A moment's examination reveals that there is far more here than meets the eye: the imprinted text dispels any notion of this canvas as being derived from the stellar vault. Deeper consideration evokes an incongruous construction -- the surface suggests aged concrete, contradicting any immediate association with the claim of fluid ounces.
So it is with much of the universe: visual evidence is often the most unreliable source towards understanding the nature of an object under study. The Moon, cast a Martian red during the depths of its brief habitation of Earth's umbra, seems to float weightlessly against an incomprehensibly deep ocean . . . yet its Mass is ~ 8.1 x 1019 tons.
Similarly, this image is a photograph of the side of a cement mold originating from a one gallon plastic milk (or water) container. To an archeologist far removed by distance and time, this physical specimen would be quite misleading as a fossil representation of its relatively flimsy, lightweight source.
To whatever degree each of us labors in the darkness of ignorance, however, optimism abounds: from this point forward the days are growing longer!
Carton, #2940
© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.
(click image for larger version)
Details: December 11, 2010; Canon 20D; f/13 @ 1/320 sec; —1/3 EV; ISO 400; 100mm.
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