Comments on: Tour the galaxy with this pan-and-scan all-sky picture! http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Fri, 25 May 2012 07:33:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: flip http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-380182 flip Sun, 01 May 2011 06:46:46 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-380182 Annoying that there's no where on the site to leave comments. So I'll leave mine here: That is SO amazing. I'm impressed by the amount of work that went into it. Not just taking panoramic shots, but then the interactive version. The ability to turn on/off constellations/stars/planets had me even more impressed, until my mind was blown by the small galaxy in the corner which showed the field of view in relation to Earth and the galaxy. The amount of time and effort that goes into making something like this... well, it's just worth a big thumbs up! One small thing I would have done was included a key: the green line I presume is the ecliptic? Even though I could guess this myself, a key would help those less astronomy-educated. Annoying that there’s no where on the site to leave comments. So I’ll leave mine here:

That is SO amazing. I’m impressed by the amount of work that went into it. Not just taking panoramic shots, but then the interactive version. The ability to turn on/off constellations/stars/planets had me even more impressed, until my mind was blown by the small galaxy in the corner which showed the field of view in relation to Earth and the galaxy. The amount of time and effort that goes into making something like this… well, it’s just worth a big thumbs up!

One small thing I would have done was included a key: the green line I presume is the ecliptic? Even though I could guess this myself, a key would help those less astronomy-educated.

]]> By: Wozza http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-380052 Wozza Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:38:27 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-380052 This is the most awesome thing I've seen. Got my kids hooked too. So much work must've gone into this but it is so simple for them to use. This is the most awesome thing I’ve seen. Got my kids hooked too. So much work must’ve gone into this but it is so simple for them to use.

]]> By: Give This Man an Award « astrowriter http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-379883 Give This Man an Award « astrowriter Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:30:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-379883 [...] recently came across this from one of Phil Plait’s posts on Bad Astronomy, and let me tell you it’s [...] [...] recently came across this from one of Phil Plait’s posts on Bad Astronomy, and let me tell you it’s [...]

]]> By: Daniel J. Andrews http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-379865 Daniel J. Andrews Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:21:22 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-379865 He says he traveled with his retired father. That makes the trip all the more special. I did a 6 week tour of parts of the U.S. and Canada with my dad, and we had a wonderful time. My mom tells me dad still talks about it, and when the inevitable happens to my folks, that trip with my dad will warm my memories greatly. Great job, Nick, and well done! (and I'm not just talking about the interactive photo either). He says he traveled with his retired father. That makes the trip all the more special. I did a 6 week tour of parts of the U.S. and Canada with my dad, and we had a wonderful time. My mom tells me dad still talks about it, and when the inevitable happens to my folks, that trip with my dad will warm my memories greatly.

Great job, Nick, and well done! (and I’m not just talking about the interactive photo either).

]]> By: Vex http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-379786 Vex Fri, 29 Apr 2011 02:37:19 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-379786 I will not play with this at work. I will not play with this at work. I will not play with this at work. That's it, I'm calling in sick.... I will not play with this at work. I will not play with this at work. I will not play with this at work.

That’s it, I’m calling in sick….

]]> By: Brian Too http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-379774 Brian Too Fri, 29 Apr 2011 01:44:54 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-379774 The technology basis of this appears to be Adobe Flash with an extension or framework called OpenZoom. The author of OpenZoom also references a Microsoft technology called SeaDragon. The overall effect is much like using Google Earth. It seems to dynamically download only the parts of the image you are currently looking at, with content provided at your current zoom level. This achieves good interactive performance by providing an initial level of detail (not so good) and then fills in better quality tiles as the remote server and your network link can deliver them. With these systems the usual limiting factor on system performance is the speed of your network connection. A very impressive system. And one that does not need special client software. This speaks to the continuing usefulness of Flash in the computing ecosystem. Flash isn't always about creating garish web sites! The technology basis of this appears to be Adobe Flash with an extension or framework called OpenZoom. The author of OpenZoom also references a Microsoft technology called SeaDragon.

