From the Earth to the Vega: Tribute to Carl Sagan
Taken by Petr Horálek on June 12, 2015 @ Ustupky, Czech Republic
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Exposure Time: 15/1
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ISO: 8000
Date Taken: 2015:06:14 03:38:18
 
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Over 25 light years. This is the distance between the Earth (little planet down left) and the bright star Vega (the bright star in the upper right corner), brightest one of the Lyra constellation. One of the brightest stars in the sky. And this year it’s been exactly 30 years from the moment when Carl Sagan‚s famous sci-fi novel „Contact“ had been released as a book and put on the list of the bestsellers as well. Just 12 years later reputable director Robert Zemeckis filmed Sagan’s story from his original screenplay (which he finished even sooner than the book, in 1979) with Jodie Foster as Ellie Arroway, who travels to the Vega star and much more far from our home after she listens to the signal from aliens with hidden message about how to travel the Universe. Fascinating Sagan’s story shows us even today how genial popularizer of the astronomy and story teller he was. His thoughts were focused on the mankind, religion, differences in understanding of higher principals, love importance, modesty or human importance in the same moment. The „Contact“ movie introduces us so amazing and exciting reality about the cosmological laws and also brings one of the most quotes of the last century: „The universe is a pretty big place. If it’s just us, seems like an awful waste of space.“

And this picture is, actually, tribute to the Sagan’s work on the „Contact“ story. In a little planet you can see a cottage and a person in it (it’s me). Out there is just the Universe and the Milky way as a far and seemingly reachless world. But Vega – bright star up in the right corner – doesn’t seem to be that far. It’s closer and a bit isolated as it has the important role in the story and brings the message. Of course, today we know about the other worlds (even if without a life yet) thanks to the 20yrs long era of the seeking new extrasolar planets, but I hope the „Contact“ story will amaze people even next decades till, at least, the 100th anniversary of the book. Used Canon 6D IR Baader Mod, Samyang 24 mm, f2.8, ISO 8000, 32×15 s little planet panorama, tripod. Captured on Sec reservoir, Czech Republic, on 12th June 2015.
Photographer's website:
http://www.astronom.cz/horalek
Comments
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A really beautiful photograph and comments.
Carl Sagan is a hero of mine he is sadly missed !
If you have not watched The Full Sagan Series 1-9 HD on you tube do so.
The words, pictures, music are wonderful.
Best Wishes
Gordon Ward
Posted by Wardy 2015-06-14 09:28:47
Dear Gordon,
Yes, I saw it and have to say Carl Sagan is one of very small group of people, who can bring the Universe to totally laic public and absolutely enthuse everyone. I am really glad his work was not peaked as the movie Contact, but came with so many legacies to future generations as well.
Best wishes too,
Petr Horalek
Posted by Petr Horalek 2015-06-14 17:40:14
 
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