Robert -- Astronomy and physics are areas where, alas, I am almost completely devoid of knowledge. But the best part of my limited understanding of the universe and its dimensions comes from my watching "Powers of Ten"--a roughly ten-minute film made more than 40 years ago by the brilliant husband-and-wife team of Charles and Ray Eames. It reveals the enormity of the universe in a visually dramatic fashion and should be seen by anyone hoping to easily acquire a rudimentary understanding of the relative distances encompassed within the universe--and to be superbly entertained while being seriously informed. It is available on YouTube at no charge. I couldn't recommend this piece of science FACT more highly.
“Powers of Ten”!!! I have thought about that movie on and off, used it in my classroom, grades two and three, career 1967–2003… wonderful to see it referenced here. A great reminder. I hope everybody looks it up. Your strong recommendation supports what I felt all along, the impact such a short presentation offers. Words don’t suffice!
This morning, seeing a link for it, and so many people thrilled to either revisit or discover this amazing short film… I feel moved to say that I know way back when I first saw it, it affected my own sense of self, expanding outward — outer space — and also the significant realm of inner space, applied not just to my own sense of mind/body/spirit, but applied to the many aspects of life, physical and spiritual. I’m absolutely watching it today. Grateful for this happenstance!
Thank you… You make me smile. My brother used to say to me, “No wonder you get in trouble with the parents.” Lol. I definitely covered the required curriculum, but with embellishments. Overall, it definitely seemed the way to go.
Your brother's comment made ME smile. Thanks! School teachers are so important when they stretch their students imaginations. I had some great ones, and I'm enormously grateful for that!
will some one please talk to me I made a mistake I don't want Google Im 83years old and computers i can' even spell on them I have some congntive issues this has taken me a half hour to write
Astounding is a perfect term!!! There’s an ebullience building and expanding not only on this topic, but, my goodness Robert, look what you’ve sparked in conjunction with your stellar and ever evolving project of Today’s Edition. This is a phenomenon, “a thing” as they like to say, and it adds another rich dynamic to this journey. Thank you!
This from neighbor Bob Bessin, said I may gladly share here, as he loves sharing his passion. The link he shared does not seem to transfer and when I try to use it, it’s getting kind of complicated. I’m sure it’s searchable, but I’m not going to try to share that aspect here.
Bob wrote: As a physics teacher, this is a classic movie that not only provides a sense of scale of the universe, but also inspires and transcends its breath and depth. I do use it in some of my classes, but there are also more modern versions that have taken to account advances in scientific knowledge.
One of which is called “The scale of the universe 2”. It is interactive.
Apparently the NYT is going to follow the default "racism" and "misogyny" viewpoint in covering the Election.
The headline of "Joy is not a strategy" in the Opinion piece by Patrick Healy AGAIN presents a "NEGATIVE" instead of a "POSITIVE." Many people ONLY read a headline, and not the article that follows.
It completely ignores the demonstrated ACTIONS of djt in his ongoing attempt to overthrow the US Constitution, install himself as a DESPOT, and pardon himself (with the collaboration of six Supreme Court Justices) of all criminality.
In the article itself, again this complaint arises of the Democratic candidate - the interview or news conference that individual (according to the NYT) has failed to give.
Biden gave details of his priorities, accomplishments and ongoing efforts on issues related to the average American's reality and concerns.
Trump rants about a fictional murderous cannibal as if he were both a friend and role model.
He acts as if golf is the only requisite for leadership.
He directs his money toward legal challenges to voter access to the polls and counting in the results, instead of developing any step toward solutions of issues.
His attention - as goldfish-short as it is - only exhibits itself in narcissistic social media tirades, not ANY real WORK!
His claims to have no knowledge or part in Project 2025 are laughably false.
Meanwhile, the Biden Harris Administration coordinated a multi-national prisoner swap to bring unjustly imprisoned Americans home and free dissidents Putin punished for challenging his regime through art and nonviolent protest.
They continue to work around the clock to address the suffering and loss of life in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and help chart a way forward to a lasting peace.
