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Artemis II crew see first glimpse of far side of Moon [video]

bbc.com

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Re: Artemis II crew see first glimpse of far side of Moon [video]

#31

I like how most people's reactions at this point are "yeah, whatever", as if it's every day that humans observe the far side of the moon with a naked eye through a window :). We do know what it looks like and we have photos from the surface, yes, but seeing the reaction from real people who're actually there does hit different, at least for me

People are struggling to afford every day life and we are surrounding by crazy things every day like cellphones talking to satellites in space. On any objective measure it is definitely amazing to send humans to the moon, but there are more pressing issues for most people right now. If we as a species had more of our ducks in a row we may be able to better celebrate this as the achievement for humankind that it is.

[flagged]

Re: Artemis II crew see first glimpse of far side of Moon [video]

#32
post #6

I'm going to be VERY disappointed if there's no Pink Floyd music or commentary from the Artemis mission. Particularly now. Life's short, and one can't be serious all the time... Wallis and Gromit would be a partial substitute, but the boomers are still around.

Absolutely. Last year we went to Italy and I played “The Count of Tuscany” in the car while driving in Chianti region. My wife does not really enjoy Dream Theater but that was in the rider for the Italy trip :-)

Re: Artemis II crew see first glimpse of far side of Moon [video]

#33

I like how most people's reactions at this point are "yeah, whatever", as if it's every day that humans observe the far side of the moon with a naked eye through a window :). We do know what it looks like and we have photos from the surface, yes, but seeing the reaction from real people who're actually there does hit different, at least for me

it's amazing, but I'll refer you to Gil Scott-Heron for my feelings on the matter A rat done bit my sister Nell With whitey on the moon Her face and arms began to swell And whitey's on the moon I can't pay no doctor bills But whitey's on the moon Ten years from now I'll be payin' still While whitey's on the moon The man just upped my rent last night Cause whitey's on the moon No hot water, no toilets, no lights But w…

I just came across this poem a few days ago and had the opportunity to think about it.

It’s a valuable perspective to hear. As someone prone to getting caught up in the breathless excitement about science, progress, human achievement, etc., it is a hard truth that these things are abstract and not relevant for people who are struggling with day-to-day life, particularly when those struggles are a result of the same government that is executing this mission.

However, the older I get, the less I bind to the idea of a single, correct truth. This perspective doesn’t invalidate the perspective that the mission is valuable. The complexity of the system in which this is taking place means that these things (moon missions and affordable healthcare) aren’t fungible for one another; his poverty wasn’t the result of the moon mission, it was the result of EVERYTHING that had happened over the 100 years prior.

So it’s useful to hear. It’s a sharp, valid reality check for those of us who like to think in big, abstract concepts. And, it’s one perspective among myriad valid perspectives.

Re: Artemis II crew see first glimpse of far side of Moon [video]

#34

I like how most people's reactions at this point are "yeah, whatever", as if it's every day that humans observe the far side of the moon with a naked eye through a window :). We do know what it looks like and we have photos from the surface, yes, but seeing the reaction from real people who're actually there does hit different, at least for me

People are struggling to afford every day life and we are surrounding by crazy things every day like cellphones talking to satellites in space. On any objective measure it is definitely amazing to send humans to the moon, but there are more pressing issues for most people right now. If we as a species had more of our ducks in a row we may be able to better celebrate this as the achievement for humankind that it is.

Yeah your life must really suck if you only care about immediate hurdles and pains without making room for hope or creativity

Re: Artemis II crew see first glimpse of far side of Moon [video]

#35

There’s too many problems here on earth for me to get excited about a trip to the moon

Agreed. I remember following the various Mars rover missions of the 1990s-2010s with avid interest. I have now lost my interest in space completely. The house is on fire and we're going on holiday again? It's beginning to feel almost indecent.

Re: Artemis II crew see first glimpse of far side of Moon [video]

#36
post #8

Far side != Dark side

It’s approximately the dark side when the moon is full, which happened two days ago.

Yes and (IIRC) they don't want to flyby while at full moon on the far side as to have some shadows to help differentiate the terrain

Re: Artemis II crew see first glimpse of far side of Moon [video]

#37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People are struggling to afford every day life and we are surrounding by crazy things every day like cellphones talking to satellites in space. On any objective measure it is definitely amazing to send humans to the moon, but there are more pressing issues for most people right now. If we as a species had more of our ducks in a row we may be able to better celebrate this as the achievement for humankind that it is.

Yeah your life must really suck if you only care about immediate hurdles and pains without making room for hope or creativity

you’re making their point, you just don’t know it yet

Re: Artemis II crew see first glimpse of far side of Moon [video]

#38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People are struggling to afford every day life and we are surrounding by crazy things every day like cellphones talking to satellites in space. On any objective measure it is definitely amazing to send humans to the moon, but there are more pressing issues for most people right now. If we as a species had more of our ducks in a row we may be able to better celebrate this as the achievement for humankind that it is.

Yeah your life must really suck if you only care about immediate hurdles and pains without making room for hope or creativity

And your life might be very privileged to so flippantly disregard anyone’s reality that is just that difficult.

Re: Artemis II crew see first glimpse of far side of Moon [video]

#39
Am I losing it? They can’t be seeing the far side of the moon right now, because they haven’t adjusted course to go round the far side of the moon yet…

So does this suggest the BBC is wrong and it’s the side of the moon we’re used to seeing, but just it’s “dark”?

But then the astronauts are saying it’s weird seeing the moon in a whole new light (excuse the paraphrasing pun).

I don’t understand.

Re: Artemis II crew see first glimpse of far side of Moon [video]

#40

Incredible achievement but I'll be honest — if you showed me this photo without context I would have no idea it was the far side. Just looks like the Moon. Also didn't realize we could capture an image like this in what I assumed was total darkness.

That's because it's the near side, not the far side.

There's a little bit of far side on the right of the picture.
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