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No. The focal point would be so far away, as in way bigger that the moon's orbit, that the entire arrangement would be wildly impractical. Imagine hanging out
by sandworm101 4y ago
No. The focal point would be so far away, as in way bigger that the moon's orbit, that the entire arrangement would be wildly impractical. Imagine hanging out around pluto's orbit while trying to aim at earths moon as it spins around the earth. Using the earth would be easier. Using jupiter would be easier.
It is possible to build a refracting telescope in space that uses earths atmosphere as a lens. This is far more practical (ie smaller) than any gravity telescope.
- tadfisher 4y agoThe sun's focal point is 542 AU, about 11 times Pluto's orbit. It's safe to say we won't be using Jupiter or Earth as lenses anytime soon.
- sandworm101 4y agoNot as gravity lenses, but as both planets have atmospheres they can be used as refracting lenses at much shorter focal points at orbits, if using earth, just beyond the moon. https://www.science20.com/tommaso_dorigo/the_terrascope_using_earth_as_a_lens-240567 https://www.science20.com/tommaso_dorigo/the_terrascope_usin...
- flangola7 4y agoCould we start with Earth and scale up to the sun?