Astrophysics & Particle Physics-APPC 2026

Space Telescopes and Missions are critical instruments for the study of the universe above the distortion and limitations of the Earth's atmosphere. Placing telescopes in orbit, astronomers are able to view cosmic events from the ultraviolet and visible light ends of the electromagnetic spectrum, through infrared, X-rays, and gamma rays, providing unprecedented understanding of the universe.The Hubble Space Telescope broke new ground in astronomy with its high-resolution imagery, enabling detailed investigations of galaxies, nebulae, and remote supernovae. James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), an infrared-observing mission, is opening new doors for the study of the early universe, star and planet development, and exoplanet atmospheres. Likewise, Chandra X-ray Observatory and other high-energy observatories probe the extreme environments of black holes, neutron stars, and supernova remnants.Space missions aren't restricted to telescopes.

Robotic satellites and probes, including planetary, moon, and asteroid missions, give immediate measurements of celestial bodies, supplementing distant observation. Some of the examples are the Kepler and TESS missions to detect exoplanets, the rovers and orbiters to study the solar system's gas giants and ice moons.These missions incorporate sophisticated instruments, accurate navigation, and advanced data analysis to provide answers to some of the basic questions regarding the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars, and planetary systems. By monitoring light and other signals from far-away sources, astronomers are able to quantify cosmic expansion, register gravitational events, and trace the universe's structure.Space missions and telescopes also spur technological innovation, shaping imaging methods, detector design, and spacecraft design. By looking outward from Earth, these missions give us a glimpse into the past, present, and future of the universe, allowing us to make discoveries about dark energy, dark matter, exoplanets, and the first fraction of a second after the Big Bang.Sustained observations and exploration by space telescopes and missions continue to lead the field of astrophysical research, opening our eyes to the workings of the universe and our place in it.