Telescope : Developments of Universe Awareness(<Special Series>To International Year of Light 2015)

Abstract

History of telescope is reviewed under the light of evolution of universe awareness by humankind. Starting from enlargement of images to "see and find" wonders of universe since Galileo Galilei, optical telescopes evolved to gigantic modern instruments to "measure and analyze" phenomena in the universe by using a variety of sophisticated attachments. Radio telescope had dramatically extended the observing area from stars to all kinds of matters in universe, and IR, X and γ-ray telescopes provided awareness of dynamically evolving universe. Perspectives on the future of telescopes are also discussed.