Too bad there isn't a lot of mercury on the Moon.

Space/Science » in reply to We don't disagree much on this.

Too bad there isn't a lot of mercury on the Moon.

TB — 11/13/2006 2:26:52 AM (archived)

Spinning mercury mirrors are a workable solution for very limited applications. Unfortunately, they don't steer, and on the Moon, you aren't going to see a very wide patch of sky with one.

The whole thread (53 posts)

Build astronomical observatories on the Moon? - et - 11/9/2006 9:04:35 PM
- For radio-telescopes, yes! (n/t) - Jacob Samorodin - 11/13/2006 12:41:49 AM
  - re: The viability of any telescope on the Moon depends heavily on if we can deal effectively with the electrostatic dust. But it would seem some antenna types wouldn't really be bothered much by dust. (n/t) - Chris Vancil - 11/16/2006 9:49:38 PM
    - Great place to use the Arecibo design. - alcaray - 11/17/2006 4:25:13 PM
      - re: Don't think so...a dish shaped bowl collects dust...even big holes may not stop the collection. (n/t) - Chris Vancil - 11/17/2006 10:51:27 PM
        
        Not one made of wire-mesh. (n/t) - Jacob Samorodin - 11/18/2006 5:59:43 PM
        
        re: I imagine it would epend on how fine the mesh is and it is electrostatic dust. (n/t) - Chris Vancil - 11/18/2006 11:08:29 PM
- I suspect we will not be motivated to do dedicated missions to the moon... - alcaray - 11/10/2006 6:20:22 PM
  - True. - Scott Evil - 11/16/2006 5:12:05 PM
- I've been thinking of this for a long time. - SDF - 11/10/2006 5:53:37 AM
- Playing defense. comprehensive reply - et - 11/10/2006 4:12:25 AM
  - No walking on the Moon Dust - nick hoffman - 11/11/2006 7:23:50 AM
    - Even if no one visited to stir up dust there would be a dust problem... - R.L. - 11/11/2006 8:51:02 AM
      - My dustup with Nick/R.L. : comprehensive - et - 11/11/2006 7:46:02 PM
        
        I think you need to explore the financial model further - nick hoffman - 11/12/2006 2:40:48 AM
        
        It wouldn't be cheap is right.... - et - 11/12/2006 6:19:07 PM
        
        Hmmm.... I think I have to respectfully disagree... - R.L. - 11/12/2006 1:56:30 AM
        
        We don't disagree much on this. - et - 11/12/2006 6:39:20 PM
        
        re: We don't disagree much on this. - gbaikie - 11/14/2006 1:52:14 AM
        
        While that was a fairly coherent burst of information.... - et - 11/14/2006 5:43:18 AM
        
        I understand that H20 is a greenhouse gas - gbaikie - 11/17/2006 2:43:30 AM
        
        Too bad there isn't a lot of mercury on the Moon. - TB - 11/13/2006 2:26:52 AM
        
        Diamond transmission - R.L. - 11/12/2006 8:06:53 PM
        
        re: Diamond transmission - R.L. - 11/12/2006 8:11:10 PM
        
        and yes, you can get lenses made from salt... (n/t) - R.L. - 11/12/2006 8:08:11 PM
        
        Why salt, why a lens, and why the attitude? - et - 11/13/2006 4:16:32 AM
        
        ? attitude? honestly, ET, I only have respect for you - R.L. (confused) - 11/13/2006 6:48:13 AM
        
        Oh, and as for why I mentioned salt - R.L. - 11/13/2006 7:10:41 AM
        
        And YES, the urge to lick the lens WOULD be unbearable.... - et - 11/13/2006 4:42:05 PM
        
        Sapphire... - R.L. - 11/14/2006 11:25:10 PM
        
        Lets consolidate the theoretical engineering concepts..... - et - 11/15/2006 9:16:24 PM
        
        Pepper lenses, however, have had limited success (n/t) - R.L. - 11/14/2006 10:51:59 PM
        
        re: How do you make an optical telescope without lens and mirrors? - Chris Vancil - 11/13/2006 6:34:13 AM
        
        Tunnel vision (thought) - et - 11/13/2006 4:37:14 PM
      - Thanks for the tips, but I doubt if the Chinese will use them - E.P. - 11/11/2006 2:01:29 PM
      - re: There are also what some call "Moon Storms" every lunar morning along the terminator. (n/t) - Chris Vancil - 11/11/2006 9:22:39 AM
        
        My link talked about that (n/t) - R.L. - 11/11/2006 9:43:40 AM
    - re: Not just optical scopes have dust issues on the Moon! (n/t) - Chris Vancil - 11/11/2006 8:22:07 AM
- re: Build astronomical observatories where it makes sense for the application - Ken Murphy - 11/10/2006 2:01:16 AM
  - re: Build astronomical observatories where it makes sense for the application - E.P. - 11/10/2006 11:21:44 AM
  - re: Build astronomical observatories where it makes sense for the application - ER - 11/10/2006 2:34:09 AM
    - re: Build astronomical observatories where it makes sense for the application - Ken Murphy - 11/11/2006 12:32:48 AM
      - What Do You Mean By Earth Bound? - Mark Eby - 11/11/2006 4:43:05 PM
        
        re: What Do You Mean By Earth Bound? - Ken Murphy - 11/11/2006 5:28:51 PM
        
        re: What Do You Mean By Earth Bound? - Chris Vancil - 11/11/2006 11:45:31 PM
      - An excellent diplomatic reply - E.P. - 11/11/2006 4:22:31 PM
        
        re: An excellent diplomatic reply - Ken Murphy - 11/11/2006 5:41:35 PM
        
        Another excellent diplomatic reply - E.P. - 11/11/2006 7:56:04 PM
      - Thanks, Ken - ER - 11/11/2006 2:15:05 AM
- re: Build astronomical observatories on the Moon? - ER - 11/10/2006 1:00:13 AM
  - Repairs - TB - 11/11/2006 4:46:08 PM
    - re: Repairs - Ken Murphy - 11/11/2006 5:49:39 PM
- Overrated a bit. - TB - 11/9/2006 9:43:02 PM

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