Maybe I gave Slooh.com too hard time recently with my comments about taking all the fun out of using a telescope. Well maybe that was a bit hasty.  I’ve looked into it a bit more and here are some interesting details.

The telescope used in the Canary Islands is as follows 0.35 meter (13 Inchs)  f/11 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope with high resolution CCD image taking capabilities.

So this is a Telescope worth about USD 5,ooo (entry  price) with an imaging system that takes rapid pictures over a 5 minute period and combines the image over the 5 minutes it observes the object. That is why the image improves, as you are looking at the image being generated by the CCD imaging software.

13inch Telescope

I have also checked out the prices from Slooh.com and for under usd50 you can have unlimited access for a year. Rather good value…

I took this picture of Neptune last night.  I’m getting to like this system…I tried using my own telescope and with light conditions being poor and having to find things (no easy feat!) this is actually very cool.

Neptune via Slooh.com online telescope

Looking to buy your own? Here is an excellent page describing the history and types of telescopes available. From kids to those with lots of money!