Ok so some of you might be wondering this is all a bit strange, especially as i like to act as a bit of tit (it amuses me!). But this thought process was actually from a book I was reading called Time by Stephen Baxter, and in it it was talking about our galaxy [the milky way] and our closes galaxy the [Virgo, an irregular cluster, is the nearest large cluster of galaxies] also the largest cluster in our local group [spiral galaxy Andromeda].
I just found it quite interesting especially when you think about the shear size we talking about here. Typically, they have a size in the range 1-10Mpc and a mass M ~ 10^15 solar masses (one followed by 15 zeros, that is, a million billion suns).
i look at the sky quit often yes it is best at night but you can see wonders in the day time and for me alot of the time i don’t have to get past the beauty of the clouds to calm me and help make a better day i keep a telescope in my yard to check more distant wonders but yes space amazes me
I do like to look up and wonder what it’s all about, why we are here, and what else is out there, but I don’t think we’ll ever know. The mystery is what makes it so amazing, interesting, and beautiful.
I love to do that! Question though: why are there so many more stars and such out in the winter? I have wondered this way too many times. its like in summer its just always too cloudy or something.
This account has been deactivated.
I’m not sure I’ve noticed there being more stars in the winter. When you’re right out at sea at night time where there’s no light pollution to ruin it you can see the stars so much clearer, you can a strip of colour run right across the sky. On the southern hemisphere you see a totally different set of stars than you do on the northern hemisphere.
Another thing I have noticed is that the moon in England turns from full to half to new moon over the course of the month from left to right. As you move to different places in the world it appears to do this in other directions for example bottom to top.
Pluto was only reclassified because we kept finding more planets the same size as it and it was getting a bit ridiculous to have so many. It is now classed as a dwarf planet which is a planet that does not have a spherical shape and does not keep a constant orbit (Pluto is nearer than Neptune to the sun every few decades during it’s orbit, it will never collide due to an inclined orbit not parallel with the other planets.)
I miss Pluto. It was my favorite. There might not be more stars in winter in other places… at least here there is. There are a lot more clouds and such in the summer so I’m sure its just that or something. I’ll blame it on the humidity.
This account has been deactivated.
Aww Fin, Pluto is still there. It just isn’t allowed to join in with the fun and games. It has an atmosphere when closer to the sun which freezes and falls to the surface as it moves away. I thought that was cool but I’m a bit sad like that.
hahaha awww you’re an astronomy dork, aren’t you? too adorable.
And I know Pluto is there, but it was the funky planet. The underdog. And the only one I could remember.
This account has been deactivated.
I did a 15 min presentation on the solar system for my photography aptitude course.
Haha I remember that! Reason you can see more stars in the winter is that anything that causes illumination gives a poor view of the stars (i.e. during the summer we orbit closer to the sun and therefore giving more illumination (even when on the night side) and further away during the winter orbit with less illumination). I must admit the effect of this is only small though. Even street lights effect this.
The Messier objects that are at their highest in late-winter evenings are less diverse than the early-winter objects. Another reason is that the Milky Way slants south-east during the late winter so less objects are visable.
I used to look up at the sky and wonder..but I just don’t have that kind of time any more :( I miss reflection time
when i look at the stars its like a never ending story!!!! its maybe the most beautiful thing to look at!!!!
Oh god, I just can’t get the ‘Never ending story’ theme out of my head! Shame on you for bringing this pain. lol.
Kev I don’t think the reason you can see more stars in the winter is because the earth orbits closer to the sun during winter. You do know that winter in England is summer in Australia and Visa versa? That means that somewhere it is ALLWAYS winter and therefore your theory is void.
“The Messier objects that are at their highest in late-winter evenings are less diverse than the early-winter objects.” What does that actually mean? There are less differences in the Messier objects in late winter than other objects in early winter? What point are you trying to make about visibility?
The Milky Way slants southeast? To a man standing on the South Pole every direction is north? How can you give the galaxy compass based direction when compasses point in the general direction of the north pole of the Earth which is constantly rotating?
lol………….hahahahahahahahahahahahaha…u know after i wrote that..the song has huanted me since!!! lol
lol You just had to go and ruin it didn’t you Ady. Now I’m all confused agian! There has to be some logical explanation… even if its just that its more overcast or something.. at least here, there are always more stars out on the clear nights in winter than on the clearest summer nights. It always seems in winter its totally overcast or totally clear. Please tell me I’m not crazy and imagining things again…
This account has been deactivated.
