Scientists Still Learning to How To Count Stars

By John Duckgeischel

According to a recent article in Discovery News astronomers "may have underestimated the tally of galaxies in some parts of the universe by as much as 90 percent." It turns out that astronomers use ultraviolet light signatures as a means of counting stars; however they have found that this may not be the most accurate measurement method. The article goes on to say that In the case of very distant, old galaxies, the telltale light may not reach Earth as it is blocked by interstellar clouds of dust and gas -- and, as a result, these galaxies are missed by the map-makers." This gross miscalculation may cause doubts about the integrity of data gathered by scientists for major scientific theories such as global warming and others.

In another space related story, NASA has given credit to an amateur who has captured photographs of space which have captured the attention of the U.S federal space agency. From the UK, Robert Harrison made a device at home which can orbit the earth 20 miles above it surface and take pictures of the edge of space with incredible clarity. NASA was so impressed it made an effort to contact the father of three children. Harrison made the device for only $815. NASA admitted it would have had to spend millions of dollars to accomplish the same feat.