Myth and fact in regard to spy satellites?Posted By Bob Rubino |
You're thinking like an earthbased astronomer. Atmospheric turbulence is not reciprical, i.e. looking up through 100 miles of atmosphere is very much worse than looking down through the same air mass. This has to do with a phenomenon anecdotally referred to as the "neglige' effect". A sheer neglige' on your favorite girl and their isn't a freckle that'll escape your gaze. Put the same neglige' on your head, and you'll be as blind as a bat. So, those satellites looking down ... the cousins of the Hubble ... enjoy a good deal better seeing than their earthbound counterparts.
