| Astrophysics (Index) | About |
Ultraviolet astronomy is the branch of astronomy dealing with the observation and analysis ultraviolet (UV) from astronomical sources (ultraviolet sources or UV sources), which include OB stars, white dwarfs, supernova remnants, galaxy clusters, and active galactic nuclei (AGNs). The Sun's corona is also a source. Optical telescopes commonly are capable of observing the longer-wavelength portion of the UV spectrum, and the shorter-wavelength portion is often observed/analyzed along with soft X-rays (XEUV). Most of the ultraviolet spectrum is not in an atmospheric window (generally, the shorter the wavelength, the more UV is blocked), and UV telescopes are generally space-based. Among them:
Hubble Space Telescope has some UV capability and LUVOIR is a concept for a future telescope that will include such capability. X-ray missions also often include some UV capability. Also, BUSS and SCAP were balloon-borne UV telescopes, and Lunar-based Ultraviolet Telescope (LUT) is a small UV telescope on the Moon.