Technology is the backbone of man's success in mapping the various wavelengths of light comprising the electromagnetic spectrum. Below are some brief descriptions of this technology. Some of the space observatories utilizing such technological instruments are also discussed. The left menu contains links to more thorough descriptions. For information on products for sale, please go to the Products section.

• Digital Cameras are cameras that record pictures electronically rather than on film. In a digital camera, film is no longer used. Instead, the photons (light waves) are focused onto a processor called a CCD (charged-couple device). The CCD, invented in 1969, has replaced the function of film and has taken photographic imaging to much greater heights, especially in the field of astronomy.
• Thermal cameras (also known as infrared imagers) are detector and lens combinations that give a visual representation of infrared energy emitted by objects.
• Telescopes are instruments that gather and focus light for the purpose of making it more visible to the human eye. They can gather many times the amount of light than your eye can and contain main lenses which either bend the light or reflect it to form an image. Today's telescopes are able to collect data from all parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
• Space observatories are satellites placed in orbit in outer space for the observation of distant planets, galaxies, and other outer space objects. Since performing astronomy from the Earth's surface is limited by the filtering and distortion of electromagnetic radiation due to the Earth's atmosphere, it is necessary to place such observation devices into space. A large number of observatories have been launched into orbit, and most of them have greatly enhanced our knowledge of the cosmos.