Sunday, June 14, 2009

Our Unquiet Sun

You are looking at a total solar eclipse isn't it fascinating? This thing, this star we call the Sun, and in latin is "Sol" makes our "Sol-ar" system the miracle it is. Without the gravity of this actually quite mediocre star, there would be no galaxy. Does that mean there would be no life?? That is exactly what it means. No life.




"Sol" is a star like many others its size, it's like a tiny nuclear reactor plant, using fusion to operate. If this planet were only a few inches closer or farther away, life couldn't have taken footholds here. That always makes me wonder exactly where WOULD it have started, if not here - on Earth. IF AT ALL. We've found the building blocks, the nitrates, the microbes, even the frozen water, but not the life we seek. Only here. And the Sun could wipe us out. Actually, one day it will - but humankind will have gone extinct by then, probably the last to extinguish.

And look at this Solar flare, doesn't it make you feel small and helpless against such forces? Amazing.





This is the moon as it "transits" or moves across the face of the Sun. It took over 12 hours to make the complete trip.






Can you see the light at the center of this nebula? It's coming into being - all those gases and dust clouds, all that space debris forming odd shapes and mysteries in our minds. Nebulas are nurseries for stars, this is where they're born.


Here's an X-ray image of the Sun, you wouldn't even recognize it otherwise. And this was taken while the Sun was "quiet" how incredible.


So restless, this unquiet star, Such power.

I truly believe the
ancients knew something about this orb of magic and wonder. What did they know that we may've forgotten?







Look closely as VENUS transits the Sun. See it?


If nothing else, we owe this star our everlasting WONDER.






14 comments:

Joann said...

I experienced a TOTAL eclipse once in 1990 in Guatemala, it was AMAZING!!! The village locals were so superstitious, it was funny!! LOL!!

Joan said...

When I was about 9 or 10 I remember being taken out to the playground to see a total eclipse and remember it well to this day and that was 60 years ago we had another one here a few years ago but it was a bit clouody that day. It brought a big lump to my throat find it a very emotional experience. Lovely entry great pictures. Love Joan.

Unknown said...

Wonderful pictures & wonderful thoughts. Eclipses are always breathtaking events. One of the most magical I've witnessed was a full lunar, not solar, eclipse just a few years back; I recall it was in the summer & it was since I moved to Idaho in 98.

Anonymous said...

love, love, LOVE the sun pictures. As always you've posted the most thought provoking questions.
I've been away for awhile, busy with moving and the wedding plans. Thanks for giving my brain the same kind of workout that my body is getting!
xoxo
MJ

Frequent Traveler said...

The whoile creation and evolving of earth, sun, moon, mind, water, etc., etc. is so amazing !! It really is incredible how it was all formed and came together and we can inhabit this abundant magical planet.

Big Mark 243 said...

We cetainly do owe wonder to our particular star.

I like how you open up with calling Sol 'mediocre'. That takes some perspective, and unfortunately there aren't a lot of us to actually consider what it means to 'be' -ing alive.

What a considered entry! I also wonder what we have 'fogotten' that earlier ages knew. We have allowed for so much to come 'be' -tween us and 'be'-ing, that I wonder how long it will be before we stop 'be'-ing 'hu'-man, connected to life and start to simply be man?

Gerry said...

It is no wonder a common phrase is Worshipper of the Sun. We have a lot of those in Arizona where the sun rules about now. We never forget about the sun in the summer as we swelter. Not here. Not in the Valley of the Sun, but we need a reminder now and then of what star is responsible for our very being. Gerry

tony said...

(putting to oneside the semi-fact that it is usually rainy&cloudy in England & we cant see a bloody thing in the Sky..!) YES!The Scale Makes Me Humble.......The Sun is strong enough to melt the largest Ego.It IS a thing of wonder indeed.

Lou said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Yours is pleasing to the eye!
I love stars, astrology, astronomy..these pictures are great.
I used to work afternoons, and I would be driving home at 1:00am some nights. I saw the most gorgeous full moons, and some nights, the bright planets. I considerd myself lucky, because most people slept right through it.

Ana said...

Thank you for reminding me the importance of this little star.
Love,
Ana

Remo said...

So few people realize the importance of the Sun in our climate and weather. Pity.

Charley said...

I think I feel a sunspot coming on ;).

In all reality should we be surprised with our ancestors' musings about the sun (and the moon, for that matter)? That which dominated their days and nights, which could change how well they saw, felt, and perceived time and place had to be a magnificent object worthy of praise....

DB said...

Excellent entry. I saw a solar eclipse once from a place where I couldn't look up at the sky. Instead I noticed that all the colors on the ground turned gray. So much color the sun gives us. We forget that. But the flowers know.

DB

Dave King said...

Picking up Remo's comment, I get the feeling that a lot of scientists underestimate its effect!