Another fireball this time over New England

Another fireball streaked through the sky , this time over New England. Here is a plot of the reports and more information including accounts.
12/31/08
http://www.spaceweather.com/

can't find it? use the archives and go to earlier date other then this one

Crab Nebula seen with its mysterious pulsar

A Pulsar is a spinning shell of star that remains once a star’s core collapses and rebounds to shine a supernova. After it’s titanic explosion a small spinning star with magnetic fields is created. Here is the best evidence and view of a pulsar in the famous Crab Nebula. The Pulsar is in the middle. Chinese astronomers witnessed the supernova explosion in 1054 AD
http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2008/crab/

Ten top Space stories 2008

It is always interesting to see the top 10 of the year 2008. Here are 10 for space.

http://news.aol.com/article/2008-a-momentous-year-in-spaceflight/287469

Saturn titled rings

Saturn like our Earth tilts on its axis. When that happens the beautiful rings sometime appear edge on as they are now. Here is more information and photos to understand this unusual allignment.

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/22dec_crazytilt.htm

Moon goes behind Jupiter

Looks to cool to be real. But when you click on this link you will see one of Jupiter's moon go behind the planet while the planet rotates
http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2008/42/video/a/

Beautiful rare nacreous clouds observed/ photographed

These high flying clouds are rare and colorful .
can't find it? use the archives and go to earlier date other then this one
12/20/2008
http://www.spaceweather.com/

SOHO spacecraft and comet hunter rediscovers its first comet

I was hoping that we might be able to see this comet through the SOHO spacecraft imaging.
Today this news appeared :
SOHO spacecraft and comet hunter rediscovers its first comet
http://sungrazer.nrl.navy.mil/index.php?p=latest_news
Look for 12/17/2008
also video of CME and comet via link on http://spaceweather.com (12/19/2008)

Dr. Eric Flescher (kcstarguy@aol.com; dreric1kansas@aol.com), Olathe, KS: Lat 38.834, Lon -94.778: Comet Observers Award Coordinator- Astronomical League / Astronomical Society of Kansas, KC, MO-Louisburg,KS: http://www.astroleague.org/al/obsclubs/comet/comet.htm: Comet Observers Blog: http://cometobservers.blogspot.com/:Subscribe to Comet Observers newsletter (send your email to):CometObserversAwardAL-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Venus Express spacecraft investigation finds atmospheric loss of hydrogen

It has long been known that Venus is hot with clouds high above in the atmosphere producing a greenhouse effect which traps heat . But underneath Venus' clouds, were there hot oceans or deserts / dry land? Then radar showed the landscape to be dry and arid with no water. Scientists understood that Venus had water, once like Earth but then lost its water. But the mystery was how ? Now the Venus Express spacecraft has made the first detection of an atmospheric loss process on Venus's day-side. The spacecraft has yielded data that revealed that most of the lostatmosphere escapes from the night-side. Planetary scientists are closer to understanding what happened to the water on Venus and all the processes that caused the water to disappear from Venus.

More at:
http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEM8MYSTGOF_index_0.html

The dynamic Saturn's small moon Enceladus

Scientists, using the Cassini spacecraft diving low to the surface oft the moon, finds even more evidence on Saturn's small moon Enceladus of a world which is even more dynamic.

http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0812/15enceladus/

Biggest, brightest and closest Moon of the year

Tonights Moon is 14% wider and 30% brighter than lesser Moons earlier in 2008. This occurs at perigee, the side of the Moon's elliptical orbit closest to Earth. Here is my picture of the event with my Canon Rebel taken through the trees with a nice moon halo surrounding it.

try to look for bright Geminid meteors starting tonight until this weekend

Yes that moon is bright over in the West near sunrise. It is located near the radiant (Gemini) before sunrise washing out everything in the sky particularly in the West but....

I stepped outside 6:10 Central am to get the newspaper. Well I happened to look up at the right time and saw a nice fat, yellow, zero magnitude Geminid flying across the Big Dipper.

Remember the brightest ones might be coming around 9 pm Earthgrazers so watch for them Dec 12- 14) Friday, Sat (Maxiumum) and Sunday night. These can appear all over the sky and are usually very long, very bright and can appear even in the areas that areas that are washed ouot by the moon. I am more interested in seeing the bright ones any way because those are the ones to remember this (and other showers ) yearly event.

Hope you see some. Please report any you see.

A spectacular (Perseid ) earthgrazer skimmed across the atmosphere near the Grand Tetons in August , 1972. Luckily it was caught on film.
Here is the link to see the video.
If you have not seen it before , the time has come

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=503_1215418331

Globular cluster: Hubble sees many stars

This very popular globular cluster has some of the oldest stars in a tight bunch. More here

http://news.aol.com/article/hubble-spots-celestial-snow-globe/270504

VENUS' GLOBAL CLOUD PATTERNS

It has sulphuric acid clouds and is very hot. The Venus Express spacecraft has found that  light on the atmospheric
 conditions that are responsible for the characteristic ultraviolet features in the Venusian
cloud deck
http://sci.esa.int/jump.cfm?oid=43792

Students discover unique planet

Students discover unique planet
This extraordinary find is about 5 tim
also in the photo of the 3 students showing off their data, it looks they are showing it off on an Apple ibook
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=7711

This week, Astronomy.com reported some intriguing comet research at Lowell Observatory in Arizona. A Lowell scientist, Dave Schleicher, studies the chemistry of comets. He and his colleagues recently found that Comet 96P/Machholz 1 has a weird chemistry. Machholz is extremely low in a chemical called cyanogen compared to other comets. The Lowell researchers think it may be a totally new class of comets, possibly cooked up billions of years ago in...
http://cs.astronomy.com/asycs/blogs/astronomy/2008/12/05/so-what-does-comet-96p-machholz-smell-like.aspx


Scientists find meteor debris in Canada
PHOTOS
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/28/AR2008112801930.html

