A mountain top is an especially good site for infrared telescopes since:
A)there you are closer to celestial objects.
B)you are above most of the carbon dioxide and water vapor in the atmosphere.
C)the cold weather helps the sensitivity of infrared detectors.
D)less air above means better seeing in many cases.
E)All of the above are factors.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

All the options listed contribute to making a mountain top an especially good site for infrared telescopes. Being above most of the carbon dioxide and water vapor reduces atmospheric absorption of infrared radiation. Cold weather improves the performance of infrared detectors by reducing thermal noise. Less air above means less atmospheric distortion, leading to clearer images. While being closer to celestial objects is a minor factor, it's the other reasons that are more significant in the context of infrared astronomy.

A Mountain Top Is an Especially Good Site for Infrared