There are 2*(10^11) to 4*(10^11) i.e. upto 400,000,000,000 stars in the Milky Way Galaxy (that’s four hundred-billion, using the short scale). That’s our local neighborhood.

The Milky Way is part of the “Local Group” of around 30 galaxies, and is the second largest, after the Andromeda Galaxy (10^12 – 1 trillion stars).

This group in turn, is part of the “Virgo Cluster“, which comprises of 1,300 to 2,000 galaxies.

The Virgo Cluster, is the heart of the “Virgo Supercluster“, which contains at least 100 galaxy groups and clusters.

There are millions of superclusters in the observable universe.

Amazing. Now I don’t feel so bad about not getting my chores done, even if the universe is just a giant computer!

“I have been a witness, and these pictures are my testimony. The events I have recorded should not be forgotten and must not be repeated.”

Nachtwey spoke at TED 2007. He was one of the three prize winners and was awarded $100,000 and a wish to change the world (E. O. Wilson, another of my heroes, was also awarded a prize). His (21 minute) talk is below, and contains graphic images.

His wish:

“I’m working on a story that the world needs to know about. I wish for you to help me break it in a way that provides spectacular proof of the power of news photography in the digital age.”

Well, it took a while, but his wish was revealed in early October 2008 (also very graphic):

He has also established xdrtb.org, with the goal of creating awareness around extremely (or extensively) drug-resistant tuberculosis or XDRTB.

Incredible, moving images of a terrible disease.