I got my National Geographic Magazine today. They had an article about the Hubble Space Telescope. Do you realize that in April it will have been in orbit for 20 years? Wow! What is even more exciting is that it was given a comprehensive upgrade in May 2009 and is more capable than ever.
NASA aimed its Infrared camera at an empty spot in the sky and has discovered features from 13.1 billion years ago. The universe is only 13.7 billion years old. So we are getting closer and to the beginning of the universe. It boggles the mind. Here is an online version of the article. Here is a better article about it from Discover Magazine.
Check out the Hubble Site here. It is one of the most astonishing sites on the internet. I mean next to this blog.
There are photographs of constellations and galaxies and other amazing things. I call it astropornography. I get hooked and just can’t quit looking.
Cat’s Eye Nebula
Source: Hubblesite.org
Jupiter – with shadows from its three moons
Source: Hubblesite.org
Saturn
Source: Hubblesite.org
Omega/Swan Nebula
Source: Hubblesite.org
NGC3603 (Boy those astronomers have a knack for naming things!)
Source: Hubblesite.org
When I was a kid, space was the frontier. It was the Big Idea. Are there any more Big Ideas? What do you think?
I have an astropornography addiction too!
The Hubble images are just incredible. They reveal the universe to be so much more vast than we realized. And we on this infinitesimal speck of a planet think we are all there is. The Lord must find humor in our hubris.
First you completely cracked me up with It is one of the most astonishing sites on the internet. I mean next to this blog. I couldnt agree more!
I gotta tell ya i am fascinated by all things space…those images are just amazing!
The vastness of the universe yes mind boggling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17jymDn0W6U
FYI, you might like this, if you haven’t already seen it.
@Mountain Mama, – maybe we need to start a 12 steps group.
@Tulsa Gentleman – Well said – I agree completely.
@Decisionally Challenged – forgive my hubris.
Beautiful photos from space. I can see how a person could easily get hooked.