Scientists study space through a variety of methods and technologies, including:

Telescopes: These instruments collect and magnify light from distant objects. Telescopes can be ground-based or space-based. Examples include the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope.

Space Probes and Rovers: These are robotic spacecraft sent to explore planets, moons, and other celestial bodies. Notable examples are the Voyager probes, which have traveled beyond our solar system, and the Mars rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance.

Spectroscopy: By analyzing the light from stars and other objects, scientists can determine their composition, temperature, and movement. This technique involves breaking light into its component colors (spectrum) and studying its properties.

Radio Astronomy: This involves studying radio waves emitted by celestial objects. Radio telescopes can detect phenomena not visible in optical light, such as pulsars and distant galaxies.

Gravitational Waves: Scientists detect ripples in spacetime caused by massive accelerating objects, like merging black holes or neutron stars, using observatories like LIGO and Virgo.

Space Missions: Human and robotic missions to other planets and moons provide direct observations and samples. For example, the Apollo missions brought back lunar samples, and the recent sample-return missions from asteroids like OSIRIS-REx are providing valuable data.

Computer Simulations: Scientists use complex computer models to simulate cosmic phenomena, such as galaxy formation and the evolution of the universe, to understand and predict behaviors that are difficult to observe directly.

Astrobiology: This field explores the potential for life elsewhere in the universe and examines extreme environments on Earth to understand how life might survive in space or on other planets.

These methods, often used in combination, help scientists gather data, test theories, and expand our understanding of the universe.