Anyone else watching The Universe marathon on History Channel?

[pokerfan]

It doesn't have the poetry of Sagan, but it has the advantage of being up to date.

[nytemare]

1. I was just thinking about Sagan when I read the thread subject line.

It is a good series, some things updated since Cosmos, but much of what was in Cosmos is reapeated in almost every science series I have seen.

I always hear the line about there being more stars in the universe than grains of sand on every beach of the planet Earth. That line, got me hook, line, and sinker. That being said, it has never been said like Sagan. We lost a true pioneer in him.

[pokerfan]

4. Starstuff is what hooked me on Cosmos back then

Given that supernovas are the source of all the elements in the universe heavier than oxygen.

No supernova, no starstuff, no life as we know it on Earth.

[nytemare]

6. I also like the fact that without a moon, we would probably not be here.

There is not a book I've read from him I haven't loved.

[pokerfan]

7. or a magnetic field to protect us from ionizing solar radiation

or a giant gas planet hoovering up a lot of the dangerous objects.

Or a whole lot of things that would have prevented life as we know it from arising.

But that's the key point. Life as we know it. What about life as we don't know it?

[nytemare]

9. Like the "Sinkers" and "Floaters" on Jupiter?

I think they revisited that gander of the imagination in "The Universe". The nod to Sagan was nice to see.

[pokerfan]

10. Don't forget the hunters!

I've read enough SF over the years that I've literally seen it all.

It just seems like when we say things like how fortunate we have a moon, a magnetic field, etc. we are simply describing the environments we are adapted to, not necessarily those environments that can sustain other life.

I really want to know what's beneath the ice on Europa.

[nytemare]

11. I was watching a science program on Europa

They were working on a probe to go into the ice. They were trying it on a lake submerged beneath the ice in Antarctica. It has been awhile, so I can't remember too much more on it, but it was pretty interesting.

We see how, on Earth, life emerges in such extreme circumstances as in that lake, and near the hydrothermal vents, so it makes it seem more possible for life to exist in places like Europa, no matter how cold.

I am a science geek. I can't help it. :)

[AnnieBW]

2. Not the marathon

But I have been watching the series. Very cool.

[pokerfan]

8. I caught some of the regular airings

but it was nice to have the marathon and catch the ones I hadn't seen.

[MysticalChicken]

3. I've seen all the episodes, so...

no, I didn't watch the marathon. But it is one of my favorite series, as I've been an astronomy freak since approximately the age of seven.

[pokerfan]

5. I've been an astronomy feak for about forty years

I don't have a decent picture of my current scope, but this is pretty close:

[qdemn7]

12. Really? great!

So what would you recommend in a small Cassegrain telescope (8 inches)? I want one with the computerized go-to / tracking functions.

[pokerfan]

13. I take it this would not be your first scope?

Because I don't think one should start with a goto scope.

[qdemn7]

14. Yes, it would. Why not?

So give me a recommendation for an 8in Cassegrain with what you think would be a good long term scope for a newbie.

[pokerfan]

15. I honestly don't know enough about them

Some in my club have them but most of us have the biggest Newtonian Dobs we can manage.

One reason is that the Astronomical League doesn't allow go-to scopes or even setting circles to issue a Messier Certificate. I think there is great value in learning how to read a star map and tracking down those little faint fuzzies the old fashioned way.

Another reason is that you get the most bang for the buck with a Newtonian reflector. You get the most aperture for the money.

You might want to contact your local club and find out when they will be having their next star party. They will be more than happy to let you look through their scopes and talk about their advantages and disadvantages.

You shuld be able to find one here:
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/organizations

[qdemn7]

16. Thanks for your help and for the links n/t

[edbermac]

17. Saw something with Alan Alda on PBS.

Using telescopes and computers to map the galaxy and determine where new ones are forming, black holes etc; very fascinating. Called Dark Side Of The Universe.