🚀 go-pugleaf

> >>>? "Satellite saw Waite, newspaper says"
> >>>Uh-huh.... apply NaCl liberally..
> >On the other hand, several public sources have reported that
> >resolutions good enough to read the brand of coffin nails
> >being smoked by the guard on duty in Moscow are in use. 
 
> I haven't read the book, but there is a simple argument against
> such resolution.  Cameras in orbit are limited either by diffraction
> or atmospheric conditions.  A telescope at sea level, in perfect 
> weather, is typically limited to no better than 1" (that is a unit 
> of angle: 1 arc-second, not 1 inch).  At 200 km this is a linear 
> distance of 1 meter.

Except sattelites don't use cameras - in that sense of the word.  They use
CCD's and all sorts of bizarre imaging equipment - but they DON'T take
pictures - I don't think that the same limitations apply (although they no
doubt have other limitations).

I've seen a message on this subject from someone at NASA - can anyone talk?







-- 
These opinions are solely mine and in no way reflect those of my employer.  
John M. Pantone @ GE/Calma R&D, 9805 Scranton Rd., San Diego, CA 92121
...{ucbvax|decvax}!sdcsvax!calmasd!jnp   jnp@calmasd.GE.COM   GEnie: J.PANTONE