Stuff that fascinates me - Astronomy.

[KaliYoni]

I live in Buffalo and Allegany State Park in Pennsylvania (about 150 miles away) is a potential site. Some day, I have to take a road trip (and hope the weather cooperates).

If you're up for a cross-border trip, the Gatineau, north of Ottawa, is a cool nature place.

 

[scubachap]

I've got an 8" NXT something. Turns out I'm living in an area that is in competition with Seattle for most cloudy days (and nights). However, there are nights that are so amazing. I remember actually seeing the the Hubble ST chasing the shuttle on the last service mission. I was so blown away to see it as I'm kinda north of the equator, and Hubble does not venture very far north. So cool!!!

I found the same - not really the sum of its parts but good on a good night. I still remember that wow! you get when you look at what looks like a biggish star and then see rings around Saturn and also faint bands on Jupiter and you realise these aren't pics and these are really there among all the planes and orange glow... And they'll still be, well, just there when we've all gone...

I have trouble wrapping my head around the universe expanding. Expanding into what? What exactly is on the other side?

Yes, I start thinking about that stuff and it feels like my mind hangs... Spinning beach ball and everything...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I have trouble wrapping my head around the universe expanding. Expanding into what? What exactly is on the other side?

Awesome, an American adjective that I love and that I think is apt for this discussion.

I remember as a (small) kid realising - well, not realising, but getting a fleeting glimpse of understanding - the idea of infinity in all dimensions - mind-blowing.

And that this then expands and continues to do so......awesome.

 

[Herdfan]

If you really want your mind blown, look at this graphic of how our sun and planets are traveling around the galaxy.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

If you really want your mind blown, look at this graphic of how our sun and planets are traveling around the galaxy.

Spectacular, thought-provoking, beautiful and - yes - awesome.

Thank you for sharing this; I loved it.

And, it is a pity that it is not possible to click on two emojis simultaneously to express one's (my) appreciation - as, for this post, clicking on "wow" plus the more standard, and obvious, "love" would seem to express my response to your wonderful post best.

 

[Huntn]

So what interests you about this amazing planet of ours?

The Earth is like a precious jewel. Many things interest me, but I’m mostly frustrated in my old age, it’s hard to be an optimist, when the species is doing a number on the planet and we are helpless/too selfish/too economically restricted small thinkers to deal with it seriously. Yeah science and technology will try to save us. I know this might kick off a PRSI type discussion, so warning, don’t, it’s not an invite to start that kind of a discussion which is fatal in this forum, so better leave this as a stand alone comment.

 

[Huntn]

If you really want your mind blown, look at this graphic of how our sun and planets are traveling around the galaxy.

You made me forget my last comment. The universe along with this blue jewel we live on is a completely awe inspiring place to exist.

5 new awe-inspiring images of the universe from James Webb Space Telescope

Four new breathtaking images, showing off far-away galaxies in radiant color, were unveiled as the telescope’s inaugural revelations, along with a picture shared Monday that looks deeper into space than ever before.

www.pbs.org

 

[decafjava]

This has the potential to be an amazing thread. The JWT has pushed forward astronomy as much as Hubble and even more.