2007-09-16 16:09:34 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
One reason is that telescopes near the equator can see all of the heavens (Northern or Southern ones can't). Another is that there is usually less polution. This is because most polution comes from North America, Europe and Asia. all in the Northern hemisphere.
2007-09-16 16:23:04 · answer #1 · answered by Demiurge42 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'd like to see some data to back your premise. Some of the largest optical telescopes are in the continental US, considerably north of the equator. The Large Binocular Telescope is at Mt Graham in Arizona, at around 33 degrees north. The South African Large Telescope is at a similar latitude (32 deg) south of the equator. Then there are the 4 Unit telescopes of the European VLT which are at Cerro Paranal in Chile, at around 25 degrees south.
There are many large telescopes on Mauna Kea but even that site is nearly 20 degrees from the equator.
A large telescope needs to be built at a site with good seeing (dry steady atmosphere), dark skies, lots of clear nights and then of course there are the logistics. There aren't that many places in the world that meet all these criteria so the best sights are in high demand.
2007-09-16 23:51:35 · answer #2 · answered by Peter T 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not so much close to the equator, but south, generally.
The centre of the galaxy is in the direction of Sagittarius, which passes overhead at latitudes around 25 to 30 degrees south. There are some very nice dry places at this latitude, like the Atacama Desert in Chile, and much of Australia. These areas have access to the Milky Way in Centaurus and Carina, as well as the Magellanic Clouds.
The telescopes in Hawaii are on top of very high mountains. They are a compromise between latitude, altitude, and just plain being able to get there. There aree way more flights to Honolulu than to Arica...
2007-09-16 23:50:53 · answer #3 · answered by laurahal42 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The answerer above me is correct; that's also where the air is thinnest and provides the least distortion.
2007-09-16 23:24:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
More sky to see. The further north (or south) you are, the less the sky changes.
2007-09-17 01:35:51 · answer #5 · answered by Nate 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
mebbe with the equatorial bulge there is less atmosphere above them?
2007-09-16 23:43:11 · answer #6 · answered by Faesson 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
they were built there.
2007-09-16 23:15:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