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Telescope Newton

Question
It might be interesting to review his counter arguments before going on to peice telling us how history would be interestinly changed by Roman telescopes. Phil, himself, doesn’t seem to be very knowledgeable on telescope manufacturing–he made several gross errors. IRCC, he thought metal mirrors were unusabe, but Newton used a brass mirror.
Anwser
Both Newton and Gallilo made their scopes themselves. Neither I am sure were any sort of craftsmen in glass and/or metal working.
Associated Telescope Newton Question: He thought the Romans didn’t have access to clear glass, but they did.

Anwser: The Romans had quite an extensive glass industry. Of course you don’t need glass to make a telescope.

Associated Telescope Newton Question: He thought they needed correct advanced optical theory before telescopes could be made, but telescopes came hundreds for years before Newton.

Anwser: In fairness to Phil, optical theory was much more advanced in the 1500s then Roman times. Kepler had already released his notes on the subject.

Associated Telescope Newton Question: Given his complete lack of understanding of how telescopes are made at home using simple technologies and imputs available to the Romans, it is clear he is in no expert status.

Anwser:And he is discounting experts on the subject like the guys in sci.astro.amateur who do know a lot on the subject.

Associated Telescope Newton Question: Not that anyone is an expert on Roman telescope making. He as asked for sources on Roman telescope making, but it is held to be the OTL that the Romans didn’t have telescopes–so there should be none. It is an impossible standard to demand authoritive sources on Roman telescope making when it is an ATL speculation. Normally regular historiian don’t spend anytime on what did’nt happen. Your posting information on modern home telescope making from basic inputs, is all about supporting the notion that Roman telescopes as an ATL theme is reasonable, and not proving that Rome had telescope.

Anwser:I agree.

Associated Telescope Newton Question: Phil, often implictily takes the trollist stance that ‘Could Roman have used telescopes?’ is a direct question on the OTL and not an ATL speculation. Since you have found an audience that likes you idea, float with it and tell us more.

Anwser: A Roman telescope would set up butterflies all over the place. Actually what I wanted to do is start a new topic to discuss why the Romans did *not* develop a telescope. A summing up where I proposed to put forward a theory quite different to any proposed. I think in view of the reaction of some people, I will drop the whole topic. If someone else wants to continue it please and I will join in. I am currently working on a new WW2 POD.

Associated Telescope Newton Question:The raw ability to move tonnage is no guarantee of the ability to accurately and precisely position it. You mean like positioning a 300-ton telescope with better than millimeter precision? http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu:3636/realpublic/gen_info/kiosk/index. html

Anwser:I noticed a few things about this state-of-the-art telescope set, built in the last decade. First, the twin telescopes weigh 300 tons apiece, and stand eight stories tall, but the heart of these telescopes is a primary glass mirror ten meters in diameter, which itself is composed of 36 individually-adjustable segments. Seems to me that the actual super-precision-adjusted portion is only a small fraction of the total weight of each telescope. The weight of each segment could even be less than a ton. There are 36 * 2 = 72 such segments in the system. Second, I note that this adjustment of each ( < 1 ton?) segment is a dynamic computer-controlled adjustment, taking place twice per second, to an accuracy of 4 nm = .000004 mm. And this with super-special permanent provisions for the adjustment of each segment. So it’s by no means the same ball game as a mean, static (production line!) adjustment of 1/50th of an inch = .5 mm for EACH OF 144,000 blocks of 16-20 tons each over a 2 m high area, where each stone is not out of true by more than .001 inch, or .0254 mm. Sorry, but I remain unconvinced that any modern construction company would be able to build the Pyramid today.
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