A new cosmos on the Web

steve smyth — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:07:54 GMT

RE astronomical visualization...great term Al!
Take things one step further back and imagine visualization based on postage stamp sized 'artist renderings' in the margins of The Encyclopedia Brittanica c.1950.
The amazing thing is, each and every time the techniques improve, my earliest impressions remain clearest...because I had to do some sort of crystal etched, innervison thing...based upon only the little pics and my Father's remarkable ability to co-envision.
The best picture of Jupiter every composed via Hubble, et al, looks exactly as I pictured it in 1950...even with new and improved views of the Redspot.
That gives me goosebumps.
Knowing that so many people are getting to experience these visions is pretty exciting.
WOW!!!
Good on ya'll!

A new cosmos on the Web

Evilbino Plattsburgh, NY — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 01:04:05 GMT

This is the coolest toy I've got to play with in a long time! Kudos to Microsoft, this is a really a generous gift to all of us who are fascinated by the universe. I downloaded it before I even finished reading the article.-----Mr. Gates, maybe your not quite the evil overlord I thought you were!

A new cosmos on the Web

Inayat Lalani — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:15:13 GMT

I have a three year old Intel Centrino processor based laptop with Wondows XP (SP3) so I guess I am out of luck. That gives me an excuse to rush out and buy a new computer(?)
What a shame.
I guess for now I'll stick with my old 'Starry Night" for which I paid $150.

A new cosmos on the Web

Darrell Messbarger — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:38:14 GMT

Wonder what this will do to Celestron, Meade, and other telescope manufacturers?

A new cosmos on the Web

Eric, Salinas, CA — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:08:51 GMT

Great story Alan! While it is nice that Microsoft is giving us this world wide telescope I still fear that it is riddled with bugs, it is MS after all. Still it is good to have more toys to keep us science buffs dazed and amused. I can't wait for Hubble to get fixed up so it can give us even more awesome pictures than ever before and now we can really enjoy them on the world wide web.

In Hubble We Trust!

A new cosmos on the Web

Steve — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:19:43 GMT

EXCELLENT 24/7 observations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!No more waiting for clear nights (we don't get a lot here in Oregon) THANKS M.S.

A new cosmos on the Web

Aaron, Beaver Lake — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:28:43 GMT

GREAT NEWS! Can they please look at the moon and provide pictures of the Moon Landing? In 50+ years, has anyone ever seen the rover, flag, or anything that proves that the moon landing was not a hoax... I am so happy, we should be able to settle this once and for all with this new technology - unless it was all a hoax...

A new cosmos on the Web

Evilbino Plattsburgh NY — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:26:35 GMT

By the way Aaron, our astronauts, put mirrors on the moon so we could use lasers to measure the distance, from Earth.....I think our difficulties in reaching the moon now are more from a lack of resolve on our governments part than because we have not been there yet. Oh yeah and we have moon rocks, enough that we would have HAD to bring them back ourselves. Sorry about the rant your point is well taken though, I would like to see some shots of our moon landings, but then again that would be even easier to fake on WWT,

A new cosmos on the Web

Tim, MO — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:11:04 GMT

@ Aaron:

Yes: http://mythbustersresults.com/episode-104-nasa-moon-landing

A new cosmos on the Web

Mike Fischer — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 20:05:54 GMT

I Installed this and don't know how to access it. How do you open it up? There is no icon or anything showing up in my programs.

A new cosmos on the Web

Steve S. Erie Pa. — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 01:50:52 GMT

I downloaded this with a little bit of time and virtually no trouble. Thanks very much to all responsible. This is amazing and much enjoyed.

A new cosmos on the Web

Burley, Canton, China — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:54:57 GMT

Very exciting tool for us who've been longing for the deep universe. we human beings are tiny eh? the only shortcoming might be the slow rendering when zoom in...