The big picture

[Lee]

This is a really cool powerpoint presentation about the scale of the solar system, MIlky Way and universe.....
I got this from a friend, some of you have undoubtably seen it via email, if not - enjoy. Really is well done and worth a look.

http://files.ldrury.eml.cc/astro/perspective.ppt

file size about 600K

[Nightshift]

Hmmmm, and creationists believe it was all planned and "created".

Boy, I just dont understand the thinking, to me it is as hard to accept as it is for the human mind to understand the vastness this refers too.

This is a handy tool (although nees a little tweeking) for the school observatory, thanks.

[Lee]

Funny you say that - the last page of the presentation was initially along the lines of - see how God created all etc etc
I deleted it in favour of the scientific pages.
It does need tweaking - there is a bit of Chinglish in there.... :)

[Argonavis]

well the intelligent designer could have designed it more intelligently by making the whole caboodle much more compact so that interstellar travel is easier and more affordable so we would not face the enormous challenges of energy and distance that seems to make it all but impossible for the intelligent designers extra special creations (yes us humanoids) to get their squishy organic butts out of here when the Sun moves off the main sequence and becomes a red giant.

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Ah William, much as I agree with you on the convenience and economics of greatly reduced interstellar distances, would these same distances not be a great way of making sure we only play in our own backyard?

[Lee]

The distances wouldn't be a problem if we could travel at 50c now........ maybe we just need changes to the laws of physics....