Question

Various organic molecules have been discovered in interstellar space. Why were these discoveries made with radio telescopes rather than optical telescopes?

Short answer

Due to the changing magnetic field, the organic molecules emit radio wave signals and as their energy spacing are too low that the photon they emit fall in the infrared and radio range.

Step-by-step solution

Radio telescopes

Astronomers use the signals produced by radio telescopes to further their understanding of the Universe by detecting and amplifying radio waves from space.

Determine the reason why the discoveries are made with radio telescopes

The complex organic molecules were discovered in interstellar space using the radio telescopes. Due to their fluctuating magnetic fields and low energy spacing, these organic molecules create radio wave signals that cannot be seen with conventional optical telescopes. The photons they emit fall in the infrared and radio spectrum. Because human eyes are only sensitive to the visible spectrum, optical telescopes are used to examine interstellar entities that produce or reflect light.

Therefore, the discoveries were made with radio telescopes rather than optical telescopes.