OT: Hubble rulez !
 

"The discovery will lend support to the idea that almost every sunlike star in our galaxy, and probably the Universe, is accompanied by planets."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3856401.stm

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

That's great news. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Let's hope that they'll keep the Hubble maintained and operating until they build an even better space telescope.

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

The next space telescope (that operates at optical wavelengths, like Hubble), is set to be the James Webb Space Telescope, slated to be launched in 2010 I believe.

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

No, the James Webb scope only operates in the 'near infra-red' not in visible light frequencies. It is designed for seeking out the most distant features in the universe (cosmology research). Once Hubble is gone we have no space telescopes for visible light. Apparently the new computer techniques for fixing atmosphere distortion are good enough that ground-based telescopes will be better than any reasonable sized space telescope. The burden of launch weight for any space telescope makes it very hard to compete with this innovation.

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

Oops....well thanks for setting me straight! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">So it seems to me that a space telescope with filtering would be even better.

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">But the base distance between two or more telescopes in space allows the interferometer type experiments to detect Earth size planets across the Galaxy ... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">But the base distance between two or more telescopes in space allows the interferometer type experiments to detect Earth size planets across the Galaxy ... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">It would be a layout for Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) telescope's array. Aimed to 2015.

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I think he meant just that the atmosphere of the Earth distorts the images, which is why ground based ones have been no good (compared to Hubble). Now that computers can take care of the distortion, a single telescope on the ground is just as good as one in space.

[ July 04, 2004, 00:18: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

Yes, that's it exactly. Space-based telescopes don't need the filtering to correct for the atmosphere. It would have no effect on a space telescope to try to correct for atmosphere. But it turns out that the huge cost of boosting something into orbit, and the difficulties of servicing it there, make ground based telescopes with the correction system seem a pretty good deal.

And as already pointed out, oleg, there is an interferometer in the works. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

I wonder why can't we focus Hubble on the Apolo 11 landing site and clear all conspiracy theories ? Or is NASA reluctant to do it for some strange reason http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif ?

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Ahh, but what if they did. It doesn't mean the images they would release IS the apollo 11 landing site http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

It's possible that it's simply too close.

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

Don't know, but if the moon isn't too close, could they also point the Hubble towards the earth and use it to take high-resolution images of the ground?

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Don't we already have enough satellites to do this http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/confused.gif

The Hubble Telescope has been infinitely useful though. It will be shame to see it go. But in truth if it is more cost effective and efficent to have a ground based telescope then it is the way forward, hopefully it can free up a lot of funds for other projects. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Anyone seen those new photos of Saturn Cassini (sp?) took?

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Don't we already have enough satellites to do this http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/confused.gif

The Hubble Telescope has been infinitely useful though. It will be shame to see it go. But in truth if it is more cost effective and efficent to have a ground based telescope then it is the way forward, hopefully it can free up a lot of funds for other projects. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Anyone seen those new photos of Saturn Cassini (sp?) took? </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I believe it's shooting Titan now, not Saturn. AFAIR Cassini is passed the closest to Saturn point and now making trip to the moons.

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Higher than what? They already have satellites that can tell what brand of cigarette someone is smoking. Even the civilian access ones will give me a really nice picture of my house and backyard as if someone used a camera hanging 100 feet over my house.

In russia there is a site that will schedule you into their satellites and sell you (couple hundred dollars) a REALLY good picture of anyplace you want.

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

Yeah. I was just wondering what everyone thinks about the whole Cassini probe and what it's discovering. As usual with any Nasa mission it seems to be coming up with more interesting bits and pieces http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.cfm

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Higher than what? They already have satellites that can tell what brand of cigarette someone is smoking. Even the civilian access ones will give me a really nice picture of my house and backyard as if someone used a camera hanging 100 feet over my house.

In russia there is a site that will schedule you into their satellites and sell you (couple hundred dollars) a REALLY good picture of anyplace you want. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Have link? I'd like to order the nice picture of Penthagon (White House is an option) in a _really_ good quality http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Unfortunately, I believe this is impossible. Even with the resolution and magnification that Hubble can offer, the remnants of the Apollo 11 landing craft are simply too small to be distinguished from the lunar surface.

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

It's more than just a question of 'resolution' for checking out the Earth or the Moon. I'm not sure you can focus the Hubble on something as close as the Moon. It's not designed as a surveillance satellite but a deep-field telescope. Can you focus a pair of binoculars on your out-stretched palm? It's not easy even if it's possible.

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I didnt realise how well this satellite imaging tech has gotten.

Fairly new images
http://imageatlas.globexplorer.com/I...oup=ImageAtlas

Hard to get to but its a russion site that offers to have their satellites
take any picture you want. Fresh.
http://www.sovinformsputnik.com/

http://carterraOnline.spaceimaging.c...ml/login.phtml

Ahhhh finally. one-stop shopping
http://edc.usgs.gov/

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

This one is interesting, but I'm doubt that it will be possible to read newspapers in the hands of tourists.
http://www.sovinformsputnik.com/imag...hington_s1.jpg

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

I don't think the satelites that powerful are going to be used for anything other than intelligence and military operations by our governments. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

Yes we dont get to see the best images. Except maybe that russian site. I can believe that since in many ways its been obvious that there remains far more capability over there than they need anymore. Using it for services like this is better than selling it to nasty little countries like they are their subs and planes.

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

I don't think we have to worry to much. There's a lot more people than satelites to take pictures of them.

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

Nice links, Gandalf, thanks.

PvK

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

If this guy is really serious, very soon we will see the uprooting of the US flag and planting of the red banner with few yellow stars http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif :
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3876373.stm

Re: OT: Hubble rulez !
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I guess you were kidding about the flags. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif He was closer to saying side-by-side or maybe a UN flag.
It was an interesting article though.