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The Billion-Dollar Telescope

Posted by michael on from the i-spy-with-my-little-eye dept.

dcmeserve writes "As in all science, astronomers are ever searching for better technology to aid in their task. But when it comes to telescopes, nothing beats sheer bulk of light-gathering capability. This article gives a brief overview of the top contenders for the next leap forward, including a 100-meter behemoth that is expected to run $1 billion."

4 of 326 comments (clear)

  1. Big Lens... by Unnngh! · · Score: 5, Funny
    For those of you who don't know how these things are measured...

    The newer models should be capable of frying at least 2.4x10^15 ants/second, compared to Hubble's 1.8x10^13 ants.

  2. I wonder.... by twoslice · · Score: 2, Funny

    If the old ones will end up on Ebay? I could sure use one that could see through curtains....

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    From excellent karma to terible karma with a single +5 funny post...
  3. Re:I think that they could by Golias · · Score: 2, Funny
    "A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking about real money."

    -- The late Sen. Everett Dirksen (IL)

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    Information wants to be anthropomorphized.

  4. It could be worse... by bckrispi · · Score: 3, Funny
    But such a telescope also comes with a Brobdingnagian price tag -- roughly a billion dollars to build, equip and operate for 20 years.

    It could be worse, it could cost One Hundred...Millllllllion....Dollars!!!!

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    Xenon, where's my money? -Borno