Experience the Milky Way via 46 billion pixels

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a massive 194GB image of the Milky Way, composed of 46 billion pixels. Participants explore the implications of such a detailed astronomical image, its accessibility, and potential applications, including navigation for hypothetical warp-driven ships.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares a link to the image and highlights its impressive scale.
  • Another participant expresses a desire for the image to be searchable, indicating a potential limitation in its current form.
  • A different participant speculates about future applications of the image, suggesting it could aid navigation for warp-driven ships.
  • One participant references a documentary that may contain related work and mentions the existence of an iPad app for exploring the image, later providing a link to the app.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express admiration for the image's scale and potential applications, but there is no consensus on its usability or future developments.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations regarding the searchability of the image are noted, which may affect its practical use. The discussion does not resolve the potential for future applications or the effectiveness of the app mentioned.

Who May Find This Useful

Astronomy enthusiasts, developers interested in astronomical applications, and those curious about advanced imaging technology may find this discussion relevant.

Astronomy news on Phys.org
It would be nice if it was searchable but it's still very impressive.
 
That comes next when we need to navigate with warp driven ships.
 
Some related work is shown in this documentary:



It looks like there may be an iPad app for it too although I don't know its name. (shown at around 6:30 into the video)

EDIT: I found the app:

http://www.skysurvey.org/story/
 

Similar threads

Undergrad European Southern Observatory (Event Horizon Project team) – picture of Sgr A*
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Stargazing GAIA - 1 billion stars and counting
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
High School The Milky Way's Dark Twin Revealed
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Graduate Possible Intermediate-Mass Black Hole in Milky Way Galaxy
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Hubble Finds Vast Reservoir of Gas Near Milky Way
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Where Can I See the Milky Way Near Washington DC?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Undergrad Milky Way Mass: 60,000 Ly from Galactic Center
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad The Most Distant Star in the Milky Way
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
Undergrad Do stars have any lower mass limit?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Undergrad A cold, massive, rotating disk galaxy 1.5 billion years after the BB
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K