Really, why do we bother...?

[strongmanmike]

:eyepop:

When this THIS (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/143875836/original)is compared with THIS (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap120609.html)

:prey2:

[MrB]

WOW.
I was NOT expecting that!
Amazing.

[h0ughy]

we can only but dream

[HCR32]

I think if I had a few billion to spend I could do the same. Probably put a lazy boy with cup holder there to at a discount for front row seat. Lol

[Matt Wastell]

Yeah - but you had more fun!!!!!!!
.....and look at this...... http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/136749593
.....GOLD!

[naskies]

I suspect that the upcoming commercial trips into space are going to open a whole new avenue of astro imaging! :D

[michaellxv]

1. because it's fun, there's something about doing things like that yourself.

2. because if we don't then we become like the episode in every sci fi series where an entire civilisation lives off the benefits of marvelous technology but has no idea how it works or how to fix it when it finally breaks.

It is an awesome image :eyepop:

[Nico13]

+1 to that. :thumbsup:

[SkyViking]

I just noticed that APOD now, that is absolutely insane!
But you probably had more fun Mike :)

[jsmoraes]

Do not bother and don't be deterred, it seems you got catch more Venus' atmosphere dispersion than NASA ! ;)

[jjjnettie]

Why do we do it?
Because we have to channel our obsessive compulsive tendencies somehow, and this is one of the more socially acceptable ways of doing it.

[FlashDrive]

What can I say .... WOW .. !! :eyepop:
Now that's a close up view.

Flash :hi:

[gregbradley]

I saw that yesterday. One of the more amazing NASA photos of recent times.

You can see the atmosphere (shown in several shots on this site) very clearly.

Greg.

[leon]

Because we love what we do.

leon

[StephenM]

Wow! That's an extraordinary image! Stunning.

But actually watching Venus cross the disk live through the scope at first and second contact was equally (if not more) impressive I think.

Cheers,
Stephen

[Derek Klepp]

Because we Can.Mike this is the best snap I got land based with 100mm.

[brian nordstrom]

:lol: And I aint got a billoin dollars to spend on astro photography gear ,,,
Nice but , and we are THERE ! with that photo .:thumbsup:
Brian.

[hotspur]

+1 perfectly worded Stephen.Sharing the joy of this event with family and friends also made the event something special.

Amazing image Mike-thanks for posting.

BTW -do not be disheartened;),seen some people playing golf the other day-and they call it fun-If someone wanted to really torture me that's where they would send me.rather chase a black dot on the sun any day,with kiddies bino's, than a white ball a round a park.:)

[avandonk]

When all of humanity become mere spectators and just watch the winners do their thing, we will lose the ability to produce people that even have a chance of becoming the winners.

It is the active participation of many interested people in ANY field that is important. Not the achievements of the few at the top. The gold tip at the top of the pyramid owes its exalted place to all the lowly stones below. Without their support the gold tip is down in the sand with the rest of us stones.

The real joy is in the journey and the learning on the way, not the destination.

Is not the destination of all life death? This fact should not affect how we live our lives apart from not taking life for granted. Just enjoy every day as if it is your last as one day it will be!

This is how I cope with my mortality without the crutch of wishful thinking of an imagined paradise.

Bert

[Quark]

That is a phenomenal image Mike, gobsmackingly good (not sure if that's even a word) but the emotion created by actually seeing it happen live and recording it, for me, was right up there with the best astronomy related experiences I have had.

After seeing the images and reading the reports of your expedition to Nygan with Houghy I sort of wish I had also been there, times like that shared with like minded people really are golden moments to reflect on in latter years.

Regards
Trevor