THE PRESENT DOES NOT EXIST

 The concept of the present is a mere fallacy. The “Pillars of Creation” are situated approximately 7,000 light-years away from our planet, Earth, which implies that we observe this nebula as it existed a staggering 7,000 years ago, owing to the time taken by light to reach us. At that juncture in history, the “Pillars” were thriving, but the captured images have revealed a cloud of heated dust in the vicinity, which a consortium of scientists has discerned as a shock wave, a by-product of a supernova. Approximately 6,000 years prior, this shock wave encountered the clouds that currently constitute this awe-inspiring nebula, compressing and ensnaring them along with their nascent stars.

As we cast ourgaze upon the world, we are invariably looking into the past, a consequence of light’s finite speed. When we scrutinize galaxies distant by 3 billion light-years, we perceive them as they were 3 billion years ago. We observe the Sun as it was 8.5 minutes prior. Were you standing before me, I would perceive you as you were a minute 1.01670336 nanoseconds ago, as the light reflected from your visage would reach my eyes following this duration. While our minds inhabit their present, we observe everything else in its past context.

Furthermore, as can be deduced from these images, our eyes are capable of perceiving only a minuscule portion of the light that naturally occurs. To observe the infrared, for instance, we fabricate instruments that unveil the enigmas of a universe we would otherwise remain oblivious to.

The universe is a marvel of wonders; do you not concur?

Credits: NASA