Photo # 2 (Jan 2009)
GALAXIES IN THE RIVER
Benevolent action cannot be coerced. A level of consciousness from which altruistic action flows naturally depends on a shift in motivation from fear and greed to love and compassion. This shift in motivation is an essential part of spiritual development that fosters compassionate action in the world. Conscious evolution implies that this process can be intentionally accelerated.
- Frances Vaughan
Credit & Copyright: Robert Gendler,
Jan-Erik Ovaldsen, Allan Hornstrup, IDA
Image data: ESO/Danish 1.5m telescope at La Silla, Chile - 2008
Large galaxies grow by eating small ones. Even our own galaxy practices galactic cannibalism, absorbing small galaxies that get too close and are captured by the Milky Way's gravity. In fact, the practice is common in the universe and well illustrated by this striking pair of interacting galaxies from the banks of the southern constellation Eridanus (The River). Located over 50 million light years away, the large, distorted spiral NGC 1532 is seen locked in a gravitational struggle with dwarf galaxy NGC 1531, a struggle the smaller galaxy will eventually lose. Seen edge-on, spiral NGC 1532 spans about 100,000 light-years. The NGC 1532/1531 pair is thought to be similar to the system of face-on spiral and small companion known as M51, the Whirlpool Galaxy.
As above, so below. Our experience on earth is that larger cultures swallow smaller ones. Sadly, the dominant culture in our world today has distanced itself from awareness of our oneness with nature. In pursuit of our Western comforts and pleasures we have ignored the needs of other cultures and of the environment. Hopefully we will absorb enough of the wisdom of smaller, traditional cultures and waken again to our place in the world as co-creators with Nature rather than continuing as exploiters of nature. We must change our ways if we are to halt carbon emissions, reverse global heating, and survive.
- Daniel Benor, MD
