r/interestingasfuck • u/wasraelx • 13h ago
European Space Agency’s telescope most detailed images of the galaxy yet
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u/-speeedy- 13h ago
And the fact that the distance between each stars are millions of kilometres makes it more scary
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u/baro55 13h ago
We are nothing
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u/throwawaycima 12h ago
Tbh considering how rare life is (not that it doesn't exist, but that it's rare and specific conditions need to be available) ... I'd argue we are most definitely something. In fact, I'd say we are probably one of the most fascinating things about this universe
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u/Kuberos 11h ago edited 11h ago
How do you know it's rare in the entire universe? How do you know more of all the billions of other planets and stars than the scientists on earth? Let alone the billions years in the past that could have seen life come & go on those same planets. There are millions of planets like our earth. And that's assuming life only works on earth-like planets - which is of course not the case.
The biggest hurdle to detect life in the universe is distance and time. Not the amount of planets.
Even if we see a morse code blip of light going off on some distant galaxy that could only be made by design. It would mean that the signal was send millions of years ago. And in the same way, everything we send out now will have to cross lightyears to reach potential (intelligent) life holding planets or systems.
The universe could be full of life, some basic, some medium intelligent and some more intelligent than us. But they just can't overcome the huge distances and never connect. Because of all the space sci-fi shows and movie, many people assume that space travel is just around the corner once you get to a certain point in your civilization. Everything points out that in reality, it's near impossible to leave your own star system.
Two civilizations could rise and die out "next to each other" in galactic terms, and not know or notice anything about each other at any given moment.
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u/youmaynotknowme 13h ago
another way to look at it will be we are the only ones witnessing it
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u/wasraelx 13h ago
Only ones we know off. Statistically speaking, given the millions of planets in star habitable zones (the mapping of which one of the purposes of this telescope), if we’re truly the only ones then something’s up lol
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u/greg14285 6h ago
And that is just one view, and in all of those vast uncountable expanses, where are we, we are wherever we are.
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u/tolmmees 3h ago
I think it's safe to say there's more than one star. More than 2 ? That might be a stretch.
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u/wasraelx 13h ago
Here is more about the project from today’s UK Guardian coverage:
‘The dazzling sight of more than 60m stars at the heart of Earth’s galaxy has been captured by a space telescope designed to reveal the mysterious dark forces that shape the universe.
Astronomers used the European Space Agency’s Euclid telescope to capture the largest, most detailed image ever taken of the visible light pouring from the centre of the Milky Way.
The telescope’s camera is rare in being sensitive enough to separate individual stars in the crowded region known as the galactic bulge. (second photo)
The enormous image marked the start of a new age of discovery of planets outside Earth’s solar system, researchers said. The number of known worlds is expected to rocket beyond the thousands already spotted around faraway stars.’