Comments on: A model telescope (videoblog) http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:31:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Rob Knop http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27710 Rob Knop Sun, 21 Jan 2007 13:10:14 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27710 Edison Carter. That's what I think about when I see you recording yourself like that :) Edison Carter.

That’s what I think about when I see you recording yourself like that :)

]]> By: Buzz Parsec http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27709 Buzz Parsec Wed, 17 Jan 2007 10:14:36 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27709 The Orion should be able to reach it quite easily. Since it wouldn't need to carry along a moon lander, nor the fuel to go in and out of lunar orbit, it should be able to carry quite a considerable payload. I wonder if NASA has given any consideration to this possibility. I did read something recently that they are thinking about a mission to a near-earth asterlod, which would be similar but take longer. The Orion should be able to reach it quite easily. Since it wouldn’t need to carry along a moon lander, nor the fuel to go in and out of lunar orbit, it should be able to carry quite a considerable payload. I wonder if NASA has given any consideration to this possibility. I did read something recently that they are thinking about a mission to a near-earth asterlod, which would be similar but take longer.

]]> By: csrster http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27708 csrster Wed, 17 Jan 2007 07:11:07 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27708 Carey, To be very pedantic, I think one should say that the JWST will orbit the L2 point. To be less pedantic, its actual path will take it around the Sun once per year so that it will always remain at approximately the same distance from the Earth. The SOHO satellite already does something similar at the L1 point. Carey,
To be very pedantic, I think one should say that the JWST will orbit the L2 point. To be less pedantic, its actual path will take it around the Sun once per year so that it will always remain at approximately the same distance from the Earth. The SOHO satellite already does something similar at the L1 point.

]]> By: Tanalia http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27707 Tanalia Wed, 17 Jan 2007 03:31:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27707 The Hubble mirror is 2.4 m across; the whole thing is often described as about the size of a small bus. The Hubble mirror is 2.4 m across; the whole thing is often described as about the size of a small bus.

]]> By: Astroprof’s Page » Another semester starting. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27706 Astroprof’s Page » Another semester starting. Wed, 17 Jan 2007 03:20:50 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27706 [...] The one thing that I am most disappointed in is that I didn’t get a photo of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) mockup that was set up outside the convention center.  For those of you who don’t know, the JWST is slated to be Hubble’s replacement.  It won’t really just replace the Hubble Space Telescope, though.  JWST will be much bigger than HST, and it will focus on infrared studies.  I’ll have a whole post on it later.  But, the last day of the conference, when I had planned to photograph the model, they were taking it down!  But, it turns out that Phil took photos and posted on his blog. Go look at them.  That is a life sized model.  It is HUGE.  You know how big it is from reading the specifications, but it really sinks in when you see it.  I had so wanted to get photos, but I fooled around and missed my opportunity.  Thankfully others got photos! [...] [...] The one thing that I am most disappointed in is that I didn’t get a photo of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) mockup that was set up outside the convention center.  For those of you who don’t know, the JWST is slated to be Hubble’s replacement.  It won’t really just replace the Hubble Space Telescope, though.  JWST will be much bigger than HST, and it will focus on infrared studies.  I’ll have a whole post on it later.  But, the last day of the conference, when I had planned to photograph the model, they were taking it down!  But, it turns out that Phil took photos and posted on his blog. Go look at them.  That is a life sized model.  It is HUGE.  You know how big it is from reading the specifications, but it really sinks in when you see it.  I had so wanted to get photos, but I fooled around and missed my opportunity.  Thankfully others got photos! [...]

]]> By: Grand Lunar http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27705 Grand Lunar Wed, 17 Jan 2007 01:11:39 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27705 A six meter mirror, you say? IIRC, Hubble's is one meter, yes? Or a bit more? Too bad it's not optical. But still a cool 'scope. A six meter mirror, you say?

IIRC, Hubble’s is one meter, yes? Or a bit more?

Too bad it’s not optical. But still a cool ‘scope.

]]> By: michael http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27704 michael Tue, 16 Jan 2007 18:40:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27704 Man, I miss Seattle. Fun video though. :) Man, I miss Seattle.

Fun video though. :)

]]> By: Wolverine http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27703 Wolverine Tue, 16 Jan 2007 17:34:20 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27703 The video blogs are great fun, Phil -- keep 'em coming. :) The video blogs are great fun, Phil — keep ‘em coming. :)

]]> By: Rich http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27702 Rich Tue, 16 Jan 2007 17:12:54 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27702 Nice video Phil! Nice video Phil!

]]> By: spacewriter http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27701 spacewriter Tue, 16 Jan 2007 16:59:46 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27701 I went out one night and took some night photos -- there's one posted <a href="http://www.thespacewriter.com/2007_01_01_thespacewriter_archive.html#1048799301834982935#1048799301834982935" rel="nofollow"> scroll down a few screens to get to the pic. It was tough to photograph, to even get a good angle on it. But,very nice to see it in "real" size.</a> I went out one night and took some night photos — there’s one posted
scroll down a few screens to get to the pic. It was tough to photograph, to even get a good angle on it. But,very nice to see it in “real” size.

]]> By: Carey http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27700 Carey Tue, 16 Jan 2007 14:50:44 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27700 A million miles? Will it orbit the Earth or the Sun at one of those points (L2 or something - brain not working)? A million miles? Will it orbit the Earth or the Sun at one of those points (L2 or something – brain not working)?

