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Astronomer Photographs Meteor Through Telescope

Posted by samzenpus on from the expensive-camera dept.

Matt Rogers writes "Amateur astronomer Mike Hankey may be the first person on earth to take a picture of a fireball meteor through a telescope. The picture has been confirmed authentic by numerous professional astronomers and asteroid hunters. This picture could possibly be the first of its kind. Taking a picture of a meteor is a very difficult thing to do, taking a picture of a meteor through a telescope is near impossible. The hunt is on in southern PA for the meteorites that broke away from this space rock. Using Hankey's picture, as well as security tape, meteorite hunters have been able to narrow down the crash site to a smaller area. Even with the trajectory roughly determined, professional meteorite hunters think finding these meteorites may be near impossible. However if they are found they will be immensely valuable and could be very large."

7 of 81 comments (clear)

  1. Mr Hankey by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'll bet that when you look through Mr Hankey's telescope you get a brown ring around your eye.

  2. Oblig. FLT quote by Jon+Abbott · · Score: 5, Funny

    I have photographed a truly marvelous picture of a meteor, which this margin is too narrow to contain.

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  3. Re:"Amateur astronomer" and the audacity of plebes by Farmer+Tim · · Score: 4, Funny

    Sometimes PhDs seem a little bit arrogant when they demand to be called "Doctor" rather than "Mister"...

    Of course, when your surname is Hankey you probably want to be called something other than "Mister" regardless of your education.

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  4. Re:"Amateur astronomer" and the audacity of plebes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Add your hobby would seem to be trolling. Keep working at it and with perseverance one far off day you might rise to the the level of amateur troll.

  5. Famous last words by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Whoa! I just photographed a m

  6. Obligatory stupid post: by fireman+sam · · Score: 4, Funny

    Here is another picture of a meteor, this one is much clearer and you can easily see what the meteor is made of:

    http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/3008/3861/7519430001_large.jpg

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  7. Re:"its basically almost impossible to do. especia by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    "Well, suddenly the odds of SOMEBODY catching a meteor at night at SOME point are much higher. Though I wouldn't want to guess exactly what the odds are."

    Yeah, someone just did. Some guy named Mike Hankey. They posted an article on Slashdot about it, you should read it...