when we are near a sunspot maximum, the Hubble space telescope must be put in a higher orbit.why?Hint: think about the increased solar energy affect, the earth atmospher. plz help me
2006-12-07 09:03:39 · 2 answers · asked by AAA 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Increased solar activity heats up the upper atmosphere and causes it to expand outward. This increases atmospheric drag in low earth orbit. In the case of the Hubble, they might also be concerned about damage to optics from ionized oxygen.
2006-12-07 09:49:49 · answer #1 · answered by injanier 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Strong solar winds and ionized gases caused by solar flares push anything in orbit between the Sun and the Earth closer to the Earth, then gravity takes over. Hence the reason why Skylab fell back to Earth (it didn't have its own engine to boost it back out).
2006-12-07 09:07:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