Worlds Largest Telescope?

AndersBrownworth writes "With a unique take on "Distributed Computing", the PhotonStar Project aims to search for laser transmissions from extra terrestrial life by harnessing amateur astronomers who have an optical telescope with a laser detector, a GPS and a computer with a net connection. I think it would be interesting to get a large number of computer controlled optical telescopes together that have GPS and CCD capabilities and build the world's largest optical telescope. The concept wouldn't be much different from New Mexico's VLA Radio Telescope. Given the falling prices of computer controlled optical telescopes, a project like this might not be far off."

Re:Yes, it WOULD be different

[lirkbald]

Right. I would have made this comment if it hadn't already been here. I'd also like to mention the CHARA project [gsu.edu], located at Mount Wilson Observatory. This *is* the equivalent of the VLA, but in the optical domain.

I'm no astronomer, but I saw it when I went up there for a tour, and it looks very cool. Really fascinating that, in spite of it's close proximity to the 'light pollution' of Los Angeles, Mount Wilson is still doing Real Astronomy.