Well, the stars generally change slowly, but their locations do change on a somewhat faster scale. Precession of the Earth’s axis of rotation means that when the Great Pyramid in Giza was built, Thuban was the “north star,” not Polaris. And bye and bye (about 11,700 years of bye and bye), Vega will be the pole star.
Which is why astrology, based on the placement of the stars, is so funny. They are ‘reading the future’ of your long dead ancestors. Yours will appear in a few hundred thousand years.
There’s also a thing called the precession of equinoxes, where the earth “wobbles” on its axis and changes the apparent position of the sun relative to the constellations over a 12,000-year cycle. This completely debunked astrology for me, when I found out that the whole system is based on the apparent position of the sun from 4,000 years ago, which has shifted two constellations over since then.
A favorite Laurel and Hardy schtick is when Stan suddenly has a good idea, and he spells it out in detail- then Ollie, looking very serious and impressed, but wanting a better understanding, asks him to say it again. When Stan tries, it becomes mixed up babble- he can never say it again, but somehow Ollie does get the picture.
I don’t know if it’s online anywhere, but once saw a simulation of how the constellations we know will change over vast time, as the stars and galaxies move relative to the Earth and each other.Eventually, Polaris won’t be the “north star,” as it will have moved and a different object will appear as our astronomical North Pole.
I don’t understand that reaction. I enjoy listening to and exchanging facts like this. It’s really hurtful when someone you think is your friend walks away while you’re telling them something that interests you.
What does she mean the stars are constant? This past winter I could see the constellation Orion – now I can’t. I guess I’ll have to wait to see him again this next winter.
If the closest star to us goes out we’ll know in about 8 or 9 minutes (assuming we survive it that long), if the next closest goes out we’ll know in 4.5 years – there are over 80 within 25 light years from Earth – though there are none likely to just go out with a bang within that distance
Stellar lifetimes are many orders of magnitude greater than ours. Change happens very slowly, most of the time. There are exceptions like going nova or variable stars. The speed of light and the distance means we’re seeing things a while after they happen. There’s even more exciting stuff I learned from the Golden Book of astronomy when I was little. I learned most everything I know before I was 17.
oldpine52 7 months ago
They hate having their misconceptions shattered.
a sage 7 months ago
I prefer the astronomical stars myself.
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member 7 months ago
Well, the stars generally change slowly, but their locations do change on a somewhat faster scale. Precession of the Earth’s axis of rotation means that when the Great Pyramid in Giza was built, Thuban was the “north star,” not Polaris. And bye and bye (about 11,700 years of bye and bye), Vega will be the pole star.
Hey put down that chair!
micromos 7 months ago
Cliff is still around.
phritzg Premium Member 7 months ago
This almost happened to me when I tried to explain to someone how the year 1582 didn’t have 365 days.
cabalonrye 7 months ago
Which is why astrology, based on the placement of the stars, is so funny. They are ‘reading the future’ of your long dead ancestors. Yours will appear in a few hundred thousand years.
belgarathmth 7 months ago
There’s also a thing called the precession of equinoxes, where the earth “wobbles” on its axis and changes the apparent position of the sun relative to the constellations over a 12,000-year cycle. This completely debunked astrology for me, when I found out that the whole system is based on the apparent position of the sun from 4,000 years ago, which has shifted two constellations over since then.
Thomas Scott Roberts creator 7 months ago
A favorite Laurel and Hardy schtick is when Stan suddenly has a good idea, and he spells it out in detail- then Ollie, looking very serious and impressed, but wanting a better understanding, asks him to say it again. When Stan tries, it becomes mixed up babble- he can never say it again, but somehow Ollie does get the picture.
rshive 7 months ago
No they don’t, Roy. Just sometimes the people who make a point of imparting it.
T Smith 7 months ago
I don’t know if it’s online anywhere, but once saw a simulation of how the constellations we know will change over vast time, as the stars and galaxies move relative to the Earth and each other.Eventually, Polaris won’t be the “north star,” as it will have moved and a different object will appear as our astronomical North Pole.
tammyspeakslife Premium Member 7 months ago
I don’t understand that reaction. I enjoy listening to and exchanging facts like this. It’s really hurtful when someone you think is your friend walks away while you’re telling them something that interests you.
tammyspeakslife Premium Member 7 months ago
If you want to hear something mind-blowing look up Louie Giglio-Laminin, the full version.
PoodleGroomer 7 months ago
Change is accepted as long as it happens at an understandable rate.
Csaw Backnforth 7 months ago
What does she mean the stars are constant? This past winter I could see the constellation Orion – now I can’t. I guess I’ll have to wait to see him again this next winter.
John M 7 months ago
If the closest star to us goes out we’ll know in about 8 or 9 minutes (assuming we survive it that long), if the next closest goes out we’ll know in 4.5 years – there are over 80 within 25 light years from Earth – though there are none likely to just go out with a bang within that distance
willie_mctell 7 months ago
Stellar lifetimes are many orders of magnitude greater than ours. Change happens very slowly, most of the time. There are exceptions like going nova or variable stars. The speed of light and the distance means we’re seeing things a while after they happen. There’s even more exciting stuff I learned from the Golden Book of astronomy when I was little. I learned most everything I know before I was 17.