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Astonomy can be a humbling science, confronting us with evidence of our own insignificance. And yet in many ways, this knowledge can be liberating, for it gives us insight into the majesty of creation, and deepens our understanding of the wonders and mysteries of existence.

Insight starts with basic knowledge, however, and learning about space is only a first step in what can be a life-long pursuit of understanding. Chris Campbell reminds us of some of the basics about stars and astronomy...and shows that the stars in the heavens are truly like grains of sand in the Universe.

Astronomy Real Star Power

By: Chris Campbell

Astronomy has to be one the most humbling of all subjects to study. Just the thought of our universe, being like a grain of sand in a sandy shore of universes, is enough to make me want to crawl back under the sheets. Everything just seems so immense, and beyond comprehension. Where does it end? Is it possible to get to the end of space? Astronomy tries to come up those answers. Like any science, Astronomy asks far more questions then it can answer. But, that's part of what makes it so fascinating. Ever since the first adventurer wondered what was beyond the next horizon, humans have been trying to expand their boundaries. Astronomy is carrying on that fine tradition. It's a pretty big horizon, and maybe one that doesn't end? Who knows, only astronomers of the future will be able to answer that question.

Astronomy Begins At Home
We don't have to go that far with astronomy, to be truly fascinated. Our own friendly sun has some pretty interesting things going on. Did you know, that the sun moves at a rate of 12 miles per second. That's 720 miles per minute, or 43,200 miles per hour. Good thing it's got a big gas tank huh? And it's moving towards the constellation Hercules. Better get out of the way Herc! Another interesting astronomy tidbit here. I bet you thought the sun was about the hottest thing around. Well, not even close. The surface of the sun is hot, at about 10,000 degrees farenheit . But, there is something here on earth that is 3 times hotter. Care to guess? Some people have even been touched by it, and lived to tell the story. Lightening is 30,000 degreesfarenheit . Cool huh? One more startling sun fact. There are 92 natural elements on earth. You remember that periodic table of elements from high school science, those elements. Well, two thirds of those elements have been identified in the sun. Not sure who checked, but they are there. And, scientists believe that the other third are most likely in the sun as well. Hard to believe our home planet full of water could be so closely related to that big fiery ball of gas. Astronomy spins a pretty fascinating tale.

Future Worlds
Like those adventurers who came before us and were drawn to venture beyond their horizon. I believe that star gazers of today will be our future boundary busters. It may have been a while since people have walked on the moon. But it's just a question of time. Human nature just doesn't allow us to settle for what we have. We're always looking beyond. And astronomy is building that map, and trying to help break down those boundaries of today. It's not only fascinating to imagine where we will go next, but essential to our survival. We are spending the resources of this planet at an alarming rate, and sooner before later things will run out. The planet will survive of course, but we may not. It is time to venture out, and find another planet like earth. Not just for the sake of discovery, but because we need to. Soon. Hopefully, we will arrive there smarter, and a little more careful. In the mean time, astronomy is paving the path for ours and future generations to follow.

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