The Light Bulb At The End Of The Universe
December 15, 2012
G.D.O'Bradovich III
part the first
In The Always Exciting World of the Occult™, much speculation is written about Sirius. Sirius is one of the nearest stars to Earth. Of course, the Ancients did not know that, but they knew it was bright and, for primitive people, that is all they need to know. In our Modern World, we know more about astronomy, specifically, and science, in general, so we should not be too harsh to our ignorant ancient astrological colleagues.
We will take what Modern Science tells us and apply that nebulous concept of "common sense" to their findings and determine if their ideas of interstellar measurement is, in fact, accurate or plausible.
In the following analysis, we will convert from the Metric System to the English System. This is not because we have any reservations with a universal standard, but because we are more comfortable, at least in this inquiry, in using the English System.
We will take what Modern Science tells us and apply that nebulous concept of "common sense" to their findings and determine if their ideas of interstellar measurement is, in fact, accurate or plausible.
In the following analysis, we will convert from the Metric System to the English System. This is not because we have any reservations with a universal standard, but because we are more comfortable, at least in this inquiry, in using the English System.
part the second
The relationship or ratio between inches and miles and between astronomical units and light years are examined.
By definition, an astronomical unit [AU] is the mean distance of the earth from the sun.
A light year is defined as the distance light travels in one year. One Light Year is 63,241 AU.
One statue mile equals is 5,280 feet or 63,360 inches.
The difference between 63,360 [inches] and 63,241 [AU] is 1.001881 percent. For our purposes, it can be stated that:
By definition, an astronomical unit [AU] is the mean distance of the earth from the sun.
A light year is defined as the distance light travels in one year. One Light Year is 63,241 AU.
One statue mile equals is 5,280 feet or 63,360 inches.
The difference between 63,360 [inches] and 63,241 [AU] is 1.001881 percent. For our purposes, it can be stated that:
1 inch is to 1 mile as 1 Astronomical Unit is to 1 Light Year
or
1 inch : 1 mile :: 1 Astronomical Unit : 1 Light Year
or
1 inch : 1 mile :: 1 Astronomical Unit : 1 Light Year
The distance from earth to the nearest star, Sirius, is 8.60 Light Years [plus or minus .04 Light Years]. This is roughly proportional to:
1 inch to 8.6 miles.
The radius of Sirius is .0079546101 AU and the radius multiplied by 2 provides the diameter of .01590902202 AU.
To convert to 64ths of an inch, .01590902202 is multiplied by 64 and this result is approximately 1.1 (1.08190).
Therefore, the diameter of Sirius is proportionate to 1/64 of an inch in diameter and is 8.6 miles away.The
To convert to 64ths of an inch, .01590902202 is multiplied by 64 and this result is approximately 1.1 (1.08190).
Therefore, the diameter of Sirius is proportionate to 1/64 of an inch in diameter and is 8.6 miles away.The
part the third
An individual who is 6 feet tall [72 inches or 72 AU] stands at more than twice the average orbit of Neptune [30.1 AU]. However, we doubt that many people can see light from a 1/64 bulb that is over 8 miles away.
The star Deneb is between 2,620 light years or, continuing with our proportion, 2,620 miles. For comparison, the air distance between Los Angeles, CA, and Maine is 2,671 miles. The diameter of Deneb is approximately one inch on our reduced scale. Once again, we do not believe that people in Maine can see a one inch light bulb in California.
Even in a vacuum without any "light pollution" [as astronomers call it], we doubt, although we do not know and can not calculate, that anyone could see a 1/64 inch light bulb from 8.6 miles, let alone a one inch lightbulb that is 2,620 miles away.
Our intent is not to disparage scientific accomplishments from the preceding two centuries, as we have benefited greatly from the accomplishments and innovations that have brought us to the present age, however, we do not understand how astronomers have reached the conclusions for these truly astronomical numbers.
If we know any measurements of an object [distance, length, width] or can determine an angle, we can, through various calculations, determine the missing information of size and distance.
Astronomers know the diameter of the moon [2,160 miles] and this absolute number is surprisingly the approximate number of years [2,160] for the sun to move through one zodiac sign [30 degrees].
The diameter of the sun [865,374 miles] is very close to the number of hours in a millennium with in a calendar year of 360 days [360×24×1,000=864,000], that is, before the solar year was accurately known. Alternately, 864,000 is the number of seconds in 10 days [10 days×24 hours/day×60 minutes/hour×60 seconds/minute].
The previously accepted diameter of the sun [864,000 miles] was 400 times the diameter of the moon.
We have grave reservations about accurate measurements concerning the distances within the solar system [the distance and diameter of the sun] and persistent doubt regarding distances outside the solar system [Sirius and Deneb]. "Common sense" tells us the sun and the moon are roughly the same size and the distance of the sun is greater than the moon [because we experience eclipses], although the exact distance of the sun is not known. The stars must be further away because they do not visibly interact with the planets.
Therefore, Gentle Reader, in this regard we are as ignorant as the Ancients: We know the Sun, Sirius, and Deneb are bright and not much else.
The star Deneb is between 2,620 light years or, continuing with our proportion, 2,620 miles. For comparison, the air distance between Los Angeles, CA, and Maine is 2,671 miles. The diameter of Deneb is approximately one inch on our reduced scale. Once again, we do not believe that people in Maine can see a one inch light bulb in California.
Even in a vacuum without any "light pollution" [as astronomers call it], we doubt, although we do not know and can not calculate, that anyone could see a 1/64 inch light bulb from 8.6 miles, let alone a one inch lightbulb that is 2,620 miles away.
Our intent is not to disparage scientific accomplishments from the preceding two centuries, as we have benefited greatly from the accomplishments and innovations that have brought us to the present age, however, we do not understand how astronomers have reached the conclusions for these truly astronomical numbers.
If we know any measurements of an object [distance, length, width] or can determine an angle, we can, through various calculations, determine the missing information of size and distance.
Astronomers know the diameter of the moon [2,160 miles] and this absolute number is surprisingly the approximate number of years [2,160] for the sun to move through one zodiac sign [30 degrees].
The diameter of the sun [865,374 miles] is very close to the number of hours in a millennium with in a calendar year of 360 days [360×24×1,000=864,000], that is, before the solar year was accurately known. Alternately, 864,000 is the number of seconds in 10 days [10 days×24 hours/day×60 minutes/hour×60 seconds/minute].
The previously accepted diameter of the sun [864,000 miles] was 400 times the diameter of the moon.
We have grave reservations about accurate measurements concerning the distances within the solar system [the distance and diameter of the sun] and persistent doubt regarding distances outside the solar system [Sirius and Deneb]. "Common sense" tells us the sun and the moon are roughly the same size and the distance of the sun is greater than the moon [because we experience eclipses], although the exact distance of the sun is not known. The stars must be further away because they do not visibly interact with the planets.
Therefore, Gentle Reader, in this regard we are as ignorant as the Ancients: We know the Sun, Sirius, and Deneb are bright and not much else.