The Universe is AWESOME!

GreeBo · 04-05-2018 12:01pm

AllForIt wrote: »

Maybe it's not expanding. Maybe it's being pulled.

Being pulled by nothing into nothing?

Hector Bellend · 04-05-2018 12:15pm

nice bit of an aul universe

AllForIt · 05-05-2018 12:12am

GreeBo wrote: »

Being pulled by nothing into nothing?

No, but maybe there is something pulling it, that's my point. We don't know if there is anything beyond the universe. It's really hard for me to think that there is a universe that is only 13 billions years old, that there was nothing before and there will be nothing after. It doesn't make sense to me and it does't ring true.

Fourier · 05-05-2018 12:30am

Well it's not being pulled in any sense, the expansion of the universe is caused by the creation of extra space by the interaction between space and matter.

givyjoe · 05-05-2018 12:38am

AllForIt wrote: »

No, but maybe there is something pulling it, that's my point. We don't know if there is anything beyond the universe. It's really hard for me to think that there is a universe that is only 13 billions years old, that there was nothing before and there will be nothing after. It doesn't make sense to me and it does't ring true.

How about a never ending cycle of expansion, eventual contraction then explosion .. again and again and again

Kermit.de.frog · 05-05-2018 2:24pm

https://www.independent.ie/world-news/nasa-launches-spacecraft-to-land-on-mars-to-explore-the-mysterious-insides-of-the-red-planet-36876407.html

Nasa launches spacecraft to land on Mars to explore the mysterious insides of the red planet

nacho libre · 06-05-2018 11:02pm

givyjoe wrote: »

How about a never ending cycle of expansion, eventual contraction then explosion .. again and again and again

So this is eternity. I remember Bodanis mentioning this in one of his books.

JupiterKid · 06-05-2018 11:37pm

Amazing Hubble Space telescope image of the “Pillars Of Creation” in the Eagle Nebula where new stars and solar systems are being born out of the thick gas and dust clouds.

NIMAN · 06-05-2018 11:48pm

Always thought that image looked like something drawn by a fantasy artist.

Have we any idea of scale of that?

hgfj · 07-05-2018 12:06am

A lot of people reckon there must be life elsewhere in the universe based simply on the numbers. Billions of galaxies each containing trillions of stars. I'm one of those people. I reckon the universe is teeming with life. But when it comes to intelligent life that may be a different story. Latest I heard was that life may have started on Earth within the first 400,000 years after the planet was formed. So far as we know intelligent life has occured only once on this planet. And that was a pure fluke. The dinosaurs roamed the Earth for about 160 million years and the last dinosaur was just as stupid as the first. Not that they didn't evolve but they just never evolved intelligence. It seems if conditions are right life will flourish in whatever form, but when it comes to intelligence it may be just a one off.

NIMAN · 07-05-2018 12:08am

That depends on how you define intelligence.

If there is other life out there, it might be on a completely different level of intelligence to us. We might look like dinosaurs in comparison.

Ineedaname · 07-05-2018 12:09am

NIMAN wrote: »

Always thought that image looked like something drawn by a fantasy artist.

Have we any idea of scale of that?

They don't actually look like that. The colours were added after based on the elements that make up the cloud. Red represents Sulfur, blue is Oxygen and green is Hydrogen.

As for size, the left most pillar is about five light years tall. See those tiny little protrusions at the top? The entire Solar System would fit in one of those.

hgfj · 07-05-2018 12:30am

NIMAN wrote: »

That depends on how you define intelligence.

If there is other life out there, it might be on a completely different level of intelligence to us. We might look like dinosaurs in comparison.

Well we might look like dinosaurs compared to an advanced civilisaton but not necessarily unintelligent. Our anscestors 3,000 years ago were just as intelligent as we are, they just didn't have the knowledge we have today. Ignorance is not the same as unintelligence.

Kermit.de.frog · 07-05-2018 12:34pm

I think (I don't know of course) that sheer distances in the universe mean that we will never actually be able to go to other star systems. It's a depressing thought but many ask why have others out there not made contact with us? It could be that the scale of the distances involved make it physically impossible.

I hope not but that's my idea on it.

