If it is WMAP, here is a URL with the logo: http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/m_ig.html And here is a small version of the cosmic microwave background - as determined (thus far) by WMAP: http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/m_mm.html Clear skies, Dale. ________________________________ From: utah-astronomy-bounces+dale.hooper=sdl.usu.edu@mailman.xmission.com on behalf of Dave Gary Sent: Thu 5/19/2005 7:14 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Is this graphic related to astronomy? Without seeing the graphic, I couldn't give an educated guess. A guess from your description would be that the graphic represents data from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP). On May 19, 2005, at 5:43 PM, Brian Litke wrote:

Hello,

I was recently asked to identify a graphic that I am guessing is an astronomical plotting of a representation of the universe. I am seeking help in confirming this guess.

I was told the graphic took a lot of scientific knowledge and computing power to create, and hunderds or thousands of people have been discussing the image over the past 2 years or so, leading me to believe the graphic is related to an area of biological or physical science..

Description of the graphic: The graphic has an oval shape which is wider than it is high. Behind the oval is a black background, and the oval itself has clusters of tiny dots which appear to be color plottings. The graphic is not photographic in nature and appears to be a computer representation embodying some knowledge.

The oval part of the graphic appears to have started with a black background, upon which clusters of blue and green appear. Some blue and green clusters have smaller yellow and red plottings on them, which look like concentrations of matter. There was vary little black in the oval, and what black is there is positioned towards the middle of the oval. Much, but not all of the yellow and red plottings are towards the edges of the oval, which led me to believe it may be a representaiton of the expanding universe.

My guess is that the graphic was created by astronomers who were studying the shape or the combined mass of the universe to see if it reached the critical point at which it would collapse again someday.

Does this graphic sound familiar to anyone?

Brian

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