Why every observatory needs a disco ball
2023/09/25 by Robert Cumming, Robert J. Cumming, A. G. M. Pietrow +8 · 11 voices · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies #History and Developments in Astronomy
paper · pdf · doi:10.1088/1361-6552/ad1fa0
Abstract
Abstract Commercial disco balls provide a safe, effective and instructive way of observing the Sun. We explore the optics of solar projections with disco balls, and find that while sunspot observations are challenging, the solar disk and its changes during eclipses are easy and fun to observe. We explore the disco ball’s potential for observing the moon and other bright astronomical phenomena.
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Discussions
- Wait... what...? arxiv.org/abs/2309.14173 [bsky, 42 points, 6 comments]
- v v v important news arxiv.org/abs/2309.14173 [bsky, 21 points, 3 comments]
- Hey 🔭🧪 There’s an annular solar eclipse in 2 weeks with most of North & South America at least seeing a partial eclipse. A colleague just put out a paper on *disco ball astronomy* & applications for [bsky, 19 points, 2 comments]
- ok so realtalk my department does actually have plans to build an observatory and this is all the justification I'll need to go in and add an extra line item to the procurement list [bsky, 11 points, 1 comments]
- Finally a productive use for the disco ball I acquired with an office change in 2015: arxiv.org/abs/2309.14173 [bsky, 6 points, 0 comments]
- Why every observatory needs a disco ball [hn, 2 points, 2 comments]
- Looking for a fun way to view the solar eclipse? These researchers think you should try a disco ball. arxiv.org/abs/2309.14173 [bsky, 2 points, 0 comments]
- "Disco balls can be used with minimal preparation as mildly defocused pinhole projectors that are able to project bright light sources (such as the Sun) on a wall or screen. The disco ball serves as a [bsky, 1 points, 0 comments]
- My colleague Alex (then in Stockholm) got it immediately, and suggested we write a paper. We gathered friends (and relatives), did some experiments and numbers, and "Why every observatory needs a disc [bsky, 0 points, 1 comments]
- 디스코볼을 pin head camera로 응용하면 태양 관측이 가능하다고 arxiv.org/abs/2309.14173 [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
- Continuing the theme of using items you surely own to do astronomical research ... arxiv.org/abs/2309.14173 [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
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