Grand Spiral Galaxy NGC1232 (APOD Aug 24 2008)

orin stepanek · Post by **orin stepanek** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 1:53 pm

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080824.html

Grand is a good word to describe this galaxy. It has beautiful symmetry. With the bright blue stars and dark dust lanes; I also noticed some background galaxies that I can see hiding behind this beauty. I counted 4 and when I blew the photo up I noticed another one just below the galactic center. 8)
Orin

orin stepanek · Post by **orin stepanek** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 2:42 pm

With all the billions of galaxies; and all the billions of stars in each galaxy; and all the probable billions of planets in the universe; ever wonder how there cannot be life other than that on Earth? Ever go out at night and look at all the stars and feel somehow drawn to reach out to them. Like somethings out there calling? Like is says in the explanation; (What is out there?)
'Musing.'
Orin

bystander · Post by **bystander** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:05 pm

I find the belief that the population of one small planet of one insignificant star in one rather ordinary barred spiral galaxy of billions of stars is the only intelligent life to be found anywhere in the universe is rather vainglorious. To me, that other intelligent life exists is a given. It's whether or not we will ever have contact with them that remains to be determined. Unfortunately, first contact will probably not occur within my lifetime.

emc · Post by **emc** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:48 pm

Hi Orin,

There is the possibility that earth is the only planet in the universe with life. But that seems ridiculously unlikely due to the billions of possibilities you mentioned.

I hope I don’t drift too far here or step on any toes, but… Our planet teems with life like no other in our solar system. Whether you believe the universe sprang out of nothing, is infinite, or was designed out of nothing, it is difficult… heck… near impossible, not to imagine more life elsewhere in the universe. And the simple fact that we can imagine this does give some merit to the probability IMO.

But how do we get to it if/when we find it? This is a mean question for those of us who grew up imagining space travel to distant galaxies and have been faced with relativity. But I say these space travelling dreams, in and of their self, indicate possibility… I believe we look to the heavens with hope because that is in our nature. I happen to believe in the design aspect of the universe and it would be too cruel for words for the designer not to accommodate that dream some day. I also happen to believe that the designer wants us to explore… kinda likes to show off… if you get my drift… mysteries waiting for discovery! A chance to make new friends...

Or, yes, I know... fight hostile aliens that want to eat us.

orin stepanek · Post by **orin stepanek** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 5:00 pm

If by chance an eruption of a volcano blows material into space; it takes some lifeforms with it. Eventually this material may become a meteorite on some alien world. this could very well become seed of creation. Who knows how many chunks of debris form one star (solar) system becomes space junk in another. Spores are hard to kill; and I believe that they can survive in space. Believing in a God; I think this is how he creates. As far as Aliens are concerned; I would think they probably would be similar to our own life forms. For if God made us out of his own image than He would have done so on other worlds also. I think there are spores between stars that are getting to worlds all over the universe. Also on comets. Maybe someday we'll know.

Orin