(06-02-2015, 09:53 PM)Confused Wrote: Dragonfly Telephoto Array
Quote:The array began imaging targets in 2013 from its home at the New Mexico Skies hosting facility. Images have shown Dragonfly is at least ten times more efficient than its nearest rival and will be able to detect faint structures predicted by current merger models.
Wow! That is great! The technology is really ingenious. It essentially functions just like noise canceling headphones. I can imagine someone designing/mass producing one of these for regular consumer usage and making all the current telescope technology obsolete. I have a 5 inch telescope that cost me like 4 or 500 bucks a few years ago and from the description, this telescope would blow it out of the water.
Edit: I see that the current estimated cost of the telescope is about $135,000! But they are using super expensive telephoto lenses, cameras, and mounts. Every single one of those could be downgraded. For example each of the lenses it currently uses are $10k a pop, but you can get the same sized 400mm telephoto lenses for much less (from around $1k), or use smaller lenses. I'm guessing with mass production discounts and using much cheaper components, you could make a telescope for under $3k that blows a telescope of the same price completely out of the water.