Astronomy, cosmology and space thread

[PeteC]

Best read at link as many photos.

Nasa mission lines up to 'touch the Sun'

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-67837161

It promises to be a remarkable moment in the history of space exploration.

A year from now, on 24 December, Nasa's Parker Solar Probe will race past the Sun at the astonishing speed of 195 km/s, or 435,000 mph.

No human-made object will have moved so fast nor, indeed, got so close to our star - just 6.1 million km, or 3.8 million miles from the Sun's "surface".

"We are basically almost landing on a star," said Parker project scientist Dr Nour Raouafi.

"This will be a monumental achievement for all humanity. This is equivalent to the Moon landing of 1969," the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory scientist told BBC News.

Parker's speed will come from the immense gravitational pull it feels as it falls towards the Sun. It will be akin to flying from New York to London in under 30 seconds............

[Dannie Boy]

I find this almost unbelievable in what they can establish now about the creation of the universe and far off galaxies!!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/id ... 5df138b6f6

[pharvey]

I find this almost unbelievable in what they can establish now about the creation of the universe and far off galaxies!!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/id ... 5df138b6f6

Absolutely mind-blowing...

Best read at link as many photos.

Nasa mission lines up to 'touch the Sun'

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-67837161

This is also one to keep a look out for - the figures quoted are incredible really!

[migrant]

Interesting

http://www.vice.com/en/article/v7bnmd/a ... s-feasting

[pharvey]

Interesting

http://www.vice.com/en/article/v7bnmd/a ... s-feasting

Interesting indeed - thanks for posting migrant. We are a long, long way from understanding Space, the Universe our even our own Galaxy.... Yet alone comprehending it's size!!

[404cameljockey]

RIP Carl Sagan, astronomer, writer and firm supporter of SETI (9 November 1934 – 20 December 1996). Here's a chuckle for his molecules, wherever they may be. The words are his, from his book Pale Blue Dot.

Carl Sagan.png (160.75 KiB) Viewed 525 times

[buksida]

He also had some good words about religion ...

sagan.jpg (65.51 KiB) Viewed 519 times

[404cameljockey]

He also had some good words about religion ...

Yes, I think I remember he chose not to believe due to absence of supporting proof, but didn't go so far as to say that others should not just follow faith if that's what they wanted. He liked to open it up to discussion though!

[pharvey]

20 odd minute countdown.... For the Eclipse that is - +/- 6pm UK Time.

https://www.space.com/watch-total-solar ... SmartBrief

[Big Boy]

How does it look through the blanket of cloud

[pharvey]

How does it look through the blanket of cloud

I can't even get to a bleeding window (mind you, Newport in South Wales is a tad off the path of things) - hence the Internet... Though that link isn't working either.

[dtaai-maai]

How does it look through the blanket of cloud

I can't even get to a bleeding window (mind you, Newport in South Wales is a tad off the path of things) - hence the Internet... Though that link isn't working either.

For info: pharvey can't get to a window because he is currently strapped to a bed in Newport's mental hospital. (I'm sorry, Peter, but I felt it my duty to make the authorities aware of the situation...)

[pharvey]

^ There's just no need is there? NO NEED AT ALL DAMN YOU!! [EDIT] And anyway, "That" hospital is in Bridgend (not that I know)..

I can see it's getting slightly dark now - Damn these drugs...

In all seriousness, space.com showing live coverage of the eclipse over various nations/areas - quite something.

[PeteC]

Stunning images of solar eclipse that transfixed North America

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/id ... 144ed9c8fb

[PeteC]

The solar eclipse, in pictures

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/08/worl ... index.html