Kermit.de.frog · 05-06-2018 10:47pm

Small meteorite caught on CCTV a couple of days back in South Africa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnBvSNYy-EY

Cina · 06-06-2018 12:03am

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

I think (I don't know of course) that sheer distances in the universe mean that we will never actually be able to go to other star systems. It's a depressing thought but many ask why have others out there not made contact with us? It could be that the scale of the distances involved make it physically impossible.

I hope not but that's my idea on it.

Kurzgasget have a great video on how far we can theoretically go in the universe which is both astounding and a bit depressing.

https://youtu.be/ZL4yYHdDSWs

Their videos are brilliant, highly recommend watching them.

Fourier · 06-06-2018 12:15am

Cina wrote: »

Kurzgasget have a great video on how far we can theoretically go in the universe which is both astounding and a bit depressing.

https://youtu.be/ZL4yYHdDSWs

Their videos are brilliant, highly recommend watching them.

Unfortunately from about 1:45 onward it descends into extreme speculation, relying on unproven assumptions about the long term evolution of Dark Energy and how it is structured.

2:25 - 2:52 repeats the "empty space is a bubbling pot filled with particles popping in and out of existence" myth. Empty space is simply empty. This is one of the cases where the pop science explanation is more confusing than what physics really says.

Note: This is not aimed at you, but the video itself, it's difficult to know these things are flawed

AllForIt · 06-06-2018 12:40am

Brian Cox the BBC physicist explained it best: In a nutshell the universe is so big and the time so long that the chances of life existing on another planet at an advanced level at the same time as ours are extraordinary slim. So if we ever found evidence of the existence of life such as ours it may already be completely extinguished OR it would be so basic that by the time it became advanced we ourselves would be long gone.

Capt'n Midnight · 06-06-2018 1:09am

AllForIt wrote: »

Brian Cox the BBC physicist explained it best: In a nutshell the universe is so big and the time so long that the chances of life existing on another planet at an advanced level at the same time as ours are extraordinary slim. So if we ever found evidence of the existence of life such as ours it may already be completely extinguished OR it would be so basic that by the time it became advanced we ourselves would be long gone.

We have already stopped sending information to the stars.

Far less high power analogue transmissions, just spikes of mains frequency and AM radio and Radar,

Ineedaname · 07-06-2018 7:27pm

So NASA just announced in the last few minutes that they found evidence of organic matter on Mars.

B-D-P-- · 08-06-2018 8:33am

Ineedaname wrote: »

So NASA just announced in the last few minutes that they found evidence of organic matter on Mars.

No matter how hard we try, that Japanese Knot-weed will spread everywhere.

Ineedaname · 08-06-2018 9:39am

B-D-P-- wrote: »

No matter how hard we try, that Japanese Knot-weed will spread everywhere.

I’ve had experience dealing with the stuff so it wouldn’t surprise me.

BrokenArrows · 08-06-2018 10:07am

10000maniacs wrote: »

Intelligent life on other worlds is not inevitable. After 12 billion years there should be billions of unmanned probes randomly traversing the universe if intelligent life is inevitable.
Why have none ever crashed into the Moon or Mars.
Even we have half a dozen floating around in space, a few have already left our solar system. Multiply that by 6 sextillion and some should have come our way after 12 billion years.

Im sure there are plenty of probes floating around space. Doesnt mean we can detect them or they are still operational.

A meteor between 2.6-3.8 meters in size burned up in south africa a few days ago. This is roughly the same size as the Voyager probes that we have sent out into deep space. The meteor was only detected a very short period of time before it burned up. Many many meters impact without ever being detected.

Eventually all probes will be caught by the gravity of something. Asteroids, suns, uninhabitable planets and crash. This is the most likely reason why the place isnt littered with them.

Also stuff still corrodes in space (slowly, but it does) If you have a probe flying through space for millions of years eventually it will corrode into a bundle of dust.

BrokenArrows · 08-06-2018 10:18am

B-D-P-- wrote: »

No matter how hard we try, that Japanese Knot-weed will spread everywhere.

haha. I found an easy and cheap enough way to kill this stuff.

The stuff grows with a hollow stem.
Just cut them down until you have the hollow stem about 30 cm sticking out of the ground. (Obviously dispose the cuttings safely and dont leave any trimmings lying around because it will grow another plant from bits you leave behind)

Just pour a little bit of white spirits into the hollow stem and leave it. The stem will dry up and die pretty quickly. In a few weeks just cut off the stem and leave the dead root. Not worth the hassle of digging it up. White Spirits decompose in soil so it wont make the ground toxic.

