Recent posts

#1

Science / Re: The Hubble Telescope Isn't...

Last post by Recusant - Today at 05:42:15 AM

Andromeda has been posing for her close-up. The thumbnail just gives an idea. Link to much better versions below the article quote.

Hubble's panoramic view of the Andromeda Galaxy NASA/ESA

"Hubble traces hidden history of the Andromeda Galaxy" | ESA Hubble

The largest photomosaic of the Andromeda galaxy, assembled from NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope observations, has been unveiled. It took more than 10 years to collect data for this colorful portrait of our neighboring galaxy and was created from more than 600 snapshots. This stunning, colorful mosaic captures the glow of 200 million stars, and is spread across roughly 2.5 billion pixels.

In the years following the launch of the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers have tallied over 1 trillion galaxies in the universe. But only one galaxy stands out as the most important nearby stellar island to our Milky Way: the magnificent Andromeda galaxy (Messier 31). It can be seen with the naked eye on a very clear autumn night as a faint cigar-shaped object roughly the apparent angular diameter of our Moon.

A century ago, Edwin Hubble first established that this so-called "spiral nebula" was actually far outside our own Milky Way galaxy — at a distance of approximately 2.5 million light-years, or roughly 25 Milky Way diameters. Prior to that, astronomers had long thought that the Milky Way encompassed the entire universe. Overnight, Hubble's discovery turned cosmology upside down by unveiling an infinitely grander universe.

Now, a century later, the space telescope named for Hubble has accomplished the most comprehensive survey of this enticing empire of stars. The Hubble telescope is yielding new clues to the evolutionary history of Andromeda, and it looks markedly different from the Milky Way's history.

[Continues . . .]

Large versions (including a great zoomable option, just below the format choices on the right) are available:

"Hubble's panoramic view of the Andromeda Galaxy (annotated)" | ESA Hubble

#2

Obituaries / Re: David Lynch

Last post by Recusant - Today at 05:09:07 AM

One of the great auteurs of cinema, in my opinion. Admittedly a biased opinion originating from a chemically enhanced encounter with "Eraserhead" in my youth. 

#3

Politics / Re: Political picture dump

Last post by hermes2015 - Today at 03:41:38 AM

#4

Laid Back Lounge / Re: Jokes Thread (Was named An...

Last post by The Magic Pudding.. - Today at 02:59:22 AM

I made a thing.

#5

Laid Back Lounge / Re: What's on your mind today?

Last post by The Magic Pudding.. - January 22, 2025, 11:45:19 AM

I hate the windows 11 taskbar, it's fucking ghastly.
Maybe I'll get used to it eventually.

#6

Obituaries / Re: David Lynch

Last post by billy rubin - January 21, 2025, 11:22:26 PM

hmmm . . . ?

#7

Obituaries / Re: David Lynch

Last post by The Magic Pudding.. - January 21, 2025, 01:37:16 PM

I liked his Dune at least as much as the recent mega mega isn't wonderful interpretation.

#8

Politics / Re: Political picture dump

Last post by Icarus - January 21, 2025, 04:16:28 AM

Political commentary from a Kiwi..........
https://imgur.com/gallery/dear-americans-sPcCbkX

#9

Obituaries / Re: Jimmy .

Last post by Firebird - January 21, 2025, 02:37:18 AM

That was absolutely on GWB. He was talking about Iraq even before 9/11 happened. Hell, on 9/11 they were wondering if they could bomb Iraq because it had "more interesting targets." Apparently he was still pissed that Saddam tried to murder his father, and a bunch of neo-cons were still salty that we didn't take Baghdad the first time around.
And let's be honest, a lot of the idiot Americans who voted for Bush after Iraq also voted for Trump now, partly due to the ripple effects of that war. And while they call Iraq a mistake now, they will be all rah rah for war if Cheese-Doodle Mussolini tried to invade Greenland or Panama.

#10

Media / Re: Re: Post YouTube videos th...

Last post by Tom62 - January 20, 2025, 07:53:52 PM