Why do astronomers place X-ray and gamma-ray telescopes in space?

Astronomers place X-ray and gamma-ray telescopes in space primarily because Earth’s atmosphere is opaque to these high-energy forms of radiation, absorbing them before they can reach the ground.123

Because X-rays and gamma rays are blocked by the atmosphere, ground-based observations are generally not possible for these wavelengths. While some high-energy radiation can be studied using balloons at high altitudes or by detecting secondary effects like Cherenkov radiation in the upper atmosphere, placing telescopes in orbit is essential for consistent, high-resolution data collection.1342

Furthermore, these telescopes require specialized designs that differ significantly from conventional optical instruments. Because X-rays and gamma rays possess such high energy, they would pass directly through standard mirrors. Consequently, X-ray telescopes utilize grazing incidence mirrors to focus radiation, while gamma-ray telescopes often rely on detecting the flashes produced when these rays interact with specialized materials, such as scintillation detectors.23