Wapsi Square Forum

The Astronomy Picture Of The Day site runs some really beautiful astrophotographs of one sort or another every weekday, and sometimes includes some more complex pieces of a distinctly artistic flavor.

This morning's was one of the most jaw-droppingly entrancing pieces I've seen in a long time. Between the sheer brilliance of the idea, the technical quality of the image, and the choice of music... wow... tears in my eyes as I watched it, and I don't mind admitting that I'm a sentimental enough old goop to find it so beautiful. Somehow, in some strange way, it speaks to me of what it is to be human and to look out in wonder at the universe.

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap130130.html

Enjoy!

Glorious!

Always enjoyed astronomy since I was a child, and I've had the pleasure of catching a moonrise just coming over the horizon. When I put my mind to it, remembering that it was basically stationary and I was the one in motion, it seemed I could feel the earth move.

For the math majors, the moon moves about 1/4 degree per minute, so it takes two minutes to move it's width. Fun to watch when you have a good reference point right near it to keep track!

Beautiful. Now, go to http://thekidshouldseethis.com/ and watch Paper Roller Coaster and the one before that, Bird Ballet.

Simply amazing; I love it.

Dave wrote:Somehow, in some strange way, it speaks to me of what it is to be human and to look out in wonder at the universe.

Well said, Dave. Carl Sagan would be proud.

That was pretty cool, but I'd probably have to see it in person for it to move me. One of the few things that has truly left me in awe was going out to a lake and looking at the stars while visiting a friend in Oklahoma when it was so dark you almost couldn't see a person unless they were right next to you. Damn, I hate light pollution.

shadowinthelight wrote:Damn, I hate light pollution.

You and me both.

Ah, then you'd love this view of the night sky from Monument valley!

Atomic wrote:Ah, then you'd love this view of the night sky from Monument valley!

Yeeeessssss!!!

I rather like taking my wee one out to stargaze(now that *insert bad name here* neighbour's have moved away). Backyard pretties.

Walking out into a nearby farmers field is even better, and watching it all is so peaceful.

Best yet is lying on the grass in the back yard and "connecting the dots" with him. My eight year old is so perfectly wonderful it makes me cry.