This is pretty exciting.  New Horizon has reached it’s closest approach to Jupiter, and now it will accellerate away en route to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt beyond.

One of the many interesting things that this craft photographed was an eruption on the moon Io.  This tiny world is under constant tidal stresses from Jupiter and, because of this, is quite active.  I would love to see the effects of such a massive body like Jupiter causes to the surrounding moons.  The tectonic movements alone would be enough to keep me occupied for days while mentally envisioning the entire process.

At one time I thought that I had been born too early.  We’ve barely left our own protective atmosphere and know next to nothing about the universe around us.  However, as I see the information from NASA and other great observatories around the world, and as I learn of the theories and posits of various scientific masters, it’s clear that this is one of the most exciting times to be in.

We learn more day by day.  And the simplest things can both amuse and excite us.  The things we’re learn today will be boring and common knowledge to children in the next few centuries.

Our future generations may find it harder to be impressed by the things we have yet to learn about the universe.