1. (sometimes capital) new, recent, or a new or modern form or development: neoclassicism; neocolonialism. 2. (Geological Science) (usually capital) the most recent subdivision of a geological period: Neogene. [from Greek neos new]. Also, esp. before a vowel, ne-.
Although optical telescopes are the type most commonly used for stargazing and amateur astronomy, lots of astronomical research is done on telescopes that look at other wavelengths of light. Each of these wavelength ranges shows us something unique about the universe and allows us to view events and objects that can't be seen with human eyes.
Many celestial phenomena can be seen at more than one wavelength. 1  Optical telescopes can be used on Earth and in space. An example of a huge optical telescope in space is the Hubble Space Telescope through which astronomers can look out across the Universe without the distortion of light by the Earth's atmosphere. The first optical telescope was created 400 years ago, while the other kinds of telescopes were invented in the 20th century.