University of Calgary graduate student Ellen Milley poses with a fragment of a meteorite in a small pond near Lloydminster, Sask., Canada Friday, Nov. 28, 2008. Scientists said Friday they had found remains of a meteor that illuminated the sky before falling to earth in western Canada earlier this month. University of Calgary scientist Alan Hildebrand and Milley found several meteor fragments near the Battle River along the rural Alberta-Saskatchewan border, near the city of Lloydminster late Thursday. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Geoff Howe)
University of Calgary graduate student Ellen Milley poses with a fragment of a meteorite in a small pond near Lloydminster, Sask., Canada Friday, Nov. 28, 2008. Scientists said Friday they had found remains of a meteor that illuminated the sky before falling to earth in western Canada earlier this month. University of Calgary scientist Alan Hildebrand and Milley found several meteor fragments near the Battle River along the rural Alberta-Saskatchewan border, near the city of Lloydminster late Thursday. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Geoff Howe) (Geoff Howe - AP)


other solar system news
http://webmail.aol.com/39997/aol/en-us/Suite.aspx

blog archives on right very nice

JETS ON THE MOON ENCELADUS what makes them work?

Scientists continue to search for the cause of the geysers on Saturn's small
moon Enceladus. Geysers are visible as a large plume like stream of water vapor
and ice particles escaping the moon. Inside the plume are jets of dust and
gas. What actually causes/controls the jets is enigma. The Cassini
spacecraft continues to collect new data to look for ideas and actual conclusions.

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0812/02enceladus/

Great looking trio in the sky 12/1/2008

The forecast for Monday night was clear near Kansas City.

It started cloudy then started to get partly cloudy.

I drove down to Louisbourg, KS (south of Kansas City ) to take a picture at the observatory. The trio was remarkably pretty. I hope you all were able to take a peak

Here is one of my pics

Scientists find meteor debris in Canada after that huge fireball

The many videos floating on the youtube about this brilliant fireball now has another part to the story. Meteorites have been recovered.
see PHOTOS
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/28/AR2008112801930.html

Arkansas earthquakes portend a bigger one

Arkansas Quakes Could Offer Warning in the future. More investigation is needed to gauge possibly when a future earthquake may take place.
By JON GAMBRELL

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Nov. 28) - A series of small earthquakes that rattled central Arkansas in recent weeks could be a sign of something much bigger to come.
http://news.aol.com/article/arkansas-quakes-could-offer-warning/262244

3 out of 4 possible telltale signs now detected on planets beyond our own

Now Carbon Dioxide is detected in planets beyond our own. The next one to investigate and find is .... (look at the article)
By Robert Roy Britt
Editorial Director
posted: 23 November 2008
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/081123-planet-carbon-dioxide.html

Leonids and Light pillars

The Leonid meteor shower peaked on the morning of 11/17/2008. While many in Asia and Europe saw significant higher then average meteoric rates, in Kansas I saw nothing due to clouds. I did however see one nice Leonid the morning before.
While that phenomenon was in the atmosphere, Light pillars danced in the sky lower to the Earth. They appear like ice crystal laden auroras but they are not.
http://www.spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=22&month=11&year=2008

Closeup view of Saturn's moon shows special structures

This moon has been discovered to have unusual features. Here are the lastest pictures and closeups.
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap081119.html

Auroras over Saturn

Auroras can be seen over the Earth, both hemispheres. They are also seen above the atmospheres of other planets.

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap081119.html

Blach holes imaged

Black holes are amazing but seeing the regions where they are being imaged more and more.

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap081119.html

Asteroid Destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah?

I thought this was rather interesting. Some simulated research after finding an ancient rock with writings and drawing possibly depicts an small asteroid fall in the Austrian alps many years ago. However the title does not say that but refers more that such an asteroidal fall may have destroyed the bilblical Sodom and Gomorrah. I would have preferred that they stick the facts and the rock they found then trying to make assumptions to a Sodom and Gomorrah destructive. If there were more evidence in a Middle Eastern land about such an asteroid fall , I would find it more plausible. However I go congratulate them on finding the stone and decoding it.

Researchers: Asteroid Destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

By Lewis Smith
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,343674,00.html?sPage=fnc/scitech/space

Little creature reappears in an Indonesian rainforest

Tiny Primates Found Alive Again in Indonesian Rainforest

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

By Jeanna Bryner

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,454664,00.html

Leonids meteor shower 11/16 and 11/17 may be stronger then average

The famous Leonid meteor shower will peak Sunday starting 9 PM. While it is not supposed to be a meteor storm like 1966, 1999-2001, the rates are mentioned to be higher. At that time you can start to see earthgrazers which are usually brilliant and long meteors that skim the surface of the atmosphere. Just seeing one can be an awesome sight. More none earthgrazers will appear later on in the morning as the Leo constellation (looks like a big question mark in the south) rises higher and higher. We'll see what happens.

New possible extrasolar planet imaged

Here is a photo of a possible imaged planet beyond our solar system. Time will tell whether it is really called a planet (like a big Jupiter) or very small dwarf star.

photo of Fomalhaut b
Credit: NASA, ESA, P. Kalas, J. Graham, E. Chiang, E. Kite (Univ. California, Berkeley),
M. Clampin (NASA/Goddard), M. Fitzgerald (Lawrence Livermore NL),
K. Stapelfeldt, J. Krist (NASA/JPL)

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap081114.html

Fomalhaut is a bright, young, star, a short 25 light-years from planet Earth in the direction of the constellation Piscis Austrinus. The Hubble data represent the first visible-light image of a planet circling another star.

Has Pheonix lander demise end the mission?

Possibly the end has come to the Phoenix mission, five months after the spacecraft first landed 0n Mars' in the arctic plains and found water on another planet.

