The view from Mars

You'd think that the wonders of computer imagery and animation, with their ability to create from scratch science-fiction vistas far more extravagant than anything that occurs in the natural world, would tend to blunt one's awe at images like this scene from Mars. When you've seen hundreds of bizarre, imaginary science fiction worlds played out across the silver screen, how could a simple rock-strewn desert landscape hope to compete? But I was surprised to find myself stunned by the Mars images we're receiving. They're just beautiful.

George Lucas can continue showing us around the confines of his elaborate imaginary galaxies, but nothing that he (or anyone else) will ever produce can match the simple grandeur of the universe that surrounds us every moment of our lives.