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Cool Images of our Galaxy

ipac.caltech.edu — My father managed a project that mapped the entire sky at two microns. Two Linux boxes, two telescopes in the northern and southern hemisphere, and time was all that was needed to capture some incredible data. If you like giant wall paper, there are some 4k 3k images of the heavens. Orion's belt is particularly cool.

Who dugg this? Made popular Sep 17, 2006

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  • templest, on 10/12/2007, -1/+29It really makes you feel tiny looking at those pics, doesn't it?
    As in... here we are stuck in our own little bubble, worried about politics,
    wars, economics, and all these other things... but in the grand scheme
    of things, we're nothing. Just a spec of dust in the corner of the universe.

    We have absolutely no control over anything.
    Just here along for the ride.
  • n00j, on 10/12/2007, -1/+18there is a link on the left that says "full size"
    http://www.ipac.caltech.edu/2mass/gallery/showcase/orion/orion_full.jpg (3100x5850)
  • archivist, on 10/12/2007, -2/+14wow. great pictures. your dad's cool
  • caboosemoose, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8@snurfle: I can only assume you are functionally retarded to make that assertion.
  • 16777216, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6I'm sorry Dave, I can not allow you to do that.
  • aviano2004, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7Astronomy is far outside of what I usually spend my time. Thank you for opening my eyes to these images.
  • thunderer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5With the infinite universe, I like to think of it as infinite arrogance.
  • shirtninjay, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I wonder if there's an alien version of Digg.
  • zane9, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6The images are fantastic!
  • inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Its just the thought that we are this little planet somewhere, is just scary.
  • cwcheang, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4http://www.netscape.com/
  • thunderer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Click the link, then click a picture.
    On the left nav-bar of the image's page, there's a link saying "Full Size Image".
    It'll bring up a page with a link or two to larger versions of the image.
  • Kafro, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3How could anyone see this picture, and say "we are the only ones"?

    http://www.ipac.caltech.edu/2mass/gallery/showcase/30galaxies/enlarged.html
  • Obvioustroll, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3By the way, I'm giving a presentation on current events in space exploration at an astronomy club tonight - the picture of the known universe is going to feature prominently!
  • drlha, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Yeah, that's a nice idea but its not true. Actually our galaxy is the most prominant feature in the image, the blue strip that goes across the middle of the image and around the edges.
  • FlunkedFlank, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Yeah, it's almost as if, relative to the whole universe, we're just a small, pale blue dot.

    I should write a book with that title.

    (Shoot! Carl Sagan beat me to it.)
  • blixel, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Why is this in the Linux / Unix category? Shouldn't it be in Science / Space?
  • leftfoot, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Exellent photos.

    http://www.ipac.caltech.edu/2mass/gallery/showcase/allsky_gal/enlarged.html

    That one is my favorite.
  • dukeinlondon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12 linux boxens
  • seancanada, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1People will continue to say that until we find someone else.

    Interesting that most 'scientists' assume (hope?) (have faith?) there are others prior to there being proof.
  • XpLiCiT, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Impressive work. Highly recommend everyone Digg this. :P
  • CoolWind, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Excellent!
  • markp93, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I am owed some paper towels as my head just assploded.
  • pedmond, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Dave, I'm afraid...
  • Obvioustroll, on 10/12/2007, -4/+4Really wonderful!
  • apollo13, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1+MY 1
  • philz, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0Oh my god - it's full of stars!
  • FlunkedFlank, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0Dave? Is that you?
  • inactive, on 10/12/2007, -4/+0http://www.ipac.caltech.edu/2mass/gallery/showcase/allsky_gal/enlarged.html

    Our whole Galaxy is one dot on that. Amazing.
  • davidfg4, on 10/12/2007, -7/+1Where are the wallpaper images(1600*1200 at least)?
  • aviano2004, on 10/12/2007, -8/+2Templest - Perfect!!
  • championchap, on 10/12/2007, -15/+2very cool
    and not undermine the achievment or anything.. but do you ever get the feeling you could just do a little photoshop and get pretty similar results yourself?

    of course somebody would check.. but most would be convinced
  • snurfle, on 10/12/2007, -29/+2"If you like giant wall paper,"
    Then these are great for 800x600 displays.

    But nothing larger.

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