Quote:
Originally Posted by janoskiss
Many of you would have seen these. But if you haven't, you must! 
https://youtu.be/BXIA5r9r29I?list=PLFDDC58C2516AE284
Tours of the world's largest telescopes with explanations of operation, science and hurdles researchers face, presented in plain English by pro astronomers and science journalist Brady Haran.
Rant: One thing people don't realise is how very cheap all these amazing instruments are for what they do. Yet scientists have to fight tooth and nail for funding to get them built. Cost per telescope is in the 10s to 100-ish million dollar range: same as a Hollywood movie, a world tour for a famous rock band, ~100 metres (1/8 of a mile) of freeway/highway; petty cash for any first world military... |
I totally agree with the sentiment Steve - these scopes are great value for money. The big problem is not building them, it is finding the money to keep running them in remote locations.
minor point - I don't think that highways cost anywhere near that much - maybe for 100km?