Since Newton's time astronomy has increased in sophistication. Early telescopes observed only the visible light from the sky. Thus many observatories are built in high places, where there is less atmosphere. This enables visible light to be detected with less distortion, and other frequencies to arrive at the telescope with greater intensity. Computers and electronics have revolutionized astronomy, greatly reducing the time needed to track and analyse objects.
Telescopes differ widely, depending upon the type of radiation that they are designed to detect.
Radio telescopes are huge metal dishes, which need to be large because radio waves have wavelengths of the order of a metre. Microwave dishes are typically a few metres across. The quest to observe the sky in other wavelengths has led to suggestions for space telescopes which would eliminate atmospheric distortion. Astronomical observations reveal a wealth of information about the universe. From them we may learn about the early life of the universe, the evolution of stars and galaxies and the existence of bizarre objects like neutron stars and black holes .