Comments on: The miracles of cosmology http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/ Random samplings from a universe of ideas. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:48:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: wes johnson http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/comment-page-1/#comment-24414 wes johnson Fri, 23 Feb 2007 07:11:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/#comment-24414 I first came up with a theory in the early 80's that predicted the acceleration, the axis of evil, the dipole pattern in the CMB, and as I have just recently read they found: the deceleration before the acceleration. I didn't publish back then because there were a few missing features of the theory, and it would have been considered absurd back then. The last several years I have further developed the theory. But so far I have had no response in my attempts to have it published. I am not in the biz. So I am currently finishing a book on the subject. Anybody interested in seeing this can email me. Cosmology needs help. I first came up with a theory in the early 80′s that predicted the acceleration, the axis of evil, the dipole pattern in the CMB, and as I have just recently read they found: the deceleration before the acceleration. I didn’t publish back then because there were a few missing features of the theory, and it would have been considered absurd back then. The last several years I have further developed the theory. But so far I have had no response in my attempts to have it published. I am not in the biz.

So I am currently finishing a book on the subject.

Anybody interested in seeing this can email me.

Cosmology needs help.

]]> By: Peter Fred http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/comment-page-1/#comment-24395 Peter Fred Wed, 14 Feb 2007 07:53:44 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/#comment-24395 daniel writes: <blockquote>Maybe the string of successes is about to end? It is conceivable that dark matter and dark energy, those mysterious elements which make up 95% of the energy density of the Universe, will remain "dark" to us forever.</blockquote> There's another possibility. Some one could come up with a theory that would make the dark energy and dark matter "superfluous" as Einstein did when he came up with Special Relativity which made the luminiferous ether unnecessary. daniel writes:

Maybe the string of successes is about to end? It is conceivable that dark matter and dark energy, those mysterious elements which make up 95% of the energy density of the Universe, will remain “dark” to us forever.

There’s another possibility. Some one could come up with a theory that would make the dark energy and dark matter “superfluous” as Einstein did when he came up with Special Relativity which made the luminiferous ether unnecessary.

]]> By: anon http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/comment-page-1/#comment-24398 anon Tue, 30 Jan 2007 02:25:34 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/#comment-24398 Perhaps you could replace the hubble with a massive optical telescope array connected together by reference laser beams in order to be able to combine the data together at a later time. THen you would get super duper resolution. Perhaps you could replace the hubble with a massive optical telescope array connected together by reference laser beams in order to be able to combine the data together at a later time. THen you would get super duper resolution.

]]> By: daniel http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/comment-page-1/#comment-24396 daniel Mon, 29 Jan 2007 23:40:10 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/#comment-24396 Hi Bob, Wish I could say I was doing something super fancy, but I'm not. Just red text on black background. The combination of colors sort of makes the eyes swim (bug? feature?). For what it's worth, the font is Arial. Hi Bob, Wish I could say I was doing something super fancy, but I’m not. Just red text on black background. The combination of colors sort of makes the eyes swim (bug? feature?). For what it’s worth, the font is Arial.

]]> By: Bob E. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/comment-page-1/#comment-24397 Bob E. Mon, 29 Jan 2007 19:57:03 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/#comment-24397 Hi Daniel, This is a bit off-topic. I glanced at your web page and was wondering how the red text with the cool optical illusion of being "lifted" off the page was done. I can't recall seeing anything like this before. I am not a web design guru by any means (actually I'm a grad phys student). Thanks & welcome. Bob E. Hi Daniel,
This is a bit off-topic. I glanced at your web page and was wondering how the red text with the cool optical illusion of being “lifted” off the page was done. I can’t recall seeing anything like this before. I am not a web design guru by any means (actually I’m a grad phys student). Thanks & welcome.
Bob E.

]]> By: Plato http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/comment-page-1/#comment-24415 Plato Mon, 29 Jan 2007 07:55:22 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/#comment-24415 should read....."copied" by Camille Flammarion should read…..”copied” by Camille Flammarion

]]> By: Plato http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/comment-page-1/#comment-24416 Plato Mon, 29 Jan 2007 07:53:51 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/#comment-24416 <Blockquote><i>"We all are of the citizens of the Sky"</i> <b>Camille Flammarion</b></blockquote> I know most certainly that the quote of Camille's above will resonate with some. I think it was called "Man Looking into Space" and was copied as TBB said in 1888 and was of a "16 century woodcut" by Camille Flammarion.

“We all are of the citizens of the Sky” Camille Flammarion

I know most certainly that the quote of Camille’s above will resonate with some.

I think it was called “Man Looking into Space” and was copied as TBB said in 1888 and was of a “16 century woodcut” by Camille Flammarion.

