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re: Construction begins on worlds largest telescope in the Chilean desert - ELT
Posted on 5/27/17 at 8:15 pm to DavidTheGnome
Posted on 5/27/17 at 8:15 pm to DavidTheGnome
Cool
0
Posted on 5/27/17 at 8:16 pm to DavidTheGnome
I'm jaded, but I look at shite like that think of all that money that could have been pumped into cancer research...
Posted on 5/27/17 at 8:50 pm to Scooba
quote:
That was also my understanding. The interference from the atmosphere has to limit terrestrial scopes.
It does, but they use adaptive optics to correct for atmospheric turbulence: LINK
Adaptive optics (AO) is a technology used to improve the performance of optical systems by reducing the effect of wavefront distortions: it aims at correcting the deformations of an incoming wavefront by deforming a mirror in order to compensate for the distortion. It is used in astronomical telescopes[1] and laser communication systems to remove the effects of atmospheric distortion, in microscopy,[2] optical fabrication[3] and in retinal imaging systems[4] to reduce optical aberrations. Adaptive optics works by measuring the distortions in a wavefront and compensating for them with a device that corrects those errors such as a deformable mirror or a liquid crystal array.
Space based is always going to be the way to go, but this technology has really been a game changer in astronomy though.
Negative images of a star through a telescope. The left-hand panel shows the slow-motion movie of a star when the adaptive optics system is switched off. The right-hand panel shows the slow motion movie of the same star when the AO system is switched on.
This post was edited on 5/27/17 at 8:59 pm
Posted on 5/27/17 at 8:57 pm to AUCE05
quote:
The JWST will be game changer. Set to launch next year. It will rest at the L2 point. The European's need to recognize.
It will be and I can't wait to see the images it produces. JWST looks at the infrared spectrum though which is different than most optical scopes. The Doppler effect gives the furthest galaxies a tremendous redshift due to the light waves being stretched out (due to the expansion of space), so it will be able to see things that Hubble can't. We'll be able to see even further back in time, not all the way to the Big Bang but getting ever closer. Hopefully some of the first stars/galaxies.
James Webb Space Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), previously known as Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST), is a part of NASA's ongoing Flagship program. It is under construction and scheduled to launch in October 2018. The JWST will offer unprecedented resolution and sensitivity from long-wavelength (orange-red) visible light, through near-infrared to the mid-infrared (0.6 to 27 micrometers). While the Hubble Space Telescope has a 2.4-meter (7.9 ft) mirror, the JWST features a larger and segmented 6.5-meter-diameter (21 ft 4 in) primary mirror and will be located near the Earth–Sun L2 point. A large sunshield will keep its mirror and four science instruments below 50 K (-220 °C; -370 °F).
JWST's capabilities will enable a broad range of investigations across the fields of astronomy and cosmology.[5] One particular goal involves observing some of the most distant events and objects in the Universe, such as the formation of the first galaxies. These types of targets are beyond the reach of current ground and space-based instruments. Another goal is understanding the formation of stars and planets. This will include direct imaging of exoplanets.
Posted on 5/27/17 at 9:00 pm to DavidTheGnome
It's also a PITA to build a comparable telescope in space compared to the ground. Imagine trying to put a 129' mirror array into space.
The site in Chile is also one of the clearest points on earth due to the elevation and lack of humidity.
The site in Chile is also one of the clearest points on earth due to the elevation and lack of humidity.
Posted on 5/27/17 at 9:04 pm to USMCTiger03
Because Chile isn't falling apart?
Posted on 5/27/17 at 9:05 pm to DavidTheGnome
Posted on 5/27/17 at 9:06 pm to DavidTheGnome
We should make a Bigly Large Telescope.
Posted on 5/27/17 at 9:13 pm to csorre1
To give a better idea on what adaptive optics can do, these images were taken with the Keck telescope with and without it:
Posted on 5/27/17 at 9:16 pm to DavidTheGnome
The engineering and planning that goes into something like this must be tremendous.
Posted on 5/27/17 at 9:17 pm to DavidTheGnome
Wish the Overwhelmingly Large Telescope hadn't been cancelled, but the ELT will still give me an astronomy boner.
Posted on 5/27/17 at 9:21 pm to USMCTiger03
quote:
I thought chile was falling apart?
Huh? Chile is arguably the most developed nation in South America. They're doing fine.
Posted on 5/27/17 at 9:23 pm to foshizzle
Is it strong enough to see urANUS?
Posted on 5/27/17 at 9:23 pm to DavidTheGnome
quote:
It does, but they use adaptive optics to correct for atmospheric turbulence: LINK
Yep.
Plus it's the driest place in the world, at a high elevation so the atmosphere is thinner, points away from sources of light pollution, and is above sources of dust.
Only better spot would be at a summit in Antarctica.
Posted on 5/27/17 at 9:34 pm to Bestbank Tiger
For those interested a video on the basics of how adaptive optics works: LINK
It's a remarkable technology and amazing to think just how far we've come since Galileo first pointed his scope into the sky.
It's a remarkable technology and amazing to think just how far we've come since Galileo first pointed his scope into the sky.
Posted on 5/27/17 at 9:41 pm to DavidTheGnome
quote:
The JWST will be game changer. Set to launch next year.
So, if there is a rocket failure, or a technical error that puts it into the wrong orbit..... then basically we are set back by at least 10-15 years? I am assuming we didn't build two of these things in case of a Major Malfunction.
But maybe we did?
Posted on 5/27/17 at 9:48 pm to No Colors
There are billions of things that could go wrong, not just with rocket failures but instrument failures or imperfections in the mirror (the problem with Hubble). They test and test and test again, but at the end of the day there is always risk.
Posted on 5/27/17 at 9:54 pm to DavidTheGnome
Those MFing Euros better pay their NATO dues if they can afford this monstrosity.
Posted on 5/27/17 at 11:40 pm to DavidTheGnome
quote:
it is due to begin operating in 2024.
Ant piles will begin erupting in flames in 2024.1.
Posted on 5/28/17 at 8:09 am to Charlie Arglist
Well they have to do something with the scope when the Sun is out right?
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