World's Largest Telescope

"Universities Plan World's Largest Telescope

HOUSTON (AP) _ The University of Texas and Texas A&M University are planning
to construct what they call the world's largest telescope with the help of
a Houston businessman's $1.25 million gift.

Scientists say that the proposed $400 million Giant Magellan Telescope would
collect 70 times more light than NASA's successful Hubble Space Telescope
and could produce images that are 10 times sharper...."

http://www.space.com/scienceastronom...pe_040805.html

Will we be able to see Khan with it?? g
Clear, Dark, Steady Skies!
(And considerate neighbors!!!)

On Thu, 05 Aug 2004 23:44:18 GMT, Klaatu wrote:

Scientists say that the proposed $400 million Giant Magellan Telescope would
collect 70 times more light than NASA's successful Hubble Space Telescope
and could produce images that are 10 times sharper...."

But only over tiny fields, where adaptive optics is effective. For high
resolution wide fields, you still need to be above the atmosphere.

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com

Wfoley2 wrote:

Will we be able to see Khan with it?? g
Clear, Dark, Steady Skies!
(And considerate neighbors!!!)

May be able to see Gort again :-)

Chris L Peterson wrote in message . ..

On Thu, 05 Aug 2004 23:44:18 GMT, Klaatu wrote:

Scientists say that the proposed $400 million Giant Magellan Telescope would
collect 70 times more light than NASA's successful Hubble Space Telescope
and could produce images that are 10 times sharper...."

But only over tiny fields, where adaptive optics is effective. For high
resolution wide fields, you still need to be above the atmosphere.

Adaptive optics is also currently limited to infrared and
near-infrared wavelengths for large apertures, although in time these
limitations can probably be overcome for visible wavelengths.
However, space-based telescopes such as the Hubble will always have
the advantage at ultraviolet wavelengths, due to severe atmospheric
extinction.


- Robert Cook

Klaatu wrote in message ...
"Universities Plan World's Largest Telescope

HOUSTON (AP) _ The University of Texas and Texas A&M University are planning
to construct what they call the world's largest telescope with the help of
a Houston businessman's $1.25 million gift.

Scientists say that the proposed $400 million Giant Magellan Telescope would
collect 70 times more light than NASA's successful Hubble Space Telescope
and could produce images that are 10 times sharper...."

http://www.space.com/scienceastronom...pe_040805.html

An 800" telescope? Mirror(s) would be about 66' across. I'd assume
they would be better off with 4 mirrors of 200" and aren't the two
Kecks (apertures combined) as big as what is being proposed?
-Rich

Richard wrote:
Klaatu wrote in message ...
"Universities Plan World's Largest Telescope

HOUSTON (AP) _ The University of Texas and Texas A&M University are planning
to construct what they call the world's largest telescope with the help of
a Houston businessman's $1.25 million gift.

Scientists say that the proposed $400 million Giant Magellan Telescope would
collect 70 times more light than NASA's successful Hubble Space Telescope
and could produce images that are 10 times sharper...."

http://www.space.com/scienceastronom...pe_040805.html

An 800" telescope? Mirror(s) would be about 66' across. I'd assume
they would be better off with 4 mirrors of 200" and aren't the two
Kecks (apertures combined) as big as what is being proposed?

That's seven 8.4-meter mirrors, giving the equivalent light grasp of
a 22-meter primary. Both Kecks together would have a 14-m equivalent
diameter, while the whole VLT used together would make 16.4m (if
their are individually 8.2). That's a lott aglass - and I see that
Roger Angel is sort of pushing the idea of making another one for
the South Pole.

Bill Keel

What about the proposed ESO 100metre (3900") OWL telescope ?

Steve

"William C. Keel" wrote in message ...
...and I see that
Roger Angel is sort of pushing the idea of making another one for
the South Pole.

It's only astronomically dark at the South Pole from
mid-May to the end of July. What would they do with
such an instrument the rest of the year?

Laura Halliday VE7LDH "Que les nuages soient notre
Grid: CN89mg pied a terre..."
ICBM: 49 16.05 N 122 56.92 W - Hospital/Shafte

Laura Halliday wrote:

"William C. Keel" wrote in message ...

...and I see that
Roger Angel is sort of pushing the idea of making another one for
the South Pole.


It's only astronomically dark at the South Pole from
mid-May to the end of July. What would they do with
such an instrument the rest of the year?

Laura Halliday VE7LDH "Que les nuages soient notre
Grid: CN89mg pied a terre..."
ICBM: 49 16.05 N 122 56.92 W - Hospital/Shafte

I've wondered the same. Another thing is that there your view
is quite limited - just half of the celestial sphere is visible...

- Alex