Pictures of Earth taken from Saturn

Platapus · 07-23-13, 04:16 PM

A billion miles away! From our Earth perspective, that's a long way. From a galaxy perspective, hardly worth measuring.

A billion miles is about 0.2 light years.

The closest star to our solar system is Proxima Centauri (Wasn't he in Transformers?) and that is about 4 light years away.

Rhodes · 07-23-13, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

The closest star to our solar system is Proxima Centauri (Wasn't he in Transformers?) and that is about 4 light years away.

There is no transformer with that name, I think!

So Proxima Centauri is the nearest star and Alpha Centauri is the nearest star system?

Of the photos, marvellous!

Platapus · 07-23-13, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhodes

There is no transformer with that name, I think!

So Proxima Centauri is the nearest star and Alpha Centauri is the nearest star system?

Alpha Centauri is a binary star system in which the two stars (Alpha Centauri A and Alpha Centauri B) are close enough to resolve as one bright (third brightest star) point of light. A third star of that system is Proxima Centauri (Alpha Centauri C) which can't be seen with the human eye only. Currently Proxima Centauri is the closest star.

The Centaurus Constellation is observable from the Southern Hemisphere.

Alpha Centauri B should not be confused with Beta Centaurus which is a different star system.

More than you probably ever wanted to know.

Rhodes · 07-24-13, 03:56 AM

Not at all, Platapus, astronomy is one of my interests! Thanks!

Jimbuna · 07-24-13, 04:45 AM

Much better pictures, thanks

Pisces · 07-24-13, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

A billion miles away! From our Earth perspective, that's a long way. From a galaxy perspective, hardly worth measuring.

A billion miles is about 0.2 light years.

The closest star to our solar system is Proxima Centauri (Wasn't he in Transformers?) and that is about 4 light years away.

That billion is probably meant to be 1.000.000.000, miles. (a thousand million) Which would be a light time of about 1.5 hours. A million million miles would be a light time of 61 days, which would be closer to your 0.2 light years.

The definition of 'billion' differs between countries/languages.

AVGWarhawk · 07-24-13, 02:08 PM

All I can say is.....the Voyager is far far away! Holy mackerel.

eddie · 07-24-13, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

All I can say is.....the Voyager is far far away! Holy mackerel.

Obviously you mean't the Cassini spacecraft which took those pictures. Its in orbit around Saturn ATM, but if you want to see a different perspective of Saturn from Voyager, check this out!! Not sure how long ago it was taken, but Saturn is in the lower left corner of the picture. Can't even see its rings.

One of the last pics of earth from Voyager, and like the caption says, that's all of us,lol It takes something like over 14 hours to get a signal from Voyager right now, I'd say that Voyager is definitely going where no man made spacecraft has gone before!

Jimbuna · 07-24-13, 03:54 PM

As far away from my Uranus if you'd be so kind

eddie · 07-24-13, 04:46 PM

After remark like that Jim, you should end up in irons,lol

Jimbuna · 07-24-13, 05:04 PM

Just as long as it is far enough away I'll be content

Platapus · 07-24-13, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pisces

That billion is probably meant to be 1.000.000.000, miles. (a thousand million) Which would be a light time of about 1.5 hours. A million million miles would be a light time of 61 days, which would be closer to your 0.2 light years.

The definition of 'billion' differs between countries/languages.

Yeah yeah, but since 1974 all the important countries finally agreed with the good ole US of A!!!!!

07-23-13, 04:16 PM	#1
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,442 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	A billion miles away! From our Earth perspective, that's a long way. From a galaxy perspective, hardly worth measuring. A billion miles is about 0.2 light years. The closest star to our solar system is Proxima Centauri (Wasn't he in Transformers?) and that is about 4 light years away. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

07-24-13, 03:56 AM	#4
Rhodes Silent Hunter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Figueira da Foz, Portugal Posts: 4,523 Downloads: 110 Uploads: 0	Not at all, Platapus, astronomy is one of my interests! Thanks! __________________ http://www.flickr.com/photos/16416646@N05/

07-24-13, 04:45 AM	#5
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 191,437 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Much better pictures, thanks __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

07-24-13, 02:08 PM	#7
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,303 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	All I can say is.....the Voyager is far far away! Holy mackerel. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

07-24-13, 03:54 PM	#9
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 191,437 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	As far away from my Uranus if you'd be so kind __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

07-24-13, 04:46 PM	#10
eddie Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,023 Downloads: 99 Uploads: 0	After remark like that Jim, you should end up in irons,lol

07-24-13, 05:04 PM	#11
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 191,437 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Just as long as it is far enough away I'll be content __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!