Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Feb 1, 2010 0:09:08 GMT -6
Yes...The Charmin Toilet Paper Commercial Critique
There are a million more important things to fret about other than a silly toilet paper commercial, but I can't think of one at the moment, so let's go...
When I first saw this commercial for Charmin, I saw that the ad execs included an astronomical theme, utilizing a telescope to sell toilet paper. I never associated the two together, and it did catch my attention immediately, but there were some obvious errors with the scope to this astronomers eye...
#1 - It has a large aperture objective lens. I would say about a 5/6 inch hunk of glass.
Impressive.
It implies that this telescope is of a Refracting type - focusing the image down the tube to a point near the end of the scope. But it isn't the case, but let's stay with the objective lens for now.
The big lens appears to be convex and is seated too close at the end of the tube, not utilizing the protective benefit of the dew shield shown at the tip. (Perhaps, it's one of those cool Williams Optics scopes, where the dew shield can be retracted, but not likely. ) Now, it could be a Maksutov/Newtonian reflector hybrid type of telescope, but the corrector plate in the front would be concave..not here though.
#2 - The Eyepiece focuser tube now implies that the telescope is a Reflector type scope, with a primary mirror, (#3), at the base and the observer looks into the side of the instrument. Is not properly located for either a refractor or reflector telescope...and would not focus to any usable image. The secondary mirror would be at an inaccessible location deep in the scope and too close to the primary mirror - blocking a great deal of incoming light.
Even for a "Shorty" type of telescope, the mechanics here just don't work.
The little direct through finder scope on the side is about the right size, but doesn't seem to have an eyepiece - making it unusable.
Fail.
Next, a look at the mount...
The scope seems to be permanently attached to the mount in a fixed Declination altitude, (#1)....
There is no option to adjust Declination elevation, and it looks like a simple Alt/Az mount with only Right Ascension movement.
Weak.
Solidly elevated at just about 35 degrees, this angle would totally miss many celestial objects, especially those in riding high in ecliptic paths.
The legs, (#2), are adjustable, which is good, but the whole tripod mount is undersized for a telescope of such bulk...and would be very shaky and unusable.
There are no slow motion controls, (#3), and following an object would be tedious and annoying.
And, there is no accessory tray, (#4), to hold eyepieces, filters etc... during a observation session.
And finally....
The stars do not make any recognizable patterns, except for maybe the semi circle above the adult bear's head. It sorta looks like the constellation "Crater"...
Seen mostly from the southern hemisphere, Crater is also shown "upside down"...
Final conclusion.....
This telescope would not work at all and best to hang Charmin toilet paper off of....with the end hanging over.
A little research wouldn't hurt ad execs.