Mars Mission Ends for Phoenix Spacecraft
By ALICIA CHANG

http://news.aol.com/article/nasa-says-phoenix-mars-mission-is-over/180473

All sky camera photograhs many bright meteors

I've watched meteors for many years and seen some real bright ones. However this camera does things better by capturing them in a 360 view. Look at all of them captured over a period of time.
11/08/2008
http://www.spaceweather.com/
can't find it? use the archives and go to earlier date other then this one

Photo of trail from asteroid that came through atmosphere

A small asteroid that was detected and came through the atmosphere left a big trail over the skies in Africa. This was the first time such a detection was found and watched as it came through the atmosphere.
November 8,2008
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
can't find it? use the archives and go to earlier date other then this one

European Taurid fireball lights up the sky

The low file Taurid meteor shower is putting out some fireballs for the next few days after midnight. Here is several photos of one that lit up the sky. It was about as bright as the moon.
http://spaceweather.com/submissions/large_image_popup.php?image_name=Roman-Piffl-tau_20081105_204238_5D_1225929890.jpg

Spaceweather variety of phenomenon photos

Float /click onto the little ball like tick marks to see some nice photos that will float up
http://spaceweather.com/submissions/map.php

Big fireball steaks through astmosphere

I have seen some amazingly bright meteor / fireballs during the year including exploding ones during the many years. One of the most unusal and spectacular ones was a lime green Perseid that was stationary. It just grew bigger and bigger in size (no tail) until it grew about the size of the moon (in the sky) and then fizzled. wow. Here is a photo taken recently of a huge fireball .
http://www.spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=31&month=10&year=2008

Comet Holmes revisited 1 year ago

This amazing comet burst into the sky when its brightness zoomed to 2 magnitude. Eventually is appeared as big as the moon in the sky. Here is more about what happened.

http://www.spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=24&month=10&year=2008

10 intriguing extrasolar planets

Learn about 10 of the most interesting extrasolar planets and their characteristics

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/extrasolar_planets.html

strange weather on other planets

Weather on other worlds is many times unlike anything on Earth. Learn more

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/081020-mm-exoplanet-weather.html

Mysterious gamma ray bursts

What are these mysterious blasts from the past . Here is more.

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/20oct_briefmystery.htm?list731500

Beautiful fireball photo

Once in awhile you might see a brilliant fireball light up the sky. Here is a great photo of one taken at a star party


Beautiful Fireball photo
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap081011.html

Mars news

Snowfall Seen on Mars
By Andrea Thompson
Senior Writer
posted: 29 September 2008
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080929-phoenix-update.html


Wind and Snow Do Strange Things on Mars
By Jeanna Bryner
Senior Writer
posted: 29 September 2008
06:53 am ET
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080929-mm-mars-ice.html


Melting Glaciers Sculpted Mars Gullies
By Andrea Thompson
Senior Writer
posted: 25 August 2008
05:56 pm ET
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080825-mars-gullies.html

Mars underground plumbing

More evidence of water traveling underground on Mars

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080926-fracture-mars.html

Shark attack on video

Amazing how this guy survived this shark attack by not one but two sharks!

http://video.aol.com/partner/animalplanet/untamed-and-uncut-double-great-white-attack/8852c0d8cd18927da0be4f200547051969d33815?icid=100214839x1210601480x1200591757

Scientist see the wreakage of planets that collides in a far away system

Scientists see the results of what happened when planets collide.
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080923-worlds-collide.html

FOOTBALL-SHAPED NEW DWARF PLANET

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has just named the solar system's fifth dwarf planet, Haumea, after the Hawaiian goddess of childbirth and fertility. Located just beyond Pluto, Haumea spins so rapidly that it has been elongated like a football approximately 2200 km long. The strange planet has two moons, Hi'iaka and Namaka: IAU press release.
921/2008
http://www.spaceweather.com/
can't find it? use the archives and go to earlier date other then this one

Extreme environments and possible relationship to live beyond our Earth

I first learned about these creatures and special environments when I saw a video in the late 70s or 80s. I have been hooked ever since to find out more about these creatures and their possible tie in to life beyond our Earth. Read more .
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/0809180-am-northern-vents.html

Total solar eclipse photo showing outer corona

Very impressive photo of total eclipse with wide angle shot of outer corona. A picture like this takes the use of many photos and a lot of time to produce

http://www.zam.fme.vutbr.cz/~druck/Eclipse/Ecl2008m/Tse2008_200_mo1/0-info.htm

upside down rainbow

Upside down rainbow photo is taken of unusual phenomenon

http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/viewnews.php?id=135627

New creatures found in seas near Australia

New creatures have been found off the coast of Australia. Read all about it

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080918/ap_on_re_au_an/as_australia_new_marine_life

Unicorn-Like Animal photographed

Animals once thought extinct or on the brink are turning up all the time on the land and in the oceans. Here is information about the latest one.
By NANCY ZUCKERBROD
http://news.aol.com/article/camera-snaps-unicorn-like-animal/170495

The hurrican train: 3 storms in the atmosphere

Hanna, Ike and Josephine were lined. Some are weakening and others are lining up.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Nice video of comet mysteries and more

This video details more information about the mystery of comets
http://www.space.com/common/media/video.php?videoRef=comets_bright

Noctilucent slide video show

Nice video movie with music contains videos and scenes of recent the mysterious high flying noctilucent clouds

---

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xF2vSKINK0

Destroyed in seconds 9/4 El Reno airport tornado destruction

2 category 1 tornado footages from Oklahoma (no date)

One was I think this year when the tornado was caught by the chopter pilot as it destroyed a pig farm. If you have not seen this, it was impressive close up footage. Commentator most of the pigs (in metal cages) survived which is hard to believe when you look at the ferocity.