Biden passed the baton to Harris, who in the month since has demonstrated her leadership bona fides by exceeding all expectations and generating a grassroots swell of support and the afore-referenced
"joy." The handoff has been as dominant and breathtaking as the Olympic gold medal win of the women's 4x400m relay (second fastest in history!) and 4x100m relay with Sha'Carri Richardson taking a moment to look over at the competition as she "walked them down!"
Trump killed bipartisan immigration legislation in order to create atrocities he could then "run on" as campaign fodder, while hypocritically having multiple children with immigrant women and a running mate with a mixed-race family.
Trump is also violating the Logan (and Hatch) Act by trying to gain foreign assistance in his bid to regain presidential power.
Trump's eternal projection of his own failings and motivations onto others should make him completely unbelievable - AND UNELECTABLE.
THAT should be THE ONLY headline.
The Media needs to stop putting its thumb on the scale and giving the only person to fail to follow the tradition of nonviolent transfer of power a "pass" despite his outrageous and despicable behavior.
In one respect the NYT is correct, Joy is not a strategy, joy is a motivation, just like the rest of that incredible four days in Chicago. The purpose of the Convention is to focus our energy and get us to do something. Our group, civicsundays.us, recieved40 signups from new members on Thursday. Attendance is up, with almost 50 volunteers at each Sunday meeting; hosts are running out of room in their homes, we sent out almost 300 postcards and sent 30,000 test messages. Out canvassing team walked precincts for George Whitesides.
Michelle Obama obviously did not know that our motto is Show Up, DO Something, but she was speaking to all of us. NOW IS THE TIME. Translate that joy into action. DO SOMETHING.
Joy *can* be a strategy. One of the problems with contemporary politics is attitudinal – all sides have treated public affairs as grim struggle. “Joy”, for Democrats, is “We Shall Overcome” with renewed optimism and with a smile.
In part, FDR’s success as President was not merely through a collection of programs: it also leaned on contact with people (e.g., his fireside chats). Biden’s political downfall was partly caused by his reliance on programs to the exclusion of trying to bring them to the minds of the people. The grim, almost negative attitudes that ‘progressives’ project, in part, tend tobe demotivating.
I see “Joy” as a potential mechanism for propelling Kamala Harris’s (yet to be fully revealed) programs forward for revitalizing America, in governance *and* in attitude.
Fantastic photo!! It blows my mind about how far away it is. After the excitement of the Convention today seemed pretty quiet except for lowercased bob stepping down and endorsing don-old. It says something when your family puts out a note stating how disappointed they are in his behavior.
I was able to get fifty postcards completed today and hoping to get the same amount completed tomorrow.
Robert, thanks for taking the time to post this magnificent photograph.
He is crazy and not worth thinking about. Except if he takes votes away from Kamala. Anyone who votes for Trump because of lower-case Bob is likewise sick. As the Irish say, "Feckin Eejits!"
I love Astronomy and support the Keck program in Hawaii. The stories and the photo are just amazing and the whole idea of space and the different galaxies are beyond comprehension. Thanks for the photos and the descriptions as they are appreciated and wonderful.
There is a huge community of like minded people. How about star gazers for Kamala?
Although we never took astronomy in school, my wife and I joined the Southern Cross Astronomy Society here in Baghdad By the Sea in the early 1980s. They had meetings at the physics department at a college, star parties, and had a huge membership. When we moved back to DC,, several scientists from Goddard space center were our neighbors. We attended classes at U of Md, Johns Hopkins, etc. Owned our own equipment, We contributed to SETTI, etc.
Under the United States Space Priorities Framework the administration pledges to invest in satellites that can observe Earth from space in an effort to better understand climate change. Our National Space Policy advocates expanding U.S. leadership in space, allowing unfettered access to space, encouraging private sector growth, expanding international cooperation, and establishing a human presence on the Moon with an eventual human mission to Mars
Where do astronomers and their millions of followers stand politically?
For a comparison, the average distance of Pluto from the sun is 39 astronomical units <https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/dwarf-planets/pluto/in-depth.amp>, which equals 3,625,276,484 miles (i.e., about 3.5 billion miles) or 0.0006167 light year. Sunlight takes 5.5 hours to reach Pluto. So, based on a 365-day year of 8,760 hours, one light year is roughly equivalent of traveling from the sun to Pluto 1,592.7 times (8,760 hours divided by 5.5 hours). Plan accordingly.
