Journey to the edge of the universe

[Lakitu]

I watched the above named documentary a couple of nights ago. Absolutely mind blowing stuff.

If you didn't, it's a journey to the edge of the universe in one shot - obviously computer generated - we get taken from planet to planet, star to star, black hole to black hole etc., until we can go no futher.

Other than what we DO know (the planets surrounding us in our galaxy etc.), was the rest of it factually accurate? Have scientists found a way to see outside the milky way? Do we know for sure what the galaxies hundreds of thousands lightyears away look like?

This is a link to the National Geographic webpage for the documentary

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/ journey-to-the-edge-of-the-universe-3023/Overv iew77#tab-Overview

You can travel yourself by going to the 'Go to the edge' tab.

The documentary is still available on Sky Anytime for those of you who have Sky+ and are interested.

[Lakitu]

Clanad, did George Carlin really believe that RE the dark sucker?

[Clanad]

You would doubt the inveterate George Carlin (God rest his soul)?

[Lakitu]

Well...the concept is a bit...erm....daft LOL

What did he make of it when a candle or lightbulb was taken outside in the blazing sun and no darkness to be sucked?

[R1Geezer]

for the record Clanad in UK we still prefer the Mile, ie C=182232miles per second in a vacuum of course. There are some nasty big brusselsprouts that would have us cede all imperial measure but there is a sizable following for them, especially in green grocer shops!

[Clanad]

My turn R1Geezer... isn't the speed of c actually 186,282 miles per second? Not to be overly pedantic... nor, brussels sproutish...

[Clanad]

Daft? Daft!... it makes perfect sense if you think about Lakitu... it solves a lot of problems we'd rather not think about, no?

Actually, there's an easy answer to your question that I'm surprised that you haven't deduced. Outside, in blazing sunlight, one would have a shadow, no? I suspect that if you turned on a light bulb or lit a candle, there would be a measurable shrinkage of your sahadow... Although I haven't actually performed the experiment... I'm sure it's valid...

[Lakitu]

You've got me sitting back and thinking about this 'dark suckers' now. You just know I'm going to have to perform the shadow experiment in the Summer.

[R1Geezer]

probably mis remembered Clanad still won't argue over 50mph!

[Clanad]

Actually, 243,000 mph, Geezer... pedanticism marches on...

[R1Geezer]

sorry I meant 186232, now 186282!

[jake-the-peg]

Who's this "we" Geezer

You won't find any Astronomers or Physicists working in Miles in this country and even in the US it's becoming a thing of the past in such circles!.

We do also tend to use Parsecs rather than light years for astronomical distances too.

The reason for this is that a Parsec is the distance where an astronomical object exhibits 1" paralax.

So it can be measured by direct observation. Other distances can be measured knowing the distace of closer ones that are measured in this way.

So the Parsec, KiloParsec and MegaParsec come from observation whereas light years have to be converted into.

[naomi24]

Zac, You watched it last night! I've searched the TV pages for the programme, but can't find it. Do you know when it's on again?

[Lakitu]

Do you have Sky+, Naomi?

If you do, it's in the Documentaries part in Anytime TV. If not, I'll keep an eye out for you x

[Lakitu]

Haha! Did Mrs Z find it fascinating too??

[Lakitu]

Awww, that's a pity, I'm sure that those who don't show much interest in space couldn't help but be absorbed by the documentary.

[naomi24]

Yes, I do have Sky+ Lakitu, and I'd be very grateful if you - or anyone - could let me know when this programme is being shown again. I really would love to see it. Thank you very much.

[joggerjayne]

I've kept seeing this thread coming up in "Recent Posts".

I'd assumed it was something to do with the Scottish tourist industry.

[Lakitu]

OK, you can watch it at anytime you want, Naomi :o)

Press your TV guide on your remote, hit the red button, which will take you to 'Anytime TV' (it's a selection of stuff that's been on over the past week), then click the yellow button, this will take you to the Documentaries and it's listed in there..just press select.

If you start recording it while you're watching it, it will save itself into your planner for you to watch again if you want, but you MUST watch it the first time as it will only record as much as you watch.