Capturing Stardust

Myth is the public dream, and dream is the private myth. - Joseph Campbell

In a recent Astronomy Picture of the Day learned that NASA has captured some stardust. To quote from the photo's explanation,

"A flying saucer from outer space crash-landed in the Utah desert yesterday after being tracked by radar and chased by helicopters and airplanes. Like last time, no space aliens were involved. The saucer, the Stardust return capsule, is carrying bits of Comet Wild 2 captured two years ago during a rendezvous between Stardust and the ancient comet. . . .The bits of Comet Wild 2 stored in the Stardust return capsule are likely older than the Sun and will be inspected over the next few years for clues about the early years of our Solar System. "

Didn't they write a song about that, a very long time ago? For me, the juxtaposition of a great old Big Band song and bringing home actual stardust to study in a lab has a lovely congruence. I love both ideas because they each have their own kind of magic. It is High Touch meets High Tech.

Kind of like the website, "deli.cio.us.com." that I just discovered. I have fun playing with the pink tags--deciding, selecting, borrowing, arranging and sorting them into a "cloud" or a list. And there is a social aspect to the site's community.

High Tech meets High Touch.

I was originally introduced to the concept of HT/HT by one of my very first bosses after getting out of college, who defined it this way, "There is high technology, and there is the human touch. When you can combine them, you have dynamite--the best chance for success."

Although I do not really understand it, what I infer about Quantum Physics is that there is a metaphysical and spiritual element that informs the expression and expertise of it. The tools of the discipline are as high tech as one can imagine. And star gazing is of the most sublime experiences. Who hasn't wanted to touch the stars?

Tags: NASA astronomy Technology

My "topical post" today at South by Southwest is about our current president's ability or inability to change.