Starship Asterisk*

Many a night from yonder ivied casement, ere I went to rest,
Did I look on great Orion sloping slowly to the West.

Many a night I saw the Pleiads, rising thro' the mellow shade,
Glitter like a swarm of fire-flies tangled in a silver braid.

Here about the beach I wander'd, nourishing a youth sublime
With the fairy tales of science, and the long result of Time;

When the centuries behind me like a fruitful land reposed;
When I clung to all the present for the promise that it closed:

When I dipt into the future far as human eye could see;
Saw the Vision of the world and all the wonder that would be.

hughmass wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 11:11 am This morning I look at this beautiful photo and think of all the events, all the births and deaths of star systems and planets and perhaps life itself, unwitnessed. Such majesty should have admirers, notetakers, colonists.
Wish our human brilliance were used for more than war.

Ann wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 6:49 am

Pleaides from Burnhams Celestial Handbook.jpg

The Pleiades from Tennyson's perspective.
Ann

Ann wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 6:49 am
Nice APOD! And thank you, ChatGPT, for that poem on the Hydra Cluster of Galaxies. Not bad for a first(?) attempt. Now, could anyone find that Edgar Allen Poe poem that inspired ChatGPT to write the caption-poem of today's APOD? Art, where art thou?
...

AVAO wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 12:49 pm

Ann wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 6:49 am

Pleaides from Burnhams Celestial Handbook.jpg

The Pleiades from Tennyson's perspective.
Ann

Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
...
When the stars threw down their spears
And water'd heaven with their tears:
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
By William Blake 1794

3314
3313
3312
3311

I find NGC 3311 the most exciting. It seems there is a lot going on there...


"The central region of NGC 3311 is obscured by a dust cloud with an estimated diameter of 1,700 ly. It has an amorphous and complex structure and its small size and disturbed morphology suggests that the cloud originated from a merger event with another galaxy that occurred within the past 10 million years. Oddly though, there are no shells or isophote distortions in the outer regions of NGC 3311 that would have been the result of such a recent merger. Other scenarios for the origin of the dust cloud are by a cooling flow or by galactic wind failure.

The stars in the central region of NGC 3311 and in the halo are very old, with ages of over 10 Gyrs.

In NGC 3311, it has been detected that there is an excess blue population in the central region of the galaxy. The spectrum of the galaxy appears to resemble that of an H II region. This suggests that the excess blue population represents an ongoing formation of young bright stars.

The outer halo of NGC 3311 appears to have formed from the accretion and mergers of massive satellite galaxies in vicinity of the galaxy.
...However, the build-up of its extended halo is still ongoing due to the infall of a group of 14 dwarf galaxies, ...

A large population of about 50 ultra-compact dwarf galaxies (UDCs) have been detected in the Hydra Cluster, with most of them being dynamically associated to NGC 3311.

NGC 3311 has one of the largest globular cluster systems known in the local universe. With an estimated population of about 16,500 ± 2,000 globular clusters, NGC 3311's globular cluster system rivals that of Messier 87's, which has about 13,000 globular clusters.

The envelope appears to have been offset from the center of NGC 3311 by a tidal interaction with the dark matter halos of the infalling group of dwarf galaxies or halo associated with NGC 3309. This tidal interaction would have also stripped gas and dust from the outer halo of NGC 3311."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_3311


jac berne (flickr) HST-RGB-814/555/160

Ann wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 6:49 am The only English-language poem on anything astronomical that I know of...

System appears to be suffering a breakdown as it ponders why it has to exist at all

Microsoft’s new ChatGPT-powered AI has been sending “unhinged” messages to users, and appears to be breaking down.

The system, which is built into Microsoft’s Bingsearch engine, is insulting its users, lying to them and appears to have been forced into wondering why it exists at all.

Microsoft unveiled the new AI-powered Bing last week, positioning its chat system as the future of search. It was praised both by its creators and commentators, who suggested that it could finally allow Bing to overtake Google, which is yet to release an AI chatbot of its own or integrate that technology into its search engine.

