Halo's: Sun and Moon

Yesterday some halo's around the Sun and later around the Moon.

Carlo Rovelli and the Quantum Cosmos

Reimagining Space, Time, and Reality: Carlo Rovelli and the Quantum Cosmos

Italian theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli (1956) is one of the most compelling voices in modern physics, bridging general relativity and quantum mechanics through Loop Quantum Gravity (LQG). He introduces a fundamental shift in our understanding of nature: space is not a continuous, empty backdrop, but a granular network composed of discrete "atoms of space" at the Planck scale.

At this fundamental quantum level, physical time as a universal, flowing stream completely disappears. Instead, time emerges merely from thermal entropy and relational interactions between systems, challenging our deepest intuitions about cause and temporal progression in astrophysics.

His work on astrophysics and black hole thermodynamics explores the ultimate fate of collapsing stars. Rather than ending in infinite gravitational singularities where physics breaks down, quantum pressure causes black holes to reach a minimum threshold and rebound into short-lived, emitting "white holes"—a theoretical phenomenon offering key insights into early universe dynamics.

Finally, Rovelli unifies his mathematical physics with a profound philosophical framework. He argues that all cosmic phenomena—from subatomic particles to human thought and distant galaxies—exist on an equal, relational plane. Reality is not a static hierarchy of distinct objects, but an interconnected web of physical interactions shaping our quantum universe.

My Carlo Rovelli collection .... so far :)

Unbounded Universe: An Unforgettable Evening with Govert Schilling on the James Webb Space Telescope.

The James Webb Space Telescope is undeniably astronomy's newest darling. Launched in late 2021 as the successor to the iconic Hubble Space Telescope, this ultra-sensitive space observatory has been churning out fascinating results and spectacular deep-space photos almost continuously.

I recently had the pleasure of attending a lecture in Maastricht about this marvel of engineering, presented by renowned science journalist Govert Schilling. Titled Unbounded Universe: A Journey Through the Cosmos with the James Webb Space Telescope, the presentation took us through the rich history, complex construction, and ingenious design of JWST. Govert showcased a stunning array of impressive images, offering a breathtaking introduction to the mysterious cosmos we all call home.

I was joined by my Helios colleague Walter for the evening. The atmosphere was buzzing because the auditorium was completely packed to capacity, and there was even a waiting list to get in. It is always inspiring to see such a massive turnout of people eager to learn about the wonders of our universe.

At the end of the lecture, I managed to catch up with Govert and take a quick selfie to add to my collection from previous talks, keeping the tradition alive.

It was a fantastic evening filled with awe-inspiring science, incredible visual art from the depths of space, and great camaraderie. A huge thank you to Govert Schilling for another wonderful presentation! 

Sun September 10 with Solex CaIIH, CaIIK, H-alfa, MgB2, FeI, HeID3, H-beta and H-epsilon

 

CaIIH, CaIIK with blue wings

 CaIIH and CaIIK and blue wings. 

Eruption in AR4521 imaged with Sol'Ex

 

Doppler effect Sol'Ex Sun September 10

 

I made a movie using h-alpha images from September 10th, 2026.

The movie shows the sequence from the photosphere to chromosphere and back with a range of 1 angstrom. The pop up of the filament in the photosphere is due to doppler effect and the filament has a speed of 46km/s.