04-12-2015, 04:27 PM
Why does there have to be so many telescopes in the first place?
There are many different astronomy programs throughout the world. Each of them has a specific area of research; exoplanets, quasars, comets, etc. They need to have access to a telescope best suited to their needs (there are different types of telescopes), and institutions or researchers are allotted time periods for their use.
Researchers study extremely small areas of the sky, an area so small it may be useless to the work of another astronomer. It's not possible to have 5 astronomers share 2 hours of time on a telescope focused in the same part of the sky. It would be like 5 people trying to use the same lane at a bowling alley, all at the same time.
There are many different astronomy programs throughout the world. Each of them has a specific area of research; exoplanets, quasars, comets, etc. They need to have access to a telescope best suited to their needs (there are different types of telescopes), and institutions or researchers are allotted time periods for their use.
Researchers study extremely small areas of the sky, an area so small it may be useless to the work of another astronomer. It's not possible to have 5 astronomers share 2 hours of time on a telescope focused in the same part of the sky. It would be like 5 people trying to use the same lane at a bowling alley, all at the same time.
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves