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Birthday · January 1, 2000

The Millennium that Defines Universe

January 1, 2000

The Moon has changed phase thousands of times since the beginning of the cosmos, but only once did it shine on the night you arrived.

The Millennium that Defines Universe

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APOD published January 1, 2000. Full image credits are on the original APOD entry below. A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.

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The Millennium that Defines Universe

Original APOD · January 1, 2000

Welcome to the millennial year at the threshold of millennium three. During millennium two, humanity continually redefined its concept of "Universe": first as spheres centered on the Earth, in mid-millennium as the Solar System, a few centuries ago as the Galaxy, and within the last century as the matter emanating from the Big Bang. During millennium three humanity may hope to discover alien life, to understand the geometry and composition of our present concept of Universe, and even to travel through this Universe. Whatever our accomplishments, humanity will surely find adventure and discovery in the space above and beyond, and possibly define the surrounding Universe in ways and colors we cannot yet imagine by the threshold of millennium four.

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