Beyond Earth

Hubblecast 24. Date- Source- http://www.spacetelescope.org/videos/archive/topic/hubblecast//

'There's no better place for a telescope than space itself. Above the Earth's atmosphere observations are no longer hampered by air turbulence, so telescopic images of distant stars and galaxies are razor-sharp. Unlike a ground-based telescope, an instrument in Earth orbit can operate twenty-four hours a day and reach every part of the sky. Observing from space also makes it possible to study types of radiation that are otherwise absorbed by the atmosphere. Little wonder that the Hubble Space Telescope has made so many contributions to astronomy. And Hubble is not alone — more than 100 space observatories have been launched since the 1960s.Watch this Hubblecast episode and find out more.'

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• hubble
• space
• telescope

[artlitmusic]

To see the amazing images the Hubble displays is absolutely fantastic, and the Spitzer is pretty cool as well. Thanks for uploading this stevebd1 :)

[ConditionalID]

great vid, stevebd1! Thanks.

[SubjectOfInterest]

Just a simple look at the surface reveals the amount of damage the moon takes from collisions.

[Kulumuli]

Because of gravity, asteroids collide more often with the earth than with the moon. But I see your point. the moon has no asteroids for smaller asteroids to burn up in. Like in 2001, their base is buried on the moon. But you could build a submerged base with powerplants and remote operated robots.

[Furkom]

The importance of knowing that surrounds us. While we know better, we can rightly take the correct decisions.

[SubjectOfInterest]

No I meant that asteroids would a problem with a 'moon base'. Also, by the time a moon base would be a feasible concept, their would probably be nano technology that can build/repair itself.

[Kulumuli]

True, but the moon is nearer than feasible asteroids.

A bigger telescope can be manufactured on the moon and sent in orbit around the moon or be on the ground.

Materials may be different on the moon, so manufacturing structures on the moon may require new building technology. One can build space structures of moonrocks.

[SubjectOfInterest]

One word: Asteroids

[Kulumuli]

Even a better argument for going to the moon.

A permanent, expandable moonbase which can use most of its resources local, can produce an even bigger telescope not obstructed by earth's athomsphere.

Even bigger and heavier mirrors can be produced on the moon, because they suffer less deformation related to its own weight when gravity is only 1/6 of earth's.