In this galaxy, there’s a mathematical probability of three million Earth-type planets. And in all of the universe, three million million galaxies like this. And in all of that… and perhaps more, only one of each of us. Treasure yourself and others.
Keep your faith, travel hopefully, and the universe will surprise you, constantly.
Scientists working with data from the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys’ Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) have discovered a “fossil galaxy” hidden in the depths of our own Milky Way.
This result, published today (November 20, 2020) in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, may shake up our understanding of how the Milky Way grew into the galaxy we see today.
The proposed fossil galaxy may have collided with the Milky Way ten billion years ago, when our galaxy was still in its infancy. Astronomers named it Heracles, after the ancient Greek hero who received the gift of immortality when the Milky Way was created.
The remnants of Heracles account for about one third of the Milky Way’s spherical halo. But if stars and gas from Heracles make up such a large percentage of the galactic halo, why didn’t we see it before? The answer lies in its location deep inside the Milky Way.
“To find a fossil galaxy like this one, we had to look at the detailed chemical makeup and motions of tens of thousands of stars,” says Ricardo Schiavon from Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) in the UK, a key member of the research team.
“That is especially hard to do for stars in the center of the Milky Way, because they are hidden from view by clouds of interstellar dust. APOGEE lets us pierce through that dust and see deeper into the heart of the Milky Way than ever before.
So, in an awkward segue, we need to talk about the right. I was going to leave this nice 3rd frame alone then I remembered Maureen Dowd’s column. She turns it over to her brother once a year for Thanksgiving.
We’ve always thought that the problem was that Fox tarred the left and whitewashed the right. It’s actually just supply and demand. Fox supplied insufficient whitewash & tar in the aftermath of the election and the demand turned to the even more shrill Newsmax. Not sure what we do with a huge contingent of voters who insist on being supplied with fantasy facts. Democracy requires responsible citizens. Capitalism requires Capital with a conscience. “Interesting” times lay ahead.
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
You can watch night after night as they appear closer together. I
The year 2020 will end with a special astronomical event: the closest great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in 397 years. On December 21, the two planets will almost touch in the sky.
“Everyone is running around in a circle announcing that somebody’s pinched their ‘liberty’ "
Its funny to realize that this statement was made by Will Rogers on Sept 30 1934. 86 years ago, is still valid. He was talking about republicans then, they are still doing the crazy-‘Run in circles, scream and shout’-different words, same meaning. The republicans are unable to understand that they lost. So they blatantly lie, cheat and want to steal the election for Trump.
apparently, democracy means nothing to the MAGAts, either they are massively ignorant or just plain stupid. Exactly like Fascist wannabe Trump. Who will destroy the Republican Party right along with our 200+yo democracy, IMVPO I think that his Fronto Temporal Dementia has taken hold, he believes that he won all 50 states so in his now state of narcissism and dementia, he will destroy the US that he has done nothing for over these last 4 years, just to ‘win’. The sad thing is that there are several people who are sharing his delusions of being president(aka fearless leader) for life
Darsan54 Premium Member over 3 years ago
Ahhhhh, Sunday Stantis strips are soooper.
Cheapskate0 over 3 years ago
There’s nothing quite like finding a piece of land with no light pollution and gazing up into the stars.
I remember Northern Lights coming down as far south as Chicago.
Haven’t seen them in years.
I miss them.
whahoppened over 3 years ago
I’ve seen them halfway down Illinois, um, 75 yrs ago. Rather dull areas of red and green.
RobinHood over 3 years ago
In this galaxy, there’s a mathematical probability of three million Earth-type planets. And in all of the universe, three million million galaxies like this. And in all of that… and perhaps more, only one of each of us. Treasure yourself and others.
Keep your faith, travel hopefully, and the universe will surprise you, constantly.
rossevrymn over 3 years ago
Good theology, anthropically speaking
Silly Season over 3 years ago
Scientists working with data from the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys’ Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) have discovered a “fossil galaxy” hidden in the depths of our own Milky Way.
This result, published today (November 20, 2020) in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, may shake up our understanding of how the Milky Way grew into the galaxy we see today.
The proposed fossil galaxy may have collided with the Milky Way ten billion years ago, when our galaxy was still in its infancy. Astronomers named it Heracles, after the ancient Greek hero who received the gift of immortality when the Milky Way was created.
The remnants of Heracles account for about one third of the Milky Way’s spherical halo. But if stars and gas from Heracles make up such a large percentage of the galactic halo, why didn’t we see it before? The answer lies in its location deep inside the Milky Way.
“To find a fossil galaxy like this one, we had to look at the detailed chemical makeup and motions of tens of thousands of stars,” says Ricardo Schiavon from Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) in the UK, a key member of the research team.
“That is especially hard to do for stars in the center of the Milky Way, because they are hidden from view by clouds of interstellar dust. APOGEE lets us pierce through that dust and see deeper into the heart of the Milky Way than ever before.
~
https://scitechdaily.com/astronomers-discover-new-fossil-galaxy-buried-deep-within-the-hidden-depths-of-our-own-milky-way/
William Robbins Premium Member over 3 years ago
So, in an awkward segue, we need to talk about the right. I was going to leave this nice 3rd frame alone then I remembered Maureen Dowd’s column. She turns it over to her brother once a year for Thanksgiving.
We’ve always thought that the problem was that Fox tarred the left and whitewashed the right. It’s actually just supply and demand. Fox supplied insufficient whitewash & tar in the aftermath of the election and the demand turned to the even more shrill Newsmax. Not sure what we do with a huge contingent of voters who insist on being supplied with fantasy facts. Democracy requires responsible citizens. Capitalism requires Capital with a conscience. “Interesting” times lay ahead.
Silly Season over 3 years ago
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
~
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
Bookworm over 3 years ago
It’s often the smallest parts that are the most important.
martens over 3 years ago
You can watch night after night as they appear closer together. I
The year 2020 will end with a special astronomical event: the closest great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in 397 years. On December 21, the two planets will almost touch in the sky.
https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/planets/great-conjunction
timbob2313 Premium Member over 3 years ago
“Everyone is running around in a circle announcing that somebody’s pinched their ‘liberty’ "
Its funny to realize that this statement was made by Will Rogers on Sept 30 1934. 86 years ago, is still valid. He was talking about republicans then, they are still doing the crazy-‘Run in circles, scream and shout’-different words, same meaning. The republicans are unable to understand that they lost. So they blatantly lie, cheat and want to steal the election for Trump.
apparently, democracy means nothing to the MAGAts, either they are massively ignorant or just plain stupid. Exactly like Fascist wannabe Trump. Who will destroy the Republican Party right along with our 200+yo democracy, IMVPO I think that his Fronto Temporal Dementia has taken hold, he believes that he won all 50 states so in his now state of narcissism and dementia, he will destroy the US that he has done nothing for over these last 4 years, just to ‘win’. The sad thing is that there are several people who are sharing his delusions of being president(aka fearless leader) for life
Stormy Panda over 3 years ago
Synchronicity?
kentmarx36 over 3 years ago
If The Repulsican Crime Cult has its way, the only nature to see will be a lonely dandelion in the crack of a sidewalk in Brookland. SAD, NO?