Posted on 07/19/2013 6:46:01 PM PDT by Windflier
There might not be a man on the moon right now—but there may soon be a gazing eye. A new private venture aims to build a long-range telescope on our planet's little satellite, and it could happen as soon 2016.
A partnership between Moon Express, Inc. and the International Lunar Observatory Association is all set to install the telescope on the humble lump of rock. The plan is to position the 2-meter dish antenna, known as the International Lunar Observatory, on the rim of a crater near the moon’s South pole.
The first step will be a proof-of-concept mission, which will see the partnership take a shoebox-sized device called ILO-X to the moon in 2015. If that's successful, the full-size telescope will follow early the next year.
The aim of the project is to provide new views of the universe—but the plan is to democratize star gazing, too. Data from the telescopes will be made freely available online for use by citizen scientists. But don't be entirely taken in by the good vibes—Moon Express admits that it's going to explore the area around the South pole for minerals and water while it's at it, too.
I’d imagine the moon to mainly be around the temperature of space, which is 4 degrees Kelvin.
Sounds pretty cool to me.
God knows we can’t depend on NASA for anything innovative that doesn’t cost taxpayers ~$40 Billion . . . . . . . . and, that’s just to give it a name!!
-153° centigrade.
There isn't any room left there.
That’s a lot warmer than I thought, it’s about 120º Kelvin.
I read elsewhere that such a telescope would give us better pictures than even Hubble, due to the moon shielding it from radio interference from Earth.
"White man break treaty, again?"
: )
I agree.
Scientists have longed for a telescope at the South Pole, but that hasn't been feasible.
Satellites can give us a look, but they are moving so they can't give us long term exposure. No atmosphere and no artificial lighting should ensure fantastic views of fantastic things in a 'direction' we normally don't 'view'.
The same folks who believe in this Sierra Club , tree-hugging, save the earth B.S., do not find it hypocritical to plug in a few bug zappers for their lawn parties.
Seems they are only interested in saving the 'cute' animals.
I have to plead ignorance here. How does one “SEE” anything through a dish antenna? I guess if one can be happy watching squiggly lines on an oscilloscope it might be exciting, a la, Jodie Foster in the flick, “CONTACT.” But a 2 meter dish is NOT a telescope wherewith one can VIEW anything. What am I missing here?
It was a financial decision by the FEDRES.
Greed of the aristocracy outweighed the importance of investment in the future.
All of this Carbon credit, global warming, Oil pricing, obamaphone, foodstamp, spread the wealth crap is just the results of that Greed.
That our country will end up like a dried up prune is of no consequence to the ruling aristocracy. It’s about the money, it’s always about the money, and the power over others that money gives.
The things we wish to see are beyond visual range. Many of the astronomy photos you see are from 'radio-telescopes' (dish antenna).
Another reason for the radio-telescope is that 'dust' doesn't bother it like it does an optical telescope.
We're all joking about an optical telescope on here because we're JUST SO HAPPY that someone wants to put ANYTHING on the MOON.
: )
Obama will steal the idea to spy on Earth.
I like to be home when I can.
Thanks Windflier, extra to APoD members.
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Can’t have American Exceptionalism, its not allowed.
But we’ve had to wait almost 50 years for the world to catch up.
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