Other one was anticyclonic rips off and rips through the long hangars

Mars Lanader probes soil even further

Analysis has begun of soil sampled  delivered to NASA's
Phoenix Mars Lander's wet chemistry experiment from the deepest trench dug
in the Martian arctic plains.

 http://spaceflightnow.com/mars/phoenix/080902trenching.html

Hurricane Gustav will hit New Orleans Monday morning

People are not taking this hurricane for granted. It is slow moving (which is not good , the slower it goes the more time it can stay around and pound any area/city). Now category 3 it could do much more damage then Katrina. Also it seems while it moves, the Republic gathering may be stalled until later.

http://news.aol.com/article/new-orleans-mayor-says-get-out-now/152235?icid=100214839x1208673938x1200502198

mars rover leaves crater

One of the rover needed to leave the crater it was in

http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080829-opportunity-marscrater.html


mars rover 10 best discoveries
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/top10_rover_discovery.html

Ash plumes and more from the Alaskan Kasatoch volcano

Current beautiful sunset are partially due to the ash plumes and more from the Alaskan Kasatoch volcano. This mountain is spewing sulfur dioxide gas and volcanic ash clouds high in the air which is creating some interesting colorful sunsets. Take a look at these satellite images.
Also try observatories in Cascades, Hawaii, Long Valley, Yellowstone

http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Kasatochi.php

more about Alaskan volcanoes
http://www.mms.gov/alaska/kids/shorts/Alaska's%20Volcanoes/alaska's%20volcanoes.htm
http://www.alaska.net/~logjam/volcanoes.html

Great Planet or mini planet debate rolls on

Great Planet Debate: Scientists Could Overturn Official Definition
Here you read up on past info on the controversy and some of the latest info
Information from the latest meeting we will here more I am sure
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080805-st-planet-debate.html

Tornado puzzle: what actually may trigger the hook signature on Dopplers

Are heavy rains the key for triggering tornadoes? Some scientists may have some
interesting correlations.

*Heavy Rain Triggers Destructive
Tornadoes<http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/08/22/tornado-rain.html>
*Michael Reilly, Discovery News

*Aug. 22, 2008* -- When the spring skies blacken over the Midwestern United
States and the clouds begin to rotate ominously, residents know a
tornado<http://science.howstuffworks.com/tornado.htm>could be on its
way.

But just how the deadly twisters form is a mystery that has puzzled
scientists for decades. They know a range of atmospheric conditions must be
in place, including strong, closely paired up- and downdrafts, windshear at
high altitudes, and usually a foreboding supercell thunderstorm, spinning
slowly in the sky.

Amid this stormy cocktail, new research suggests that the heavy rains that
often accompany supercells may be key in triggering
tornadoes<http://blogs.discovery.com/news_earth/2008/01/tornadoes-globa.html>to
form. According to Robert Davies-Jones of the National
Severe Storms Laboratory <http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/> in Oklahoma, rain
falling in heavy sheets from supercell storm cloud provides a strong push to
updrafting air, causing it to spin up into a fully fledged twister.

"You can have a rotating storm but until you have rain you don't get a
tornado," Robert Davies-Jones of the National Severe Storm Laboratory said.

Scientists have known this simple fact since 1953, when radar first allowed
meteorologists to peer into supercells. In tornadic storms, they noticed the
rain swirled into a hook shape. The feature, called a 'hook echo' quickly
became known as a tell-tale radar marker for a tornado.

But the swirling rain was regarded as a by-product of a tornado, merely the
effect of its powerful corkscrewing winds. Davies-Jones believes the
opposite may be true.

"The hook echo is usually thought to be a passive feature of tornadoes," he
said. "I'm saying it's not passive, it's an active mechanism for tornado
formation."

His work is published in the August issue of *Journal of the Atmospheric
Sciences*.

Davies-Jones ran computer simulations of supercell storms to see if falling
rain could provide the needed kick that turned diffuse updrafts rising off
the warm plains into tight-spinning, lethal tornadoes. As the rain
falls<http://science.howstuffworks.com/question479.htm>out of a
rotating supercell cloud it is also twisting, and as it falls he
found it transfers the rotational energy into the updrafting air adjacent to
it.

The rain also acts as a sort of wall, confining the swirling, rising air. As
it continues to head skyward the air inside the rain curtain stretches out
like a figure skater raising her arms. The spinning speeds up, and a tornado
is born.

"The mechanism is a good one," David Lewellen of the University of West
Virginia said. "But until these things are seen more conclusively out in the
field, it's not at all clear whether rain is involved in the formation of
most tornadoes, a few, or none at all."

Lewellen points out that rain is only one of myriad weather conditions that
have to be just right for a tornado to form. A massive field campaign of
experiments is scheduled for the spring season in 2009 and 2010 that he
hopes will determine if the implications in the models are correct.

Hummingbird field data reporting and maps

This nice sight reports sightings of monarch butterflies, hummingbirds and more. Look at maps, database fields and much more. Very nicely done. Schools can also put in their reports as part of educational projects. A simple process allows you to register and find out more.

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/humm/

Tropical storm Faye produces tornado and lots of rain

Eventhough a storm does not quite make the level of a hurricane, it can still produce a lot of rain and flooding as it has done with Fay. It also produced a tornado. Look at photos, video and more

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/weather/hurricane/orl-hurricane-fay-tracking-0819085am,0,7206772.story

Beautiful total eclipse panorama photo from Russia

Hi,
A late report in response to Altai Mountain observation question: I
had a successful observation in Altai Mountains located near
Mongolian border inside Russia-Siberia. The area with fantastic
nature reserved environment (World Heritage Site) made the 2m 12s
eclipse a fascinating experience.
My panoramic shot of the eclipse is available on The World at Night
website:
http://www.twanight.org/newTWAN/photos.asp?ID=3001556
Regards
Babak

birth of hummingbirds photo slide showhu

These photos are wonderful. My friends in nearby Wyandotte county, KS (near Kansas City), have seen them at their feeders. However the hummies have not come to my feeder. They usually return August 22 on the dot the last couple of years so I am hopeful that will return so I can see them here. But there photos are wonderful. Thanks
eric


THE BIRTH OF A HUMMINGBIRD...


Keep in mind the egg is smaller than a tic tac and a quarter fits the opening of the nest!
This is truly amazing.

Be sure to click on NEXT PAGE at the bottom of each page; there are 5 pages in all. A lady found a hummingbird nest and got pictures all the way from the egg to leaving the nest.

