Remind you that Jupiter is really close to Earth

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses the visibility of Jupiter from Earth, particularly its appearance near the Moon, and reflects on the broader implications of observing celestial bodies. The conversation touches on personal experiences with stargazing and philosophical musings related to quantum mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes the visibility of Jupiter as a bright object in the night sky, emphasizing the contrast between its immense size and its appearance as a small dot.
  • Another participant expresses enjoyment in stargazing and contemplating the universe while using a telescope.
  • A participant introduces a philosophical discussion related to quantum mechanics, referencing a story about two physicists debating the nature of reality when not observed.
  • There is speculation about the involvement of Niels Bohr in the aforementioned philosophical discussion.
  • Another participant suggests that Albert Einstein might have been the other physicist in the conversation with Bohr.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the enjoyment and wonder of observing celestial objects, but the philosophical discussion about quantum mechanics introduces uncertainty and speculation regarding the identities of the physicists involved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes speculative references to historical figures and philosophical ideas without confirming their accuracy or context.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in astronomy, philosophy of science, and the personal experience of stargazing may find this discussion engaging.

eagleone
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Nothing big, just to remind you that Jupiter is really close to Earth, you can see it just right from the Moon; I think that it’s one of most shiny objects on the sky tonight, and nights to come.

It just weird you imagine it like the biggest object after the sun in our system, and jet when you see it like just one little dot near the moon, somehow you realize how distant it all is, how big is our system, how weird is that force of gravity. It makes you think.
It's great, and seeing it with your own eyes can’t compare with millions of equations we wright and understand... ehhh humans :)[/color]
 
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Agreed 110%.

I love just sitting outside with my scope at night for a few hours and just thinking. :D
 
Sort of off topic, sorry--

I once read a (possibly apocryphal) story about two great quantum physicists chatting about the philosophy of Q.M. One of them said to the other, “Do you really believe that the Moon isn’t there whenever you aren’t looking at it?”

Some member will probably be able to say which two physicists are supposed to have had this come up in their discussion.
 
I am taking a wild guess here, but I would think that Neils Bohr would have to be in a conversation like that.
 
Thanks, Harsh. I wonder if it could have been Einstein saying that to Bohr?
 

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