Parallelascope

The Parallelascope, generally known as the parascope, was invented by REC in 2089 and is very similar in use to a telescope. Optics in a telescope are used to correct for the apparent shrinking of objects as they get further away. These objects however don't actually shrink and do actually remain the same size. They are just further away. If you need to know more, ask Father Ted. The parallelascope filters (or in some designs, refracts) away all light except that which is travelling in a very specific direction. The net result is that a parallellascope will show you an object in actual size regardless of distance.

The first developed version of parallelascope was similar to a laser in reverse. As parallel light only holds the tiniest fraction of overall light, the first image was faint. Light travelled down very thin diamond rods and would occasionally energise the base, triggering a photon emission from the base of the diamond. The resulting light was enhanced and displayed to show the first parascope picture, a black and white 'brightness contrast' picture.

Later versions of the parascope used a thin nanotube to detect light passing through it, (not striking it), and calculated the wavelength, producing a high definition full colour picture on a M-light display. Super accurate motor control and computing allowed the parascope to compute an image larger than itself using the ancient technique of geometry on the data. In 2100 the REC showed off this technology by reading the plaque left on the ladder of Apollo 11, from Earth. When the marketing team was asked about the stunt, their reply was 'always read the plaque'.

All Astry ships have arrays of parascopes to better calculate a 3D rendering of the other ships and objects.