RandyMacSC/SO - 10-30-2004 at 10:44 PM
I very much enjoy the solitude of a clear evening in a remote Baja location where I can sit a watch shooting stars all night long.
I was doing some searches tonight and I came across this awe inspiring photo, which has been labled "The EYE OF GOD".
This picture was taken with NASA HUBBLE telescope and is called the "THE EYE OF GOD".
Thought it was an awesome picture that needed to be shared with Baja startgazers.
Star Gazing with Starry Night's astronomy software
RandyMacSC/SO - 10-30-2004 at 11:01 PM
A few years ago, just before I went to the Baja, I attended a MacWorld conference, and on the last day the author of the award-winning, brilliantly
realistic Starry Night astronomy software brought a package of his real cool software over to our booth and gave me a copy.
When packing for my trip, I decided to bring the CD along with my portable iBook and my Meade telescope. A good decision, as this cool software
allowed me to learn more about the stars, constellations and our vast galaxy than I ever considered possible. Definitely an item to have if you enjoy
stargazing in the Baja.
If you have a portable and want to learn about the sky above, check this site out.
http://www.starrynight.com/astro_jump.html
Many many new features in version 5.0 since the version that I first got a few years ago. Time to upgrade for me. Oh yeh, it's Available for Mac and
Windows.
RandyMac
elgatoloco - 10-30-2004 at 11:52 PM
In May of 2002 we spent 3 nights camped at Requeson and I made sure that EVERY other person camping there saw the five planets that were all visible
together after sunset. I walked around and introduced myself holding my 'map to the stars'. It was fun and something that doesn't happen often , for
sure. I think it will be another 60 years or so before they are that closely aligned.
In 95 we camped at Abreojos and on a moonless night we found Andromeda using binoculars. Every night for a week we could hardly wait for it to get
dark.
David K - 10-31-2004 at 01:27 AM
Andromeda is the furthest object one can see without any instruments... it is the next full size galaxy out from our own galaxy, the Milky Way. Light
that you see now was created over 2 million years ago. If Andromeda disappears tomorrow, we wouldn't know it for 2.2 million years!
Only on dark moonless nights, far from cities can one see the fuzzy glow.
Eye of God = Helix Nebula?
Frigatebird - 10-31-2004 at 06:24 PM
If this photo is the Helix, it is the result of the outer layers of the central star being blown off into space! 
The star was previously a Red Giant, 
many times the size of our sun. Our own star will go through this same process as it ages and uses up it supply
of hydrogen fuel. Fortunately for us, this will not occur for several billion years, at which time David K. will need to change his Avatar to a
redder color. 
Frigatebird
David K - 10-31-2004 at 06:35 PM
OK... just let me know a day or two in advance Frigatebird!
Bruce R Leech - 10-31-2004 at 09:41 PM
Get out the weenies and marshmallows
Bruce
on a more serious note
thebajarunner - 10-31-2004 at 11:05 PM
Check out the wonderous morning "ballet" between Venus and Jupiter.
(you do need to arise an hour before sunrise to appreciate this one, however)
It is simply dazzling!!
Baja Arriba!!
Ohos Azul
Capt. George - 11-1-2004 at 05:39 AM
Glad the eye is blue, maybe I'll get in after all????