]]> By: Michelle http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27699 Michelle Tue, 16 Jan 2007 13:53:11 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27699 Freezing? there's not even any snow! That's not freezing, that's just a long autumn! :P That thing is sure a VERY nice telescope! I can't wait to see it in action (I'll have to though...) and I had no idea these sheets were even part of the thing! It's simply looking awesome. Freezing? there’s not even any snow! That’s not freezing, that’s just a long autumn! :P

That thing is sure a VERY nice telescope! I can’t wait to see it in action (I’ll have to though…) and I had no idea these sheets were even part of the thing! It’s simply looking awesome.

]]> By: Lorne Ipsum http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27698 Lorne Ipsum Tue, 16 Jan 2007 13:34:18 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27698 PK, No servicing possible, or designed for. Same story for Spitzer, and most other spacecraft (Hubble is one of a rare breed, in that and many other ways). Lorne PK,

No servicing possible, or designed for. Same story for Spitzer, and most other spacecraft (Hubble is one of a rare breed, in that and many other ways).

Lorne

]]> By: Scott G http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27697 Scott G Tue, 16 Jan 2007 13:31:55 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27697 If I recall correctly, there will be no servicing of the JWST. It will be a million miles away - far beyond the reach of any human-carrying vessel we have today. It has to work for the first time. I imagine this makes for many sleepless nights amongst the engineers involved. If I recall correctly, there will be no servicing of the JWST. It will be a million miles away – far beyond the reach of any human-carrying vessel we have today. It has to work for the first time. I imagine this makes for many sleepless nights amongst the engineers involved.

]]> By: PK http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27696 PK Tue, 16 Jan 2007 10:53:44 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27696 Great post, Phil! I was just wondering, how are they going to service this telescope when it is so far away? Am I right that it is going to be placed beyond the reach of the Space Shuttle (or, for that matter, its successor)? Great post, Phil! I was just wondering, how are they going to service this telescope when it is so far away? Am I right that it is going to be placed beyond the reach of the Space Shuttle (or, for that matter, its successor)?

]]> By: Darmok http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27695 Darmok Tue, 16 Jan 2007 10:15:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27695 Nice, thanks! Great job giving a sense of scale--it's so hard to do! Nice, thanks! Great job giving a sense of scale–it’s so hard to do!

]]> By: O sucessor do Hubble: telescópio especial James Webb at 100nexos http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27694 O sucessor do Hubble: telescópio especial James Webb at 100nexos Tue, 16 Jan 2007 09:06:34 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27694 [...] No modelo em escala natural acima, os dezoito hexágonos amarelos representam os componentes do espelho refletor primário, que será mesmo composto destes múltiplos refletores — simplesmente não é possível lançar um refletor inteiro com mais de seis metros de diâmetro. Os dezoito componentes irão compor um único refletor já no espaço, em um processo não tão diferente dos Transformers. As folhas prateadas abaixo são o protetor solar, maior que um campo de tênis. [via Bad Astronomy blog] [...] [...] No modelo em escala natural acima, os dezoito hexágonos amarelos representam os componentes do espelho refletor primário, que será mesmo composto destes múltiplos refletores — simplesmente não é possível lançar um refletor inteiro com mais de seis metros de diâmetro. Os dezoito componentes irão compor um único refletor já no espaço, em um processo não tão diferente dos Transformers. As folhas prateadas abaixo são o protetor solar, maior que um campo de tênis. [via Bad Astronomy blog] [...]

]]> By: Laguna2 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27693 Laguna2 Tue, 16 Jan 2007 08:09:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27693 I love those new video blogs I love those new video blogs

]]> By: csrster http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27692 csrster Tue, 16 Jan 2007 07:51:23 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27692 I don't see why infra-red pics should be any less, er, cool. Look at the Spitzer Eagle Nebula pic (http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/Media/releases/ssc2007-01/release.shtml) I don’t see why infra-red pics should be any less, er, cool. Look
at the Spitzer Eagle Nebula pic (http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/Media/releases/ssc2007-01/release.shtml)

]]> By: Dan Gerhards http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27691 Dan Gerhards Tue, 16 Jan 2007 07:08:03 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27691 It's just infrared. They decided a while ago that adding an optical camera would be too expensive. This Webb scope is more of a successor to the Spitzer scope than to the Hubble. Saying I, "would kind of miss the visible pics," would be a massive understatement. I am already going into preemptive mourning for the HST. It’s just infrared. They decided a while ago that adding an optical camera would be too expensive. This Webb scope is more of a successor to the Spitzer scope than to the Hubble.

Saying I, “would kind of miss the visible pics,” would be a massive understatement. I am already going into preemptive mourning for the HST.

]]> By: John Schroeder http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27690 John Schroeder Tue, 16 Jan 2007 06:30:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27690 so is the new scope going to be 100 percent infrared or a mix like hubble? would kinda miss the nice visible pics hubble has taken over the past 15 years so is the new scope going to be 100 percent infrared or a mix like hubble? would kinda miss the nice visible pics hubble has taken over the past 15 years

]]> By: Astroprof http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/comment-page-1/#comment-27689 Astroprof Tue, 16 Jan 2007 05:37:57 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/01/15/a-model-telescope-videoblog/#comment-27689 Oh, I am glad you got photos. That was a cool model. I meant to take photos on Wednesday, but they were already taking it down when I got my camera! Oh, I am glad you got photos. That was a cool model. I meant to take photos on Wednesday, but they were already taking it down when I got my camera!

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