Comments on: Is Pluto further away than the stars? http://blog.sciencegeekgirl.com/2008/07/26/is-pluto-further-away-than-the-stars/ science education, communication, and myths Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:57:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Matt http://blog.sciencegeekgirl.com/2008/07/26/is-pluto-further-away-than-the-stars/comment-page-1/#comment-308 Matt Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:13:18 +0000 http://sciencegeekgirl.com/?p=319#comment-308 Exactly, or more useful (from a buyer's standpoint) is 'What can I see?'. That way I can go down a short list of things from the major planets to far-away galaxies. Exactly, or more useful (from a buyer’s standpoint) is ‘What can I see?’. That way I can go down a short list of things from the major planets to far-away galaxies.

]]> By: sciencegeekgirl http://blog.sciencegeekgirl.com/2008/07/26/is-pluto-further-away-than-the-stars/comment-page-1/#comment-307 sciencegeekgirl Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:43:58 +0000 http://sciencegeekgirl.com/?p=319#comment-307 Ah, I see! Thanks, Matt! It's like, the better question would be, "how bright can I see"? Ah, I see! Thanks, Matt! It’s like, the better question would be, “how bright can I see”?

]]> By: Matt http://blog.sciencegeekgirl.com/2008/07/26/is-pluto-further-away-than-the-stars/comment-page-1/#comment-309 Matt Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:34:30 +0000 http://sciencegeekgirl.com/?p=319#comment-309 Well, Pluto is much, much closer to Earth than say, the Andromeda Galaxy, but even a small telescope can see Andromeda on a clear night. By comparison, the much closer Pluto needs at a minimum a 6 inch telescope (or more) to be viewed. So asking 'how far can I see" is really not the best question. Its like having a small candle ten feet from you, and then someone turns a Klieg light on from across a football field. The candle may be closer, but you aren't going to see it as well. Well, Pluto is much, much closer to Earth than say, the Andromeda Galaxy, but even a small telescope can see Andromeda on a clear night. By comparison, the much closer Pluto needs at a minimum a 6 inch telescope (or more) to be viewed.

So asking ‘how far can I see” is really not the best question. Its like having a small candle ten feet from you, and then someone turns a Klieg light on from across a football field. The candle may be closer, but you aren’t going to see it as well.

]]> By: sciencegeekgirl http://blog.sciencegeekgirl.com/2008/07/26/is-pluto-further-away-than-the-stars/comment-page-1/#comment-310 sciencegeekgirl Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:15:58 +0000 http://sciencegeekgirl.com/?p=319#comment-310 I don't get it... what do you mean? I don’t get it… what do you mean?

]]> By: Matt http://blog.sciencegeekgirl.com/2008/07/26/is-pluto-further-away-than-the-stars/comment-page-1/#comment-311 Matt Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:13:29 +0000 http://sciencegeekgirl.com/?p=319#comment-311 Many folks, when buying a telescope, ask me 'How far can I see with this telescope?'. Its really hard to explain that its the wrong question to ask. Many folks, when buying a telescope, ask me ‘How far can I see with this telescope?’. Its really hard to explain that its the wrong question to ask.

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