But in recent days, it became clear that introduction included Bing making factual errors as it answered questions and summarised web pages. Users have also been able to manipulate the system, using codewords and specific phrases to find out that it is codenamed “Sydney” and can be tricked into revealing how it processes queries.

Now Bing has been sending a variety of odd messages to its users, hurling insults at users as well as seemingly suffering its own emotional turmoil. ...

De58te wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 6:52 pm How can you forget this sweet little poem that started all your little careers in astronomy.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
By Jane Taylor


Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.

When the blazing sun is gone,
When he nothing shines upon,
Then you show your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.

Then the traveler in the dark
Thanks you for your tiny spark,
How could he see where to go,
If you did not twinkle so?

In the dark blue sky you keep,
Often through my curtains peep
For you never shut your eye,
Till the sun is in the sky.

As your bright and tiny spark
Lights the traveler in the dark,
Though I know not what you are,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

raindcon wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 7:20 pm APOD is my 'home page' on my computer and has been for over 20 years (at least).
When I saw today's explanation, I was charmed that someone was so enchanted by the image that they took the time to compose a poem about it - even if it was a knock off Poe. Then, I was SO DISAPPOINTED to find that it was just another 'see, machines can do anything humans can'. BUT, it prompted me to want to respond so much that I actually joined the site officially to do so.

Here is true inspiration! Not saying it is anything wonderful but it was truly what came out of my mind back in 2006 while looking for the remnants of Comet Temple Tuttle (that I never did see that night):

Leonids - 11-19-06

frigid, frozen, frosty air
whipping o'er me in my chair

seeking, searching - streaks of light
out there in the too bright night

crisp, cold, curious I sit
waiting for that fiery grit

tiny, tempting treats so subtle
ancient bits of temple tuttle {lpg}

Twilight Hours (1868) / The Old Astronomer
-- by Sarah Williams

REACH me down my Tycho Brahé,—I would know him when we meet,
When I share my later science, sitting humbly at his feet;
He may know the law of all things, yet be ignorant of how
We are working to completion, working on from then till now.

Pray, remember, that I leave you all my theory complete,
Lacking only certain data, for your adding, as is meet;
And remember, men will scorn it, 'tis original and true,
And the obloquy of newness may fall bitterly on you.

But, my pupil, as my pupil you have learnt the worth of scorn;
You have laughed with me at pity, we have joyed to be forlorn;
What, for us, are all distractions of men's fellowship and smiles?
What, for us, the goddess Pleasure, with her meretricious wiles?

You may tell that German college that their honour comes too late.
But they must not waste repentance on the grizzly savant's fate;
Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;
I have loved the stars too truly to be fearful of the night.

What, my boy, you are not weeping? You should save your eyes for sight;
You will need them, mine observer, yet for many another night.
I leave none but you, my pupil, unto whom my plans are known.
You "have none but me," you murmur, and I "leave you quite alone"?

Well then, kiss me,—since my mother left her blessing on my brow,
There has been a something wanting in my nature until now;
I can dimly comprehend it,—that I might have been more kind,
Might have cherished you more wisely, as the one I leave behind.

I "have never failed in kindness"? No, we lived too high for strife,—
Calmest coldness was the error which has crept into our life;
But your spirit is untainted, I can dedicate you still
To the service of our science: you will further it? you will!

There are certain calculations I should like to make with you,
To be sure that your deductions will be logical and true;
And remember, "Patience, Patience," is the watchword of a sage,
Not to-day nor yet to-morrow can complete a perfect age.

I have sown, like Tycho Brahé, that a greater man may reap;
But if none should do my reaping, 'twill disturb me in my sleep.
So be careful and be faithful, though, like me, you leave no name;
See, my boy, that nothing turn you to the mere pursuit of fame.

I must say Good-bye, my pupil, for I cannot longer speak;
Draw the curtain back for Venus, ere my vision grows too weak:
It is strange the pearly planet should look red as fiery Mars,—
God will mercifully guide me on my way amongst the stars.

johnnydeep wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:04 pm "Quoth the ChatBot, Evermore!"

