Describe at least three major advantages of operating a telescope from the surface of the Moon instead of from the surface of the Earth. (Hint regarding what things to think about: The Moon has no atmosphere.)
2006-10-16 22:33:15 · 8 answers · asked by chi w 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
1. No atmosphere means no clouds, no rains etc. Therefore you get uninterrupted view of the image.
2. Since no atmosphere no diffraction of light. Therefore you can watch the image directly.
3. Since no atmosphere you get a sharp image of the object and do not need any extra lens.
2006-10-16 23:02:15 · answer #1 · answered by Gnanu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The biggest advantage by far would be how far away the telescope could see. By taking a picture of a distant object while the moon is on one side of the Earth, and then waiting until the moon is on the exact opposite side of the Earth and taking another picture of the same object, you would effectively be looking at the object with a telescope as big as the entire diameter of the orbit of the moon around the Earth. I believe this method of astronomy is called interferometry. The NRAO's Very Large Array is set up this way, except they have something like 27 dishes set up in various patterns that combined act like one gigantic dish.
Don't get me wrong, the other suggestions of no atmospheric interference, etc., are pretty good too. I just think this one would take the cake! :)
Hope that helps some.
P.S. We can do this now with the telescopes on Earth using the Earth's orbit around the sun which is even bigger, but we have to wait 6 months between viewings.
2006-10-17 04:00:34 · answer #2 · answered by Westward 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. No atmospheric interference of any kind.
2. Stars and planets viewed from the moon move very slowly, so that they are easier to view.
3. If a telescope was set up on the side of the moon opposite the Earth, there would be 15 days of viewing without the sun or the earth being in the sky to cause lens glare and an observer wouldn't have to worry about his eyes getting accustomed to the darkness.
2006-10-17 01:14:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No atmosphere to blur the image, rain on you or limit your observing time.
The moon rotates a lot slower than the Earth, so you could stay on target for a week or more.
The gravity is a lot less so your lens and mechanisms don't distort as much and require much less structure.
2006-10-17 02:39:44 · answer #4 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. ) no light pollution due to lack atmosphere.
2. ) no lost of the brightness of the object being observed. Atmosphere is full of air-bourne particle ,, gives very high "glare".
3. ) no clouds. Common for star gazers to to also watch out for weather. And the observation time-window is frequently interrupted ,, but these times are very social events , because they won't talk to you when there's something to watch.
2006-10-17 00:40:58 · answer #5 · answered by wai l 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Would the fact that the moon has a much slower rotation allow you to view an object for much longer with less adjustment?
2006-10-17 00:34:33 · answer #6 · answered by Feckpot 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. No atompsheric distortion.
2. Little light pollution.
3. Less gravity = cheaper mount.
2006-10-20 10:56:00 · answer #7 · answered by minuteblue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No atmospheric interference!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-10-17 01:37:53 · answer #8 · answered by jeff g 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