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150 Gigapixel Sky Image Contains 1 Billion Stars

Posted by Unknown on from the scientists-declare-universe-contains-lots-of-stuff dept.

The Bad Astronomer writes "Astronomers have used two big telescopes to create an infrared survey of the Milky Way that is the largest of its kind: the resulting image has an incredible 150,000 megapixels containing over a billion stars. Something that large is difficult to use, so they also made a pan-and-zoom version online which should keep you occupied for quite some time. These data will be used to better understand star formation in our Milky Way, and how far more distant galaxies and quasars behave." The interactive image is powered by IIPImage which happens to be Free Software and is cool in its own right (right click the image to get help — it has a full set of keybindings for navigation).

5 of 126 comments (clear)

  1. Puny humans by NoNonAlphaCharsHere · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Tell me again about your "personal relationship" with the being that created all of that?

    1. Re:Puny humans by aristotle-dude · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Tell me again about your "personal relationship" with the being that created all of that?

      Sorry but what does size of the universe have to do with that? You seem to have a lack of self esteem. Again, I'm not trying to force you to change your beliefs but I have to question the logic of your statement. One could argue that the size of the universe displays the awesome and limitless power of the almighty and the ability of the almighty to notice individuals within the scope of that creation. To me, that is awe inspiring.

      --
      Jesus was a compassionate social conservative who called individuals to sin no more.
    2. Re:Puny humans by gv250 · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      You've correctly identified one of the central mysteries of Christian faith. It is impossible to believe that someone who created and manages that large of a system gives a rat's ass what happens to you or me.

      Yet, He does.

      Happy Easter.

    3. Re:Puny humans by slacktivist · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      Presuppositions all up in my cereal this morning. Pale, stale, fluffy, bloated, unnecessary presuppositions...

    4. Re:Puny humans by NoNonAlphaCharsHere · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      My lack of self-esteem (or other name-calling) notwithstanding, you do realize that you're positing something that is many orders of magnitude beyond a water molecule in your toe having a personal relationship with you, don't you? To me, that's not awe-inspiring, it's simply delusional.