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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Re: “...lies about 5,200 light-years away, and is visible with binoculars...”

I need better binoculars!

Given that 1 light-year (the distance light travels in a year) is roughly 6 TRILLION miles, 5,200 light years is “right down the block” in terms of cosmic distances.

Fun fact #2601.23

The furthest object that can be seen with the naked eye is the "nearby" galaxy of Andromeda, at just 2.3 MILLION light years. It can be seen in very dark skies as a faint white smudge in the night sky.

13 posted on 02/21/2021 4:28:26 PM PST by ETL (REAL Russia collusion! DEMOCRAT-Russia collusion!! China-Russia collusion! Click ETL...)
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To: ETL

We have no ‘light pollution’ out here on our farm. When August rolls around, we can see The Milky Way from our front porch.

Which we are part of, Right? I can’t keep this space-stuff straight, LOL!


14 posted on 02/21/2021 4:52:43 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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