The Future
Telescopes have gone from crude optical devices, to highly technical engineering marvels. Outside of the Earth's atmosphere is the ideal place for a telescope, but restrictions on space-based platforms like accessibility, size, and cost, will continue to make Earthbound observatories viable. Observatories are being constructed that make use of multiple structures that will “pool” their mirrors in an array, giving the same performance as a “virtual telescope” of much larger size!