It took 24 days from birth to flight. Because you'll probably never in your lifetime see this again, enjoy; and please share.

http://community-2.webtv.net/Velpics/HUM/

birth of hummingbirds photo slide showhu

These photos are wonderful. My friends in nearby Wyandotte county, KS (near Kansas City), have seen them at their feeders. However the hummies have not come to my feeder. They usually return August 22 on the dot the last couple of years so I am hopeful that will return so I can see them here. But there photos are wonderful. Thanks
eric


THE BIRTH OF A HUMMINGBIRD...


Keep in mind the egg is smaller than a tic tac and a quarter fits the opening of the nest!
This is truly amazing.

Be sure to click on NEXT PAGE at the bottom of each page; there are 5 pages in all. A lady found a hummingbird nest and got pictures all the way from the egg to leaving the nest.

It took 24 days from birth to flight. Because you'll probably never in your lifetime see this again, enjoy; and please share.

http://community-2.webtv.net/Velpics/HUM/

total and lunar eclipse photos

Multiple sequenced photos of diamond rings and Bailey';s Beads from Russia
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astrop
8/18/2008
can't find it? use the archives and go to earlier date other then this one

Partial lunar eclipse orientation
8/18/2008
http://www.spaceweather.com/
can't find it? use the archives and go to earlier date other then this one

Cassini spacecraft researching more about the geysers spewing material from Saturn's icy moon

The flyby is an attempt to discover more information about this curious icy moon Enceladus.
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080808-cassini-flyby.html

nice flyby map is located on this page
http://www.universetoday.com/2008/08/12/cassini-skeet-shoot-of-enceladus-a-success/

also check out the cool video that tells you more about the whole mission and brings you up to pace with the mission's agenda, findings and more (includes videos and superb photographic closeups to give you a better idea how unique this discovery is and how things keep getting even more wonderous)
http://www.space.com/php/video/player.php?video_id=Enceladus_web

also more updates at the main cassini website
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.cfm

More clues to water and more for Mars

Layers of clay-rich rock have been found in Mars’ Mawrth Vallis

http://www.seti.org/news/press-releases/martian-clays.php

Teacher discovers nebula

Great stuff. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93456780

Perseid meteor shower Thursdau Night and gorgeous Aquamarine fireball

A fireball is a meteor brighter then Venus (magnitude -2).

A friend and I camped out next to Powell Observatory.

There was a lot of activity then a lull. I lost time as I was plotting but it was a good night. But it was nice to see some bright ones including , a spectacular one , under the clearest skies I have seen this summer.

Date: 8/7-8/2008
Location. Louisburg, KC (Powell Observatory grounds south of Kansas City)
Time: 10:18-12:18 Central
sky conditions: to 5.5 mag clear (come clouds or fog on the Northern horizon 2nd hour)
Bert and I camped out and saw some nice meteors.

The rundown of 9 that I am posting
1- white blue
2-yellow
5-white
1- aqua green blue

Mags ranged from -3 to 4

5- Sporadic
3- Perseid
1- Kappa Cygnids

Mag -3 (1) ; +1 (2) ; +2 (5) ; +4 (1)_

Comments: The "star " of the show was a -3 aquamarine Perseid heading Northwest to the horizon (8 degrees) with a pronounced brightening along its path with a little flash near the end and a train (tail).
Possibly an earthgrazer that maybe someone in Iowa or Nebraka saw? It made my night!
Also once again (as I posted a few days ago) some meteors (3) seemed to traveled outward away from Casseiopia.
Could these be omicron-DRAconids?
Unfortunetly Bert was situated in the line of sight of a tree where this fireball went behind so he did not catch it :(
It was a beaut!

There are reports of clouds and rain coming so I hope things are okay so we can see the shower this coming weekend and to the 11th.

Eric Flescher (kcstarguy@aol.com), Olathe, KS:

From Russia -gorgeous totality photo 2nd and 3rd contact superimposed

From Russia -gorgeous totality photo 2nd and 3rd contact superimposed.
Normally a picture or view like this is not possible. Why because these first contact photos appear at the beginning (2nd contact ) and end of totality (3rd contact).
Superimposing the images onto each other (stacking) made this gorgeous photo possible
8/7/08
can't find it? use the archives and go to earlier date other then this one
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

PS If you are interesting in learning about a trip to go to the next eclipse in China, July 2009 ,please contact me.
I can send you information and there is no obligation whatsoever.

Beautiful eclipse photo and a fireball video

Two for the price of one this day. A brilliant video of a (meteor) fireball. There is also spectacular photo of an image of the totally eclipsed sun from aboard an aircraft in Canada.

http://www.spaceweather.com/
not 8/6/2008 try archives

Terrifying clouds

When an total eclipse is coming and the shadow is moving the last thing you want to see is clouds. I am glad that the clouds parted and observers in China saw totality!!!
8/4

http://www.spaceweather.com/

Sue and I saw the live event in Kansas , 6 am from the internet site on our
computers. The Blacksun chasers observe totality in
mostly cloudless event in Russia.

In China , clouds flitted over the sun but disappeared
mostly during totality. I am happy that the event was
successful for them, Corona and diamond ring and the
approaching darkness was shown.
It was nice to see the events in both places on the
computer and then later on CNN in China. Their replays
in the Exploratorium and NASA websites

But wish I was there. Can't wait to see photos.

The Summer Monsoons in Arizona

---

I was in Tucson and southwest where I captured some pics (see below). Someday lightning shots .

2007 was my 2nd year down to Tucson during July to visit my (former business partner and ) friends. My main intent was for me to photograph and videotape 14 different types of hummingbirds near the Sierra Vista area. I had a grand time doing that for 2 days. Gosh I love those little birds!!

BTW it is called Beatty's Ranch and they have reasonable rates for their bungalows. Very nice owners. If you all are down that way try it out but check ahead beforehand for availability. Nice restaurants nearby in Sierra Vista (Asian, Italian and more).

