Final answer:
Space-based telescopes like the Chandra X-ray Observatory collect short wavelengths of light, as these high-energy forms are absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere and must be observed from orbit.
Step-by-step explanation:
Telescopes designed to collect short wavelengths of light, such as ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma-ray, are typically placed outside the Earth's atmosphere. This is necessary because these high-energy forms of light are absorbed by the atmosphere and do not reach the ground. The most renowned of these telescopes is the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which has been orbiting the Earth since 1999. The Chandra's mirrors are carefully shaped and aligned to allow X-rays to ricochet and focus at a point, despite their natural tendency to be absorbed rather than reflected.
Telescopes like the Chandra operate with high precision, using mirrors with smooth surfaces coated with metals like iridium to capture and focus these shorter wavelengths. Instead of being affected by atmospheric seeing, these telescopes can observe high temperature events, such as exploding stars, quasars, and black holes in astonishing detail.