If these probes had the capability to observe the stars as the Hubble does, wouldn't we already have a functioning interferometric telescope?
Even their current imaging capabilities -- see link with Earth view from Mars -- may be sufficient, especially when combined with multiple image sources -- to provide good pictures.-- theircompetitor, Feb 04 2004 Or if you can't wait http://www.halfbake...0Professionals_20Do [theircompetitor, Oct 04 2004] Earth view from Mars http://news.nationa...0522_earthmars.html [theircompetitor, Oct 04 2004] Looking back http://www.cnn.com/...rs.earth/index.html [theircompetitor, Oct 04 2004] Images of extra solar planets http://www.cnn.com/...ar.image/index.html [theircompetitor, Oct 04 2004] Earth from Hayabusa asteroid observer probe http://www.isas.jax...2004/0519_new.shtml [theircompetitor, Oct 04 2004] Astronomical observations by Spirit & Opportunity http://www.space.co...mars_astronomy.html [theircompetitor, Jun 17 2006] Check Earth for Habitability http://www.space.co...h-habitability.htmlVenus probe looks at Earth to learn how to identify life. [theircompetitor, Oct 15 2008] IR / visible interferometers http://en.wikipedia...nfrared_wavelengths [spidermother, Oct 16 2008] Earth/Moon system from Juno probe http://news.discove...-system-110830.html [theircompetitor, Aug 31 2011] Pictures of home http://www.foxnews....-take-photos-earth/ [theircompetitor, Jul 20 2013] Waving at Cassini http://www.nbcnews....g-saturn-6C10971522 [theircompetitor, Aug 21 2013] Home http://www.latimes....0806-htmlstory.html [theircompetitor, Aug 06 2015] Earth through Saturn's rings https://www.nasa.go...the-rings-of-saturn [theircompetitor, Apr 26 2017] Perhaps, but it makes little sense to add Hubble-like scope capability to planetary probes, since it's an instrument they don't need for planetary research.
It would require a lot of power which wouldn't be available, and hands-on maintenance which would not be possible, during a journey like, say, Cassini-Huygens's seven year trip even before it begins its mission.
(Cassini rocks Saturn.. be there, 07/01/2004!)-- waugsqueke, Feb 04 2004 //If these probes had the capability to observe the stars as the Hubble does...//
They'd be a great deal more expensive, and more difficult to get to the planets in the first place. :)-- Detly, Feb 04 2004 I guess I'm saying (in the title) that even the optics already there may be good enough for interesting interferometery, for instance, asteroid hunting.-- theircompetitor, Feb 04 2004 I would like to see how Earth looks from Venus.A 3 inch mirror (F6) would be all I need. I don't know what "interferometric" means, but that would be cool too. <malopropism gone too far> Is interferometric when people stop others from using the metric system?</mgtf>-- 1st2know, Feb 04 2004 1st2know -- see link for Earth image from Mars.-- theircompetitor, Feb 04 2004 I love that image, tc. First time I saw that, I was reminded of Lowell's canal maps of Mars and imagined what the long-thought-to-exist Martians percieved to be happening on that Earth planet. Fascinating image. Thanks for reminding me of it.-- waugsqueke, Feb 04 2004 //I guess I'm saying [...] that even the optics already there may be good enough//
Ah. I think I see what you're driving at - but I think you tripped yourself up with the Hubble reference, since that telescope uses different technology to your run-of-the-mill planet prober.-- Detly, Feb 04 2004 Detly -- agreed, just added comments to that effect.-- theircompetitor, Feb 04 2004 Looking at that picture of Earth (and the Moon) from Mars, once again I'm just staggered by the beauty, loneliness and fragility of this ball of rock we call home.-- PeterSilly, Feb 05 2004 [theircompetitor] - that image made my day!I can't see my house though, maybe we're gonna need a bigger lens.Must have more!!-- 1st2know, Feb 05 2004 That's me waving.-- Detly, Feb 05 2004 I thought this was to make them look out better so they wouldn't get run over.-- oneoffdave, Feb 05 2004 Look both ways before crossing the Milky Way.-- k_sra, Feb 05 2004 I wish I could find the multihanded image of the genie from Aladdin -- before crossing, look here, here, here, here, here...-- theircompetitor, Feb 05 2004 Doesn't interferometry require phase information to be preserved and combined? Surely this is not possible for visible light using any existing image capturing technology.
(Edit) It seems that IR and visible interferometry is in its infancy. The longest baselines achieved are in the hundreds of metres (link)-- spidermother, Oct 16 2008 " Make Planetary Probes Look Both Ways "
- before crossing the street? --- normzone, Oct 16 2008 Why did the probe cross the solar system?
To get to the other planet.-- pocmloc, Aug 06 2015 Knock, knock who's there? Merc Merc who? Merc who ree.
Knock, knock who's there? Veen Veen who? Veen who 's.
Knock, knock who's there? Dur Dur who? Dur who Peter.
Knock, knock who's there? Satt Satt who? Satt who 'n.
Knock, knock who's there? Nept Nept who? Nept who 'n.
Knock, knock who's there? You You who? You who Raynis.
Knock, knock who's there? Pull Pull who? Pull who toe.-- pocmloc, Aug 06 2015 random, halfbakery