When you are in around the Tucson to Phoenix to Scottsdale you can also try the following (as I did);

First get a AAA book if you have one or borrow one for Arizona. I also purchased and used the Frommer book for Arizona.

* The Sonora Desert Museum near Tucson with fabulous flora and fauna. (I can't believe of all that I saw I missed the gila monster which I've always wanted to see!). A must!
* The Kitt Peak telescope obervatory buildings and telescopes ( I liked it - hey I do astronomy too!)
* go for night walks (check locally) or at the Desert Museum
* Kartchner Caverns state park (south of Tucson) - I have spelunked in many area of the USA and someday I will go there
* Southeastern Bird Observatory (south of Tucson)
* Make sure you try one of the fabulous restaurants (Poca Cosa in Tucson is one I want to go to but 2 years straight they were shut down for a few weeks when I was there). I had one of the best meals at the J-Bar (very reasonable this time of the year!) with their pecan encrusted chicken, lamb appetizers and the incredible chocolate jalapeno sundae!

Don't ever try to go across streams in streets etc that are started by rains and monsoons. Last year they had a dramatic rescue on live TV of a woman who did this and her car had water all the way to the roof before she knew it. She was standing on the roof of the car and a helicopter airlifted her off before car went down the river.

N and west after the hummingbirds, I was trying to find another hummingbird havenin Patagonia. I had taken pictures from afar of a rainstorm a couple hours before. Finally I found the place and was rounding the bend to go over the streambed to the place. This is what it looked like.

The water had risen from nothing and a drybed to feet! So I could not see the hummingbirds at that place that day (it was across the road) as I had to get back to Tucson. But this was an eye opener about Monsoons!

Attached Thumbnails

Attached Images

Latest earthquake and video

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/eqinthenews/2008/ci14383980/

Getting those 3D glasses to see the ditch made on Mars

Pheonix is trying to put soil from a hole and put it in the oven to learn more about the soil composition and more
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/images/press/anaglyphSS058EFF901343526_16776L1M1_full.html

Fireflies- magnificent and ingenous insects

Fireflies are nocturnal members of the beetle family Lampyridae. They fly wherever they want in curved path through the air producing their cold, green light from a biochemical reaction between oxygen and luciferin.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luciferin

Phoenix Mars Lander shows Sun in Arctic Midnight

It's the Midnight Sun on Mars. Phoenix Mars Lander shows Sun in Arctic Midnight in this panorama landscape. More about the mission and the lander and photos at

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/main/index.html

Here comes (Hurricane) Dolly

They do their work in a day or two and then leave. No doubt about it. Hurricanes, essentially huge heat engines, can cause a lot of destruction. The latest is Hurricane Dolly.
http://news.aol.com/article/texas-mexico-brace-for-likely-hurricane/90241?icid=100214839x1206085210x1200324243

4th Plutoid object found named after Polynesian God

Makemake (pronounced MAH-keh MAH-keh) is one of the largest objects known in the outer Solar System and is just slightly smaller and dimmer than Pluto,
http://www.iau.org/public_press/news/release/iau0806/

Status and photos of Alaskan volcanic eruption

For more info you can visit the Alaskan Volcano Observatory's website by clicking here ----> http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Okmok.php

This photo really shows how thin, Saturn's rings truly are

Those marvelous rings of Saturn really area quite thin. See how much so by looking at this photo from the Cassini spacecraft.

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
7/20/2008 (if not this date go to this link/website and then go to archives which is below the page)

Noctilucent clouds are heading further south

Are these strange clouds the result of volcanic eruptions, global warming or something else. Find out further information about these strange clouds

http://www.spaceweather.com/
7/19/2008 (if not this date go to this link/website and then go to archives which is below the page)
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/19feb_nlc.htm

Pillars of Creation astronomical image

One of the most photogenic astronomical photos is the Pillars of Creation. I have a huge photo of the framed on our house's wall for display. This is smaller version of this famous photo but stunning in itself. Read more

7/19/2008 (if not this date go to this link/website and then go to archives which is below the page)

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

Photographic studies of Mars showed there once was water

Scientists are now saying Mars once had water and if so ancient fossils may lie in the sediments . Latest evidence and photos and more.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/MRO/news/mro-20080716.html

New Object almost size of Pluto found

As you know Pluto has been demoted from Planet status. It is considered too small to be a "real" planet like the others one in our solar system. Besides being small, is has a different orbit and actually revolves around its moons.

This new object, is about the size of Pluto and orbits near it. Amazing it has not been found before. Read more

7/16/2008 (if not this date go to this link/website and then go to archives which is below the page)

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

Mars rocks glide mysteriously across surface

Like rocks that mysteriously glide across desert surfaces, these Martian rocks have some how skittered across the Martian surface. Read more about what may be causing this
Get some 3D glasses and look at the path
7/13/2008 (if not read archives)
http://www.spaceweather.com/

Saturn’s moon Rhea may be the first one to have rings besides some planets

Up until now, rings have been seen around planets. Now there might be evidence of a ring around a moon.
http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMY6NK26DF_index_0.html

Hurricanes are like big heat engines that cause destruction

Watch the latest comments and information on how this current hurricane is doing


http://www.weather.com/multimedia/videoplayer.html?clip=6584&from=newslinker2

Hurricanes are like big heat engines that cause destruction

Watch the latest comments and information on how this current hurricane is doing


http://www.weather.com/multimedia/videoplayer.html?clip=6584&from=newslinker2

Noctilucent clouds

These mysterious  electric blue clouds started showing up in the US summer in  Canada and northern parts of Europe. Scientists still don't know how they form.They are 45 and 54 miles (75 and 90 kilometers high but if you  are in  the right high latitude area, they supposedly easy to see.
 This year they are now being observed in Vermont, Wyoming and Michigan. Be on the look out for them and post if you see them.
http://www.spaceweather.com/

more information
http://www.answers.com/topic/noctilucent-cloud?cat=technology

Heavenly and man made fireworks 7/4/08

Also before that in the West a crepuscular shadow ray angles out from the setting sun near the moon.

