Frontiers in space astronomy

Abstract

This article reviews the background and the current frontier in space astronomy being done at various wavebands. Space-based platforms, free from the absorption and distortions introduced by the Earth's atmosphere, are able to provide both higher resolution and sensitivity over much of the electromagnetic spectrum, and have thus become necessary tools of a professional astronomer. This area of astronomy has seen a steady growth, which is expected to continue well into the future. The space astronomy activities in India are reviewed in this global context.