> You guys are a remarkable lot and it's been real fun reading your posts. I've even learnt some useful things.
>
> But I've been wondering:
> What keeps you coming back as often as you do, with the gems that you have, week after week?
>
> For some reason, the sparkling wit reminded me of something from childhood days: the sight of the Milky Way, our 'own' galaxy. I find myself missing it, not having had a decent view in recent years. And I imagine there'll be many more generations of humans who will be unable to have a look. Apart from satellite images that is. Or having to travel miles out of cities.
>
> Did you know:
> The sun is taking the lot of us on a cosmic ride at some 500,000 mph / 800,000 kmph around the galactic center, making a round trip every 250 million years or so.
>
> I don't know about you, but this fills me with awe. As well as some measure of humility, to be able to type and post this note, for what it's worth.
>
> sm
>

The sheer vastness of the cosmos does help us put our lives in perspective, doesn't it? I feel quite small and fragile, on a small, fragile world when I think about all that's out there.

Even considering bodies within our own solar system, I get a sense of dread when I think about the gas giants like Jupiter. I must assume that there's no way you could stand anywhere on the surface of Jupiter, or even pilot a small craft within its gravity well. I imagine being sucked quickly down below the surface of the swirling vapors, and sinking and sinking until you are crushed by the sheer mass of the planet.

Then there's Pluto and the looming planetary rocks out beyond it. It's frequently unsettling to me to think about something that cold and remote and barren.

I would be much more afraid of the universe, I think, except for the consideration that God sees every ponderously rotating stone of it. Just the idea that it is *seen* by somebody makes it more glorious and less intimidating. And the idea that it was all expertly crafted takes away its terror completely, while its awe remains.

Iss