The overall effect is much like using Google Earth. It seems to dynamically download only the parts of the image you are currently looking at, with content provided at your current zoom level. This achieves good interactive performance by providing an initial level of detail (not so good) and then fills in better quality tiles as the remote server and your network link can deliver them.

With these systems the usual limiting factor on system performance is the speed of your network connection.

A very impressive system. And one that does not need special client software. This speaks to the continuing usefulness of Flash in the computing ecosystem. Flash isn’t always about creating garish web sites!

]]> By: Joseph G http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-379754 Joseph G Thu, 28 Apr 2011 23:20:57 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-379754 @10 PsyberDave: If Moore's law holds for megapixels as well as computers, about 13 years for a 5 gigapixel camera to come out, though it probably won't be $99 for another few years after that :D @10 PsyberDave: If Moore’s law holds for megapixels as well as computers, about 13 years for a 5 gigapixel camera to come out, though it probably won’t be $99 for another few years after that :D

]]> By: Joseph G http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-379753 Joseph G Thu, 28 Apr 2011 23:13:50 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-379753 @ 11 Chris: Well yes, and Google Sky lets you zoom in further. But it's not as seamless as this - not by a long shot. Even the Milky Way from a very wide FOV in Google Sky has big blocky chunks visible. GSky may be technically superior, but this one is just beautiful... Topographic map vs watercolor landscape: which do you want on your living room wall? :P (Ok, if you're a geek like me, you'd probably go with the topographic map. Or better yet, an aviation chart. I love av charts, possibly because I still harbor unlikely dreams of being a pilot when I grow up) :D @ 11 Chris: Well yes, and Google Sky lets you zoom in further. But it’s not as seamless as this – not by a long shot. Even the Milky Way from a very wide FOV in Google Sky has big blocky chunks visible.
GSky may be technically superior, but this one is just beautiful… Topographic map vs watercolor landscape: which do you want on your living room wall? :P
(Ok, if you’re a geek like me, you’d probably go with the topographic map. Or better yet, an aviation chart. I love av charts, possibly because I still harbor unlikely dreams of being a pilot when I grow up) :D

]]> By: Glenn http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-379746 Glenn Thu, 28 Apr 2011 22:33:07 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-379746 Superb piece of work, Nick, and I'm really looking forward to fully exploring it. Hope you don't mind if I add a personal note to Glen (with one "N" )and Messier Tidy Upper: This is SO weird. As noted, my name is Glenn (with two "N's" ) and I make my living as a Screenwriter. I was the Story Editor (head writer) on the Canadian TV series, "Mysterious Island," and in one of the episodes I wrote, our castaways ran into a tribe of Natives, whose female leader explained the Earth as being the back of a giant turtle. When our castaway leader asked what the Turtle was standing on, the woman answered, "Silly man ... It be Turtles all the way down"! So you can imagine my surprise when I read your notes. Superb piece of work, Nick, and I’m really looking forward to fully exploring it. Hope you don’t mind if I add a personal note to Glen (with one “N” )and Messier Tidy Upper: This is SO weird. As noted, my name is Glenn (with two “N’s” ) and I make my living as a Screenwriter. I was the Story Editor (head writer) on the Canadian TV series, “Mysterious Island,” and in one of the episodes I wrote, our castaways ran into a tribe of Natives, whose female leader explained the Earth as being the back of a giant turtle. When our castaway leader asked what the Turtle was standing on, the woman answered, “Silly man … It be Turtles all the way down”! So you can imagine my surprise when I read your notes.

]]> By: Mathias R. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-379715 Mathias R. Thu, 28 Apr 2011 20:33:44 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-379715 i want a print of that. :-( i want a print of that. :-(

]]> By: MarkyMark http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-379701 MarkyMark Thu, 28 Apr 2011 19:49:12 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-379701 so how many other galaxies can we see in this picture? so how many other galaxies can we see in this picture?