Fireworforks on July 4, 2008 at Louisburg , KS near Kansas City, USA. They literally go off  a hundred feet across the road from our Observatory. Taken with my Rebel Canon camera at f/6.5 about

Gallery website of interesting Mars Rover information

Photos, information and more about the faithful Mars rover and their discoveries

marsrover gallery
http://www.space.com/marsrover/

Could a lake have been produced by the Tunguska object ?

Could a lake have been produced by the Tunguska object ?

http://astronomynow.com/080630Tunguska.html

Surprise findings in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland meteor crater

 Meteor craters have punctured the earth for billions of years. Lately findings  regarding the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland meteor  crater show surprising results.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.crater27jun27,0,1713410,print.story

Tunguska 100 years later:A space crime scene Astronomy CSI?

Astronomy CSI -A space crime scene ? On this anniversary was the object that hit Siberia on June 30, 1908, an alien spaceship, a black hole, a comet, a porous type asteroid? Tunguska explosion was 1,000 times more powerful than the atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima but many scientists still are undecided on what caused it. The latest information hinted that it was a body 10 times that of the Titanic but now say it might have been smaller. Simulations seem to suggest a lesser explosion created the devastation as well. Now there are other theories but no defintive answers. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,373608,00.html

Tunguska 100 years later:A space crime scene Astronomy CSI?

A space crime scene Astronomy CSI? Was the object that hit Siberia in 1908, an alien spaceship, a black hole, a comet, a porous type asteroid on June 30, 1908 on this anniversary? Tunguska explosion was 1,000 times more powerful than the atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima but many scientists still are undecided on what caused it. The latest information hinted that it was a body 10 times that of the Titanic but now say it might have been smaller. Simulations seem to suggest a lesser explosion created the devastation as well. Now there are other theories but no defintive answers.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,373608,00.html

Tunguska 100 years later:A space crime scene Astronomy CSI?

A space crime scene Astronomy CSI? Was the object that hit Siberia in 1908, an alien spaceship, a black hole, a comet, a porous type asteroid on June 30, 1908 on this anniversary? Tunguska explosion was 1,000 times more powerful than the atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima but many scientists still are undecided on what caused it. The latest information hinted that it was a body 10 times that of the Titanic but now say it might have been smaller. Simulations seem to suggest a lesser explosion created the devastation as well. Now there are other theories but no defintive answers.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,373608,00.html

Got your 3D glass/viewers - use to look at Martain features

Looking into this Martian area, look  at the 3d effect on Mars.
http:/http://www.spaceweather.com/swpod2008/28jun08/vantuyne1.jpg?PHPSESSID=ngh7bv2u4jt2b71p1es9m6m717

A robots shadow inside a crater on Mars

This shadow shows off the Mars Rover shape as it sits in a Martian crater. The two rovers have now spent 4 years traveling and researching around the planet instead of a few months orginally planned.
6/29/08 if not look at archives
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

Famous Murchison meteorite provides interesting discoveries and more

Famous Murchison meteorite provides interesting discoveries and more

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murchison_meteorite

Martian soil is analyzed

The Mars Pheonix lander has started and completed a first round of soil analysis. Interesting results have already been concluded.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/news/phoenix-20080626.html

Satellite finds a star about to explode

On January 9, astronomers used a NASA X-ray satellite to spy on a star already well into its death throes, when another star in the same galaxy started to explode. The outburst was 100 billion times brighter than Earth's sun.

Less than 1 percent of the stars in the universe will die in a supernova
Chances of simultaneous supernovae so close to each other around 1 in 10,000


http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/05/21/star.explosion.ap/

true or not: Earthquake lights or clouds

http://geology.about.com/od/earthquakes/a/EQlights.htm

We know it was Martian ice because it has disappeared

Watch this time lapse photo swap and see how the Martian ice disappeared into the thin Martian air. Phoenix has now already proven and found (water ) ice on Mars.
6/23/2008 (if not this day use archives
http://www.spaceweather.com/

Can rugged alien life forms exist on Mars?

Extremophiles, organisms that thrive in very inhospitable places compared to human life habitats have been discovered in many places in the oceans, in hots pools, arid places and more. Perhaps martian organisms may be hardy enough to survive the Martian weather.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=5221478

That white substance was most likely Mars ice

Scientists say refering to the white materials found in a ditch that the Phoenix lander dug.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/news/phoenix-20080619.html

Looking for Planet or Plutoid X beyond Pluto

The definitions for planet and small planets have changed. But there is still thought to be a body smaller then our earth outside of Pluto that has disrupted the area. The search goes on for planet X.


http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080618-planet-x.html

10 most interesting extrasolar planets

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/extrasolar_planets.html

watch the rising Moon tonight it will look gigantanormous

June 16 , 2008: Sometimes you just can't believe your eyes. Watch the moon tonight- appears unsually HUGE
We are not sure if it is an illusion or what but this happenes in June when the moon is low in the sky like it will be tonight. It also reminds mind when an eclipse will be coming soon (there is one on August 1 but that is new moon.
This week is one of those times.

Comet heading toward the Sun: will it survive?

Look at the time frame photos and keep watching to make your own conclusion

http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime/realtime-c2.html

Mystery solved of Saturn's Watery geyser moon

This moon surprised scientists but now they know more about its characterics and how it produces.
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080208-enceladus-geysers.html

Pheonix Mars lander inspects soil samples

The investigation and more research begins.
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/phoenix/news.php

say what?Pluto -It's not a planet, it's a Plutoid

PLUTOID: In 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) announced that Pluto is not a planet. So what is it? After two years of careful deliberation, the IAU has an answer: Pluto is a plutoid. The IAU offers "the plutoid" as a serious new category of celestial body.]

http://www.iau.org/public_press/news/release/iau0804/

Beautiful photos of Earth from Space

Beautiful

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/06/the_sky_from_above.html

Mysterious clouds 45 and 70 km above the surface of Venus,

Mysterious clouds 45 and 70 km above the surface of Venus, obscure us from seeing Venus' surface by using our telescopes. This nice article explains the structure of the atmosphere and much more detailed information along with photos.

http://www.universetoday.com/2008/06/10/new-details-on-venus-clouds-from-venus-express/

Saturn's beautiful ring system

Galileo first spied the rings of this planet with his effective but first crude telescope. The Cassini spacecraft, orbiting Saturn, continues to provide breathtaking closeups of the this ringed planet. (if you did not already now, Jupiter, Neptune and Uranus also have rings but not as extensive as Saturn's).

