Starship Asterisk*

Does the moon also go thru a higher and lower seasonal ascension in the skies as the sun?

I probably should let our APOD hosts get an on-line photo of this first.

Meanwhile, Ann, how old do you suppose are the oldest, or farthest away, galaxies that we can clearly see are very much like ours and those around us?

Thanks everyone for your input.

Is this old information?

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-12-spi ... alaxy.html

Hmmm....I can't tell if my 'Quick reply' was posted or not. So, Ann!!! :-) Are most galaxies of a similar age as NGC 253? And, BTW....hahaha...were is all the 'expansion' taking place in the visible universe? Between galaxies, generally speaking? Thanks for taking the time to share the information.

I believe you're right, Orin.

What's the life cycle of a galactic arm anyway?

So what's it's age; (BTW how old is our's?)

And why doesn't it have arms?

What if the sun really is god?

Owlice! Just because you left high school doesn't mean you have to leave math, physics and the behavior of light behind: :) http://www.atoptics.co.uk/opod.htm The gentleman running that site posts daily, I think. He knows as much about web presentation as he does about optics, and that is a great de...

Hey, Ed! How about these three? 1) The universe is evolving. 2) You somehow possess the ability and desire to view and interact with it; you, therefore, are inarguably a part of it. 3) Your personality is unique. Note: I am not suggesting this is comprehensive. Just some of the things we might belie...

Well, you are certainly welcome! The gentleman who publishes OPOD doesn't mind answering questions, either. Here's one maybe you can help me with: What if the universe were a giant ('gi-normous' the kids might say!), nevertheless expanding, crystal? If the 'interior' surfaces of the crystal were abl...

This site (which I bookmark as OPOD) is, just like APOD, worth a daily visit:

http://www.atoptics.co.uk/opod.htm

Would someone please tell me a few things about the sun? I assume it rotates, but how fast and does its 'north' pole move or wander about as ours does? If so, how far, how quickly and why? Also, how did the earth develop a spin inclined (declined?) from the sun's and why has it kept it? Thanks for y...

Great stuff, Kevin! Recently I read that astronomers no longer believe there are four major arms in our galaxy. I know you are completely familiar with this. But wanting to make all things accessible, here is the story: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080603160245.htm My question for yo...

Can anyone tell me what, since 1996, has been discovered regarding 'the explosions at the center of our galaxy'?

Very good point, rigelan.

So how do you think they determined there was a 50 microgram difference?

It's the International Standard Kilogram cylinder. I believe it is platinum and some one or two other metals. It was formed in the 1800's, I believe. Did you not see in the news a week or so ago that it had mysteriously lost 50 micrograms, as I recall. They made nine of these standard kilogram cylin...

Did anyone ever explain the 'lost 50 micrograms' of the International Kilogram Cylinder in Paris?

Say, Andy; Nice link to the 'expanding earth' videos. One question I have is: isn't the earth being 'measured' from satellites already? Aren't there reports of the various continents moving by fractions of inches each year? OTOH, wouldn't it be great if an enlarging earth were responsible for the un...

Thanks, Lucky!

I bookmarked that site in a hurry. I am constantly amazed at the cleverness of people in these forums.

Thanks, Jimmy. Are they the same 'missing lines' as the sun's? Qev, how short can radiation get and still be considered a 'ray'? Or, perhaps more clearly, how short can a ray get and still be a 'wave' or have amplitude? What's bugging me is how dense can the sun be that it might take 50 million year...

Thanks, Qev, for your snappy response. I thought I might do a quick read of your link to wiki...hahaha...and decided to respond this week instead.

So, are gamma rays 'photons' at high frequencies?

Does anyone here know the radius of the sun in light-seconds? Likewise, the volume of the area of the sun where fusion occurs? I am trying to imagine just how slow gamma rays, and their offspring, can be made to go. Also, might someone tell me if the spectra of other stars also have 'missing' lines ...

Thanks to all who took time to educate and entertain us here.

Wadsworth, would you, please, zoom in between 3 o'clock and 4 o'clock for us.

It seems to me that you have really 'focused' the discussion with your observations of 'protrusions'.

Thanks.

It might be fun to hear some guesses first....lol