P3D the 2D Heavens

[Rob <lilindn@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> 
> If it weren't the case, astronomers wouldn't have to wait 6 months in
> order to detect parallax between the nearer and farther stars, using the
> baseline of the earth's orbit around the sun; they could do it nightly
> using your methodology.  
]
   Even this only provides enough parallax for scientific instruments,
not stereography.  I once though it would be neat to take pictures of
the night sky at opposite seasons to use as a stereo base - until I did
the math. 
   Using the earth's orbital extremes as a stereo base (about 180
million miles), is a hyperstereo of about 4 trillion to one!
   Sounds great, until you consider the closest star (alpha Centauri,
unless they've found a closer one recently) is about 25 trillion miles
away.  Using the orbit as a stereo base will make alp Cen look like it's
only 6 miles away!  way too far for stereo.
   Kinda makes you appreciate the vastness of outer space, eh?
   Rob
   "Everything I have is Y1.96K compliant"


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