By William Stolerman

To mark 400 years since Galileo started making observations about the universe using his first telescope, the Italian designer Odoardo Fioravanti has designed a simple yet stunning telescope of his own.

Galileo’s first telescope was made in 1609, and the latest edition possesses the same dimensions, same focal length (1 meter) and the same wooden material as the original.

The aim is to marry the past with the present, an intention which is reflected by those historical features in tandem with Odoardo Fioravanti’s contemporary design as well as the product’s modern optical technology.

This piece was created for Palomar (manufacturers of optical instruments) and furthermore it was developed in Florence, which is the site where Galileo began to point his own telescope towards the sky.

With a
resolving power of 2”,
light gathering power of 73,5
and a focal ratio of f/16,6 it can observe elements of the solar system, in particular the moon but also planets as well. 'Dubbed Galileo’s Telescope' it can also be used as a powerful terrestrial telescope as well.

It looks so good so that even without any interest in astronomy you still want to buy one. Extraordinary.

Via [dezeen]

www.palomarweb.com