Space Art

[dirkterrell]

About a year ago, we discussed the discovery of Kepler-16 here and there has been a lot of activity in the field of planets around binary stars. In a few weeks, a team that I am on is going to announce the discovery of a planet in a very cool star system. When I can talk about the details publicly, I'll post here about it. Since I've been working on a lot of art recently, I thought I'd start this thread to share some of it since there seems to be some interest in the topic.

A double sunset:



A view of the aforementioned Kepler-16:



and a view of a wide binary system with two stars of very different temperatures:



When we announce our discovery (currently planning on Oct 11), I'll post some paintings of that system.

[birchyboy]

I don't know anything about where you work or what you do, but this post makes me think both are pretty awesome. I can't wait to hear what you have to say in the near future.

[Ghosty]

Sweet! Cool art, thanks for sharing. Can't wait to hear the news. Those pics of course remind me of the end of 2010:Odyssey Two, hahaa.

[Jmetz]

Very cool!

[FZ1Guy]

How long before we find a human habitable planet that is viable to live on?

[dirkterrell]

I don't know anything about where you work or what you do, but this post makes me think both are pretty awesome. I can't wait to hear what you have to say in the near future.

Yes, many years of toiling in school, postdoctoral work, etc., being homeless for a while because I couldn't afford to pay for both tuition and a place to stay, finally did pay off.

How long before we find a human habitable planet that is viable to live on?

Hard to say. With the Kepler satellite searching, it could be any day. There won't be one that we can go to in the near future, though. Space is big and our spacecraft are very slow.

[Ghosty]

How long before we find a human habitable planet that is viable to live on?

You just asked a billion-$$$ centuries old question with answers requiring thousands of pages in research and speculation, LOL!

[Snowman]

So how long have you guys been talking to them?
And do they truly understand what they are getting themselves into when they ask for our women?

[FZ1Guy]

Yes, many years of toiling in school, postdoctoral work, etc., being homeless for a while because I couldn't afford to pay for both tuition and a place to stay, finally did pay off.



Hard to say. With the Kepler satellite searching, it could be any day. There won't be one that we can go to in the near future, though. Space is big and our spacecraft are very slow.

Thats not a great outlook... considering how fast the ecological changes are going right now.

Perhaps technology will get us out of this bind quicker than the eventual unrepairable damage (manmade or natural) making our planet less than livable in the future. I guess you and I don't have to worry too much about that for our lives... but for mankind, that a BIG DEAL!!!

Maybe we can learn how to fold space and time??? Are there any advancements in this field now?

[Sleev]

Space is big and our spacecraft are very slow.

lol

[Snowman]

Why Can't We See Evidence of Alien Life?

[salsashark]

Why Can't We See Evidence of Alien Life?

I heart Ted Talks... thank you!

[Zach929rr]

Dirk you need to hook up high res on these.

[dirkterrell]

Dirk you need to hook up high res on these.

That's a sensitive topic. I recently completed a 4-year term as President of the International Association of Astronomical Artists and I am a Fellow of that organization. Part of the mission of the IAAA is to ensure that our artists can earn a living with their skills. The advent of the digital age has made it much easier to copy artwork and use it for financial benefit, without compensating the artists (e.g., some of my work has been used for book covers without my consent). One way of fighting such use is to not put hi-res work out there.

There is a lot of bad space art out there, and unfortunately a lot of it gets attached to press releases on these discoveries because people think everything should be free, and there are "artists" who are happy to oblige. In fact, today I saw the images going out with our discovery press release (because the lead of the group had a prior agreement with someone), and I felt sick to my stomach. It looks very amateurish. I'll post them here, along with mine when the discovery is announced and we'll see what you guys think

[Ghosty]

Wow, I didn't even realize you actually are the artist! I just thought you were sharing some cool artwork you got/found through your job. *facepalm*

[Zach929rr]

Wow, I didn't even realize you actually are the artist! I just thought you were sharing some cool artwork you got/found through your job. *facepalm*

I was thinking of having the third printed and framed because it gave me instawood. Definitely all 3 for wallpapers.

[salsashark]

In fact, today I saw the images going out with our discovery press release (because the lead of the group had a prior agreement with someone), and I felt sick to my stomach. It looks very amateurish. I'll post them here, along with mine when the discovery is announced and we'll see what you guys think

I still remember the first time I stumbled upon some of my work being used on websites that I had NO hand in creating. It sucks.

[dirkterrell]

I was thinking of having the third printed and framed because it gave me instawood.

For those interested, I can make prints available through Cafe Press.

[Zach929rr]

For those interested, I can make prints available through Cafe Press.

I'm in for this. I think CP charges an arm and a leg for framed stuff, so maybe just put your prints up and let people get stuff framed local if they want to?

[Filo]

That binary pic #2 reminds me of all that time I spent under that hot blue sun as a child on Alpha Centuri E (the third planet out). Of course, I can't talk about that without the MIB coming after me...

[dirkterrell]

I'm in for this. I think CP charges an arm and a leg for framed stuff, so maybe just put your prints up and let people get stuff framed local if they want to?

I'll try to set it up soon.

And Adam, nice try. There is no blue star in the Alpha Centauri system. We all know you're from Beta Cygni...

[#1Townie]

That duel sunset is my dream of a perfect day at the beach. Sweet pics man.

[longrider]

I can vouch for the quality of the prints from Cafe Press, I have one of Dirks earlier works. I did just order the print and had it framed locally.

[vort3xr6]

+1 for buying prints.

That would suck to have one sun go down and one sun come up. Perpetual days?!!? How the hell am I supposed to party in the clubs with my sunglasses on?!