The universe can be explored by astronomical instruments called telescopes, and by space probes sent from earth to other planets. When using telescopes astronomers try to look at the energy being produced by the universe not just in the visible part of the spectrum (where our eyes can see) but at the whole range of electromagnetic radiation. We thus have radio telescopes, infrared telescopes, X-ray telescopes and even some telescopes that are burried deep underground looking for neutrinos.
Various Instruments
The most notable Universe exploring instruments may be as follows
1- The Hubble Space Telescope (HST)
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a telescope in orbit around the Earth, named after astronomer Edwin Hubble. Its position outside the Earth's atmosphere provides significant advantages over ground-based telescopes —images are not blurred by the atmosphere, there is no background from light scattered by the air, and the Hubble can observe ultra-violet light that is normally absorbed by the ozone layer in observations made from Earth. Since its launch in 1990, it has become one of the most important instruments in the history of astronomy. With it, astronomers have made many observations leading to breakthroughs in astrophysics. Hubble's Ultra Deep Field is the most sensitive astronomical optical image ever taken.
2- Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP)
The Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) is a NASA satellite mission led by Professor Charles L. Bennett of Johns Hopkins University, whose mission is to survey the sky to measure the temperature of the radiant heat left over from the Big Bang. The satellite was launched by a Delta II rocket on June 30, 2001, at 3:46 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, USA