12-08-2018, 11:12 AM
A lot of people buy telescopes worrying about things like optics and then find out they are really hard to use unless you just want to look at the moon. I'm no amateur astronomer but if I buy a telescope it will be a computerized model that can find things for me. A nebula looks really cool but if you can't find one then what is the point of the telescope?
Back in the 90's I had the opportunity to look through the world's largest privately-owned binocular telescope. To put it into perspective one had to climb a ladder to use it. If it was a regular telescope it would have been impressive, but because it was binocular everything was seen in 3D. It was one of the most amazing things I've ever done. I was looking at Saturn and it's moons, all in 3D and after it went out of view (you would be amazed how brief a time these things are visible after aiming) the guy was like, you want to see a nebula? A couple of adjustments and BOOM, I was looking at a real life nebula in 3D. I have no idea how he knew how to find these things in the sky so quickly, but it was not something I could ever do.
A year later I had a second opportunity to look through the telescope, but after about 5 minutes clouds moved in. Shortly thereafter the van that was used to transport the telescope was stolen with the telescope in it. It was probably just a vehicle theft with the people having no idea what was inside. I have no idea if another telescope like that was ever made.
Back in the 90's I had the opportunity to look through the world's largest privately-owned binocular telescope. To put it into perspective one had to climb a ladder to use it. If it was a regular telescope it would have been impressive, but because it was binocular everything was seen in 3D. It was one of the most amazing things I've ever done. I was looking at Saturn and it's moons, all in 3D and after it went out of view (you would be amazed how brief a time these things are visible after aiming) the guy was like, you want to see a nebula? A couple of adjustments and BOOM, I was looking at a real life nebula in 3D. I have no idea how he knew how to find these things in the sky so quickly, but it was not something I could ever do.
A year later I had a second opportunity to look through the telescope, but after about 5 minutes clouds moved in. Shortly thereafter the van that was used to transport the telescope was stolen with the telescope in it. It was probably just a vehicle theft with the people having no idea what was inside. I have no idea if another telescope like that was ever made.