Starship Asterisk*

What a marvellous photograph. While the visible part of Uluru rises approximately 348 meters above the surrounding plane, it is estimated that the rock extends approximately 2.5 kilometres into the ground as a result of tectonic activity 300 - 400 million years ago.

"...is now widely regarded as the first computer." This is silly. There is no way something so sophisticated as the Antikythera mechanism just emerged as a one-off from someone's workshop. There must have been precursors ... it's just that we haven't found any. Yet.

But where is "Sidney"???? :D (Yes, even NASA make typos) I live in SIDNEY (with an I ) on Vancouver Island on the west coast of Canada. We also have an astronomical telescope nearby but it is not the one mentioned here so it really was an APOD typo. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_...

In his excellent book Carrying the Fire, Michael collins annotates this photo with the following: "The best sight of my life: Neil and Buzz returning."

After more than 50 years involved in the biological health sciences, retirement is allowing me to explore some subjects that have always fascinated me. I check the APOD photo daily and always read the “discussion” to see what you brainy people think. Please excuse this rather amateur posting but I ...

After more than 50 years involved in the biological health sciences, retirement is allowing me to explore some subjects that have always fascinated me. I check the APOD photo daily and always read the “discussion” to see what you brainy people think. Please excuse this rather amateur posting but I w...