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  Billions and Billions and Billions....  

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Uploaded: 11/06/08 12:56 AM GMT
Billions and Billions and Billions....
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Carl Sagan repeatedly used the phrase "billions, and billions, and billions" when speaking of the stars within galaxies. This wide field image of the Whirlpool galaxy (M51) and its companion galaxy, Herschel 186-1, also contains 8 other faint galaxies and two more galaxies that were too faint to record in this 30 sec. unguided exposure using an 8-inch Takahashi 180ED Astrograph operating at f/2.8 coupled to a Canon Rebel XTi body.

M51 and Herschel 186-1 are two spiral galaxies like our own milky Way in the latter stages of collision. In a few billion years, our own galaxy will collide with its larger sister galaxy, the Andromeda Galaxy (M31).

Last December, I posted a picture of the The Whirlpool Galaxy in black and white for those who might wish to see an isolated view of the two prominent galaxies in collision.

Comments

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.Ramad
11/06/08 1:49 PM GMT
Quite impressive, Don. When our collision occurs I'll be too old to notice it :)
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If practice makes perfect and nobody is perfect, then why practice?
::Roseman_Stan
11/06/08 2:19 PM GMT
Fantastic shot Don. Had to add this one to my favorites right off. Thanks for sharing this one here.

Stan
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“Won't you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you” - Richard Brinsley Sheridan
::100k_xle
11/06/08 2:51 PM GMT
Very Good Widescreen Post of Infinity and Beyond.

E J
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This Image GRABBED my EYE. That's Why I Stopped By. Thanks For Sharing ! The happiest people don't have the best of everything.....they just make the best of everything they have.
::Mannie3
11/06/08 2:54 PM GMT
brilliant shot. always great to look at and wonder about the unknown .....
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Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?
.Genver
11/06/08 3:55 PM GMT
Very good space photo,good clarity too.
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::EmilyH
11/06/08 5:47 PM GMT
Excellent shot! Love those space images.
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Imagination is more important than knowledge. -- Albert Einstein
.Olaus
11/06/08 6:38 PM GMT
A interesting shot Don. A new worth for me.Good narrative to.
Christer
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.Inkeri
11/06/08 7:27 PM GMT
Absolutely Fantastic shot,Don..Love it
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.TheWhisperer
11/06/08 8:04 PM GMT
This is a fantastic shot of "out there"! Makes you think how insignificant we all are in comparison to the size of space. Nice to see this sort of image. Well done!
Ann
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::biffobear
11/06/08 9:24 PM GMT
This is smashing,I would like to look through a decent sized scope one day.It would show a lot more than the 4" reflector with the Barlow lens i used to own..
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Police Station toilet stolen....Cops have nothing to go on.
.angelledaemon
11/06/08 10:37 PM GMT
WOW!! This is soooo gorgeous!
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Angelle "I aim to Misbehave." Malcom Reynolds...Serenity
.heidlerr
11/06/08 11:52 PM GMT
Could be more than that Don. I'd like to try getting some shots of space some time. Well dome.
Russ
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Anything that excites me for any reason, I will photograph; not searching for unusual subject matter, but making the commonplace unusual. Edward Weston
.muki7
11/07/08 12:33 AM GMT
I saw that title and thought you were counting your money. An excellent job on the image and the narrative. Nice work

Ed
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After 50 years of photography I shoot for memories not perfection
::cynlee
11/07/08 6:00 AM GMT
Phenomenal, isn't it? We could take a microscope and view the micro world and the similarities would be astonishing. What a creation!
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"Take it upon yourselves to be more forthright in your comments"* *Les (&purmusic)
::SEFA
11/07/08 6:10 PM GMT
Impressive photo and a great informative narrative Don!
Wonderful work!
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SEFA
::Skynet5
11/10/08 9:12 PM GMT
Very nice, inspires wonder this one does!
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"Give them nothing, but take from them; everything"

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