Astronomical distances, light speed, and uncertainty

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. I think you are on the right track - as an astronomy buff for years, it struck me very young

the awe-inducing realization (once grasping the whole concept of light years) that looking up at the night sky is looking at something that doesn't exist at this very moment, but is a panorama of particular points in time, depending upon the specific distance of each object. I suppose knowing the spectral classification of each star, the speed and direction of each nebula, one could construct "realities" at different points in time.

but it just all boggles the mind so much....to think we can literally see back countless years (unless one is of the ilk that thinks that man and dinosaur pulled up a rock and had a weenie roast together!)...