Astronomers are fascinated with "things that may no longer exist" precisely because they no longer exist - as well as because they hope to learn something.
I equate it to “grave digging”.
So you also fail to understand why archeologists are enthusiastic about their finds?
I worked at Americas largest telescope(Kecks) for ten years.
Until they found out that you were using "Windex" to clean the main mirror?
(Ducks!)
Regards,
“Until they found out that you were using “Windex” to clean the main mirror?”
It is actually “mirrors”. We used dry ice to clean them.
You don’t know much about 10 meter plus telescopes, do you?
Since I was an engineer there and had the opportunity to visit others, What has to go on to make “Science”,
is very impressive.