Author
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Topic: ALL NIGHT STAR PARTY
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Madon_space Member Posts: 667 From: uk Registered: Sep 2002
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posted 08-23-2003 12:57 PM
Hi Gang Thought i would let you know about a programme that is on tv tonight in the uk.It's taken 60,000 years to get this close and BBC TWO is having a party to celebrate. Imagine steering a giant telescope thousands of miles away to see the ice-caps of Mars or a spectacular galaxy deep in the Universe. Here's your chance, it's live on the TV and online. Join us for a truly star-studded night. The timing of the programme is ideal: • Mars is closer to Earth than at any time in the last 60,000 years; • Britain’s Beagle 2 Mars lander, brainchild of Prof. Colin Pillinger from the Open University, is on its way to search for signs of life on the Red Planet. The Jodrell Bank Radio Observatory in Cheshire is the venue for this space extravaganza, which will be staged to coincide with National Astronomy Week. It’s home to the newly refurbished 76 metre Lovell Radio Telescope, which can detect a mobile phone 220 million miles away. Meanwhile, 3000 metres up on the edge of a volcanic mountain on La Palma in the Canary Islands, astronomy presenter Dr. Chris Riley will hand over the giant Isaac Newton Telescope to viewers to take a closer look at galaxies and planets. BBC2 @ 11:20PM 23/8/03 write-up courtesy of the BBCi Thanks ROB [This message has been edited by Madon_space (edited August 23, 2003).] [This message has been edited by Madon_space (edited August 23, 2003).] |
Paul Littler Member Posts: 70 From: Brentwood, Essex, UK Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 08-24-2003 08:49 AM
There is not enpough scince on TV and I thought this was a good show. Pitched at around the right level to interest the average viewer. Lets hope they do something as good when the probes start to arrive on Christmas Day. Well done the BBC |
spaceuk Member Posts: 2113 From: Staffs, UK Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 08-24-2003 10:29 AM
Pretty good show last night - esepcially the CCD enhanced image of Mars. The best I've seen done that way so far. Even beats Hubble views in my opinion.I would have attended but (just 7 miles from me) but I wanted to go the Starchaser weekend first thing today - which wa smore technically interesting. Phill
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spaceuk Member Posts: 2113 From: Staffs, UK Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 08-24-2003 10:31 AM
quote: ".........newly refurbished 76 metre Lovell Radio Telescope, which can detect a mobile phone 220 million miles away....." Oh no ! We're not going to be listening to Allen the Alien talking to his wife Wilma saying he's on his way home now and is just passing the 5th moon of his system :-)) |
Madon_space Member Posts: 667 From: uk Registered: Sep 2002
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posted 08-24-2003 12:48 PM
Hi Guys Yes i thought the image of mars was paticularly impressive, i kept watching the tv and out of the window in the hope that the clouds might dissapear but to no evail. I am praying that we have a clear night this wednesday so i can use my telescope but knowing the weather that we have over hear i very much doubt it. You are quite right in saying that they don't have enough space related programmes on over here quite sad really. I heard that they were considering closing down Jodrell Bank due to lack of fundings, does anyone know whether this is still the case as i havn't heard anything since, i hope this isn't the case as i don't think we contribute to the space game enough as it is.(Just my opinion though) Thanks ROB |
lunarrv15 Member Posts: 1355 From: Cincinnati, Ohio, Hamilton Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 08-25-2003 01:55 AM
can that telescope detect the five lunar modules base and the three rovers on the moon? |
Madon_space Member Posts: 667 From: uk Registered: Sep 2002
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posted 08-25-2003 04:29 AM
Hi lunarrv15 I know my telescope is not powerful enough which is a shame, but on the programme they mentioned that one of the telescopes they were using can spot a candle on the moon. So correct me if i am wrong but wouldn't they be able to see the Lunar Modules, Landing sites, Flags,etc with something as powerful as that. I am probably way of the beaten track but this is just my thinking Best ROB |
spaceuk Member Posts: 2113 From: Staffs, UK Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 08-25-2003 10:41 AM
The Jodrell Bank telescope is a radio telescope with a 250 ft diameter . Its actually the Nuffield Radio Astronomy Laboratory of the University of Manchester - Jodrell BAnk is the place name where it is situated but its easier say Jodrell Bank - so its 'stuck' with everyone!I think they secured funding to support it for a while yet but I'm not 100% certain. I'm going out to Jodrell in a few days time - so I'll ask them that very question. As a matter of interest I gave the Apollo 25th and 30th Anniversary Lectures at Jodrell Bank back in 1994 and 1999 Phill UK |
lunarrv15 Member Posts: 1355 From: Cincinnati, Ohio, Hamilton Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 08-25-2003 11:52 PM
madon, yes the telescope should see the flags , rover, and the lunar module base if the scope can see a candle on the moon.they could be exagerating the true of its ability. |
Madon_space Member Posts: 667 From: uk Registered: Sep 2002
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posted 08-26-2003 04:30 AM
They probably were exagerating a bit. Wouldn't it have been great to see high quality detailed pictures of all things left on the moon from the Apollo Era, certainly lay rest to all the doubters in the world that it ever happened (entitled to there opinion of cause), but i would love to see my girlfriends face who is one of the doubters. There again she probably would think that the pictures were fake too LOL Best ROB |