The telescope began as a relatively simple device, born out of optical experimentation. It combined a series of lenses and mirrors to collect and magnify light, allowing the user to see far away ...

In January 1610, Galileo Galilei, using a newly improved telescope with 20x magnification, observed four celestial bodies orbiting Jupiter, initially appearing as stars. These bodies, later named Io, ...

Using a telescope typically means pointing it upward and hoping to land on something unique. You can find the moon, maybe a constellation, but after that, all those stars begin to look alike. So what ...

Hans Lippershey's ingenious spyglass -- Galileo's new window on the heavens -- Johannes Kepler, the nearsighted wizard -- Isaac Newton's reflecting telescope -- William Herschel's giant reflectors -- ...

On Jan. 7, 1610, Galileo discovered four moons revolving around Jupiter — a discovery that would change his life forever. These four moons are Jupiter’s largest satellites — lo, Europa, Ganymede and ...