Here's something to ponder. Looking up to the sky on a very clear night, the Triangulum Galaxy can sometimes be seen. This is a distance of 3.14 million light years. The Andromeda Galaxy is also sometimes visible, which is a distance of 2.5 million light years. When we see these galaxies what we actually see is light from the object rather than the object itself. According to the Astrogeology Team of the USGS, we can see about 2,500 stars in the clearest of night skies.Am I the only one who marvels at the idea that light energy has travelled millions of light years to our eyes? Do any of my readers do any star gazing? Is the view great where you live, or do you have a special spot you go to?
2 comments:
Although we live in a suburb of Seattle we are far enough on the "other side" to have a fair shot at the star gazing. We have often been out on a summer night looking at the stars. But I do prefer when we can see Orion rising in the winter. BTW, if you and your wife ever find yourself in the vicinity of Seattle, let us know. We'd love to meet up with you.
Thanks for the invite. I have no idea when the next time we'll be in that neighbourhood, but I think we can arrange to do that.
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