Final answer:
Satellites assist in studying the Earth and space by providing a platform for continuous observation without atmospheric interference. They are critical for precise triangulation of distances to distant objects and understanding celestial bodies, especially the Sun. The Hubble Space Telescope is an important space-based observatory for astronomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Satellites are not commonly listed as astronomical tools because their primary functions often relate to activities on Earth such as communication, navigation, and environmental monitoring. Nonetheless, satellites are indeed pivotal in augmenting our understanding of both Earth and outer space. Satellites equipped with specialized instruments enable astronomers to study the Sun and other celestial objects by escaping the distortive effects of the Earth's atmosphere, thus delivering more precise observations than ground-based methods.
The Hubble Space Telescope, for example, is a space-based observatory that has provided invaluable data on the universe. Satellites help astronomers to triangulate distances to distant objects, including stars, with greater accuracy. They also observe the Sun to help us learn about stellar processes and how they affect Earth. Notably, when satellites are in orbit around Earth, they can conduct continuous observations, which is crucial for monitoring changes and phenomena in space over time.
Among the space agencies that have launched satellites for solar observation are NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Japanese Space Agency. These satellites help us study the Sun, giving insights into a typical star's composition and behavior, vital for understanding the vast universe around us. They can be put into orbit or escape from orbit to reach other destinations in the solar system, as space probes do.