There are many beautiful views that can be seen from the deep recesses of space. However, current imagining remains colorless. In order to create a beautiful combination of colors in the space imaging, it’s important to edit and color the images to receive the most out of the view. For my project, I used three separate images, color-coated and layered them as red, green, and blue, and cropped it to look good. I did this through a process using the FITS Liberator and Photoshop. Detailed step by step instructions can be found here, you can download the FITS Liberator here, and you can get a free 30-day trial of Photoshop from their website. 

My final image from Messier 17

I chose to pick images of the star-forming nebula Messier 17, otherwise known as the Omega Nebula. Messier 17 has also been called the Swan Nebula, Checkmark Nebula, Lobster Nebula, and the Horseshoe Nebula. Messier 17 is about 5,000 to 6,000 light-years away from Earth, and has a diameter of 15-light years. Messier is thought to be one of the most massive places of star-formation in the Milky Way Galaxy. 

The idea of science fiction, coupled with space travel and alien life, remains an ever-popular hit with the general public. With hundreds of action-packed blockbusters created over the last century, society has maintained a long affair with films about life, love, and adventure outside of this Earth. Perhaps one of the greatest and most well-regarded examples of this idea can be seen through the hit movie, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. This revolutionary space opera opened up an entirely new universe in front of our eyes, and brought about a new wave of science fiction to pop culture.

1977 North American theatrical poster of Star Wars: Episode IV

The story of Episode IV is centered around the constant war between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance. In the beginning, the movie focuses on the journey of a simple man by the name of Luke Skywalker, who then goes on an intergalactic mission after his aunt and uncle are killed by the Empire. Skywalker meets many allies along the way, and eventually joins the Rebel Alliance in order to destroy the Death Star, a huge space station belonging to the Empire. After overcoming various obstacles, Luke eventually destroys the Death Star, and saves the day.

Darth Vader, the lead antagonist of the original Star Wars trilogy, is not too happy

While the special effects were impressive, even by today’s standards, the science behind it all seemed out of this world; maybe that was the point. But with our current scientific discoveries, we are light years away from harnessing the power of tractor beams, hyper-drives, light-sabers, and laser pistols. Also, the ability to harness the force and use it choke other people seemed like a scientific inaccuracy. But then again, this story took place in an entirely different universe, maybe even a different dimension, so the details aren’t too important.

Even the droids maintain humanistic qualities

An interesting theme in this movie is that humans seem to be the ones dominating the galaxy, even with countless other species inhabiting the same universe. The Empire appears to be mostly human, and so does the Rebel Alliance. Except for the occasional hero or antagonist, alien races seem to mostly sit on the sidelines, appearing submissive. At least, this seems to be the case in Episode IV. But this theme is not exclusive to the Star Wars universe; it has also infiltrated many other sci-fi films, such as the Star Trek and Men in Black. In these movies, the humans are always the heroes, saving the galaxy from some terrible alien race. It seems to be a reflection of past and current ideologies, signifying the idea of supremacy of the human race as a species. In society, humanity tends to view itself as sort of the top of the evolutionary chain, leading the way in knowledge and understanding, much more-so than any simple alien race ever could. What this could convey about the mindset of humans on a psychological level?

Image sources:

http://www.icollector.com/Star-Wars-Episode-IV-A-New-Hope-original-U-S-six-sheet-poster_i10658412

http://www.lazygamer.net/general-news/star-wars-battlefront-3-was-99-done-before-it-canned/

http://www.78p.tv/friday-funnies-6-nerdy-memes/

There is an older article from the New York Times, and it poses a very interesting question: Does science matter? A response would be to say yes, citing the many great strides that have been made in the field of technology and medicine. But what’s interesting about this article is that it addresses these topics within the first couple paragraphs, then focuses on the future of science. The future of science has never been something I have given much thought. When I think of the sciences, I think of Einstein, Newton, and many other great philosophers and scientific revolutionaries. Yet, I never think of the current scientific discoveries, breakthroughs, and hypothesis’ that are being tested today. So, where is science headed?

An alternative to “In God We Trust”

Scientific research in the United States has shifted from the public view into the private sector, caused by decreased federal funding and increased apathy from the general public on the scientific world. This change has impacted, and will continue to impact, both science and society in a negative manner. With scientific endeavors becoming more isolated and secluded from the public eye, regular citizens will become more and more suspicious of the motives and experiments that scientists are doing. This will, in turn, cause scientists and researchers to view the public as both ignorant and juvenile, unable to see all the positive things that science could bring in the future. But this is not the only major issue here; as with the privatization of any area, science will slowly become all about making money, instead of investing in projects for the greater good of humanity.

Even space travel has become privatized

When something becomes privatized, it becomes a business, and a business is all about the money. This can be great for businesses, but terrible for those who cannot afford the bill. In a privatized scientific world, the knowledge and power goes to the highest bidder, not the greatest need. It’s always been very expensive to fund any type of scientific research, but the government should be in charge of certain areas of study, especially those relating to the health and well-being of the public. Private business should focus on more commercial areas, areas that specialize in luxuries, not dire needs.

Science maintains importance in a wide range of areas of study

Yes, science matters. But the future of science is uncertain, and in order to keep evolving as a species, we must be sure to keep scientific research in check. If we are always questioning, always wondering, always remaining open to the positive aspects that science can bring, we will understand the true importance of science.

Image sources:

http://www.catholic.com/blog/trent-horn/does-it-matter-that-many-scientists-are-atheists

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/12/audacious-space-companies-2012/?pid=5749

http://asiasociety.org/education/resources-schools/professional-learning/three-steps-put-global-issues-your-science-class

Hi, my name is Silas, and I’m a college student from Colorado College, making a blog for my physics course, Life in the Universe. I have no real experience in this field, except with the occasional night gazing at the stars in my backyard, contemplating the mysteries of life and existence itself. I’ve never been great at science, I’ve always been more of an abstract and artistic thinker rather than a mathematical prodigy, but I’m hoping this class will re-invigorate my love of the natural world.

I currently am undeclared in my studies, and I would prefer to keep it that way until I have experimented in various classes. For my first year of college, I want to experience all that Colorado College has to offer; I have a few more years ahead of me before I plan to settle down in one area. But if I was to choose at this moment now, I would probably major in economics, seems like a very broad and useful degree.

I was born in England, and I left that life behind at the ripe age of two, when my family went to live in Georgia, the state, not the country. We were there for a while, until we moved again to Aurora, CO. I lived there for 12 years, and went to three different high schools. Switching schools a few times was tough, but I made a lot of interesting friends, and had a wide range of life-changing experiences. My favorite memories from high school were performing on stage; I was involved in the improv club and theater and musical productions. Eventually, I ended up at Colorado College, where I am currently residing. Right now, the future is uncertain, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

In this class, I hope to get a better understanding about where we come from, how life originated, and the possibilities of other life forms out there. Life itself has always been such a mystery to me, and I would love to learn more about it all.

One subject from astronomy that has always interested me are black holes, they seem like such an impossible concepts, yet they exist, light years away.

Well, anyways, thanks for checking out my blog. I think this will be a good experience for us both.

Here’s my face for reference:

My senior picture