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A giant liquid mirror telescope lies nestled in a lunar crater
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A giant liquid mirror telescope lies nestled in a lunar crater
A giant liquid mirror telescope 1 kilometer wide (6 tenths of a mile) and 1 kilometer tall lies nestled in an approximately 1 kilometer wide crater near the Moons south pole. In the foreground is a kind of lunar city for human habitation composed of pressurized and radiation-hardened living units. On the upper right are landing pads for transports arriving to and departing from the lunar surface.
A liquid mirror telescope is a Newtonian reflecting type telescope that employs a reflecting liquid as the primary mirror. A concept first identified 300 years ago by Isaac Newton himself, the reflecting liquid assumes the proper paraboloidal shape by rotating the container the liquid is in. On Earth working liquid mirror telescopes have been created with diameters up to 20 feet using mercury metal as the reflecting liquid. One limitation is that liquid metal mirror can only be used in zenith telescopes that look straight up at the sky, so it is not suitable for investigations where the telescope must remain pointing at the same location of space.
Given its low surface gravity and lack of distorting atmosphere, the Moon would be an ideal location for an extremely large liquid mirror telescope, however instead of mercury other liquids have been proposed, including low temperature ionic liquids that would be especially suitable for infrared observations. Given the Moons lack of atmospheric pressure, any such liquid would need to have a zero vapor pressure to keep it from boiling away
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Media ID 13066133
© Walter Myers/Stocktrek Images
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This print showcases a remarkable sight on the lunar surface. Nestled within a vast crater near the Moon's south pole lies an extraordinary feat of engineering - a giant liquid mirror telescope. With dimensions reaching one kilometer in width and height, this Newtonian reflecting type telescope utilizes a reflecting liquid as its primary mirror. The concept of liquid mirror telescopes was first envisioned by none other than Isaac Newton himself, almost three centuries ago. By rotating the container holding the reflecting liquid, it assumes a perfect paraboloidal shape necessary for precise observations. On Earth, we have successfully created liquid mirror telescopes with diameters up to 20 feet using mercury metal as the reflective substance. However, due to limitations imposed by zenith viewing angles, these mirrors are unsuitable for certain investigations that require fixed positions in space. The Moon's low gravity and lack of atmospheric distortion make it an ideal location for an immensely large liquid mirror telescope. Instead of mercury, alternative liquids such as low temperature ionic liquids have been proposed for infrared observations. In this image's foreground lies a lunar city designed specifically for human habitation - pressurized and radiation-hardened living units create an environment conducive to sustained life on our celestial neighbor. Additionally, landing pads can be seen on the upper right side where transports arrive and depart from the lunar surface. Walter Myers has expertly captured this futuristic vision that combines scientific exploration with potential human colonization beyond Earth's boundaries.
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