World's largest liquid mirror telescope ready to observe

[Admin]

The 4-meter-wide International Liquid Mirror Telescope (ILMT) at Devasthal Observatory in the central Himalayas comes online.

World's largest liquid mirror telescope ready to observe : Read more

 

[billslugg]

This telescope uses 50 liters of mercury. I have one liter here in my office, secure in a steel bottle. The mercury weighs about 29 pounds. I collected it over a lifetime, bit by bit. Thermometers, mercoid switches, manometers, donations from friends. I don't take it out but its fun to slosh the bottle around.

 

[Helio]

In the 1960’s, a neighbor made a living selling mercury alarms for households, though I don’t think that lasted very long. If they’re cheap, you might want one in case the unlikely happens.

 

[Helio]

I wonder what the resolution is with that spinning mirror?

 

[billslugg]

In the 1960’s, a neighbor made a living selling mercury alarms for households, though I don’t think that lasted very long. If they’re cheap, you might want one in case the unlikely happens.

If I needed an air monitor, cost would not be an issue but the liquid is in a 3/16" thick steel pressure tank, sealed with a pipe plug. Meets federal hazmat package group I performance standards under 49 CFR 173.164.

 

[Helio]

The liquid is in a 3/16" thick steel pressure tank, sealed with a pipe plug. Meets federal hazmat package group I performance standards under 49 CFR 173.164.

That doesn’t surprise me. Nice collector’s item.