This infrared image of the Helix Nebula, taken by NASA’s space-based Spitzer Space Telescope, is one of the most awesome astronomy pictures I’ve seen in a very long time:

Just looking at it gives me the chills. 

At one time I was quite the science geek.  I still have a telescope that my parents gave me for my birthday last year; it’s been quite awhile since I took it out a had a look.  When I was a kid, I had a telescope that I looked through a lot; I was particularly fond of checking out various nebulae, or looking at the moon, or at the sun (through the sun filter, of course).  And a couple of years ago I did take it out to look at Jupiter, and got to see its moons, for the first time.

I’m not so much the science geek anymore.  I still read blogs like Bad Astronomy and the Panda’s Thumb, and I still browse through the science section at Borders, and I think I know more than the average guy, but I’m not nearly as well informed as some friends of mine.  That’s probably due to my wasting my college years on role playing games, drinking, and a philosophy degree.

For tonight’s musical pleasure, I’m including Jonathan Coulton’s song "I’m Your Moon", which he wrote shortly after Pluto’s status as a planet was reconsidered by the international astronomical community.  Enjoy.  Go to Jonathan Coulton’s website.  Give him money.  He deserves it.

[audio:http://www.mossroot.com/worlds/audio/ImYourMoon.mp3]