Dust and the Helix Nebula
Explanation: Dust makes this cosmic eye look red. The eerie Spitzer Space Telescope image shows infrared radiation from the well-studied Helix Nebula (NGC 7293) a mere 700 light-years away in the constellation Aquarius. The two light-year diameter shroud of dust and gas around a central white dwarf has long been considered an excellent example of a planetary nebula, representing the final stages in the evolution of a sun-like star. But the Spitzer data show the nebula's central star itself is immersed in a surprisingly bright infrared glow. Models suggest the glow is produced by a dust debris disk. Even though the nebular material was ejected from the star many thousands of years ago, the close-in dust could be generated by collisions in a reservoir of objects analogous to our own solar system's Kuiper Belt or cometary Oort cloud. Formed in the distant planetary system, the comet-like bodies would have otherwise survived even the dramatic late stages of the star's evolution.
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“What do you think we should do?” asked Kassi of Salamon at lunch, a politely convenient term when both are sitting at a table. They are sitting at the same well established and colorful local eatery where Marios and Salamon sat called ‘The Mikroikia’, at the northwest corner of Lyceum and Eleusis Streets.
Salamon glanced the room and suggested they talk somewhere else and the usual family server, Aranos suggested a little used back room with a table and two chairs. Once resettled, the conversation continued in the quieter, much more subdued area.
“I think Thales may be onto something here. We may be looking at this all wrong and if the Supervisor has lack of knowledge as to why we are here in the first place we may be able to use this as leverage.”
“Perhaps, suggested Salamon solemnly. “I cannot see what difference that makes though. We cannot surround Hades with petitions all shouting and waving our hands. We could march North on Eleusis towards our Mother but she okayed this venture so what good would that do?”
“What about south to the River Styx?”
“We cannot cross.”
Kassi immediately felt enlightened and eagerly replied, “We could build a bridge.”
Salamon broke into laughter.
Almost giddily and wide-eyed she continued, “A protest bridge. A symbol. A stone bridge that stops just off shore. The gods may wonder what we are up to but they cannot know in advance if it is a symbol or an actually attempt.”
The laughter stopped, “A two lane bridge,” added Salamon with more excitement than he intended. “A lane for revisiting Earth and a lane for us Dead to return Here.”
***
Later that afternoon the five had gathered within Sophia’s privacy walls and the enthusiasm was mounting.
Sophia spoke last. “I think we have a good plan. We need to get word out tonight so that when morning comes we can implement it without a whine or a shout. If the Supervisor will not see us directly then we will go about the business of building a bridge from the shoreline of South Eleusis Street across the Styx and from there make our way back to the Living. We had to get from there to here so we will build our way back. We have to believe we can do this with all our heartsansoulsanminds. If nothing else the gods will be confounded by our arrogance and stubbornness as a species. We are the caretakers of the Living, it is our natural right to return from whence we came. We are demonstrating for the right reasons, so our living grandchildren may see the truth and learn from it.”
Righteousness echoed her short directive and soon the echo would reverberate throughout the night through dreams and word of mouth. Elysium’s flowers had the strong scent of Free Will and direction and in their hearts they were singing private hymns not to these gods but to themselves as the heroes they continued to be. They, the ten thousand, would make their own road Home.
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