details.
Spherex’s observations will significantly contribute to understanding the universe’s origins. By analyzing the cosmic glow, scientists will learn about the early galaxies’ light and how they formed. The telescope’s infrared detectors, capable of identifying 102 invisible colors, will create a detailed map of the cosmos. Its design ensures that the detectors stay extremely cold, which is necessary for accurate measurements. The mission will carry out four full-sky surveys over two years, providing data to help understand galaxy formation and the presence of life-supporting ingredients in the Milky Way. This innovative mission could lead to groundbreaking discoveries in cosmology and the search for life beyond Earth.
Spherex’s observations will significantly contribute to understanding the universe’s origins. By analyzing the cosmic glow, scientists will learn about the early galaxies’ light and how they formed. The telescope’s infrared detectors, capable of identifying 102 invisible colors, will create a detailed map of the cosmos. Its design ensures that the detectors stay extremely cold, which is necessary for accurate measurements. The mission will carry out four full-sky surveys over two years, providing data to help understand galaxy formation and the presence of life-supporting ingredients in the Milky Way. This innovative mission could lead to groundbreaking discoveries in cosmology and the search for life beyond Earth.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What is the Spherex space telescope designed to study?
- How much did the Spherex mission cost?
- Where was the Spherex telescope launched from?
- What makes Spherex different from other telescopes?
- What type of light can Spherex detect?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever seen a telescope in real life? If so, what did it look like? If not, would you like to see one? Why or why not?
- Have you ever learned about space in school? If so, what was your favorite topic? If not, would you like to? Why or why not?
- Do you agree that space telescopes can help us discover new things about the universe?
- How could space telescopes change our understanding of the universe in the future?
- What challenges do you think scientists face when using space telescopes?