How big of a telescope would you need to resolve the LCROSS impact?
What will the scale of the impact be? I really haven’t looked into it. I know that resolving small objects on The Moon is basically a no-go, but I have no idea about the cloud the impact is going to make. Would you need a super telescope, or would the backyard variety do? If I’m going to be up at 3:30 am I want to make sure I’ll be able to see something. Otherwise I’ll catch it on video later.
If it helps you figure it out, the dust plumes are supposed to be around 6 miles high.
If you are in the U.S. and west of the Mississippi, you might be able to see it with a telescope of at least 10″ of aperture. NASA TV will be doing a live feed and most certainly have video clips after the event.
As for size of the debris cloud after the impact, its going to be be small, maybe 20 – 30 miles on a side (don’t forget, the moon is about 250,000 miles away). The crater it’ll impact is something like 50 miles in diameter, but since its near the moon’s south pole, its profile is going to be foreshortened.
Which telescope to buy?
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Telescopic Collapsible Stainless Steel Shot Glass Key Ring $0.01 Stainless Steel Collapsible Metal Cup This stainless steel folding travel cup by CKB Products Wholesale has a 50ml capacity which is big enough to quench most any one’s thirst with just a few drinks! This cup collapses flat for easy carrying and storage. Each cup is made from high quality, food grade, stainless steel which is great for safe drinking. Perfect for backpacking, camping, tailgating, … |
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Westland Giftware Looney Tunes Magnetic Marvin the Martian and Telescope-Inch Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, 3-3/4-Inch $10.95 From the Looney Tunes Collection. Marvin and Telescope Salt & Pepper Shakers. This set includes a shaker of Marvin The Martian looking through a telescope shaker. Marvin’s home planet is Mars. Marvin has a spaceship called Marvin Maggot and a dog named Commander K-9. Marvin’s single goal in life is to blow up Earth with his lludium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator because it blocks his view of Venus… |
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Travel Stainless Steel Telescopic Collapsible Shot Glass w/Key Ring. Great for Travel, Boating and Fishing! $3.99 Traveling can be thirsty business! This cleverly designed folding shot glass is made of durable stainless steel and easily stashes away in any pocket. Clip it onto your keychain so you’ll always have a cup to do some shots. It extends to 2″ high, and holds about three-fingers’ or ounces worth of finely aged spirits. Also provides a convenient way to take liquid medicines any time. Makes a Great Gi… |
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Eye to the Telescope $6.50 If the art of the female singer-songwriter revolves around coffee-table soliloquies then Eye to the Telescope–the debut album from Edinburgh-born chanteuse/guitarist KT Tunstall–is a pleasing mediation between the traditional demands of brooding egocentricity (espresso) and frothy commerciality (cappuccino). KT Tunstall has star quality. “Suddenly I See” is an effortlessly liberating pop fillip … |
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Eye To The Telescope $6.99 … |
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Workshop of the Telescopes $12.00 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
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All About Telescopes and Binoculars [VHS] $29.95 … |
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Observatories Stonehenge to the Hubble Telescope $2.68 The world’s most renowned scientists tell the complete story of observatories from Stonehenge to the Hubble Telescope. Historians introduce the men and women who battled public ridicule in the quest to unlock the secrets of the cosmos. Astronomers reveal the discoveries that may finally offer a glimpse at the very dawn of creation itself…. |
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Hubble Space Telescope [VHS] $29.99 … |
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Werner MT-22 300-Pound Duty Rating Telescoping Multi-Ladder, 22-Foot $164.00 Offering incredible versatility, the Werner MT Series Telescoping Multiladder is the only ladder you may ever need. Each MT Series ladder can be easily transformed into a twin stepladder, extension ladder, stairway stepladder, or two scaffold bases. Ideal for indoor and outdoor jobs, each of these professional-grade ladders is ergonomically constructed, features push-knob hinges, and is built to l… |