A lesson in perspective

WillowTheWhisp · 05-07-2007, 08:00

Have you ever come across those people? You know, the ones who are so full of their own importance and think the world revolves around them?

This sort of puts it into perspective.

However 'big' they think they are they are still only one small person on this huge planet.

OK, there's the Earth itself still looking pretty big.

Now it's looking a bit less significant.

And moving on still further

Antares is the 15th brightest star in the sky and over 1,000 light years away.

This is a Hubble Telescope Ultra Deep Field Infrared View of countless ENTIRE Galaxies
Billions of Light-Years Away.

And finally this is a close-up of one of the dark regions in the above image.

Suddenly that 'big guy' doesn't seem so big any more does he?

Royboy39 · 05-07-2007, 10:57

What is the small lavender star overlooked by the big ginger one in the centre of the hubble image called?

garinda · 05-07-2007, 11:02

I think the whole planetry system might just be cells.

If you look through microscopes of inceasing strength, you can see cells upon cells, upon cells.

We might all just be living on a cell, Earth, which is part of a giant animal, in a universe much, much, larger than ours.

WillowTheWhisp · 05-07-2007, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royboy39

What is the small lavender star overlooked by the big ginger one in the centre of the hubble image called?

I have no idea Royboy. It possibly only has a number. Just look at all those galaxies! It's mind boggling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I think the whole planetry system might just be cells.

If you look through microscopes of inceasing strength, you can see cells upon cells, upon cells.

We might all just be living on a cell, Earth, which is part of a giant animal, in a universe much, much, larger than ours.

rofl. You are begining to sound like that mad woman "It's turtles .......... all the way down!"

Eric · 05-07-2007, 14:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I think the whole planetry system might just be cells.

If you look through microscopes of inceasing strength, you can see cells upon cells, upon cells.

We might all just be living on a cell, Earth, which is part of a giant animal, in a universe much, much, larger than ours.

Perhaps we are an infinitesimally small raisin in an immense cosmic muffin. I prefer my theory, because if it is wrong, at least I can eat it.

Gayle · 05-07-2007, 15:13

What I want to know is how the scientists know how big these plants/stars are from so far away. Ok, they've made a telescope but the only way to actually test the accuracy of said telescope is to visit one of these distant places to use as a reference point. And yes, they've made smaller telescopes and checked the scope of them and multiplied it up to calculate how impressive the big telescope is but how do the really know.

For all we know it might be painted on a curtain!

WillowTheWhisp · 05-07-2007, 17:20

I think it's something to do with geometry (or is it trigonometry?) but the way they work out the sizes makes my head hurt too.

It's like how you can work out the height of a tree without actually having to climb up it.

Lolly · 05-07-2007, 17:34

Don't do that to me Willow. lol.

The mind boggles!!

Gayle · 05-07-2007, 18:33

You work out the size of a tree by measuring the distance along the ground to the tree and then from a fixed point away from the tree the angle to the top of the tree. But again, you actually need to be able to visit the tree to get an exact calculation.

If you hold your thumb up in front of the TV, your thumb is bigger than the TV - but does that mean that you've got a really big thumb, your TV is very small or that your TV is a long way away. My point being that you know, by measuring it, the exact length of your room so you can calculate the answer. With space, you don't have one fixed measurement so a planet could be really small and quite close or really big and a long way away.

cashman · 05-07-2007, 18:36

Sod the planets- who were you refering too?

Gayle · 05-07-2007, 18:39

So called, clever scientists

panther · 05-07-2007, 18:50

wonder who named all these planets?
must be the last names of people who found em maybe?
earth still looks the best one

, nice and colourful

cashman · 05-07-2007, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

So called, clever scientists

wires crossed i think lol was asking willow.

Lolly · 05-07-2007, 21:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by panther

wonder who named all these planets?

Sirius - From the Greek Seirios meaning glowing or scorcher, also know as The Dog Star (hence why in Harry Potter Sirius Black is so called.)

Pollux - In the constellation Gemini, named after one of the twin sons of Zeus.

Arcturus - From the Greek Arktouros meaning "Bear Guard" because it is in between the Big & Little Bear constellations

Rigel - From its location at the "left foot" of Orion, this being Arabic for "Left Foot of the Central One".

Aldebaran - From the Arabic meaning follower (not sure why)

Betelgeuse - From the the Arabic meaning "hand of the central one" referring to its position in Orion.

Antares - From the Greek meaning "holds against Mars" as its apperance is similar to that of Mars.

Phew!!! and before anybody asks.... no I haven't anything better to do!! Lol.

Must be worth a bit of Karma.

Lolly · 05-07-2007, 21:19

Also apologies for any incorrect!! lol.