I did this last year with some quite large weeds and have had zero regrowth this year.

10000maniacs · 08-06-2018 11:41am

BrokenArrows wrote: »

Im sure there are plenty of probes floating around space. Doesnt mean we can detect them or they are still operational.

A meteor between 2.6-3.8 meters in size burned up in south africa a few days ago. This is roughly the same size as the Voyager probes that we have sent out into deep space. The meteor was only detected a very short period of time before it burned up. Many many meters impact without ever being detected.

Eventually all probes will be caught by the gravity of something. Asteroids, suns, uninhabitable planets and crash. This is the most likely reason why the place isnt littered with them.

Also stuff still corrodes in space (slowly, but it does) If you have a probe flying through space for millions of years eventually it will corrode into a bundle of dust.

They don't need to be operational to crash into the Moon or Mars.
Yet no sign of any collisions in 5 billion years.
And in outer space, there is 0 (ZERO) corrosion of metal or plastic.
Vacuums tend to do that.

Kermit.de.frog · 17-07-2018 7:57pm

Astronomers discover 12 new moons orbiting Jupiter - one on collision course with the others

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jul/17/astronomers-discover-12-new-moons-orbiting-jupiter

One of a dozen new moons discovered around Jupiter is circling the planet on a suicide orbit that will inevitably lead to its violent destruction, astronomers say.

Maniac

Atoms for Peace · 17-07-2018 8:07pm

What about face hugging aliens that lay eggs inside you? The universe can stay bloody far away as far as I'm concerned.

Carry · 17-07-2018 8:15pm

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

Astronomers discover 12 new moons orbiting Jupiter - one on collision course with the others

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jul/17/astronomers-discover-12-new-moons-orbiting-jupiter

Maniac

Astronomers describe the twelfth new Jovian moon as an “oddball”. Less than a kilometre wide, the tiny body circles Jupiter on a prograde orbit but at a distance that means it crosses the path of other moons hurtling towards it. Scientists have named the new moon Valetudo after the Roman god Jupiter’s great-granddaughter, the goddess of health and hygiene. But given the impending violence, it may be more than coincidence that Vale Tudo, which translates from Portuguese as “anything goes”, is an early form of full-contact mixed martial arts.

I would have thought they call that crash moon Luna Trumpa. Would have been apt somehow.:D

Because:

“Valetudo Luna Trumpa is like driving down the highway on the wrong side of the road,” said Sheppard. “It is moving prograde while all the other objects at a similar distance from Jupiter are moving retrograde. Thus head-on collisions are likely.”

_Kaiser_ · 17-07-2018 9:27pm

skallywag wrote: »

There is a theory describing this in Physics called Multiverse.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiverse

While the math behind such a theory is sound, it remains the case that it would be highly unlikely if not indeed impossible for the theory to ever be proven by experiment, which in itself renders it pretty worthless to many in the science community.

It exists alright.. and in one of these universes, the Earth is the centre of the mighty Terran Empire and goatees are mandatory (cause they're evil and such!)

TheValeyard · 17-07-2018 9:33pm

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

It exists alright.. and in one of these universes, the Earth is the centre of the mighty Terran Empire and goatees are mandatory (cause they're evil and such!)

TheValeyard · 17-07-2018 9:41pm

Georges Lemaître birthday today, has he gotten a mentioned today?
He made some serious contributions to our understanding of the universe.

_Kaiser_ · 17-07-2018 9:53pm

Murray TheDemonic TalkingSkull wrote: »

[evil Picard]

I read that actually.. It was great

I never liked the direction they went in DS9 but it was redeemed by that series.

TheValeyard · 17-07-2018 10:02pm

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

I read that actually.. It was great I never liked the direction they went in DS9 but it was redeemed by that series.

The auld Battered Stargazer looked awesome. They were great issues.

Kermit.de.frog · 19-07-2018 8:42pm

Are we still on for 2024?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbSGp4WIBsQ

It would be hilarious if, with Brexit, it actually was 2024.

