Monday, August 31, 2009
Explanation: Many stars like our Sun were formed in open clusters. The above pictured open cluster, M25, contains thousands of stars and is about two thousand light years distant. The stars in this cluster all formed together about 90 million years ago. The bright young stars in M25 appear blue. Open clusters, also called galactic clusters, contain fewer and younger stars than globular clusters. Also unlike globular clusters, open clusters are generally confined to the plane of our Galaxy. M25 is visible with binoculars towards the constellation of the Archer (Sagittarius).
I doubt we're alone, but I don't believe there's any evidence that there's been anyone by to say hello.
The question of life outside Planet Earth is of lesser importance that the question of where did it all come from. What made the Big Bang happen? Did the Universe irrationally self-create, or was it created by the eternal Creator? It would appear to me that one must have faith in order to make either choice since both choices cannot be based on direct observation of the Creator or the material events preceding the Big Bang. I choose the Creator because I can't accept the fact that human beings are only animals. Some, like Hitler and Stalin, were just animals; but by my observations, most people have a soul.
As for intelligent life, or even dumb life, out there; I would like to discover it.
Indeed. I'd just like to discover them before they discover us (so I know whether to hide or not).