Robert, these astronomy shots are STUNNING! Einstein said "Imagination is more important than knowledge." These shots stretch the imagination. Thanks for sharing the inspiration!
Dear Robert, If a light year is 6 trillion earth miles away, and your Sunday photo of the Western Veil Nebula in the Milky Way is 100,000 light years away, which means it’s somewhere’s about 100,000 x 6 trillion miles away, my grandson ,Holden (age 12), and I ( age 77) would like to know how your telescope can capture any image so far away,at all? We ask this earnestly with great respect and appreciation for the photos.
Sincerely, A Granny who likes to explain things to her grandchildren ( especuially when asked, lol).
I’ve become attached to your out-of-this-world photos … beautiful, mysterious, capturing my imagination… Restful before charging into the reality of our current political engagement … Thank You
I second Richard's observation! A lot of good information on this nebula on the web. I see mention of a poetic alternative name - "The Witch's Broom Nebula" - which your photo captures.
Along the lines of things we remember from childhood—-did anyone else get shown “Our Mr. Sun” in school? We must have watched it 10 times and loved it every time. I thought of it when our then 4 year old grandson was visiting, and he sat beside me totally fascinated throughout the hour or so presentation. Lots of talking and slower paced than today’s videos, but it still fascinated him. I’m not knowledgeable enough to know, but it would be interesting to know how much has changed in our understanding of the sun since this was made in the 60’s.
Just watched the "Powers of Ten." Certainly puts my various "issues" in perspective. But then I've tried to imagine my mortal coil issues against the unknowable massiveness of the universe. whenever I get too far ahead of myself. That tends to calm the inner beast just a bit. When I attempt to imagine the courage it takes to be an astronaut, tethered to a space capsule, going for that walk in space, slowly turning from Earth,only umbilically attached by a life-giving hose to the one source of life; I cannot begin to encompass the massive emotional reality of seeing the unknowable through the thin veil of a helmet visor. What would be the feeling? Would it be panic? Acceptance? How to exist with such a stark reminder of our own dependence on the mother to whom we are forever umbilically attached? For we are, as long as we live as a species among species, earthbound creatures, ever umbilically attached to the one mother we shall ever have in our spinning path of existence. No matter how far we roam from her, she will always be our home, our source of life. Or will she? Will we find another mother out among the stars? Will we be compelled to migrate to some far off galaxy? That is not for me to know. It is hard for me to imagine. And I, as a child, grew up with the science fiction of Robert Heinlein and others, who chose to imagine that severing of the cord from Earth. But could you be that astronaut, now adrift in the universe?
Robert -- Astronomy and physics are areas where, alas, I am almost completely devoid of knowledge. But the best part of my limited understanding of the universe and its dimensions comes from my watching "Powers of Ten"--a roughly ten-minute film made more than 40 years ago by the brilliant husband-and-wife team of Charles and Ray Eames. It reveals the enormity of the universe in a visually dramatic fashion and should be seen by anyone hoping to easily acquire a rudimentary understanding of the relative distances encompassed within the universe--and to be superbly entertained while being seriously informed. It is available on YouTube at no charge. I couldn't recommend this piece of science FACT more highly.
“Powers of Ten”!!! I have thought about that movie on and off, used it in my classroom, grades two and three, career 1967–2003… wonderful to see it referenced here. A great reminder. I hope everybody looks it up. Your strong recommendation supports what I felt all along, the impact such a short presentation offers. Words don’t suffice!
This morning, seeing a link for it, and so many people thrilled to either revisit or discover this amazing short film… I feel moved to say that I know way back when I first saw it, it affected my own sense of self, expanding outward — outer space — and also the significant realm of inner space, applied not just to my own sense of mind/body/spirit, but applied to the many aspects of life, physical and spiritual. I’m absolutely watching it today. Grateful for this happenstance!
How wonderful to show that movie to schoolchildren! It must have really stretched their imaginations! Your students were lucky to have you.
