Why are optical telescopes located in uninhabited places on mountains?

1.	Why are optical telescopes located in uninhabited places on mountains?
Answer» The visible light coming from a heavenly body has to pass through the earth’s atmosphere to reach the earth’s surface. During this journey, some of the light is absorbed by the atmosphere and the intensity of the light reaching the earth’s surface decreases. A second problem is caused by the changes in atmospheric pressure and temperature. These changes cause turbulence in the atmosphere which in turn cause the light rays to change their path slightly and thereby shake the position of the image. We cannot use optical telescope during the day. because of sunlight also. During the night too, city lights and cloudy weather can cause difficulties in observing the heavenly bodies. Hence, optical telescopes are located in uninhabited places on mountains.

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