Can you speak Venusian?
In his 1972 documentary, Can You Speak Venusian?, the British astronomer Patrick Moore examined the astronomical theories of various "independent thinkers" — otherwise known as kooks. It's probably now the only footage of most of these odd folks, talking about their odd ideas. Moore released an accompanying book of the same name.
My favorite of his independent thinkers is John Bradbury and his 15-lens telescope, viewable at around the 15:30 mark. His basic idea was that if two lenses are good, then fifteen must be even better. Bradbury claimed his telescope was so powerful that it could show "the actual background casing of the universe."
My favorite of his independent thinkers is John Bradbury and his 15-lens telescope, viewable at around the 15:30 mark. His basic idea was that if two lenses are good, then fifteen must be even better. Bradbury claimed his telescope was so powerful that it could show "the actual background casing of the universe."
source: Can you speak Venusian?
Comments
Somewhat amusing... but not kind. Not kind at all. Mere rude mockery. And while such people deserve to be mocked, that should be done with kindness, not like this.
But then, what can one expect from a Thatcherite like Moore?
But then, what can one expect from a Thatcherite like Moore?
Posted by Richard Bos on 08/13/22 at 07:12 AM
A 15-lenses telescope is not at all better than a 2-lenses telescope, but a 16-lenses telescope may be. This way you will be able to see the background of the universe right-side up.
Posted by Yudith on 08/13/22 at 12:13 PM
Most telescopes used for astronomy today employ mirrors. Because of this, we'd never know if the galaxy was full of vampires.
Posted by Phideaux on 08/14/22 at 12:28 PM
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Category: Science | Spaceflight, Astronautics, and Astronomy | 1970s