What's the telescope in Breaking Bad?

[RobH2020]

I'm just rewatching Breaking Bad, for the first time since getting into astronomy. 

I noticed in Gale's apartment (for those of you that have watched it) in s3e13, there's a telescope. But it looks wrong!

Is it just me or is that a Newtonian pointing out the window but with the eyepiece at the wrong end?

[John]

I think it's a Tasco 114mm newtonian or similar.

It is pointing away from the window. You do seem get this when scopes are used as props - especially newtonians

I think this was an advert on US TV:

 

[RobH2020]

Thanks, not just me then!

The Breaking Bad show creators pride themselves on absolute attention to detail. This guy Gale is meant to be a real nerd - the show creators go to great lengths to fill his apartment with the paraphernalia that goes along with lots of niche enthusiasms, including a potato-powered clock etc. But missed this one.

Still, New Mexico would be a fantastic place to be a stargazer... 330 days of sunshine a year, two days drive to an ocean and only 30 min drive to black sky site from the centre of the state capital!

Edited May 18, 2020 by RobH2020

[TerryMcK]

I went to NM about 25 years ago and experienced fantastic sunsets but it was cloudy on the nights we were in the state but azure blue skies during the day. Went to see the Very Large Array which was astonishing.

I agree that set dressing can be challenging sometimes as there is always someone who notices something awry. However that advert photo is unforgivable.

[RobH2020]

5 hours ago, TerryMcK said:

I went to NM about 25 years ago and experienced fantastic sunsets but it was cloudy on the nights we were in the state but azure blue skies during the day. Went to see the Very Large Array which was astonishing.

I agree that set dressing can be challenging sometimes as there is always someone who notices something awry. However that advert photo is unforgivable.

ah that must've been so annoying. wonder if you just got unlucky or if that's a typical pattern..

[RobH2020]

16 hours ago, John said:

 

I can't see this photo and not initially see Tony Soprano...

[knobby]

16 hours ago, John said:

I think it's a Tasco 114mm newtonian or similar.

It is pointing away from the window. You do seem get this when scopes are used as props - especially newtonians

I think this was an advert on US TV:

 

It's not the wrong way round, he's checking to see if he has wet himself 🙂

 

[TerryMcK]

58 minutes ago, RobH2020 said:

ah that must've been so annoying. wonder if you just got unlucky or if that's a typical pattern..

probably just unlucky on that trip

[CCD-Freak]

On 18/05/2020 at 10:24, TerryMcK said:

probably just unlucky on that trip

Definitely unlucky.  🙂

I go to NM as often as I can and I have had some spectacular nights.   It is a two day drive but worth the trip.

John Love
CCD-Freak
WD5IKX

[DirkSteele]

In the public consciousness all telescopes are refractors. Which means eyepiece at the bottom. Next exhibit in the evidence for such a claim. The Iberia Airlines business class magazine from 2016.

[johninderby]

The general public can be a bit clueless about telescopes. 🙄

[SamAndrew]

Once you're into astronomy, you'll notice every telescope in every show/film you watch, the majority are the cheapest props going, lots are the wrong way around, most are pointing out narrow windows with hardly any FOV.

One notable exception is the Moonraker in Altered Carbon!

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/607063-moonraker-builds-for-netflix-altered-carbon-series/

[CCD-Freak]

You will also see things like this........

( from a  listing on "Flea Bay" )

 

John Love
CCD-Freak
WD5IKX

Edited May 26, 2020 by CCD-Freak

[johninderby]

And yet another one pn eBay. 🙄

[ScouseSpaceCadet]

6 hours ago, johninderby said:

The general public can be a bit clueless about telescopes. 🙄

Hang on I'm sure that's Betty 'Hawkeye' Sinclair-Branson GCSE ABH GBH FRAS closely inspecting the optics. She can't help herself.

 

[CCD-Freak]

And then there is the "Party Scope"

 

John Love
CCD-Freak
WD5IKX

Edited May 26, 2020 by CCD-Freak

[johninderby]

4 minutes ago, CCD-Freak said:

And then there is the "Party Scope"

 

John Love
CCD-Freak
WD5IKX

Interesting light shield on the top. Not sure if the idea will catch on though? 😁😁😁

Edited May 26, 2020 by johninderby

[Swoop1]

I sometimes wonder if set dressers and prop masters make intentional errors just for squits and giggles.

[RobH2020]

On 26/05/2020 at 15:25, CCD-Freak said:

You will also see things like this........

( from a  listing on "Flea Bay" )

 

John Love
CCD-Freak
WD5IKX

What on earth is this?!?!

[R26 oldtimer]

1 hour ago, RobH2020 said:

What on earth is this?!?!

Telescope?

Microscope?

Horoscope?

 

Horrorscope!!!

[johninderby]

Frankescope . 🙀🙀🙀

[BrendanC]

Anyone fancy using a Stellina with huge amounts of localised light pollution?

[RobH2020]

On 17/06/2020 at 12:52, BrendanC said:

Anyone fancy using a Stellina with huge amounts of localised light pollution?

Is the Stellina any good? Not in those conditions I'm sure, but generally?

[BrendanC]

Absolutely no idea, sorry. There are some reviews out there. Generally I think, given the price, it's much more suited either to people who are very rich but don't want the hassle of kit, or community outreach where people want to see electronically enhanced images in real-time.

[RobH2020]

Found another one - in series 1 of The Expanse on Amazon Prime.

Good series. It's even a sci-fi about travels around the solar system. The set dressers still don't know what they're doing with a telescope though!