You are not crazy and imagining things again……….
Splat looks around for approving looks to confirm whether he was convincing.
lol bastard. making me doubt myself. shame on you!
This account has been deactivated.
I’ve sent the question to a professional and when he/she comes back with the answer I’ll let you know.
you kick ***. We shall see what we shall see!
This account has been deactivated.
About time you got professional help.
That’s quite amusing coming from you Adrian.
Question:
Is there a difference in visible stars during winter to summer seasons as it seems that stars are more viewable in winter (as in the number sense by the naked eye)?
Reply:
Hi Kevin,
That’s because the air is drier in the winter, and it’s the humidity in the air
that causes most of the blurring (and dimming) of the star images as they pass
through the atmosphere.
-Sara
So there you go. Humidity was the answer all along.
OMG NO WAY. I was RIGHT!?!?
this is a pivotal moment in my life. You don’t even know.
You hear that Ady? I was RIGHT!! I’m so proud of myself!!
Though I am still quite suspicious of that d*mn humidity. How pointless
This account has been deactivated.
Haha, it makes sense when you read it. Would have been nice to have a little bit more detail as seems quite a simple answer.
Yeah, I’m totally psyched about this, hello wikipedia much.
This account has been deactivated.
Indeed, I’m so proud of you right now…
…sarcasm is really the lowest form of wit but it’s the only thing I’m fluent in.
wait…you’re not proud of me? *stifles a sob*
This account has been deactivated.
Oh i’m totally proud of you, never been prouder of anyone in my life.
did you know that sarcasm literally means ‘to rip the flesh from’
I think I know why now. Thank you for that.
and I was so happy about it…
This account has been deactivated.
In all seriousness you noticed something I really thought about myself and there is a scientific reason for it as well so well done. Jolly good.
Hold on I meant to say I really hadn’t thought about myself…you probably knew that.
There ya go! See, now I feel special. Thanks Kevin! Totally just made my morning.
And its probably just because the humidity here is awful (we’re talking 100%), its a lot more obvious, I don’t think its as bad there.
This account has been deactivated.
I’m glad that your glad that you think that I made you feel special.
You just can’t let me bask, can you?
This account has been deactivated.
No, I’m a nasty piece of work. :) Anyway, I said I was glad that you feel ’special’, in fact I’d go as far as to say I was being polite!
I could hear the sarcasm dripping of that statement from here!
This account has been deactivated.
…or was it *shifty eyed glance* it is far too early for this kind of suspicion!
This account has been deactivated.
I’ll let you be the judge of that! Why not all of womankind believe in such deep suspicion…I think i’ve become a woman hater.
I’m puzzled as to what the question is, why aren’t more women suspicious, or why are so many suspicious?
This account has been deactivated.
Why are so many suspicious?
Well with guys like you going around confusing everyone, can you really blame us?
This account has been deactivated.
But its okay, I don’t like women either.
This account has been deactivated.
Oh i’m away for an hour lunch…to be continued!
This account has been deactivated.
This account has been deactivated.
ahh I couldn’t wait anymore, sorry. Had to try and get some sleep.
Haven’t changed my mind though, I still blame the deer.
This account has been deactivated.
If it helps I’m proud of you Fin. :o)
awww thank you! finally *someone* is.
This account has been deactivated.
i do it all the time. I just go out on my porch, and wonder. That’s why I am going to be a philosipher
This account has been deactivated.
I went to a philosipher’s convention once and asked someone what brings them here, that was a mistake I could have done without making I can tell you!
Got home after a few beers with Splat last night and was looking at the sky as it was full of stars for once, turned to look at the other side of the house and when I looked back I was lucky enough to catch a shooting star.
I was well happy, never seen one before so I was well chuffed.
Kungpow Family Guy invited 18 users to read this post 5 years, 11 months ago.
rlt7
Mitzy★
♥Finley (JAYS)
Splat The Lost Vampi
ginseng
MSBRIA_0
vet2b