Join Now
Join ePHOTOzine, the friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more for free!
.....................of the day. Well I think it was anyway 
‘Pillars of Creation’ Photo Was Captured When Pillars Were Already Long Gone
Captured on April 1, 1995 by the Hubble Telescope, the photograph Pillars of Creation is one of the most famous space images ever made. Here’s a crazy fact though: did you know that the “pillars” seen in the photo were already long gone by the time the image was captured? Astronomers have concluded that the pillars — which measure up to 4 light years in length — were destroyed about 6,000 years ago by the shock wave from a supernova. Because of how long it takes light to travel across such vast distances, we can currently see the shock waves approaching the pillars but won’t actually see their destruction for another thousand years or so!
From PetaPixel
It's fascinating really as we all tend to think what we see is instant and in reality nothing is.
You look at the moon and you see what it was like a second or so earlier. Light from the sun takes about 8 minutes to reach Earth.
I'm looking at my computer screen and my brain thinks it's in real time and for all intents and purposes it is as the light from it is travelling at about 186,000 miles per second but there is in fact a minute fraction of a second before it reaches my eyes.
Light from the nearest star to us takes about 5 years to reach us.
Even light from Mars takes about 20 minutes.
Quote: Fascinating but almost incomprehensible
Almost? More like totally...and totally fascinating...
Fascinating, but has the image won an EC or an HC 
Tim
Quote: destroyed about 6,000 years ago by the shock wave from a supernova. Because of how long it takes light to travel across such vast distances, we can currently see the shock waves approaching the pillars but won’t actually see their destruction for another thousand years or so!
I have alway thought our Earth years where to short......!!!
But its just a " Theory " of mine....
The reason for the inverted black 'L' shape at the top right is that image data are recorded there apparently - things like the celestial coordinates of the frame centre, start & finish of the exposure, orientation of the spacecraft, image number - omitting whether or not the flash fired! 
Right then, I'll finish...... When you consider the millions of stars in our galaxy(apart from me, that is)and the millions and billions of stars throughout the universe, we are not just on planet earth to live and take photographs. There must be other things waiting for us in the dark blue yonder. I hope I end up on planet EPZ with all you happy lot.
Just had a thought though, it would be like Groundhog Day.
Add a Comment
ePHOTOzine, the web's friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more.
Login or Join Now
New to ePHOTOzine? Join ePHOTOzine for free!
Related Content
Join Our Free Newsletter
Awards
Current Competitions
foliopic 'Movement' Competition
1st May 2012 - 31st May 2012
This month's competition theme is 'Movement' which can be interpreted in a number of ways. You could photograph an animal running, a person walking or a car speeding...Featured e2 Photo
Featured Directory Listing
May's Photo Month
Check out ePHOTOzine's inspirational photo month calendar! Each day click on a window to unveil new photography tips, treats and techniques.
Interact
Photography Gallery Photography Forums Recent Forum Activity Members' Meetings Members' BlogsSearch ePHOTOzine
Having trouble or would like to make a suggestion? Create a report
Calibrate your monitor so you can see 16 different shades.
ePHOTOzine © 2001 - 2012 Magezine Publishing | Contact Us | Site Map | Top