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1.4 Billion Pixel Camera To Watch For Asteroids

Posted by timothy on from the one-last-hawaiian-vacation dept.

SpaceSlug writes "The world's largest digital camera is to be used to keep an eye out for asteroids heading towards Earth. The Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) has been built by researchers at MIT's Lincoln Lab. At its heart is a 1.4 billion pixel (or 1400 megapixel) camera that will scan the night sky looking for rogue near-Earth objects from atop Mount Haleakala in Maui Island, Hawaii. The system uses something called an orthogonal transfer CCD to remove atmospheric blur from images."

14 of 138 comments (clear)

  1. To fully fund the project year round by deft · · Score: 5, Funny

    You just need to point her down at the beaches of Hawaii a few times a year and capture some of the scenery.

    can you say gigapixelboobs.com?

    --

    There's nothing Intelligent about Intelligent Design.
    1. Re:To fully fund the project year round by mcgrew · · Score: 4, Funny

      It's looking for asteroids. If it was a British telescope it would be looking for arseteroids.

      --
      Free Martian Whores!
    2. Re:To fully fund the project year round by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Here's a sidelong view of the nipple. I'd link to a photo of the whole boob, but it'd melt your video card.

  2. Re:So how many .. by Kagura · · Score: 4, Funny

    1.41 jiggapixels, panning at 88 arcseconds per hour.

  3. Damn by MightyMartian · · Score: 2, Funny

    Damn, now it means that when my brother-in-law sets his next camera to maximum resolution (as he always does), I'm going to get 50gb image files.

    --
    The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
    1. Re:Damn by qwertphobia · · Score: 4, Funny

      Martin? Bro? Is that you? I have a question for you:

      why does the internet get slow every time i send you pictures?

      --
      Never ask for directions from a two-headed tourist! -Big Bird
  4. Re:So how many .. by AioKits · · Score: 4, Funny

    When this baby hits 88 arcseconds per hour, you're going to see some serious shit.

    --
    "Quote me as saying I was mis-quoted." -Groucho Marx
  5. Re:So how many .. by Rayban · · Score: 2, Funny

    One point four jiggapixels? One point four jiggapixels?? Great scott!

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    æeee!
  6. What? The're in space? by zappepcs · · Score: 3, Funny

    Last time I looked, Asteroids was at the local bowling alley. Do I win a prize? Do these youngster space explorer types need any more investigative help? All the comets they need are under my kitchen sink! there! ba da bing! Oh, my neighbor guy has Saturn in his driveway! But if you guys need help or a camera to find Uranus... damn, I'm out!

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    Support NYCountryLawyer RIAA vs People
  7. Can it capture UFO license plate numbers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I gots to know

    1. Re:Can it capture UFO license plate numbers? by mcgrew · · Score: 5, Funny

      UFOs by definition don't have visible license plates. If it had a license plate it wouldn't be unidentified, now would it?

      --
      Free Martian Whores!
    2. Re:Can it capture UFO license plate numbers? by mschuyler · · Score: 2, Funny

      Except if you can't read the plate, it remains unidentifed. Hence the need for this camera.

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      How about a moderation of -1 pedantic.
  8. And I'll just bet.. by Channard · · Score: 4, Funny

    ... the manufacturers only included a 16mb SD card.

  9. Re:Pending Doom by east+coast · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hit it with a missile or go Armageddon style on it?

    As long as it gets rid of Bruce Willis it's a win-win situation.

    --
    Dedicated Cthulhu Cultist since 4523 BC.