Gossip

Crab nebula comes into Orange data focus with 3G

Crab nebula comes into Orange data focus with 3G

Here's an application which probably does need 3G data, rather than GPRS or 2.5G data: remote control over the Web, of a telescope.

The problem is, of course, latency. If you're adjusting something with a remote control - and that's all this is, really - then the delays introduced by the Web are bad enough. Add to those the delays introduced by GPRS, and you'll risk screwing it up. Maybe.

The idea that the service is "similar to broadband" is, of course, exaggeration - especially when the data bill comes in at the end of the month.

But anybody who has tried downloading even quite small files on the move over GPRS, will realise that the sort of full-colour graphics you get from a telescope will just never get down on one journey.

One has to hope that at least some of the story is an exaggeration, anyway, or someone is going to get arrested. In the official announcement, astronomer David Bowdley, educational programmes manager for the Faulkes Telescope Project, said: "The first time I used the card for a session was when I was driving with a friend on the M60 just outside of Manchester."

He goes on to remark: "Observing asteroids whilst travelling at 70 mph is quite an experience!"

And if your observing is observed by an officer of the law, no doubt your opportunity to drive again will become restricted...!