Thank you… You make me smile. My brother used to say to me, “No wonder you get in trouble with the parents.” Lol. I definitely covered the required curriculum, but with embellishments. Overall, it definitely seemed the way to go.
Your brother's comment made ME smile. Thanks! School teachers are so important when they stretch their students imaginations. I had some great ones, and I'm enormously grateful for that!
I give up
Thanks for the recommendation Roger! Wow. Mind blown at 5:00am. I even watched before coffee!!
Thank you Roger! Had never seen that. Fantastic.
And, thank you Robert for your spectacular photography of nebulae. Beautiful and awe inspiring.
will some one please talk to me I made a mistake I don't want Google Im 83years old and computers i can' even spell on them I have some congntive issues this has taken me a half hour to write
Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fKBhvDjuy0
Thank you for recommending this. I just watched it. What an astounding short film!
Astounding is a perfect term!!! There’s an ebullience building and expanding not only on this topic, but, my goodness Robert, look what you’ve sparked in conjunction with your stellar and ever evolving project of Today’s Edition. This is a phenomenon, “a thing” as they like to say, and it adds another rich dynamic to this journey. Thank you!
Very interesting and well done!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fKBhvDjuy0
Thank you! I have never seen “Powers of ten” before, but now I have! What an amazing universe we live in, but only for a moment…
Thanks for telling us about the "Powers of Ten". How amazing! I had never heard of it.
Here's the link: https://www.google.com/search?q=video+%22Powers+of+Ten%22&oq=video+%22Powers+of+Ten%22&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIICAEQABgWGB4yCggCEAAYDxgWGB4yCAgDEAAYFhgeMggIBBAAGBYYHjIICAUQABgWGB4yCAgGEAAYFhgeMggIBxAAGBYYHjIKCAgQABgPGBYYHtIBCDgzMTlqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:f8c8d350,vid:0fKBhvDjuy0,st:0
Wow! That was worth watching.
Thanks for recommending this. I want to check it out.
This from neighbor Bob Bessin, said I may gladly share here, as he loves sharing his passion. The link he shared does not seem to transfer and when I try to use it, it’s getting kind of complicated. I’m sure it’s searchable, but I’m not going to try to share that aspect here.
Bob wrote: As a physics teacher, this is a classic movie that not only provides a sense of scale of the universe, but also inspires and transcends its breath and depth. I do use it in some of my classes, but there are also more modern versions that have taken to account advances in scientific knowledge.
One of which is called “The scale of the universe 2”. It is interactive.
Thank you will watch it tonight!
Thanks!!
I Can't find the APP to down load in my search. can some one help me? I am 83 year old and a lot of this is quite difficult for me. thanks Adelaide
The Eameses were amazing.
Thank you, Roger! I'm going to watch it today!
I'm torn.
Apparently the NYT is going to follow the default "racism" and "misogyny" viewpoint in covering the Election.
The headline of "Joy is not a strategy" in the Opinion piece by Patrick Healy AGAIN presents a "NEGATIVE" instead of a "POSITIVE." Many people ONLY read a headline, and not the article that follows.
It completely ignores the demonstrated ACTIONS of djt in his ongoing attempt to overthrow the US Constitution, install himself as a DESPOT, and pardon himself (with the collaboration of six Supreme Court Justices) of all criminality.
In the article itself, again this complaint arises of the Democratic candidate - the interview or news conference that individual (according to the NYT) has failed to give.
Biden gave details of his priorities, accomplishments and ongoing efforts on issues related to the average American's reality and concerns.
Trump rants about a fictional murderous cannibal as if he were both a friend and role model.
He acts as if golf is the only requisite for leadership.
He directs his money toward legal challenges to voter access to the polls and counting in the results, instead of developing any step toward solutions of issues.
His attention - as goldfish-short as it is - only exhibits itself in narcissistic social media tirades, not ANY real WORK!
His claims to have no knowledge or part in Project 2025 are laughably false.
Meanwhile, the Biden Harris Administration coordinated a multi-national prisoner swap to bring unjustly imprisoned Americans home and free dissidents Putin punished for challenging his regime through art and nonviolent protest.