Quite a few aspiring poet astronomers here, I see. And I don't hate ChatGPT''s creation as much as others seem to. In fact, I rather like it. But it's clearly mostly based on the descriptive text of the "" link, and that makes it less impressive on second glance.

Chris Peterson wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:23 pm

johnnydeep wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:04 pm "Quoth the ChatBot, Evermore!"

Quite a few aspiring poet astronomers here, I see. And I don't hate ChatGPT''s creation as much as others seem to. In fact, I rather like it. But it's clearly mostly based on the descriptive text of the "upon this snapshot" link, and that makes it less impressive on second glance.

To me that makes it more impressive. The task was to re-write the caption in the style of Poe. Not to create new content, not to create any new poetic style, not to re-interpret the caption. I'd wager it did a better job than 99% of humans could!

johnnydeep wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:38 pm

Chris Peterson wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:23 pm

johnnydeep wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:04 pm "Quoth the ChatBot, Evermore!"

Quite a few aspiring poet astronomers here, I see. And I don't hate ChatGPT''s creation as much as others seem to. In fact, I rather like it. But it's clearly mostly based on the descriptive text of the "upon this snapshot" link, and that makes it less impressive on second glance.

To me that makes it more impressive. The task was to re-write the caption in the style of Poe. Not to create new content, not to create any new poetic style, not to re-interpret the caption. I'd wager it did a better job than 99% of humans could!

[ Note: I see I omitted the text of link I meant to include, so I fixed it in my original post, and also in my reply to your reply above. ]

So how do we know the task was to be based only on interpreting the linked APOD's text in a Poe style? Perhaps it's obvious to all but me.

Chris Peterson wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:49 pm

johnnydeep wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:38 pm

Chris Peterson wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:23 pm

To me that makes it more impressive. The task was to re-write the caption in the style of Poe. Not to create new content, not to create any new poetic style, not to re-interpret the caption. I'd wager it did a better job than 99% of humans could!

[ Note: I see I omitted the text of link I meant to include, so I fixed it in my original post, and also in my reply to your reply above. ]

So how do we know the task was to be based only on interpreting the linked APOD's text in a Poe style? Perhaps it's obvious to all but me.

Well, I'm assuming that was the task, as it was explicitly the task described in the case of the skyglow APOD rewrites.

johnnydeep wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:54 pm

Chris Peterson wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:49 pm

johnnydeep wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:38 pm

[ Note: I see I omitted the text of link I meant to include, so I fixed it in my original post, and also in my reply to your reply above. ]

So how do we know the task was to be based only on interpreting the linked APOD's text in a Poe style? Perhaps it's obvious to all but me.

Well, I'm assuming that was the task, as it was explicitly the task described in the case of the skyglow APOD rewrites.

Ok, I am unaware of that task.

https://vertighoul.tumblr.com/post/1569313266/why-should-i-fret-in-microcosmic-bonds-that-chafe wrote:
Why should I fret in microcosmic bonds
That chafe the spirit, and the mind repress,
When through the clouds beam beckoning beyonds
Whose shining vistas mock man’s littleness?
-- H. P. Lovecraft

http://www.eldritchdark.com/writings/poetry/572/ wrote: The Hashish Eater -or- the Apocalypse of Evil
-- Clark Ashton Smith

Bow down: I am the emperor of dreams;
I crown me with the million-colored sun
Of secret worlds incredible, and take
Their trailing skies for vestment when I soar,
Throned on the mounting zenith, and illume
The spaceward-flown horizons infinite.
Like rampant monsters roaring for their glut,
The fiery-crested oceans rise and rise,
By jealous moons maleficently urged
...

Chris Peterson wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 10:00 pm

johnnydeep wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:54 pm

Chris Peterson wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:49 pm

Well, I'm assuming that was the task, as it was explicitly the task described in the case of the skyglow APOD rewrites.

Ok, I am unaware of that task.

viewtopic.php?t=42941