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07-12-2004, 01:47 PM | #1 | |
Radical Centrist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Cottage of Prussia
Posts: 31,423
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7/12/2004: Background microwave energy picture of the universe
This was yesterday's APOD, and I was interested to know what it could be. Turns out it's a map of microwave energy... the microwave energy of the universe. No... really!!! Quote:
How can they tell? Dunno, I don't have the full explanation. |
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07-12-2004, 01:52 PM | #2 |
lobber of scimitars
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phila Burbs
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I think it just shows that creatures from outer space really enjoy tv dinners and popcorn.
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07-12-2004, 01:55 PM | #3 |
Resident President
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Wonder why it isn't more evenly distributed? Does the distribution correspond to star densities or something like that?
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07-12-2004, 01:58 PM | #4 |
™
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 27,717
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That's a neat picture, but it doesn't convey much information to me. I' like to see it superimposed over a chart of the stars.
If the microwaves are uniformly distributed as a result of the big bang, then the dark areas would probably be areas where the microwaves are absorbed by something, so they don't reach us. It would be interesting to know where those areas are. I guess that must be the "dark matter" you hear about. Who knows? It's been 18 years since I took astronomy in college. |
07-12-2004, 03:29 PM | #5 |
I can hear my ears
Join Date: Oct 2003
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I told you microwaves were evil. didn't i?!
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07-12-2004, 04:24 PM | #6 |
Junior Master Dwellar
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Kingdom of Atlantia
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I was cool with it until they had to start putting their idea about origins in there. Completely guesswork, presented as fact. Even if you believe in the Theory, which is fine, just pay attention and note how many people and articles, tv shows and videos present it like fact. Just pay attention. It's amazing, really.
Cool pic, UT.
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07-12-2004, 04:32 PM | #7 | |
I can hear my ears
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seems like that corresponds to what the hubble people think
Quote:
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This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan |
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07-12-2004, 07:13 PM | #8 | |
The future is unwritten
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Quote:
Oh, and welcome to the Cellar, Promenea.
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07-12-2004, 08:50 PM | #9 |
Radical Centrist
Join Date: Jan 2001
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I'm just glad they totalled 100%. What if all of humanity turns out to be a cosmic rounding error!
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07-12-2004, 09:29 PM | #10 | |
dar512 is now Pete Zicato
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Chicago suburb
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Quote:
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07-13-2004, 10:24 AM | #11 | |
Read? I only know how to write.
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Quote:
Newton's laws are facts. Then we apply the rules of quantum physics and all hell breaks loose. And yet these are still facts. They do explain how things work. They are proven by underlying and related theories as well as by experimental evidence. And they are tempered by the perspective on which they apply. As we move forward, we discover more of god's laws. Religion fears we do this because religions assumes all gods laws were already known. How myopic and self serving. Those who are really religious do this cosmic work. Currently trying to explain where the rest of that matter has gone, why the universe is accelerating its expansion, and why the universe is so hodge-podge instead of monolithic. More questions asked because of current facts. In a world dominated by fact rather than by religious and myth, then each new fact results in increasing new questions. Religious extremists especially fear this concept. That means there may be no land where martyrs go to be seduced by 20 virgins. It is a shame that some will only read a good parable and call that fact. Parables that don't have underlying theories and supporting experimental evidence are no more fact that Capt Jame Kirk and the USS Enterprise. We call it either fiction, urban myth, or religion. At least this concept of how the universe was created is done to comprehend reality - to learn god's laws. |
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07-13-2004, 10:38 AM | #12 | |
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Quote:
If one's religion is shaken by facts then one really didn't have religion, just bad facts.
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07-13-2004, 10:55 AM | #13 |
whig
Join Date: Apr 2001
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Onxy, it's presented as fact because it's the best science can muster and therefore is most likely to be true based on rational analysis of the evidence.
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07-13-2004, 11:55 AM | #14 |
of Atchonia
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Colorado
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All you ever wanted to know about the Cosmic Background Radiation.
It's a hobby of mine to read up on this nerdy stuff. |
07-13-2004, 12:02 PM | #15 |
I can hear my ears
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 25,571
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welcome, atch. Atch who? godblessyou.
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This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan |
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