Have you ever seen the Milky Way?

Squisher

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
21,204
66
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Well, have you?


With all the camping out I've done, I've seen it one time. That was 35 years ago.

If you've never seen it, it has to be an unbelieveble clear night. Stars are spaced so closely together that the sky looks milky.
 

PHiuR

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2001
9,539
2
76
i THINK i have...but I want to see it 100%...anyone know what's a good night to go and check it out?

i live in NY.
 

DAGTA

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
8,172
1
0
The Milky Way is the name of our home galaxy. However, we are located near the edge of the galaxy. So when you 'see' the Milky Way, you are actually looking on a plane towards the center of the galaxy and, thus, see a higher concentration of stars and light in a disk shaped band across the sky.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
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Originally posted by: DAGTA
The Milky Way is the name of our home galaxy. However, we are located near the edge of the galaxy. So when you 'see' the Milky Way, you are actually looking on a plane towards the center of the galaxy and, thus, see a higher concentration of stars and light in a disk shaped band across the sky.
That makes sense. I had always wondered how we could "see" it, since we're IN it.....
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
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dude....we are IN the fvking milky way...



That's like asking if anyone can see the universe on a clear clear night
 

Squisher

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
21,204
66
91
Originally posted by: Eli
I think so...

I'm sure many have seen pictures and assumed that it was a telescopic shot, but it's not. On the day I saw it, we were camped about three hours from Detroit, it was super windy all day long, I got up in the middle of the night to hit the latrine. At first I didn't really pay attention, then I noticed how bright it was. I could have read a newspaper by all the light, but there was no moon, it was all just the stars.
 

Squisher

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
21,204
66
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I knew many of you would say, "WTF are you talking about."

I believe this can be attributed to people gravitating to the cities and the prevalence of pollution.
 

Squisher

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
21,204
66
91
Originally posted by: Dispatch
you only saw it once within 35 years? I see it every time I go camping.

You might, it all depends on where you go camping?

But, I always wonder if people have really ever seen it. It took much more than a clear night.

 

Squisher

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
21,204
66
91
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
dude....we are IN the fvking milky way...



That's like asking if anyone can see the universe on a clear clear night

Have you ever wondered where the name came from?
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
dude....we are IN the fvking milky way...



That's like asking if anyone can see the universe on a clear clear night
See explination a few posts above. ;)
 

Triumph

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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i've seen it on many a clear night out in the woods. around where i live? not a chance of seeing it unless there's a blackout.
 

AreaCode707

Lifer
Sep 21, 2001
18,447
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Yes. Where I used to live, it was part of the summer sky. About 1 am you'd look up and there would be this bright band of starts stretching aaaaalll the way across the sky.