Get the new National Geographic - it has an article devoted to the Spitzer 'telescope'. Simply put, humans can only detect a small segment of light waves - there are other components, such as infrared, that are detectable by instruments. The Spitzer is flying far out in space in near-absolute zero temperatures to be able to register & record the smallest light waves. They're actually working on a new version that will be even more powerful.
And Martha Stewart Transgressions...