Kermit.de.frog · 19-07-2018 10:21pm

Andromeda Galaxy

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/amazing-pictures-planets-the-sun-galaxies-and-northern-lights-2018/

Kermit.de.frog · 17-08-2018 10:39pm

I don't know what it is but it sounds dangerous. Sign me up!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ipwho-kxkI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGFcC5IZyvs

Kermit.de.frog · 29-08-2018 11:19pm

A meteor filmed in Australia yesterday

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xsieVk7HJI

Kermit.de.frog · 29-09-2018 9:27pm

A pair of Japanese rovers have sent back a group of photos and the first-ever video recorded on the surface of an asteroid

https://twitter.com/haya2e_jaxa/status/1045278816619261953

Japan’s MINERVA-II rovers - MINERVA II2 and MINERVA II1 - traversed the surface of Ryugu, an asteroid located 174 million miles from Earth's surface and documented what they found.

Potential-Monke · 29-09-2018 9:34pm

At least we know the Japanese will save us when Armageddon happens, considering Bruce is a bit old now. Still up for letting Afleck do the job though, especially if he doesn't come back!

Kermit.de.frog · 21-07-2019 6:01am

Sun taken this month.

Liamalone · 21-07-2019 6:09am

I farted

Sin City · 22-07-2019 10:01am

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

Sun taken this month.

Is that the ISS or a TIE Fighter in the foreground ?

josip · 22-07-2019 1:04pm

ISS and it's a combo shot.
But not 100% fake.

https://bigthink.com/surprising-science/iss-sun-photo?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1

rossie1977 · 22-07-2019 3:37pm

Our sun is big by human terms

4445502665_a7e57fb00b_b.jpgl

But absolutely tiny when compared to the biggest stars in the galaxy.

If you put UY Scuti in he place of our sun it' would likely reach as far as orbit of Saturn.

Former Observer · 22-07-2019 5:23pm

Meh. Pales in comparison to human music, art and literature.

Nice photoshop skills though.

Kivaro · 22-07-2019 5:34pm

Former Observer wrote: »

Meh. Pales in comparison to human music, art and literature.

Nice photoshop skills though.

Now I understand why you are a former observer.

Atoms for Peace · 22-07-2019 7:19pm

JupiterKid wrote: »

It is indeed OP. That’s why I’ve had an interest in astronomy since I was about 17.

Just look at this close up image of the atmosphere of the planet Jupiter, taken by the orbiting Juno probe. Surreal!!:cool:

Looks scary.

Fourier · 22-07-2019 7:40pm

Former Observer wrote: »

Meh. Pales in comparison to human music, art and literature.

Nice photoshop skills though.

Such a non sequitur. What's even the relation? Star = science "versus" stuff from "arts". It's like seeing a photo of a mountain and saying "it's no Proust". It's as tiresome as when people in science tell me they don't read poetry because it's not logical enough.

Former Observer · 22-07-2019 10:52pm

Fourier wrote: »

Such a non sequitur. What's even the relation? Star = science "versus" stuff from "arts". It's like seeing a photo of a mountain and saying "it's no Proust". It's as tiresome as when people in science tell me they don't read poetry because it's not logical enough.

I'm just not that impressed by it. You should be able to accept that. The vast, vast majority of human beings are endlessly fascinated by the stars. It would be boring if we all liked the same things.

I believe that the material universe corresponds to our perception of it. Orthodox, materialist thinking has created a nihilistic universe. Expectation is what creates reality, and in an age of pure mytholgy and metaphor the universe could be a lot of things more interesting than empty space and burning gasses passed through through a few photoshop filters.

firemansam4 · 23-07-2019 12:29am

10000maniacs wrote:

Intelligent life on other worlds is not inevitable. After 12 billion years there should be billions of unmanned probes randomly traversing the universe if intelligent life is inevitable. Why have none ever crashed into the Moon or Mars. Even we have half a dozen floating around in space, a few have already left our solar system. Multiply that by 6 sextillion and some should have come our way after 12 billion years.

I know I'm quoting an old post but just one thing on this...

Our Galaxy the milkyway has over 100 billion stars, it may be possible that only a small percentage harbour intelligent life.
Let's say 1 million stars harbored intelligent life and let's say on average each civilisation sent out 1000 probes to other systems then there would only be a 1% or less chance a probe would have made it to our system.
I could be wrong on my figures, I'm sure some will point it out if I am wrong..

Also I think any probes that crashed into Mars millions of years ago would be buried in dust now and all signs would probably be well gone.

The Universe is AWESOME!

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