]]> By: daniel http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/comment-page-1/#comment-24417 daniel Mon, 29 Jan 2007 06:51:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/#comment-24417 TBB, thanks for the detailed clarification. It's certainly an iconic image; perfectly captures what we're trying to do. If only it were that easy. TBB, thanks for the detailed clarification. It’s certainly an iconic image; perfectly captures what we’re trying to do. If only it were that easy.

]]> By: TBB http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/comment-page-1/#comment-24418 TBB Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:56:37 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/#comment-24418 I'm not sure what Spyder is referring to, but the "painting" is originally a woodcut and it's origin is nebulous: <blockquote>The Flammarion woodcut is an anonymous woodcut, so named because its first documented appearance is in Camille Flammarion's L'atmosphère: météorologie populaire ("The Atmosphere: Popular Meteorology"). [1888] <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flammarion_woodcut" rel="nofollow">See Wikipedia: Flammarion Woodcut</a></blockquote> I found out about it by way of a <a href="http://quasar.physik.unibas.ch/~aste/universeandman.html" rel="nofollow">Swiss physicist's web page</a> where he copied it from Photodisc, Inc. with its description. This color image is titled "The Universe and Man." I noticed that several physics and astronomy edu sites have used it as well. As another site said, "it [appears] to be a reconstruction of a medieval conception of the universe." It's prettier when colored or painted. I’m not sure what Spyder is referring to, but the “painting” is originally a woodcut and it’s origin is nebulous:

The Flammarion woodcut is an anonymous woodcut, so named because its first documented appearance is in Camille Flammarion’s L’atmosphère: météorologie populaire (“The Atmosphere: Popular Meteorology”). [1888]
See Wikipedia: Flammarion Woodcut

I found out about it by way of a Swiss physicist’s web page where he copied it from Photodisc, Inc. with its description. This color image is titled “The Universe and Man.”

I noticed that several physics and astronomy edu sites have used it as well. As another site said, “it [appears] to be a reconstruction of a medieval conception of the universe.” It’s prettier when colored or painted.

]]> By: What about cosmology? « My agnostic views about reason, God and life http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/comment-page-1/#comment-24419 What about cosmology? « My agnostic views about reason, God and life Mon, 29 Jan 2007 03:43:40 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/#comment-24419 [...] [...] [...] [...]

]]> By: Andrew http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/comment-page-1/#comment-24399 Andrew Mon, 29 Jan 2007 03:01:08 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/#comment-24399 Daniel - I see you joined the bandwagon. Exciting! I will look forward to receiving regular nuggets of wisdom from you now. Daniel – I see you joined the bandwagon. Exciting! I will look forward to receiving regular nuggets of wisdom from you now.

]]> By: daniel http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/comment-page-1/#comment-24401 daniel Mon, 29 Jan 2007 01:25:15 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/#comment-24401 spyder, do you know when it was painted? spyder, do you know when it was painted?

]]> By: daniel http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/comment-page-1/#comment-24400 daniel Mon, 29 Jan 2007 01:23:06 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/#comment-24400 Everyone, thanks for the good wishes and encouragement! It's nice to join the family. fh, you make a good (though somewhat depressing) point. I suppose some would argue that capitalism is innate and primal. But I prefer your point of view. Jennifer, I did get that email about "Saving Hubble". The back-and-forth with servicing Hubble has certainly epitomized many of the problems at NASA. I think they've been amazed at the public outcry. Truth is, I think even many people in the broader astronomy community have been surprised. There's no doubt that the Hubble images have touched a nerve; they are hauntingly beautiful, and one cannot help but be moved. And there's good science to boot! kmeson, come visit! you're just next door, right? Everyone, thanks for the good wishes and encouragement! It’s nice to join the family.

fh, you make a good (though somewhat depressing) point. I suppose some would argue that capitalism is innate and primal. But I prefer your point of view.

Jennifer, I did get that email about “Saving Hubble”. The back-and-forth with servicing Hubble has certainly epitomized many of the problems at NASA. I think they’ve been amazed at the public outcry. Truth is, I think even many people in the broader astronomy community have been surprised. There’s no doubt that the Hubble images have touched a nerve; they are hauntingly beautiful, and one cannot help but be moved. And there’s good science to boot!

kmeson, come visit! you’re just next door, right?

]]> By: kmeson http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/comment-page-1/#comment-24402 kmeson Mon, 29 Jan 2007 00:36:04 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/#comment-24402 Hi Daniel - I must say I'm not too surprised these guys pulled you into the fold. I'm a regular reader of CV (normally with a little bit of Von Freeman on in the background). Jen says hi too. Cheers, Hi Daniel -
I must say I’m not too surprised these guys pulled you into the fold. I’m a regular reader of CV (normally with a little bit of Von Freeman on in the background). Jen says hi too.

