Creationism in Crisis - The Universe is Much Bigger Than Our Prophets Said, Grander, More Subtle, More Elegant..

The Crab Nebula seen by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) and MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument)

Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, T. Temim (Princeton University).

The Crab Nebula Seen in New Light by NASA’s Webb - NASA

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has gazed at the Crab Nebula, a supernova remnant located 6,500 light-years away in the constellation Taurus. Since the recording of this energetic event in 1054 CE by 11th-century astronomers, the Crab Nebula has continued to draw attention and additional study as scientists seek to understand the conditions, behavior, and after-effects of supernovae through thorough study of the Crab, a relatively nearby example.

The Crab Nebula seen by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope

How is it that hardly any major religion has looked at science and concluded, “This is better than we thought! The Universe is much bigger than our prophets said, grander, more subtle, more elegant?” Instead they say, “No, no, no! My god is a little god, and I want him to stay that way.” A religion, old or new, that stressed the magnificence of the Universe as revealed by modern science might be able to draw forth reserves of reverence and awe hardly tapped by the conventional faiths.

Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space

The Universe as described in Genesis 1: 6-10

The Crab Nebula - a tiny fragment of the universe as seen by science:

Hubble Image: NASA, ESA, J. Hester, A. Loll (Arizona State University)

Webb Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, T. Temim (Princeton University).

This side-by-side comparison of the Crab Nebula as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope in optical light (left) and the James Webb Space Telescope in infrared light (right) reveals different details. By studying the recently collected Webb data, and consulting previous observations of the Crab taken by other telescopes like Hubble, astronomers can build a more comprehensive understanding of this mysterious supernova remnant.

This video tours the Crab Nebula, a supernova remnant that lies 6,500 light-years away in the constellation Taurus. Despite this distance from Earth, the Crab Nebula is a relatively close example of what remains after the explosive death of a massive star. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope captures in unprecedented detail the various components that comprise the Crab, including the expanding cloud of hot gas, cavernous filaments of dust, and synchrotron emission. The synchrotron emission is the result of the nebula’s pulsar: a rapidly rotating neutron star that is located in the center.

Tell me all about the Crab Nebula, please. The Crab Nebula, also known as Messier 1 (M1), is a well-studied and prominent astronomical object in the night sky. It is located in the constellation Taurus and is one of the most famous supernova remnants in our galaxy, the Milky Way. Here are some key facts about the Crab Nebula:

1. Formation: The Crab Nebula was formed from the remnants of a massive supernova explosion that was observed by Chinese astronomers in the year 1054 CE. This explosion was one of the most significant supernova events in recorded history.
2. Supernova Event: The progenitor star of the Crab Nebula was a massive star that had reached the end of its life cycle. When the star's core could no longer support the gravitational forces trying to collapse it, it underwent a violent explosion, releasing an enormous amount of energy. This explosion expelled the outer layers of the star into space and left behind a rapidly spinning neutron star, which is now known as the Crab Pulsar.
3. The Crab Pulsar: At the heart of the Crab Nebula is the Crab Pulsar, a rapidly rotating neutron star with a period of approximately 33 milliseconds. This pulsar emits beams of radiation, including X-rays and gamma-rays, which can be observed from Earth as pulses of light. It was discovered in 1968 and is one of the most studied pulsars in the sky.
4. Emission: The Crab Nebula is a strong source of radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum, including radio waves, visible light, X-rays, and gamma rays. The energy emitted is a result of the interactions between the rapidly moving particles in the nebula and its magnetic field.
5. Appearance: In visible light, the Crab Nebula appears as a diffuse, expanding cloud of gas and dust, with a bluish tint. It spans about 11 light-years in diameter and is expanding at a rate of about 1,500 kilometers per second.
6. Historical Significance: The Crab Nebula's historical significance lies in the fact that it was the first celestial object for which astronomers were able to identify the remnants of a supernova explosion and link them to the recorded observations of the original event in 1054 CE.
7. Observations and Research: The Crab Nebula has been the subject of extensive research and observation by astronomers. It has provided valuable insights into the processes of supernova explosions, neutron stars, and the generation of high-energy particles. It is often used as a calibration source for various astronomical instruments.
8. Hubble Space Telescope: The Hubble Space Telescope has captured stunning images of the Crab Nebula in various wavelengths, allowing for detailed studies of its structure and dynamics.
9. Role in Astronomy: The Crab Nebula serves as a reference point in astronomical studies and is often used to calibrate instruments and measure the brightness and properties of other celestial objects.
10. Accessibility: The Crab Nebula is easily visible in the night sky with telescopes and even binoculars. It is a popular target for amateur astronomers and astrophotographers.

The Crab Nebula remains a fascinating object of study and a testament to the violent and transformative processes that occur in the universe. It continues to provide valuable insights into the life cycles of stars and the evolution of cosmic structures.

I'm willing to bet that none of that is ever mentioned in church, mosque or synagogue where the congregation is still expected to be in awe of the magical powers of a god who allegedly created ex-nihilo a universe all centered on a small flat Earth with a dome over it to which 'stars' like the Crab Nebula are stuck along with the sun and moon, because a bunch of Bronze Age pastoralists thought so.

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