They continue to work around the clock to address the suffering and loss of life in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and help chart a way forward to a lasting peace.
Biden passed the baton to Harris, who in the month since has demonstrated her leadership bona fides by exceeding all expectations and generating a grassroots swell of support and the afore-referenced
"joy." The handoff has been as dominant and breathtaking as the Olympic gold medal win of the women's 4x400m relay (second fastest in history!) and 4x100m relay with Sha'Carri Richardson taking a moment to look over at the competition as she "walked them down!"
Trump killed bipartisan immigration legislation in order to create atrocities he could then "run on" as campaign fodder, while hypocritically having multiple children with immigrant women and a running mate with a mixed-race family.
Trump is also violating the Logan (and Hatch) Act by trying to gain foreign assistance in his bid to regain presidential power.
Trump's eternal projection of his own failings and motivations onto others should make him completely unbelievable - AND UNELECTABLE.
THAT should be THE ONLY headline.
The Media needs to stop putting its thumb on the scale and giving the only person to fail to follow the tradition of nonviolent transfer of power a "pass" despite his outrageous and despicable behavior.
In one respect the NYT is correct, Joy is not a strategy, joy is a motivation, just like the rest of that incredible four days in Chicago. The purpose of the Convention is to focus our energy and get us to do something. Our group, civicsundays.us, recieved40 signups from new members on Thursday. Attendance is up, with almost 50 volunteers at each Sunday meeting; hosts are running out of room in their homes, we sent out almost 300 postcards and sent 30,000 test messages. Out canvassing team walked precincts for George Whitesides.
Michelle Obama obviously did not know that our motto is Show Up, DO Something, but she was speaking to all of us. NOW IS THE TIME. Translate that joy into action. DO SOMETHING.
Joy *can* be a strategy. One of the problems with contemporary politics is attitudinal – all sides have treated public affairs as grim struggle. “Joy”, for Democrats, is “We Shall Overcome” with renewed optimism and with a smile.
In part, FDR’s success as President was not merely through a collection of programs: it also leaned on contact with people (e.g., his fireside chats). Biden’s political downfall was partly caused by his reliance on programs to the exclusion of trying to bring them to the minds of the people. The grim, almost negative attitudes that ‘progressives’ project, in part, tend tobe demotivating.
I see “Joy” as a potential mechanism for propelling Kamala Harris’s (yet to be fully revealed) programs forward for revitalizing America, in governance *and* in attitude.
You’re falling in a trap. The NYT will always present apposing views and most people know who Trump is and are willing to accept that.
Fantastic photo!! It blows my mind about how far away it is. After the excitement of the Convention today seemed pretty quiet except for lowercased bob stepping down and endorsing don-old. It says something when your family puts out a note stating how disappointed they are in his behavior.
I was able to get fifty postcards completed today and hoping to get the same amount completed tomorrow.
Robert, thanks for taking the time to post this magnificent photograph.
I love it—”lowercased bob stepping down and endorsing don-old.”
He is crazy and not worth thinking about. Except if he takes votes away from Kamala. Anyone who votes for Trump because of lower-case Bob is likewise sick. As the Irish say, "Feckin Eejits!"
Wow, 50! I aim for 20 a day! Way to go!!!
I love Astronomy and support the Keck program in Hawaii. The stories and the photo are just amazing and the whole idea of space and the different galaxies are beyond comprehension. Thanks for the photos and the descriptions as they are appreciated and wonderful.
There is a huge community of like minded people. How about star gazers for Kamala?
Although we never took astronomy in school, my wife and I joined the Southern Cross Astronomy Society here in Baghdad By the Sea in the early 1980s. They had meetings at the physics department at a college, star parties, and had a huge membership. When we moved back to DC,, several scientists from Goddard space center were our neighbors. We attended classes at U of Md, Johns Hopkins, etc. Owned our own equipment, We contributed to SETTI, etc.
Under the United States Space Priorities Framework the administration pledges to invest in satellites that can observe Earth from space in an effort to better understand climate change. Our National Space Policy advocates expanding U.S. leadership in space, allowing unfettered access to space, encouraging private sector growth, expanding international cooperation, and establishing a human presence on the Moon with an eventual human mission to Mars
Where do astronomers and their millions of followers stand politically?
