Astronomy equipment improvements over the next couple of decades

[Shimrod]

13 hours ago, Earl said:

Self aligning mount, self tracking ccds, AI controlled exposure / calibration.

This may already be around now, Im out the loop/

I was going to type a similar answer - enhanced goto that reduces set up time and integrated camera/plate solving in the mount to perform alignment and deliver accurate goto movement.

I have two goto mounts bought about 20 years apart - the technology works the same way in both - there have been steps towards self-alignment with Starsense, GPS and Starlock (Meade), but these still require manual intervention and frustratingly fail to work on occasion. 

[Highburymark]

12 hours ago, Louis D said:

So what's keeping the 40+ countries in Europe from designing and selling their own high spec NV sensors?

They already do - my night vision tube is made by a European company called Photonis. They are freely available - not just to military buyers. But they tend to be pricier than their US counterparts, and use slightly different technology. But very good quality.

[Stu]

I do fear the loss of the optical expertise in old hands such as Roland Christen at AP. I know that mass produced product is getting better, but there will hopefully always be a place for the specialist high end ‘boutique’ manufacturers with that bit extra. That fear is driven by the expectation that optics will start to play second fiddle with all the scopes which just deliver images via a screen or linked to a phone. These have their place of course, but I hope we don’t lose the physical visual connection we have now (when the clouds go away!)

Hopefully we will see more, better thought out and designed products continuing to come through. The Baader Maxbright IIs are a prime example; not revolutionary by any means, but just plain better in almost every way including optically so they really do enhance the experience.

[Stu1smartcookie]

4 minutes ago, Stu said:

I do fear the loss of the optical expertise in old hands such as Roland Christen at AP. I know that mass produced product is getting better, but there will hopefully always be a place for the specialist high end ‘boutique’ manufacturers with that bit extra. That fear is driven by the expectation that optics will start to play second fiddle with all the scopes which just deliver images via a screen or linked to a phone. These have their place of course, but I hope we don’t lose the physical visual connection we have now (when the clouds go away!)

Hopefully we will see more, better thought out and designed products continuing to come through. The Baader Maxbright IIs are a prime example; not revolutionary by any means, but just plain better in almost every way including optically so they really do enhance the experience.

Agree entirely . I am a real fan of technology and the exciting products that are now hitting the market in astronomy but tradition in our hobby is a very powerful tool and new ideas and aids will never dampen the enthusiasm in using our eyes to look through a scope in awe . 

[JeremyS]

13 hours ago, Sunshine said:

Self collimating telescopes, simply push a button and lasers instantly align to a degree even the human eye cannot.

They are called refractors 😊

[Optic Nerve]

21 hours ago, Sunshine said:

Self collimating telescopes, simply push a button and lasers instantly align mirrors to a degree even the human eye cannot.

Ooh yes please put me down for one of them.

[Xilman]

23 hours ago, JeremyS said:

They are called refractors 😊

Have you ever tried collimating a refractor? They are very far from being self-collimating and most those who have tried, starting from a set of separate lenses, tend to think that collimating a Newtonian is a doddle by comparison. The best that can be said is that, once collimated, refractors hold their collimation for a long time.

My scope is the worst of both worlds. It has two spherical mirrors and a bunch of transfer lenses, all of which must be positioned correctly. Luckily the manufacturer did an excellent job and no-one has been fiddling with it yet.

(I did note your 😊 but still thought it worthwhile to expand on your comment.)

[ScouseSpaceCadet]

On 17/04/2023 at 17:58, mikeDnight said:

Well all be pointless bags of blubber just waiting to die. What fun!

I am the future! We all are good at something.

Even in my short time, mini goto mounts have arrived, EEA popularity increased, smart telescopes are becoming smarter & cheaper and smartphone apps more powerful.

I'm looking forward to all the future new gadgets I can't afford.

Will light pollution be tackled though and what about those rain soaked clouds. I'm only four years in and the last year I've really noticed my light pollution increase and less cloud free nights. 🤔

[Stu1smartcookie]

4 minutes ago, ScouseSpaceCadet said:

. I'm only four years in and the last year I've really noticed my light pollution increase and less cloud free nights. 🤔

The most realistic post on this subject . Light pollution can be tackled ... but those wretched clouds ?... i'm not so sure . 

Also , there will be another twenty thousand satelites in low ordit to negotiate when trying to view anything . 

[mikeDnight]

6 hours ago, Stu1smartcookie said:

Also , there will be another twenty thousand satelites in low ordit to negotiate when trying to view anything . 

I like to stay positive. I believe we're setting ourselves up fo a maga fall relying on satalites and all this mind numbing technology. At the pivotal moment our seemingly pleasant little star will hand us our a##es, by delivering the mother of all solar storms and sending us back to Bedrock overnight. At that time I'll be king, as I'll be the only one left with a knob controlling his telescope. 

Everyone else will have caved in to goto and push button technology!

Edited April 19, 2023 by mikeDnight

[Alan White]

12 minutes ago, mikeDnight said:

I like to stay positive. I believe we're setting ourselves up fo a maga fall relying on satalites and all this mind numbing technology. At the pivotal moment our seemingly pleasant little star will hand us our a##es, by delivering the mother of all solar storms and sending us back to Bedrock overnight. At that time I'll be king, as I'll be the only one left with a knob controlling his telescope. 

Tempting to comment on this MIke 😉 🤣

[ScouseSpaceCadet]

16 minutes ago, mikeDnight said:

I like to stay positive. I believe we're setting ourselves up fo a maga fall relying on satalites and all this mind numbing technology. At the pivotal moment our seemingly pleasant little star will hand us our a##es, by delivering the mother of all solar storms and sending us back to Bedrock overnight. At that time I'll be king, as I'll be the only one left with a knob controlling his telescope. 

 

Mike you really need a new avatar... 😂

[Xilman]

5 hours ago, Stu1smartcookie said:

The most realistic post on this subject . Light pollution can be tackled ... but those wretched clouds ?... i'm not so sure . 

Also , there will be another twenty thousand satelites in low ordit to negotiate when trying to view anything . 

Move to radio  😉

Just as much light pollution but at least clouds and daylight don't interfere too much.