B Layman's summary of water telescope experiments

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Thread starter Devildog
Start date Mar 21, 2024
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Experiments Layman

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Klinkerfues' water telescope experiment demonstrated the effects of refraction on light as it passed through water, aiming to test the telescope's ability to improve astronomical observations. His conclusion indicated that using water as a medium could enhance the clarity of celestial images. Airy's follow-up experiments in 1871 and 1872 further investigated the optical properties of the water telescope, confirming Klinkerfues' findings and exploring the limitations of this method. Airy concluded that while the water telescope showed promise, practical challenges limited its effectiveness for serious astronomical work. Overall, these experiments contributed valuable insights into the behavior of light and the potential for alternative observational techniques in astronomy.

Mar 21, 2024

Devildog

TL;DR Summary: Need summary of Klinkerfues water telescope experiment, and Airy's follow up experiments in 1871 and 1872.

In Layman's terms, what did Klinkerfues experiment show, what was he trying to test and what was conclusion. Same questions for Airy's follow up experiments in 1871 and 1872.
Thanks !

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Mar 21, 2024

Andy Resnick

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Devildog said:

TL;DR Summary: Need summary of Klinkerfues water telescope experiment, and Airy's follow up experiments in 1871 and 1872.

https://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1873GOAMM..33C..17A

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