Astronomy/optical telescopes

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Expert: - 7/22/2008


Question
Hello,
I was wondering if optical telescopes detect light from Earth sources (interference) like radio telescopes can detect radio interference?
Thankyou very much,
Alice

Answer
Hi Alice,
Not directly, but indirectly, it's called "light pollution"....
Lightglow from our cities reflect off the dust, moisture, and clouds
to brighten or "pollute" the black background sky, rendering the
deep sky objects impossible for us to see as they are washed out
with that gray colored background. The only direct interference
from man-made objects are aircraft lights and artificial satellites
in orbit around the Earth.
Many an aircraft or satellite has ruined a beautiful astrophoto.
Many a careless car headlight or white flashlight has ruined a beautiful astrophoto at a dark sky location.
It is interesting to note that we astronomers only have 2 places
East of the Mississippi River that have zero light pollution;
Spruceknob W. VA and Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania, and
that's it. That's why I travel to the latter location every new
moon weekend, as the moon is a horrible light polluter for us too.
All visual telescopes, no matter what their size, every month, are out of business for about a week, with a bright moon in our sky.
Hope this helps,
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA

Astronomy

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Tom Whiting

Expertise

Astronomy has been my hobby/pasttime for over 50 years.  Currently own 3 telescopes, the largest of which is a 30 inch Newtonian truss Dob that is portable.I taught Astronomy/Meteorology at the University Level for 13 years before retiring in 1995. Being retired and home most of the time, I am able to answer all questions relatively quickly, unless it's a new moon weekend with good observing conditions.  No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO picture identifications.

Experience

Experience: Astronomy has been my hobby and study for over 50 years. We currently now own a 30 inch portable telescope (Updated - Pennsylvania`s largest portable telescope). It can be seen on our website at:http://www.velocity.net/~bwhiting and also attend several regional starparties during the year, and have been on 5 total solar eclipse expeditions.

Organizations: President, Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.

Publications: Wrote the "Over Erie Skies" newspaper article in our local newspaper for 11 years (1975-86).

Education: Masters Degree- Taught at the University level for 13 years. Retired 20 years -USAF Pilot - KC-135 with 180 combat missions;  Also Eagle Scout, Philmont staff 2 Yrs, Order of Arrow Lodge Chief, Ham Radio (inactive).

Awards: two discoveries: The mini-coathanger asterism in Ursa Minor (the little dipper) And the mini-ladle- another asterism in the bowl of Ursa Minor. Clients: Currently President of the ECMOG as mentioned above.

Education/Credentials
BS  Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PA Also retired USAF pilot, 20 years.

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