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graciassenor
5th May 2008 - 06:32 PM
This book I'm reading describing the WMAP is a bit confusing to me. I don't quite comprehend what I'm looking at. Can someone briefly explain where the device was when the data was collected (was it in orbit?) and what exactly is the image I'm looking at (is it like the Hubble where the device focuses in on a certain part, or is it like the microwave background data that collects information from all directions)?

Also, the book further explains that "This is the end of our journey..." because of plasma impeding our ability to see further. Something to this effect...sorry I don't have the book with me and I'm just getting the day started lol

Gracias
kjw
5th May 2008 - 09:18 PM
QUOTE
graciassenor Posted on Today at 4:32 AM  Can someone briefly explain where the device was when the data was collected (was it in orbit?)
this may help

QUOTE (->
QUOTE
graciassenor Posted on Today at 4:32 AM  Can someone briefly explain where the device was when the data was collected (was it in orbit?)
this may help

and what exactly is the image I'm looking at (is it like the Hubble where the device focuses in on a certain part, or is it like the microwave background data that collects information from all directions)?
this image may help. picture yourself within the sphere at the centre. this is not to say the earth is at the centre of the universe, just that the CMB radiation appears in all directions

QUOTE
Also, the book further explains that "This is the end of our journey..." because of plasma impeding our ability to see further.
because of the time distance relation, seeing further into the past ie at a distant greater than the CMB radiation, the universe was not transparent. this is the visual limit described here.
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