Observation Lab, Wednesday Evening (starting at dusk)

[stargazer-ellie.livejournal.com]

The skies had been partly cloudly all day, but as night fell, the clouds dissipated, at least for a little while. Ellie headed up to the attic and opened up the classroom for her students and any others who might want to observe the night skies.

[ooc: open to Astronomy 101 students, of course, but any other students who want to take a look through Fandom High's brand spankin' new telescope are welcome!]

Comments

Look at the Andromeda Galaxy

[stargazer-ellie.livejournal.com]

M31, the Andromeda Galaxy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andromeda_galaxy), is a barred spiral galaxy approximately two and a half million light years from Earth.

Re: Look at the Andromeda Galaxy

[l1ttle-billy.livejournal.com]

Billy wondered if the Andromeda Galaxy were even still there. It could disapear and they wouldn't even know for over two million years. "Wow..."

Re: Look at the Andromeda Galaxy

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker took a look, and actually kind of enjoyed studying the different planets there. "How do scientists guess if there's life there, when it's so far away?"

Re: Look at the Andromeda Galaxy

[stargazer-ellie.livejournal.com]

"There are a trillion stars in the Andromeda Galaxy," Ellie said. "If even 1% of them have planets, and 1% of those planets have life, that's still a hundred million chances to find life. Seems like an awful big waste of space if there's nothing out there."

Re: Look at the Andromeda Galaxy

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"It does, rather," Parker agreed, looking thoughtful. "But isn't life just one gigantic accident anyway?" She adjusted the telescope lens, and studied the lights. "Then again, if it can happen here, and elsewhere, then I guess it's not that unlikely at all."

Re: Look at the Andromeda Galaxy

[stargazer-ellie.livejournal.com]

"Your fellow classmates are proof of that," Ellie said. "Like Luke said this afternoon, he's from another galaxy. And I bet it's teeming with life, just like ours."

Re: Look at the Andromeda Galaxy

[notafairmaiden.livejournal.com]

"Was this one named after that Andromeda in the story?"

Re: Look at the Moon

[stargazer-ellie.livejournal.com]

"It's in the constellation of Andromeda," Ellie confirmed, "so it was named for her, yes."