I naively thought those huge optical telescopes pointed a big mirror at the sky and then took photos.

I guess they do, but it's everything between plan to point and getting images that's absolutely astounding. Tom Scott explains in a 30 minute video: The largest telescope that will ever be built*.

@Miraz I wonder when that technology will come to the iPhone ☺️

Look, ma, I took a photo of Alpha Centauri on my walk today.

@pratik Alpha Centauri is such a tourist trap.

@odd It’s so crowded that no one ever goes there

@pratik Yep! 😂

@pratik The lasers would be cool!