We don't want Musk to pre-empt this field.
Stunning photo! I’m taking to day off politics to make art today. Happy Sunday everyone!
For a different sense of the immense distances involved, note that 1 light year is 5,878,606,438,400 miles <https://www.omnicalculator.com/conversion/astronomical-unit#astronomical-units-and-parsec>, or nearly 6 trillion miles.
For a comparison, the average distance of Pluto from the sun is 39 astronomical units <https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/dwarf-planets/pluto/in-depth.amp>, which equals 3,625,276,484 miles (i.e., about 3.5 billion miles) or 0.0006167 light year. Sunlight takes 5.5 hours to reach Pluto. So, based on a 365-day year of 8,760 hours, one light year is roughly equivalent of traveling from the sun to Pluto 1,592.7 times (8,760 hours divided by 5.5 hours). Plan accordingly.
And sunlight reaches earth in a mere 8 minutes 20 seconds.
Pluto is far far far away!
Will do, CGW! Well done!
Robert, these astronomy shots are STUNNING! Einstein said "Imagination is more important than knowledge." These shots stretch the imagination. Thanks for sharing the inspiration!
Dear Robert, If a light year is 6 trillion earth miles away, and your Sunday photo of the Western Veil Nebula in the Milky Way is 100,000 light years away, which means it’s somewhere’s about 100,000 x 6 trillion miles away, my grandson ,Holden (age 12), and I ( age 77) would like to know how your telescope can capture any image so far away,at all? We ask this earnestly with great respect and appreciation for the photos.
Sincerely, A Granny who likes to explain things to her grandchildren ( especuially when asked, lol).
I’ve become attached to your out-of-this-world photos … beautiful, mysterious, capturing my imagination… Restful before charging into the reality of our current political engagement … Thank You
I second Richard's observation! A lot of good information on this nebula on the web. I see mention of a poetic alternative name - "The Witch's Broom Nebula" - which your photo captures.
Did everyone notice in Heather's letter today that the thousands of balloons dropped at the convention are COMPOSTABLE!
Robert, I guess you're an artist, too!
These photos are magnificent.
Yes I did. Heather notices the faintest of details.
I do hope you and Jill are feeling well and at least almost entirely recovered from your recent bout with illness.
Along the lines of things we remember from childhood—-did anyone else get shown “Our Mr. Sun” in school? We must have watched it 10 times and loved it every time. I thought of it when our then 4 year old grandson was visiting, and he sat beside me totally fascinated throughout the hour or so presentation. Lots of talking and slower paced than today’s videos, but it still fascinated him. I’m not knowledgeable enough to know, but it would be interesting to know how much has changed in our understanding of the sun since this was made in the 60’s.
Stunning!
Thank you for beautiful photographs the information about of our galaxy. Amazing.
Just watched the "Powers of Ten." Certainly puts my various "issues" in perspective. But then I've tried to imagine my mortal coil issues against the unknowable massiveness of the universe. whenever I get too far ahead of myself. That tends to calm the inner beast just a bit. When I attempt to imagine the courage it takes to be an astronaut, tethered to a space capsule, going for that walk in space, slowly turning from Earth,only umbilically attached by a life-giving hose to the one source of life; I cannot begin to encompass the massive emotional reality of seeing the unknowable through the thin veil of a helmet visor. What would be the feeling? Would it be panic? Acceptance? How to exist with such a stark reminder of our own dependence on the mother to whom we are forever umbilically attached? For we are, as long as we live as a species among species, earthbound creatures, ever umbilically attached to the one mother we shall ever have in our spinning path of existence. No matter how far we roam from her, she will always be our home, our source of life. Or will she? Will we find another mother out among the stars? Will we be compelled to migrate to some far off galaxy? That is not for me to know. It is hard for me to imagine. And I, as a child, grew up with the science fiction of Robert Heinlein and others, who chose to imagine that severing of the cord from Earth. But could you be that astronaut, now adrift in the universe?
Glorious, Robert!
Thanks for sharing! A reminder that we are all stardust.