Keep Life in perspective...

[ngb1066]

There's no money in astronomy. Unless you're a fat old guy with a monocle.

Patrick Moore has introduced many people to astronomy.  I read my first astronomy book when I was 8 years old.  The book was written by Patrick Moore and I wrote to him asking a number of questions.  He replied immediately with full answers to everything.  That started an exchange of correspondence which lasted for several years. He was prepared to chat on the phone and gave me advice on my first telescope.   He used to ask me to look at particular things which he was studying at the time. He always wrote as if to an equal, without any condescension towards a young lad. 

[grahameb]

Patrick Moore has introduced many people to astronomy.  I read my first astronomy book when I was 8 years old.  The book was written by Patrick Moore and I wrote to him asking a number of questions.  He replied immediately with full answers to everything.  That started an exchange of correspondence which lasted for several years. He was prepared to chat on the phone and gave me advice on my first telescope.   He used to ask me to look at particular things which he was studying at the time. He always wrote as if to an equal, without any condescension towards a young lad.

I used to buy his Yearbook of Astronomy every year. I used to watch him when he was a young man with black hair. I made a refractor telescope. I went to an opticians who made an object glass for me and this thing was about 8ft long. Made out of an old carpet tube. Every time I put the thing in my garden everyone used to close their curtains.

[Newbury1]

I don't think we are alone, space is infinite and just keeps expanding all the time.

No way is there just us, amongst that great vastness.

I know some people this is happening to!!

[bob]

Like I said. It's beyond our reasoning powers. We cannot imagine infinity. The word infinity in itself  means what it says. It leaves no room for expansion. In other word the expression "expanding" is superfluous. You don't need it for infinite includes all that information any way. So you can't use the two words in the same sentence.

If you give my explanation some thought you will realise that you certainly can use "infinite" and "expanding" in the same sentence - it's fundamental to cosmology. It helps if you've studied it for a while but human beings are certainly capable of getting their heads around such concepts - if not Einstein could never have formulated General Relativity - and he was a mere patent clerk!

[bob]

Very nicely explained Bob.  I find this really fascinating.  My big career choice was made when I was 15, it was either law or astronomy and I chose law. I have always maintained my interest in astronomy however and sometimes regret the career choice.

Funny you should say that Neil - I considered becoming a barrister when I was in sixth form - not sure what the common factor is between the law and astronomy?!

[bob]

I used to buy his Yearbook of Astronomy every year. I used to watch him when he was a young man with black hair. I made a refractor telescope. I went to an opticians who made an object glass for me and this thing was about 8ft long. Made out of an old carpet tube. Every time I put the thing in my garden everyone used to close their curtains.

Have you been watching Stargazing Live this week? Seems Astronomy is the current "in thing"  :D

[grahameb]

I know some people this is happening to!!

Me for one. I need more exercise to stop myself expanding.

[andrea]

How can space be infinite and expanding at the same time?
If we say things like space is infinite then how can we be so dog sure that God doesn't exist? Just because we can't think that big we dismiss it altogether. But we have something tangible that forces us to think in such terms. The plain facts are we can't entertain thoughts of how big the universe is. We just cannot comprehend it. Our finite minds simply do not have the capacity to think that big. Rochy showed us pictures of the farthest reaches of the universe and still we cannot see the end. Perhaps we are asking the wrong questions?

I dont personally believe in god Grahame, but i understand that some people take comfort from religion, wheres the evidence for god?

do you favour "intelligent design" or evolution?

[grahameb]

If you give my explanation some thought you will realise that you certainly can use "infinite" and "expanding" in the same sentence - it's fundamental to cosmology. It helps if you've studied it for a while but human beings are certainly capable of getting their heads around such concepts - if not Einstein could never have formulated General Relativity - and he was a mere patent clerk!

Well, I suppose we must all keep thing in persective where our thought are concerned. I just do a bit of signwriting myself.

[grahameb]

Have you been watching Stargazing Live this week? Seems Astronomy is the current "in thing"  :D

Yes I watched one and thought it a bit unco-odinated so I turned it off.

[grahameb]

I dont personally believe in god Grahame, but i understand that some people take comfort from religion, wheres the evidence for god?

do you favour "intelligent design" or evolution?

What I'm saying Andrea in all this great universe that we find so amazing and vast how can we we so definite about there not being anything greater than ourselves. In other words how can non intelligence create intelligence? If you are discussing the possibility of aliens for which there is far less proof. Why not accept that there may be an entity far more intelligent than ourselves who may indeed have created us? It's just an obvious question that's all.

[andrea]

What I'm saying Andrea in all this great universe that we find so amazing and vast how can we we so definite about there not being anything greater than ourselves. In other words how can non intelligence create intelligence? If you are discussing the possibility of aliens for which there is far less proof. Why not accept that there may be an entity far more intelligent than ourselves who may indeed have created us? It's just an obvious question that's all.

I find it more likely Grahame , that there is intelligent life in the universe rather than some super higher being that created it all.

I cant accept that there is a god because there is no proof, according to the bible the earth is only thousands of years old, we know thats not true.

I put my faith in science and good people.

[grahameb]

do you favour "intelligent design" or evolution?

Why can't both co-exist? Evolution is evident in that things apparently change according to their environment. For instance there are many different kinds of human beings. But that in itself presupposes one common ancestor? This in itself I find amazing. But if you look at how many different breeds of dogs there are it is evident that these changes do not need millions of years to occur. In fact logic tells us (yet this does not seem to be discussed much) that an object only 8000 miles in diameter cannot remainmolten at the centre (which the earth is) for millions of years.

[mertol22]

If we are all alone it seems a great waste of space, i did believe in god but no longer the big mac is my god im at my happiest  that first bite, Patrick moore might be old school but he explains things very simply , i used to send off for the sky at night newsletters, did you know you can see another galaxy with no optical aid, M31 The Andromeda Galaxy , a fuzz of yellowish light .

[mertol22]

if god allowed 9/11 to pass without intervention grahame then god is not almighty , i would call him a terrorist.