From b0c46eee254c0a6d67091c32d59c3d3baac7b821 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: ktyl Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:01:58 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] start work on fantasy telescope --- fantasy-telescope-1.md | 26 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 26 insertions(+) create mode 100644 fantasy-telescope-1.md diff --git a/fantasy-telescope-1.md b/fantasy-telescope-1.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2a67705 --- /dev/null +++ b/fantasy-telescope-1.md @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +# Building a fantasy space telescope + +TODO: link rti1w + +Space-based telescopes are particularly cool bits of kit. +They function in extreme conditions, for years or decades at a time, without any maintenance (barring [one incredible exception](https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/servicing/index.html)) or support beyond instructions from the ground. +The mechanical engineering and astrodynamic understanding that goes into [balancing Kepler against solar pressure](https://www.nasa.gov/kepler/keplers-second-light-how-k2-will-work), [cooling JWST to near-absolute zero](https://jwst.nasa.gov/content/about/innovations/cryocooler.html) or precisely [manoeuvring LISA's constituent spacecraft](https://sci.esa.int/web/lisa/-/lisa-technology-interferometry-explained) in a formation millions of kilometres across is humbling. + +I don't have access to my own space-based telescope - though plenty of the raw data such instruments produce is [made available to the public](https://archive.stsci.edu/index.html). +I also live in a particularly light-polluted part of the world, I can't do much stargazing, either. +What I can do, however, is write software, which is a critical part of any robotic spacecraft, telescope or otherwise. +So, I thought it would be interesting to try my hand at making my own fantasy space telescope! + +This is an open-ended endeavour, as there are lots of interesting things about telescopes to simulate, but it makes sense to start with something graphical, as telescopes are for making pretty pictures! + +I've already some experience with simulating optics using ray tracing. +I'll initially base this project on my implementation of [Ray Tracing in One Weekend](https://raytracing.github.io/), an excellent, approachable introduction to generating ray-traced images. +Though I've written [real-time ray tracers](https://github/ktyldev/oglc.git) as well, I think this is a better place to start because it's an offline renderer - you can't see what you'll render before you render it. +That's a nice analogue to space-based telescopes, which have long exposure times and no viewfinders. + +Another nice aspect + +## Networks + + +