New Large Synoptic Survey Telescope Provides Brighter, More Accurate Images Than Ever Before!

Possibly as soon as 2013 internet users will be able to take a peek into space like never before! The new Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) is an expansive new approach from the Hubble Space Telescope which photographed three quarters of a million pictures of the galaxy since its insurrection. LSST's $350 million dollar telescope built on top of Chile's Cerro Pachón, is being dubbed "the peoples telescope" by LSST officials. According to LSST, "the 8.4-meter, 10 degree field telescope would continuously scan space, taking a series of 15-second exposures that allow it to cover the sky every three nights." The new telescope will allow internet users to view supernovas, alert us here on Earth of potential collisions with asteroids, and clearly view galaxies millions of miles away. Because of the quickness of the photographs an accurate and current map of the sky will be much more easily made. Current nighttime sky maps take several years to develop because of the lack of power these telescopes possess. The new telescope will be able to detect changes in the stars much more quickly. "It is now possible to fabricate large mirrors of very deep curvature accurately and inexpensively. Large mirrors collect more light, enabling detection of fainter sources. Deep curvature brings light to a focus only a short distance above the mirror's surface. This short focal length significantly decreases the overall length of the telescope. A shorter telescope is lighter, stiffer, and thus more resistant to image-blurring vibration. It is also less expensive to construct and fits in a smaller building, further reducing costs." Using special photography equipment, the skies will be captured in new depth and clarity like never before. Currently the world's large telescopes provide breath taking views of the heavens, but are only accessible to a small percentage of the population. The LSST telescope will provide schools and individuals the opportunity to view the heavens at will and observe the changes in the sky for themselves. According to LSST, "By providing immediate public access to all the data it obtains, it will provide everyone, the professional and the "just curious" alike, a deep and frequent window on the entire sky. Cosmic cartography will become cosmic cinematography, forever changing the way we view the heavens."

In its venture to become a public telescope, LSST has gained funding from more than 20 entities and 6 universities.

"Google has joined an effort to build the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope. The Internet search company has struck a partnership with scientists building huge sky-scanning telescope, with hopes of helping the public access digital footage of asteroids, supernovas and distant galaxies." According to LSST officials, Google's technical expertise and vast data processing capacities will be an invaluable help to the telescopes processing needs. Google has already provided extremely detailed maps of the Earth, Mars and the Moon. For more information concerning this fascinating new development please visit http://www.lsst.org.