Black Holes - all about 'em.

[stevezodiac]

I really like these science articles in the Metro newspaper every Monday. This week's subject was Black Holes. I heartily recommend committing this to memory and then impressing a girlfriend with it on a first date.

[felneymike]

"The problem with black holes is they're black, and as the rest of space is also black they're a bit hard to spot"

[Captain Storm]

Yeah Mike,

Talking about black holes will really impress a girl

The Cap.

[starscape]

If you think black holes are scary, how about The Shapley Supercluster and the Great Attractor? We all know galaxies are moving at enormous speeds (don't we?) in a massive flow. But where are they actually going to?

The answer is that they are all concentrating into a couple of massive pockets of gravity. Millions of galaxies smashing into each other, causing even bigger pockets of gravity. It will be the fate of our Milky Way too (but not for a little while).

[Captain Storm]

Now that will really win you the girl !

The Cap

[stevezodiac]

I wonder what issue number the Beano will have reached by then?

[swirlythingy]

I wonder what issue number the Beano will have reached by then?

Dunno, but I just realised that, it I've guesstimated correctly, this year's Christmas issue will carry the number 3,666...

[stevezodiac]

I noticed Jupiter and Venus close together (to our eyes) in the sky this evening (where else would they be?) which reminded me that my first purchase when starting work in the mid seventies was a nice telescope from Dixons. I think it was about £15 which was almost a weeks wages back then. I still have it - it is on top of the wardrobe and I can see it right now. Hasn't been out of its box for about 30 years though.

[paw broon]

Yes, they are and a beautiful sight it is. Dig out that 'scope and get out there. Have a look at Jupiter and you should see 3 or 4 of its moons. Could be just me but that is exciting. Even a pair of decent binoculars and a clear, dark sky, will give you some fine views.

[stevezodiac]

I remember seeing the rings of Saturn and the great nebulae in Orion.