Zooming into a small fraction of the UKIDSS UDS field, the deepest infrared image ever obtained over such a large area. The zoom shows a relatively nearby spiral galaxy. Many of the faint red objects in the background are massive galaxies at distances of over 10 billion light years. Photo: Scientific Blogging-Science 2.0
I admit it. I am completely enamored with the universe. I never tire of reading about the cosmos. Or looking up into the vast ocean of space. And don't even get me started on the out of this world images sent back from the Hubble telescope. Their spectacular colors and exotic shapes are like a fine wine, intoxicating. I don't know why it just dawned on me that when we look further out into space, we are looking back in time. Looking 10 billion light years away is the same as looking 10 billion years back in time. I am in awe of the fact that nearly everything that has been in our universe since its beginning, is still there. Really!
One of my friends is an amateur cosmologist. A cosmologist is an astronomer who studies the evolution of time-space relationships. Last fall, he attended an astrophysics conference at his Alma mater. The scientists spoke about how they were having trouble getting a good look back because there is so much interference caused by the large number of satellites in orbit. One astronomer at the conference was able to arrange for all of the US satellites to be shut off for 24 hours. Another knew someone who had enough clout to get the Russian's to agree to shut theirs down for the same amount of time. They couldn't tell military what they were doing because, well, you know, they're all about the drama. They'd have gone nuts.
They discovered a couple of large galaxies which disputed existing theories that larger galaxies were formed by aggregate. In looking at the moons of Saturn, they found one with water. Water equals life. They only needed another half hour to see what happend at the Big Bang when the 24 hours was up. The satellites were activated again ending the episode. Scientists pretty much agree that the universe is 13.7 billion years old. And now they can tell what was happening up to 10^(-43) seconds (1/10 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000) of its formation.
Of course, one bloodhound reporter for a rag mag, like the Enquirer, sniffed out the part of the story where the satellites had been shut down. His take on the event? Alien's Jam Satellites. Since they found water on one of Saturn's moons, that may one day be true. But not that day.
21 comments:
Maybe we are the aliens and they are the normal beings. Maybe we are the monsters and will destroy their planets and they will fight us with everything they have.
There is so much out there that we do not know anything about, and I think that is why I just love to watch all those sci fi flicks and TV series.
Space, the final frontier.
And those colors are so beautiful. Some of the most beautiful pictures come from those pictures of outer space. I cannot remember where it was, but there was this one site that showed pictures of things that one of our explorer satelites have taken, and this satelite has lasted for many, many years beyond what they thought was possible, and is still going today. It has traveled farther then they ever thought possible. Anyway, it has produced the most beautiful images, far beyond what any artist would ever be able to do. One could spend hours looking at all the pictures.
Just amazing, and yet still no pictures of any other life signs. We just cannot be the only life out there. Or there was life, just not what we know of as life.
God bless.
Mrsupole brings up a point...there has to be other forms of life out there. If the universe is truly this old ( and Earth roughly...what? less than 5 billion years? )...
I totally love the stars too. there is nothing better than camping in the middle of the desert and watching those twinkly white things ;0)
i love space...every since i watch captian kirk as a little boy...thought it would be the ultimate adventure...funny wonder what the aliens see in us that scares them enough to jam us...smiles.
I, too, love the universe, love the idea that when I look up into the night sky, I am looking back through time. The night sky is literally time, layer by layer. Wow.
Scientists can GUESS what was happening close to the Big Bang, but they don't know for sure. No one knows that, or how old the universe is. They say these things with such authority, but they're just guessing.
I bet you have just as good a grip on the beginnings of time/space as any of those white coated dudes, eh?
Sherry: We could very well destory alien life forms just like we did the Indians with our germs and bugs, if nothing else.
I, too, get lost in those photos and sci-fi books and movies. Many are not all that far fetched. I was watching a program a couple of weeks ago where the discovered a planet that was covered in methane like Earth is covered in water. They strongly believe they will find some type of life form there.
Subby: Yes, I agree. If there is life here, then life forms of some type surel exists elsewhere. I think most scientists agree.
ED: Here we camp in the mountains and those stars seem SO close.
Brian: Oh, yeah, Star Trek was so cool, but the first show like that that I remember was Lost in Space. Danger, Will Robinson.
Reya: Yes, it's true that the scientists speak with such authority about the origins of the universe. Yet, in another breath, they say that we may never see the outer reaches of the universe because it is beyond the 13.7 billion light years away that we can currently map. And as the universe considers to expand, it remains to be seen if technology will be able to solve that problem.
Yes, I do have a pretty good grip on the origin. I really do! I just don't have all the fancy words.
Oh, a woman after my own nerdy heart! Very cool post.
Who knows what's out there? It's really odd that people would think we are the only ones when you see the vastness of the universe.
Dorraine: I am a nerd too and proud of it! I, too, think it's strange when other people think there are no other life forms in all this imensity.
I subscribe to the science blogs and read about space and the universe with delight. Nice post, Ronda. You do a good job of getting the gray matter juices roaring.
Such deep thoughts! :) Space is fascinating. I've always worried though, that if I truly understood the science behind it, I'd lose the magic of the stars. I like that there are still mysteries to be solved. Great post!
I too like to read and especially to dream about the Space.
However,once I overheard a person asking his nephew, a young astronomer whether he and his fellow astronomers can bring about rain. Well, questions like this one, carry me back to reality with its awful problems like drought for instance, and spoil, for a short time only, my fascination with the upper sphere.
The images in your post, Ronda, are, to use your word, "intoxicating".
I've always been fascinated by the universe too! I loved to go up on my roof when I was a kid and look at the stars.
These days one of my favourite things in the summertime is to lie on my back and look up at the universe.
I've always loved reading about astronomy and watching documentaries about physics. In England there's a show called 'The Sky at Night' hosted by Sir Patrick Moore which I used to stay up to watch.
Jai
TechnoBabe: Yes, you are a sciencey type of girl, aren't you.
Stacy: The universe is so vast, I'm not sure they'll ever learn all of its secrets. It is so huge that its unfathomable, even to the scientists. Don't think there's much danger of ruining the magic:-)
DUTA: Yes, the realitites of this middle sphere are quite sobering when we really examine them. But hopefully, they will someday find such answers as bringing rain.
Jai: I love watching shows about physics and quantum physics too. Oh, and time...and Einstein. I'll bet The Night Sky was wonderful.
It is a wonderful universe isn't it. I marvel at it and know there has to be something out there . . shame we won't be here long enough to find out!
Space and Time - two concepts that weave a third easily into their mix - the power of mind-thought.
Baino: I'm hoping we are still here when we get word of other life forms.
Jinksy: I've always thought of the mind as the final frontier.
I will stare at the stars for hours and just ponder the vastness of everything. I feel 100% positive that there is life elsewhere. It may be just algae or tadpoles, but I know there has to be something!
As fas as I know 'The Sky at Night' show is still going and still wonderful. It's being on British tv for over 50 years and Patrick Moore is now Sir Patrick Moore because he's just so damn fantastic. He wears a monocle, you know, and speaks in the most absurd but adorable upper class accent. I love him.
Here's a link to a clip on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAsuCYLtHUg or you can just do a search of the sky at night on youtube.com.
Jai
Otin: I saw a program on the discovery of the planted covered with methane like ours is coverd with water. They believe they will find life. Can you imagine what kind of creatures live on methane.
Jai: Thanks for the 411 and the link:-)
Wow. Way cool. I love the idea that we are looking backwards. It's things like this that make me think time travel is possible. It's all one big circle or sphere.
Flash 55 - Avian Love
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