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Powerful Optical Telescope Captures First Binocular Images

Posted by Soulskill on from the i-can-see-clearly-now dept.

The Large Binocular Telescope consists of two 8.4-meter mirrors which function in tandem to provide resolution greater than that of the Hubble Telescope. The LBT's first "binocular" images were captured recently, marking the end to a long and laborious construction process. We previously discussed the LBT when images were captured from the first mirror to be installed. Quoting: "The LBT ... will combine light to produce the image sharpness equivalent to a single 22.8-meter (75-foot) telescope. 'To have a fully functioning binocular telescope is not only a time for celebration here at LBT, but also for the entire astronomy community,' UA Steward Observatory Director, Regents' Professor and LBT Corp. President Peter A. Strittmatter said. 'The images that this telescope will produce will be like none seen before. The power and clarity of this machine is in a class of its own. It will provide unmatched ability to peer into history, seeing the birth of the universe.'"

9 of 83 comments (clear)

  1. Been done by akuykenda · · Score: 4, Funny

    It will provide unmatched ability to peer into history, seeing the birth of the universe.

    Something like that already exists.
  2. Just like the movies by Fear+the+Clam · · Score: 3, Funny

    Everything will seen through an infinity-symbol-shaped viewing area.

  3. life ain't fair by budgenator · · Score: 1, Funny

    I'd be happy with a binocoular telescope that had pair of 15 cm objective mirrors and they get a pair of 840 cm mirrors.

    --
    Apocalypse Cancelled, Sorry, No Ticket Refunds
  4. Peeping tom by artichokesquid · · Score: 1, Funny

    No hot chick changing clothes in her room will be safe now ...

  5. Re:This might be a stupid question... by Deadstick · · Score: 2, Funny
    If two telescopes are good, wouldn't three be even better?

    Certainly would, and your contribution will be deductible.

    rj

  6. BLT by kck · · Score: 5, Funny

    I would have named it the Binocular Large Telescope.

    1. Re:BLT by NixieBunny · · Score: 3, Funny

      Yes, that would have been nicer. In a hallway in the Steward Observatory office building, there was once a poster illustrating the proposed Super Huge Interferometric Telescope I think the poster was done by bored grad students.

      --
      The determined Real Programmer can write Fortran programs in any language.
    2. Re:BLT by CraigParticle · · Score: 2, Funny
      Yes, that would have been nicer. In a hallway in the Steward Observatory office building, there was once a poster illustrating the proposed Super Huge Interferometric Telescope I think the poster was done by bored grad students.

      We were NOT bored! Saved for posterity:
      http://loke.as.arizona.edu/~ckulesa/superhuge/poster-halfsize.gif
      and there was a BLT too:
      http://daffy.as.arizona.edu/gradplays/play2k/blt.jpg

      Hmmm. Actually... I guess we were bored...
  7. Question by PPH · · Score: 2, Funny

    If you look through the other end, do things look really, REALLY small?

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.