A veritable miracle of science, sir. With a webcam.

I love the steampunk art installation that's currently connecting the UK with New York (see http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/05/22/scope.project/?imw=Y&iref=mpstoryemail). The idea is that you're looking down a massive telescope which can see all the way across the Atlantic. The location of the British end of the contraption gives us a clue that a webcam and broadband connection might be involved. Rather than being based in the Scilly Isles, it's near Tower Bridge in London. On a clear day, you might be able to see Southend.