Passion Project by Siena

Before Satellites

sienaliba — 2026-03-15 15:42:52 UTC

Before the invention of satellites astronomers used what they saw with their own eyes and telescopes to make observations. There was even speculation of water, plants, and life on other planets before the help of satellites to debunk this. Scientists used sounding rockets other known as research rockets with scientific tools on board for experiments, measurements of altitude and technology testing. These rockets do not enter orbit when travelling upwards meaning they fall back to Earth after the around 20 minute journey. A rocket had taken the first black and white photograph of the Earth from space in 1946.

Satellites Now, a Different Perspective - RADARSAT-1

sienaliba — 2026-03-15 16:36:29 UTC

RADARSAT-1 was the first Canadian earth observation satellite, launched in 1995 by the Canadian space agency. This satellite uses different signals, some of which rebound off the earth’s surface and return to the satellite. Used to monitor and collect data for agriculture, oceanography, ice studies, and disaster management (flooding, down power lines). Though this satellite was decommissioned in 2013 it had a big impact on earth and our daily lives.

Satellites Now - NEOSSat

sienaliba — 2026-03-15 16:37:38 UTC

NEOSSat stands for near earth object surveillance satellite. It is the world's first space telescope made for detecting and tracking asteroids, comets, other satellites and space debris, launched in 2013. This small satellite orbits earth at an altitude of approximately 800km. It is used for scanning space on the lookout for asteroids and comets nearby the sun that could someday fly by earth. As well as observing exoplanets and stars. The NEOSSat is still active today and has made many contributions to space discovery.

Telescopes Now - James Webb Space Telescope

sienaliba — 2026-03-16 02:28:47 UTC

The James Webb Space Telescope was made by NASA, with help from the Canadian Space Agency and the European Space Agency. This telescope has caused so much improvement in space exploration and has helped scientists understand the universe by being the most advanced and powerful telescope that has ever been built, as well as the largest. Astronomers are using modern telescopes in space and on the ground, using mirrors to capture the light from faraway galaxies. Telescopes and advanced techniques have helped astronomers observe many different aspects of space including black holes, distant planets, and stars. Because of the size of the James Webb Telescope, it is the largest space telescope ever built. Launched in 2021, this telescope is used to discover and collect a variety of information from distant stars and galaxies. This gives Canadian astronomers an amazing look into the earliest moments of our universe as well as planets circling other stars we have never even seen before. This telescope is also a satellite and many powerful telescopes are put into orbit like this. A satellite is an object that orbits something, for example orbiting the sun. Whereas only a telescope is used for observing space itself. It is space telescopes like this one that are both.

Before Telescopes

sienaliba — 2026-03-16 02:31:48 UTC

The first records and planning for telescopes was in 1608. However the year 1609 is most remembered for telescopes because it is when Galileo Galilei made modifications to this plan and was the first person to use a telescope on the sky. Scientists identified lunar craters, the moons of Jupiter, and the phases of Venus with this new way of using telescopes. It was first found that Earth's atmosphere made it difficult to clearly see faint stars so when astronomers directed the use telescopes for space it improved the visiblity.

1600's

sienaliba — 2026-03-16 19:37:24 UTC

Late 1950's

sienaliba — 2026-03-16 19:40:46 UTC