I am feeling very small, take a look at today's APOD.
How many galaxies are there in this image??? http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ima...GB_hallasF.jpg The Hercules Cluster of Galaxies Credit & Copyright: Tony Hallas Explanation: These are galaxies of the Hercules Cluster, an archipelago of island universes a mere 500 million light-years away. Also known as Abell 2151, this cluster is loaded with gas and dust rich, star-forming spiral galaxies but has relatively few elliptical galaxies, which lack gas and dust and the associated newborn stars. The colors in this remarkably deep composite image clearly show the star forming galaxies with a blue tint and galaxies with older stellar populations with a yellowish cast. The sharp picture spans about 1/2 degree across the cluster center, corresponding to over 4 million light-years at the cluster's estimated distance. In the cosmic vista many galaxies seem to be colliding or merging while others seem distorted - clear evidence that cluster galaxies commonly interact. In fact, the Hercules Cluster itself may be seen as the result of ongoing mergers of smaller galaxy clusters and is thought to be similar to young galaxy clusters in the much more distant, early Universe.
I was reading an article in the New York Times today about humanity's chances of survival and our need to move to other planets. I look at all those galaxies and wonder how many other civilisations are struggling to establish themselves outside of their homeworld. I wonder if any will ever succeed?
I'm sure my mother in law did this a while back tony
Those shots are pretty humbling glen , such a small piece of sky ..and beyond the cluster pictured how many more are obscured behind each one we can see ?
Elliptical Galaxy NGC 1132
Credit: NASA, ESA, M. West (ESO, Chile), and CXC / Penn. State / G. Garmire, et al. Explanation: NGC 1132 is one smooth galaxy ... NGC 1132 is over 300 million light years away, so the light we see from it today left before dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Many fascinating background galaxies can be seen far in the distance.
Elliptical Galaxy NGC 1132
Credit: NASA, ESA, M. West (ESO, Chile), and CXC / Penn. State / G. Garmire, et al. Explanation: NGC 1132 is one smooth galaxy ... NGC 1132 is over 300 million light years away, so the light we see from it today left before dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Many fascinating background galaxies can be seen far in the distance.
The real impressive part is that is only a fraction of the sky, and no doubt it looks like that in every direction you can look.
The other impressive thing is that the exposure was probably 'only' for 11 days, or some such. I would love to see what there would be after say an exposure of a month.
And forget about even humans ever going out that far, even in say 50,000 years in the future. As has been pointed out, none of it would probably still be there when you got half way there. Its a snapshot of what was, long before warm blooded animals ever existed.
And the other thing that disturbs me is the human habit of exponetial population growth.
Even with such fine photographic evidence of unlimited resources, in an apparently infinite universe, what will happen if the human population continues to expands exponentially, as it has done since the end of WW2? In 1600 years time the body mass of humans walking around will equal the mass of the entire planet we all inhabit! And in 3200 years how much of known space will we humans inhabit? If there are any humans left that is.....
WOW!! What an excellent shot!!
Even if there is a 1 in a billion chance of life on other planets, when you look at that shot alone I think there must be plenty of life out there!
And forget about even humans ever going out that far, even in say 50,000 years in the future. As has been pointed out, none of it would probably still be there when you got half way there. Its a snapshot of what was, long before warm blooded animals ever existed.
But perhaps in 50,000 years the equivalent of my 8" reflector might be able
to see that view.
I am feeling very small, take a look at today's APOD.
How many galaxies are there in this image??? http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ima...GB_hallasF.jpg The Hercules Cluster of Galaxies Credit & Copyright: Tony HallasExplanation: These are galaxies of the Hercules Cluster, an archipelago of island universes a mere 500 million light-years away. Also known as Abell 2151, this cluster is loaded with gas and dust rich, star-forming spiral galaxies but has relatively few elliptical galaxies, which lack gas and dust and the associated newborn stars. The colors in this remarkably deep composite image clearly show the star forming galaxies with a blue tint and galaxies with older stellar populations with a yellowish cast. The sharp picture spans about 1/2 degree across the cluster center, corresponding to over 4 million light-years at the cluster's estimated distance. In the cosmic vista many galaxies seem to be colliding or merging while others seem distorted - clear evidence that cluster galaxies commonly interact. In fact, the Hercules Cluster itself may be seen as the result of ongoing mergers of smaller galaxy clusters and is thought to be similar to young galaxy clusters in the much more distant, early Universe.
This cluster has many 14.5 mag. NGC members that can be seen with
your 12 inchers under dark skies. Looking at my log book from July 10th 2005 i viewed over 60 members from 9pm - 1am
Scope & EP: 28 incher with 16mm Nagler
The method i use, is to print out a photo-copy of the group & then the finder chart using Mega-Star to the correct "depth". Then start with the Brightest members, penciling in the "ovals" as i go along, i call it GALAXY HOPING!
Thanx for the post (((((((((((LOVE ABELL'S!))))))))))))))
