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Astronomy

Discussion in 'Off Topic' started by Europa, Oct 16, 2009.

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  1. Europa Moderator

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    This is one of the greatest movie opening scenes of all time IMO. It is from the 1997 movie Contact. I highly recommend it if you have not seen it. The book was written by Carl Sagan, who sadly died from cancer 6 months before the release of the movie.

    I recommend clicking the Youtube link, rather than the play button, so you can see it in HQ.

    Europa, Oct 16, 2009
    #1

  2. Napoleon PhoneApart Moderator

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    I haven't watched your video yet, but my favorite scene from "Contact" is the opening pullback from Earth. Now I'll watch it and see if yours is as well.

    EDIT: Yep!
    Napoleon PhoneApart, Oct 16, 2009
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  3. Europa Moderator

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    Did you get to see it at the theater? It's so cool on the big screen!
    Europa, Oct 16, 2009
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  4. Napoleon PhoneApart Moderator

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    I'm pretty sure I did.
    Napoleon PhoneApart, Oct 16, 2009
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  5. Europa Moderator

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    Nebula set to The Moonlight Sonata.
    Europa, Oct 16, 2009
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  6. Europa Moderator

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    This is one of my favorites photos of our sister galaxy. The milky way is moving toward it and the two galaxies will eventually merge.

    [IMG]

    [IMG]
    Europa, Oct 16, 2009
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  7. Napoleon PhoneApart Moderator

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    About three billion years until they meet.
    Napoleon PhoneApart, Oct 16, 2009
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  8. Europa Moderator

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    Yep, it will be a while.

    This map of the milky way is a compilation of multiple images taken from Earth and rendered to give the illusion that it was taken from a vantage point outside the galaxy. I got it out of Astronomy magazine in the late 90's and it's been framed on my wall in my computer room ever since. I took 5 shots of it with my iPhone and stitched them with the Autostitch app to make a panorama.

    [IMG]
    Europa, Oct 16, 2009
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  9. Europa Moderator

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    I made this in Photoshop. It's not very realistic, but I took the time to add in some real constellations.

    [IMG]
    Europa, Oct 17, 2009
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    My-phone likes this.
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  10. KrakaJap Zealot

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    Very cool Photoshop image!!!

    I just purchased Contact on BluRay! Woohoo!

    Does anyone know off the top of their head who narrates Backyard Astronomer? It's part of The Universe series. The guy sounds a lot like Sagan but I'm fairly certain it's not given the release date of the first episode. Although they do reuse footage sometimes.

    BTW I'm working with a company in Texas to develop some sort of iPhone adapter for telescope eyepieces. First time I've ever looked into doing something like this and it seems to be quite expensive. I may end up talking to one of our CAD instructors on campus to see if maybe we could work something out cheaper. We own 2 fabricators, one of which has it's own 360 spherical laser scanner but I'm afraid to stick my iPhone in that thing to get some accurate measurements. LOL

    so... if anyone has an old, broken iPhone 2G or 3G they would like to donate let me know :) I haven't seen anything like this before so I'm hoping I can be the first on the market!
    KrakaJap, Oct 18, 2009
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  11. geordisjd Zealot

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    I saw it on the big screen the day it came out. It was pretty faithful to the book. The lonely "For Carl" at the end was poignant, and sad.
    geordisjd, Oct 19, 2009
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  12. geordisjd Zealot

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    geordisjd, Oct 19, 2009
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    USOApps likes this.
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  13. Youngbinks Zealot

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    I love the movie Contact. I always get excited when I see it on TV.
    Youngbinks, Oct 19, 2009
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  14. The Apple Zealot

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    Hubble FTW.
    The Apple, Oct 19, 2009
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  15. JWiPhone Evangelist

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    I have the App, Star Walk which is pretty cool. There are several astronomy apps but Star Walk is my favorite.
    JWiPhone, Oct 19, 2009
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  16. psylichon Moderator

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    Nice thread, but about half of the live threads on this board currently start with the word official. :)

    Its getting kind of silly looking don't you think?
    psylichon, Oct 19, 2009
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  17. Napoleon PhoneApart Moderator

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    I think the word "official" is just there to try to keep from having multiple threads. Success varies...
    Napoleon PhoneApart, Oct 19, 2009
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  18. KrakaJap Zealot

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    StarWalk used to be my favorite until I found StarmapPro!!! More expensive but it can do just about everything! Even control your telescope through wifi or adhoc with the associated app installed on your laptop. :)
    KrakaJap, Oct 19, 2009
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  19. JWiPhone Evangelist

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    Yes, you are right about that for the die-hard astronomer who has the telescope equipment. For the rest of us without telescopes such as myself I'm happy with Star Walk. :)
    JWiPhone, Oct 19, 2009
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  20. KrakaJap Zealot

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    KrakaJap, Oct 19, 2009
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