Close-up view of the 100-inch Hooker Telescope.

The Evolution of Astronomical Telescopes: A Century of Cosmic Vision

The past century has witnessed an extraordinary transformation in astronomical telescopes, evolving from massive ground-based behemoths limited by Earth’s atmosphere to sophisticated space-faring instruments that peer into the universe’s deepest secrets. This journey, spanning from the aftermath of World War I to the present day, reflects humanity’s relentless quest to understand the cosmos.