Saturday, March 02, 2013

Let's end the day with an image to blow your mind, shall we?

Most of us think of our solar system as illustrated by the above image.

But that is inaccurate. You see we are NOT simply rotating around a stationary sun.

Oh no the sun is FAR from stationary, in fact it is hurdling through space at 70,000 kilometers per hour.

So more a more accurate illustration of our solar system is of a vortex like this:


Do you suddenly have the urge to grab onto something? Well don't bother, because it is hurtling through space right along with you. And what's more everything has been, even back when the wise men of old believed the earth was flat and the stars were stuck in the waters above the firmament.


Just look how far science has expanded our view of the world around us.

If you want to learn more take a look at this video.

17 comments:

  1. Anonymous6:29 PM

    We all know that the sun, the solar system, our galaxy and other galaxies are moving through space but so often we think of things in three dimensional spatial terms but when the understood movement is added to the equation as a 4th dimension it is so much better displayed. This video does a great job of describing the true motion of our solar system and thanks for sharing!

    It adds a whole other dimension to my favorite Monty Python explanation of universal motion!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWVshkVF0SY

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  2. Aussie8:15 PM

    Last week in southern Australia you could see Jupiter up close, reeeally up close.

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  3. Anonymous8:48 PM

    Stunning imagery can be found here:

    I'm a Finnish astrophotographer and I enjoy to be able to reveal some of the hidden beauty of our Universe.

    Veil Nebula

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdz7njiLvM0

    http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCivFr6kAAYZqMVE2doG9uDQ?feature=watch

    http://astroanarchy.zenfolio.com/p1072219942

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  4. Anonymous8:57 PM

    Watching those spinning planets and thinking about the universe makes my head hurt. No wonder the conservatives and their low information followers want to get religion in the schools (easy) and eliminate teaching anything that gets you contemplating your place in the universe. Science, thinking and learning requires work and study, critical skills of reasoning-- these things are harmful to politicians and religious people who want you believe what they say, even if it isn't true-- just like on Fox News.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:24 AM

      As beautiful and spellbinding as the videos are, and as mysterious as astronomy, or science in general, is to us, it is also terrifying to some. I think they'd much rather go with the religious explanation. It makes them feel safer. They need that security of Heaven, and seeing passed on loved ones again - wouldn't we all love that?

      So I don't think there will ever be any convincing those types, they will fight it all the way.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:59 AM

      What if the explanation of what most people refer to as God is some day explained by science (Quantum Mechanics). What if science and spirituality meld quite handsomely? Does the fact that we only think we have it figured out play a factor in all this? What if we do have a soul or spirit? What if it can move through space and time without the physical form? Doesn't having an open mind include this for consideration? 800 NDE's reported daily. And that does not include the unreported from fear of ridicule. Does this not merit some more inquiry in to the possibility that the energy you are made of continues after time on earth? Science says energy can neither be created or destroyed, it just is. Ask a neuro-scientist where the mind resides in the brain. I think you will be surprised to find out he does not know.

      Delete
  5. Thanks for posting the gif of the solar system in motion. Awesome!
    Here's a great interactive tool for visualizing our place in the universe http://www.richarddawkins.net/news_articles/2012/8/30/the-scale-of-the-universe#.UEFSpaC06aO
    www.richarddawkins.net has a lot of other interesting stuff, too.

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    1. Anonymous5:49 AM

      that was amazing! thanks for sharing

      Delete
  6. WakeUpAmerica10:27 PM

    So why aren't we experiencing 70,000 kilometer winds? If we are hurtling that fast through space, wouldn't you expect things to get blown off of this big marble? If gravity is too great to allow us to be blown off, wouldn't you think that tremendous force of gravity would make us all into pancakes? Also, if we are going that fast, but terminal velocity is roughly 32ft/sec2 when dropping toward the earth, why don't sky divers miss the earth entirely?

    Now I will never be able to sleep.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6:55 AM

      lol! I think it's also gravity that keeps our atmosphere intact.

      But don't ask me how...

      Delete
    2. WakeUpAmerica10:55 AM

      But if gravity can neutralize 70,000 kilometer wind force, how can we jump, hop, or get planes off the ground? Wouldn't Pogo Sticks be obsolete?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:28 AM

      Wakeup- I said don't ask me how!! lol

      Delete
  7. Anonymous1:59 AM

    That "sheol" area underground on the diagram sounds a lot like 'shale' and looks like oil....
    Just sayin'

    ~Canuck~

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous6:53 AM

      naw, that's "hale" : )

      Delete
  8. Wow, what a visual. It is one thing to know this is happening, but the visual makes it so much more amazing! I'm feeling dizzy ;)

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  9. Anonymous9:48 AM

    A Joke for Atheist Mathematicians

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XmtW_fIj68

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  10. Anonymous4:32 PM

    SO impressive to see in motion,what I know is true.And,to 10:59,I am experiencing that same awareness,as I face my mortality.I choose to believe my small energy/matter will continue in some form or fashion. I might like to be part of a great dust storm and travel to spectacular vistas. Maybe I will be a speck of dust on the top of Sarah's refrigerator. I will report in,Gryph.I love this blog! mermaid michele

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