In today's SCIENCE (actually dated tomorrow, March 22, 2002) there is a news article by Daniel Clery (Liverpool, U.K.) where he states that new *High-tech, assembly-line techniques are putting professional-quality telescopes within reach for a global scientific community.* Of course, these will cost approximately a couple million dollars (American), will be robotically controlled, and well within the budgets of major universities who want high-quality astronomy programs. (Perhaps one could be used by Sonoma College? Dr. Phil Plait will need to start working on the administration of his college immediately.) I can see dozens in upscale suburbs. People will need to have them for amusement and prestige. Perhaps they can afford to hire competent astronomers to operate them. What is a couple of million dollars among friends?

However, the down side of all of this is the need to persuade every community to control their light pollution or all will be in vain.

I think I will order a pink one (for girls).

ljbrs [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img] [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

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*Nothing is more damaging to a new truth than an old error.* Goethe

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ljbrs on 2002-03-21 20:16 ]</font>