A Stunning New Image of The Pillars of Creation

The European Space Agency’s Herschel Space Observatory released a stunning new image of the Eagle Nebula and the area of star formation known as the Pillars of Creation. The Herschel Observatory focuses on the far infrared spectrum and is capable of seeing the coldest and dustiest objects in space. In this image the observatory shows this well know Nebula in Spectacular color in detail in spectacular detail. The Pillars of Creation can be seen sticking up in the central-lower part of the image.  Thanks to the Daily Mail for the image and  article:

This image is taken from the x-ray and infrared spectrum as opposed to the Hubble image below that is in the visible spectrum.  Hubble’s picture was taken in 1995 and is one of the most famous images in the legacy of the space telescope.

In other space news be sure to check out the Hubble 3D film at your local IMAX theater (probably at your local science museum). Here’s a look at the trailer.

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Magic Mushrooms to Return to Psychology Labs

‘Magic Mushrooms’ Return to Psychology Labs 40 Years After Leary – Bloomberg.

The Coolest Video of The Earth You’ll See All Day

The music is a bit annoying and the video goes on for five minutes, but what else are you doing for the next five minutes?

Earth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael König on Vimeo.

JAW DROPPING Space Station time lapse! | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine.

Happy Solstice!

The monolith – moon – sun alignment from 2001.

Happy Equinox!

The “snake” descending EL Castillo in Chitzen Itza on the vernal equinox.

Remember Zeitgeist?

Well here is a follow up: Zeitgeist: Addendum

Cross-Cultural Divinations

Over at Reality Sandwich they take a quick look at a new book, Toltec I Ching, book that analyzes the I Ching along side the American “Long Count” cultures that end in 2012.  Geez, 2012 seems to be very where these days – but this book deserves an extra look.  I don’t think it is claiming any divine prophecy.

Shadows on Saturn’s Rings

New photos from the Cassini space-craft have returned these amazing photos of Saturn’s rings.

“What’s that jaggedy dark stuff behind the brightest ringlet in the image? We’re only a few months away from Saturn’s equinox, the day when the Sun will pass through the plane of Saturn’s rings. So to an observer standing on Saturn’s rings, the Sun is beginning to set, and casting long shadows. We’re seeing shadows cast from structure within Saturn’s rings. COOOOOOOL.”

Read the rest from Emily Lakdawalla at the Planetary Society.

2012 & the Coming of the Antichrist

Now here is an interesting and strange look at the 2012 phenomenon.  2012 and the Anti-Christ?  Judge for yourself: Christ & the Maya Calendar: 2012 & the Coming of the Antichrist.

Happy Noruz!

I would like to wish everyone out there a happy Noruz – or as most of the world knows it by: Happy Vernal Equinox.  Now which one has more of a ring to it?  Noruz is the Persian New Year and I certainly agree that the spring equinox is a much more appropriate new year than January 1sr.  Today the light and the dark are balanced and for the next 6 months t light shall grow.  Plus, spring has always been about re-birth.  So, Happy New Year and Happy Noruz!