Cheers,

]]> By: Jennifer http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/comment-page-1/#comment-24403 Jennifer Mon, 29 Jan 2007 00:05:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/#comment-24403 Welcome Daniel, and a lovely first post....seeing you on CV makes me miss Santa Barbara even more! Did you all get a mail from the "Saving Hubble" documentary filmmakers? They say they are making a film that goes beyond Hubble to an examination of NASA and government priorities in spending, it looks potentially very interesting.. www.savinghubble.com Ciao, and welcome to the other new bloggers too, I wonder if all the citizens we've sent forth will end up on CV, hope so... Welcome Daniel, and a lovely first post….seeing you on CV makes me miss Santa Barbara even more!

Did you all get a mail from the “Saving Hubble” documentary filmmakers? They say they are making a film that goes beyond Hubble to an examination of NASA and government priorities in spending, it looks potentially very interesting..

http://www.savinghubble.com
Ciao, and welcome to the other new bloggers too, I wonder if all the citizens we’ve sent forth will end up on CV, hope so…

]]> By: spyder http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/comment-page-1/#comment-24404 spyder Sun, 28 Jan 2007 22:51:23 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/#comment-24404 Interesting choice of a painting, in that it has been the subject of much study by those in academia who study myth, mysticism, shamanism, and the history of religions. The symbolic referents are plentiful, and do go so well with the preface poem you provided. Welcome and thanks Interesting choice of a painting, in that it has been the subject of much study by those in academia who study myth, mysticism, shamanism, and the history of religions. The symbolic referents are plentiful, and do go so well with the preface poem you provided. Welcome and thanks

]]> By: fh http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/comment-page-1/#comment-24405 fh Sun, 28 Jan 2007 22:08:34 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/#comment-24405 Wonderful first post! As you point out though the search for truth and the desire to penetrate the mysteries that surround us precedes current societies preoccupation with individual wealth and ownership above all by centuries. It seems more fundamental and more human to me. One might argue that what is <em>truly</em> strange is that in todays society the pursuit of these goals seems offbeat, and wondrous. Wonderful first post!

As you point out though the search for truth and the desire to penetrate the mysteries that surround us precedes current societies preoccupation with individual wealth and ownership above all by centuries. It seems more fundamental and more human to me.

One might argue that what is truly strange is that in todays society the pursuit of these goals seems offbeat, and wondrous.

]]> By: Plato http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/comment-page-1/#comment-24408 Plato Sun, 28 Jan 2007 21:53:03 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/#comment-24408 <i>It is easy to imagine a world in which nobody cared about the age of the Universe; such questions have nothing to do with everyday experience, and are completely irrelevant for evolutionary success (in the strict 'eating-sleeping-procreating' sense).</i> Hunger for more knowledge? "Dreaming of farther realms" beyond what we can see with Hubble. Beyond the confines of "the beginning and the end" of this universe. Interesting enough the image you use might be one associated with an "age of enlightenment?" Peering through "the limitations" we had applied to all thinking? If we understood "the physics" the more the views change of our look toward cosmology. That "in itself" is quite a break through. I will enjoy seeing the "new personalities" and what they will bring to cosmic variance. It is easy to imagine a world in which nobody cared about the age of the Universe; such questions have nothing to do with everyday experience, and are completely irrelevant for evolutionary success (in the strict ‘eating-sleeping-procreating’ sense).

Hunger for more knowledge? “Dreaming of farther realms” beyond what we can see with Hubble. Beyond the confines of “the beginning and the end” of this universe.

Interesting enough the image you use might be one associated with an “age of enlightenment?” Peering through “the limitations” we had applied to all thinking?

If we understood “the physics” the more the views change of our look toward cosmology. That “in itself” is quite a break through.

I will enjoy seeing the “new personalities” and what they will bring to cosmic variance.

]]> By: TBB http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/comment-page-1/#comment-24407 TBB Sun, 28 Jan 2007 21:50:22 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/#comment-24407 Lovely post. That would have been a wonderful contribution in the editorial section of my Sunday newspaper. Please submit it. I'm serious. Oh, dear...I just looked at your home page...a Cavafy quote and a Magritte painting...you may have just wiped out my Steven Pollock crush. :) Lovely post. That would have been a wonderful contribution in the editorial section of my Sunday newspaper. Please submit it. I’m serious.

Oh, dear…I just looked at your home page…a Cavafy quote and a Magritte painting…you may have just wiped out my Steven Pollock crush. :)

]]> By: Missing http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/comment-page-1/#comment-24406 Missing Sun, 28 Jan 2007 21:48:41 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/28/the-miracles-of-cosmology/#comment-24406 Hmm...did you get a LA-UR number for that? Lol. Jk. Hmm…did you get a LA-UR number for that? Lol. Jk.

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