Thread: Concept Telescope Design

I've been thinking of a new way to see objects from far away. Ok, before a explain how it works, I'll explain what I'm going off of to make it work.

1. When we look at an object, we actually see the reflected light coming off of it.
2. Light waves, like any other wave form, have a frequency.
3. Different color lights give off different frequencies.
4. Light will travel forever in a vacuum.
5. Light is reflected in all angles (not sure about this one)

Since light is a wave form, it's plausible to capture it's frequency. Kind of like how a radio works. What if we made a panel with Trillions of high frequency receivers that could each capture the frequency of light at an adjustable angle. then translated those frequencies to a monitor. We could capture the light waves from anything giving off or reflecting light. So we could possibly capture the light being reflected off a far away planet, and adjust the angles of light we receive to zoom in.

This is all based off what I've learned so far, Still in high school. If anyone wants to further explore this, be my guest. I haven't done much research on this so i don't know is anyone has already thought of this or if it already exists.. Also, if anyone has any questions, I'll be happy to answer them.

Congratulations. You have just invented the lens and the CCD image sensor. You can now collect your Nobel prize...oops, they just gave out the Physics Nobel for the CCD...

Sorry. I'm being too snotty. I know. In my HS Physics class I invented an anti-gravity machine that used angled ionically charged screens. That didn't work out too good either.

If I understand your design, I think you are proposing putting the "angle-adjusters" -- which is what lenses do -- on each sensor element. That could be an interesting development if it could all be integrated and produced. Sort of a flat screen camera. MEMS devices are hot these days so it could happen. Some video projectors use elements like that.

Your "high frequency receivers" sound like any of the various light sensitive receptors that are already in use. See photo-cells, video cameras, and Charge Coupled Device sensors. Also look into how lenses work. In the middle of it you may find some more good ideas.

And don't stop inventing. Just remember that there are VERY few new things so don't be disappointed when some {most} of your ideas don't pan out.

Haha, thanks. I wasn't to sure about the receiver.. I though it might be more efficient then the standard lens. What if the light being received it to weak to penetrate the lens? What if it could be like an extremely sensitive, adjustable CCD? Say we made one the size of a football field, then put it in space. then we adjust the CCD to the depth of another solar system.. Would it be possible to capture the reflected light of another planet in that solar system? Idk... If not now, maybe in the future... Remember, there once was a time we said we would only ever need 1MB of RAM.. Just trying to get the world thinking in a more abstract fashion..

There are always losses in optical systems. Being "too weak to penetrate the lens" is another way of saying that a few incoming photons get dropped on the floor in any of many possible ways.

Start researching how telescopes work. Larger collecting area equates to better resolution and sensitivity. Extremely sensitive CCDs are surely being developed, so look into research in that area too. Both of those are great ways to learn about two disparate areas of technology that get combined here.