What’s SLOOH with you?
by admin
SLOOH is one of those simple genius ideas that make you wonder ‘why didn’t they think of this sooner?’
SLOOH is the Live Online Observatory, where computer users around the world control high-power telescopes from their home computer. All you need is an internet connection (broadband is strongly reccommended) and some online time you purchase.
SLOOH allows you to take control of 15″ telescopes in three different locations around the world: Chile, Australia, and the Canary Islands. All of these SLOOH scopes are near professional obervatories and so have some of the best dark skies available, and generally consistently clear weather.
SLOOH is no substitute for viewing the night sky live with your own telescope but it can be a great experience on its own, with some advantages that a real telescope does not have.
For Beginner and Expert Amatuer Astronomer Alike
SLOOH is sold in two ways. One is with a handy Observer Activity Book that teaches you about the night sky and comes with a 150 minute telescope time card. This set is best for first time SLOOH-ers, and other beginning astonomers. Its also a great way to ‘test’ a family member and see if they enjoy astronomy; thus confirming the worthiness of purchasing a telescope for said family member.
SLOOH is also sold as a 500 minute telescope access card. This card is great as a follow-up to the Activity Book or as a first time gift to more ‘expert’ astronomers you may know.
Now, you may ask: “Why would I give this card to a friend when they already have a big telescope and other gear?”. The answer is simple: location, location, location!
As mentioned before, SLOOH’s computer controlled telescopes are located in Chile, Australia, and the Canary Islands. This means that two of the observatory sites are located in the Southern Hemisphere. So if you are reading this from the United States, Canada, Europe, etc. this will mean a big difference in the objects that can be seen.
You see, no matter how good your astronomer friend is, he or she cannot view objects only visible from the Southern Hemisphere. This means he or she must either take long trips with a telescope down below the equator to view them, or they can use SLOOH.
Another advantage is that SLOOH can be used during daytime. As these words are being typed, it is 1PM in the afternoon and the sun is high in the sky. But at the Australia site the sun went down several hours ago and conditions are excellent for viewing. While the sun shines through the window we could be viewing deep sky objects or planets live on our computer screens.
SLOOH will never replace telescopes for either the expert or the beginner, but it is an excellent and useful gift for astronomers of any skill level.
SLOOH works with any computer with an internet browser and broadband connection.
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