]]> By: Chris http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-379697 Chris Thu, 28 Apr 2011 19:25:10 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-379697 Not to diminish what he did, but didn't Google Sky do this a few years ago? Not to diminish what he did, but didn’t Google Sky do this a few years ago?

]]> By: PsyberDave http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-379682 PsyberDave Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:48:10 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-379682 That's equivalent to a 5 gigapixel camera. How long is it going to be before I can pick one up at Best Buy for $99? That’s equivalent to a 5 gigapixel camera. How long is it going to be before I can pick one up at Best Buy for $99?

]]> By: Chip http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-379674 Chip Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:35:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-379674 This is really cool! I noticed on extreme closeup he occasionally slips in his copyright notice- (which doesn't interfere with the view.) - or perhaps those are large alien structures. ;) I like zooming in on the nebulae too! This is really cool!

I noticed on extreme closeup he occasionally slips in his copyright notice- (which doesn’t interfere with the view.) – or perhaps those are large alien structures. ;)

I like zooming in on the nebulae too!

]]> By: Damon http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-379671 Damon Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:25:22 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-379671 Stunning. And thorough. Stunning. And thorough.

]]> By: Joseph G http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-379668 Joseph G Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:07:10 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-379668 Lens-flares! Bahaha! I guess if you've put that much time into something, you want to spiff it up. As if it needed it!! Lens-flares! Bahaha!
I guess if you’ve put that much time into something, you want to spiff it up. As if it needed it!!

]]> By: Joseph G http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-379665 Joseph G Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:02:34 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-379665 I really wish I could post images, because "Wow!" doesn't do this justice. Imagine a picture of a couple of eyes bugging out... Sweet Spaghetti, this is the closest thing I've ever seen to a Total Perspective Vortex :) Thankfully... :P I really wish I could post images, because “Wow!” doesn’t do this justice.
Imagine a picture of a couple of eyes bugging out…

Sweet Spaghetti, this is the closest thing I’ve ever seen to a Total Perspective Vortex :)
Thankfully… :P

]]> By: Messier Tidy Upper http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-379640 Messier Tidy Upper Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:05:23 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-379640 @ ^ Glen : Keep looking - all the way down .. ;-) @ ^ Glen : Keep looking – all the way down .. ;-)

]]> By: Austen Redman http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-379637 Austen Redman Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:56:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-379637 I had great fun identifying Orion and and other familiar constellations. If you zoom out and pan around you rally get a sense of our position in the galaxy. I had great fun identifying Orion and and other familiar constellations. If you zoom out and pan around you rally get a sense of our position in the galaxy.

]]> By: Glen http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-379631 Glen Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:43:43 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-379631 where are the turtles? where are the turtles?

]]> By: TechyDad http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-379630 TechyDad Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:40:21 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-379630 *shakes fist* Curse you, Phil Plait and Nick Risinger! The first half of my day was so productive and now I just know I'm going to be looking at this for the rest of the day. Especially since I accidentally figured out the keyboard commands. Up, Down, Left & Right arrows to pan. Control to zoom out. Shift to zoom in. And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to zoom in on this second star to the right... *shakes fist* Curse you, Phil Plait and Nick Risinger! The first half of my day was so productive and now I just know I’m going to be looking at this for the rest of the day. Especially since I accidentally figured out the keyboard commands. Up, Down, Left & Right arrows to pan. Control to zoom out. Shift to zoom in.

And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to zoom in on this second star to the right…

]]> By: Messier Tidy Upper http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/04/28/tour-the-galaxy-with-this-pan-and-scan-all-sky-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-379616 Messier Tidy Upper Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:11:28 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/?p=31500#comment-379616 I'm glad he did this too. Superluminous <i>(beyond merely brilliant)</i> image. Thankyou. :-) I’m glad he did this too. Superluminous (beyond merely brilliant) image. Thankyou. :-)

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