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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

What type of Telescope does Zefram Cochrane use in "Star Trek: First Contact?"

I felt like a little Star Trek last night and with instant demand on Netflix, I settled on "First Contact".

It's been awhile since I last viewed it, and although not especially a good movie, it'll do. I always look for astronomical reference points in movies...and was pleased that I could spot something in this one.

Here the geek factor comes pouring out....

While the crew is trying to 'splain the situation to Zefram Cochrane at his basecamp, there is a telescope that he has set up that the Enterprise E crew uses to show him the Starfleet ship. (we'll get to that in a bit.... ).

But, what kind of telescope does Cochrane use...?

A Fork mounted, EQ wedged 12 or 14 Inch Meade SCT.

Now, I know that the Earth just survived WWIII and perhaps in 2068 Meade was the only Telescope supplier that survived, but one would think in 50 years, telescopes would have progressed some.

And what is going on with that extended open truss around the aperture anyway? Left out open in the woods like that, the corrector plate would get filthy and owls would make a comfy nest in there.

Back to the scope...

There is a 2" star diagonal attached to the visual back, but damned if the FOV is cut down by a 1.25" eyepiece...and looks like a 25mm too.

In this scene, Troi shows Cochrane the Enterprise in orbit thru the telescope, where he views the ship in orbit.

Ha...!

I didn't grab a still of it, but we are shown what he is looking at, and there is the Enterprise - Full disk, Nacelles and markings - quite large I add....and all with a 25mm eyepiece. And given the fact that Troi, although rather hot, could not locate Sirius, much less a moving target with out known coordinates...and without Heavens-above.com.

Look to the skies Cochrane.