Final answer:
The advantages of using a radio telescope instead of a reflecting or refracting telescope include sensitivity to radio waves, the ability to see through interference, and the use of interferometry for high resolution imaging.
Step-by-step explanation:
Using a radio telescope instead of a reflecting or refracting telescope offers several advantages:
Sensitivity to radio waves: Radio telescopes are specifically designed to detect and analyze radio waves emitted by celestial objects. They are highly sensitive to these waves, allowing astronomers to study phenomena that cannot be observed in other wavelengths. Ability to see through interference: Radio waves can pass through dust and gas clouds, which can block or distort other types of electromagnetic waves. This means that radio telescopes can observe objects and regions that are otherwise invisible with visible light telescopes.
Interferometry: Radio astronomers can link multiple radio telescopes together through a technique called interferometry. This allows them to achieve high resolution and image quality comparable to what can be obtained with much larger telescopes, even though individual radio dishes might be relatively small.