how does NASA take pictures of other planets so clearly? I'm assuming they take it using our satelites, but how does the information travel to our computers from the satelites? And some planets are light years away, how can the data be sent to the satelite with the picture so clearly?
2007-08-05 13:42:05 · 7 answers · asked by jason l 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The only clear actual images we have are of planets in our solar system, and only because we have space probes that either passed by or orbited those planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune).
The images are transmitted from the imaging systems on the spacecraft back to Earth using technology similar to digital TV (not quite the same, but similar concept).
We do not have actual closeup images of Pluto or any planet outside the solar system. Images you see for planets you say are "some planets are light years away" are artists conceptions or illustrations, they are not actual images.
2007-08-05 13:48:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
You have to listen to Linda June as always. In addition, some of these planetary body photos are actually many many photos clipped together from orbiters. This can make the photos look ultra sharp and unbelievably clear. If it seems impossible to see such detail as shown in these whole planet views with one photograph, that's because it is. Several hundred photos pieced together can show you a flat image with incredible detail with no change in perspective. This lack of perspective change is unnatural and is only available because your not looking at one photograph but many. To see this more clearly, locate photos of planets taken by the Hubble space telescope and then find the same planet's picture in render view, or with little stair step edges along the sides.
2007-08-05 21:00:02 · answer #2 · answered by erikfaraway 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, the planets are not light years away. They maybe hours away, but not light years.
NASA puts high quality cameras on space probes that are launched into space and fly by the planets that they are going to image. The cameras are digital (like the one you probably use and hook to your computer) and they transmit their data to earth using radio links. This requires a high power transmitter and a large antenna so that the signals can be received back on earth. Once received, the data is re-formatted and images are created from it. It can then be put out on the web, or loaded to an FTP site.
2007-08-05 20:49:37 · answer #3 · answered by nyphdinmd 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Vanguard note...
Another incredible chunk of information....There are some bizarre things going on with the Sun and the properties of light in space. John Keely says that the Sun and stars are invisible when viewed from space. Light only manifests when in the presence of a gas which serves as a percussive medium for the Aether to allow the generation of light through interference; thereby slowing the Aether to lower frequencies.
This is the beginning of an article starting 3/4 of the way into the link below. If the info is true...well, you decide the implications.
2007-08-06 04:25:32 · answer #4 · answered by mike453683 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
NASA has sent crafts to other planets to take pictures of them sense the 70's. also we now have the Hubble space telescope.Also the planets are not light years away. (the ones we know of anyway) There probably are some that are light years (1-2 ly) but we do not have clear pictures of these
2007-08-05 21:10:21 · answer #5 · answered by comethunter 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's called the hubble and it is the biggest and strongest telescope in the world or should i say out of this world. It's NASA's orbiting Hubble Space Telescope.
2007-08-05 20:51:06 · answer #6 · answered by Teenie 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The planets are light-minutes (Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter) to a few light-hours away (Saturn, Uranus, Neptune).
I don't think you quite understand what a light year is and how huge it is, do you?
2007-08-05 21:20:56 · answer #7 · answered by nick s 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