Space and scale
Discussion
Just watched the stunning ISS video and whenever I see these things I can't help but try to rationalise exactly what it is I'm seeing. My mind sets off on a mission to grasp the scale of what I'm seeing and I ultimately end up frustrated that I can't do it. I assume the numbers and scales involved are just beyond me.
My question is do the academics, astronomists and physicists also struggle with this? Is it possible to reach some kind of acceptance or acknowledgement of the scale of space and it's just that my brain hasn't got the horsepower, or is it beyond human comprehension?
Not sure I've expressed this too well so good luck
My question is do the academics, astronomists and physicists also struggle with this? Is it possible to reach some kind of acceptance or acknowledgement of the scale of space and it's just that my brain hasn't got the horsepower, or is it beyond human comprehension?
Not sure I've expressed this too well so good luck
What about that video can't you grasp?
From ISS orbit, the stars are about 300 miles closer than they are from the ground. So the scales involved are more or less as you experience them every day here on earth.
The picture is a little bit clearer, that's all.
There is a thread running already on this video - and I have commented that it isn't actually a true representation of what an astronaut on the ISS would actually see.
From ISS orbit, the stars are about 300 miles closer than they are from the ground. So the scales involved are more or less as you experience them every day here on earth.
The picture is a little bit clearer, that's all.
There is a thread running already on this video - and I have commented that it isn't actually a true representation of what an astronaut on the ISS would actually see.
durbster said:
Just watched the stunning ISS video and whenever I see these things I can't help but try to rationalise exactly what it is I'm seeing. My mind sets off on a mission to grasp the scale of what I'm seeing and I ultimately end up frustrated that I can't do it. I assume the numbers and scales involved are just beyond me.
My question is do the academics, astronomists and physicists also struggle with this? Is it possible to reach some kind of acceptance or acknowledgement of the scale of space and it's just that my brain hasn't got the horsepower, or is it beyond human comprehension?
Not sure I've expressed this too well so good luck
I work with very small things rather than very large, but basically, most people find it takes a bit of getting used to. When you think about things every day for a a few years it does become more intuitive. I wouldn't write off your own intellect just yet.My question is do the academics, astronomists and physicists also struggle with this? Is it possible to reach some kind of acceptance or acknowledgement of the scale of space and it's just that my brain hasn't got the horsepower, or is it beyond human comprehension?
Not sure I've expressed this too well so good luck
Eric Mc said:
What about that video can't you grasp?
From ISS orbit, the stars are about 300 miles closer than they are from the ground./quote]
The ISS looking down is fine. It's looking outwards that turns my mind to mush.
The idea that every one of those dots of light in the distance has countless more beyond them, and that every single one of them might represent thousands... millions... billions of stars with their own solar systems. It's too much.
From ISS orbit, the stars are about 300 miles closer than they are from the ground./quote]
The ISS looking down is fine. It's looking outwards that turns my mind to mush.
The idea that every one of those dots of light in the distance has countless more beyond them, and that every single one of them might represent thousands... millions... billions of stars with their own solar systems. It's too much.
EliseNick said:
I work with very small things rather than very large, but basically, most people find it takes a bit of getting used to. When you think about things every day for a a few years it does become more intuitive. I wouldn't write off your own intellect just yet.
Hmm... you might have a point there. In my daily life I'm dealing with tiny numbers, usually decimal places. When I'm coding I'm always looking for efficiency and making things smaller so perhaps I'm accustomed thinking in that direction. I guess when a Government talks about budget they talk in billions, rather than pounds. Perhaps I'm trying to think of it in terms of planets rather than galaxies...My point was that the images from the ISS are not a whole lot different from the view you get down here. So - was it the fact that the images were taken from the space station that impressed and overawed you or are you impressed and overawed by just standing outside and looking at the stars.
It's the latter for me - but I don't let it overwhelm me. Indeed, I like it that I can't get my head around vast numbers and vast distances, That's why we need to explore and find out more about these things - so we do get to understand them better.
It's the latter for me - but I don't let it overwhelm me. Indeed, I like it that I can't get my head around vast numbers and vast distances, That's why we need to explore and find out more about these things - so we do get to understand them better.
durbster said:
Just watched the stunning ISS video and whenever I see these things I can't help but try to rationalise exactly what it is I'm seeing. My mind sets off on a mission to grasp the scale of what I'm seeing and I ultimately end up frustrated that I can't do it. I assume the numbers and scales involved are just beyond me.
My question is do the academics, astronomists and physicists also struggle with this? Is it possible to reach some kind of acceptance or acknowledgement of the scale of space and it's just that my brain hasn't got the horsepower, or is it beyond human comprehension?
Not sure I've expressed this too well so good luck
My question is do the academics, astronomists and physicists also struggle with this? Is it possible to reach some kind of acceptance or acknowledgement of the scale of space and it's just that my brain hasn't got the horsepower, or is it beyond human comprehension?
Not sure I've expressed this too well so good luck
Eric Mc said:
are you impressed and overawed by just standing outside and looking at the stars.
This one. The ISS video just reminded me of it.I'll never forget lying on the roof of our campervan in outback Australia, seeing non-stop stars from horizon to horizon. Absolutely awesome, in the true sense of the word. I told myself I'd go somewhere I could do that again this year
durbster said:
Eric Mc said:
are you impressed and overawed by just standing outside and looking at the stars.
This one. The ISS video just reminded me of it.I'll never forget lying on the roof of our campervan in outback Australia, seeing non-stop stars from horizon to horizon. Absolutely awesome, in the true sense of the word. I told myself I'd go somewhere I could do that again this year
Have a look at this. I find it quite.............impressive!
http://htwins.net/scale2/
Regards,
Fat Fairy
http://htwins.net/scale2/
Regards,
Fat Fairy
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