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

(if not 6/9/2008 look at archives)

circumhorizon arcs

Atmospheric Optics are unusual colors and sights which appear in the sky under special conditions that may include the sun, mooon, rain and other occurences.
Here is one called
circumhorizon arcs.
6/6/2008 (if not date use archives)
http://www.spaceweather.com/

There might be ice on Mars

There might be ice that was exposed when soil was blown away as NASA's Phoenix spacecraft landed on Mars last Sunday, May 25. The possible ice appears in an image the robotic arm camera took underneath the lander, near a footpad.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/news/phoenix-20080530.html

Houston we have a problem but the space shuttle is coming to the rescue

Houston we have a problem but the space shuttle is coming to the rescue.

The space shuttle is going up Saturday 5/31. It has a precious cargo to take up to the International Space Station (ISS) - parts for the Russian made toilet, which is not working well. There is only 1 toilet in the ISS and everyone has to use it.

The main toilet onboard the International Space Station is broken. "[It] works for solid waste disposal, but requires additional steps for liquid waste," says Kirk Shireman, deputy ISS program manager at NASA. The procedure for liquid waste "takes two crew members and 10 minutes of maintenance after three flushes."

"It is very inconvenient at this time because it requires a lot of manual intervention," Shireman said.
Fortunately, space shuttle Discovery is set to launch this Saturday with spare parts needed to restore normal operations:.

PS cost of new repair $19 million- and you thought your plumber was expensive!

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sh...ain/index.html
more about toilets FYI
http://www.theplumber.com/closet.html

__________________

Amazing photo taken of descending Mars Pheonix probe and more

SATELLITE ORBITING MARS IMAGED DESCENDING PHOENIX
-------------------------------------------------
Photo showing the spacecraft
descending to the martian surface under its parachute Sunday. The
black-and-white photo, shot by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
spacecraft as it sailed overhead, shows the inflated parachute and the
backshell supporting Phoenix dangling below.

http://spaceflightnow.com/mars/phoenix/080526mrochute.html

LIVE UPDATES IN OUR MISSION STATUS CENTER:
http://spaceflightnow.com/mars/phoenix/status.html


NASA MANAGERS THRILLED WITH SUCCESSFUL LANDING
----------------------------------------------
Digging for ice within a week or so, NASA officials said early Monday, after engineers complete initial checkout and collect more photos to help characterize the landing site.

http://spaceflightnow.com/mars/phoenix/080526postland.html


TOUCHDOWN! PHOENIX LANDS ON ARCTIC PLAINS OF MARS
-------------------------------------------------
NASA's Phoenix lander plunged into the martian atmosphere Sunday at 12,700
mph and then used atmospheric friction, a large parachute and finally, 12
individually controlled rocket engines to complete an automated landing
near the red planet's northern polar cap.

http://spaceflightnow.com/mars/phoenix/080525landing.html

Watch updated latest news about Pheonix mission at this site

Now that the Phoenix craft made it to the surface and has communicated back pictures, the fun has just begun. Watch updated latest news at this site

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/phoenix/missions.php

First landscape look of Mars by Pheonix lander

First spectacular colored picture of the landscape on Mars at the North Pole. Quite different from other Mars photos.

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

Old unseen comet plunges into Sun

Photos and movies taken by an old small comet plunging into the town.
http://www.spaceweather.com/
If not 5/25/2008 try archives

Phoenix lands on Mars !!!!

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/

Double rainbow and aurora

May 24, 2008 on spaceweather has some beauty to behold. A photos of double rainbow and aurora

http://www.spaceweather.com/
if not 5/24 goto archives

Watch the ISS (International Space Station ) from where you are

I first saw the ISS (International Space Station ) in the skies south of Kansas City a few years ago. Since then the ISS has expanded and grown even brighter as it reflects more light. Sometimes because of the angle of the light, the ISS can be near the brightness of Venus -2.
Look at this link when the ISS is making a pass over your town/city.

http://www.spaceweather.com/flybys/?PHPSESSID=hrlnp3bkbt3hfnl67cj6vcl3e5

Possible discovery of object that may be the link between star and planet

Possible discovery of object that may be the link between star and planet

http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEM9E91YUFF_index_0.html

Fly over Mars

Click on the opening pictures and you get to view Mars from above as the landscape below flies over the planet. Nice work NASA. Wow!
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080519m.html

satellite-catches-bright-solar-flare on other star!

This is pretty amazing :satellite-catches-bright-solar-flare on other star!

http://www.universetoday.com/2008/05/19/wow-satellite-catches-bright-solar-flare-%e2%80%93-from-a-another-star/

Barn and Mercury

In Overland Park, Kansas near Olathe KS USA on 151st Street there is this neat lone Barn structure in a huge pasture field once filled with grazing cows. Now this field is giving way to houses, streets and more. I don't know how long this Barn will be around so I wanted to take a photo of it in an astronomical setting before it was demolished. I caught it as Mercury (right above it was sinking in the sky).First time I have photographed Mercury since I first saw it in 1963 in Providence RI one night.I hope to have more photos with the barn but at least I have Mercury with it. Mercury is mercurial and I hope not but I am afraid this barn will be gone soon from sight soon.Taken with Canon Revel EOS , 50 mm lens 6.3 f, 10 seconds.

Dr. Eric Flescher (kcstarguy@aol.com), Olathe, KS

Long-Lived Lightning Storm discovered on Saturn

Scientists continue to find new discoveries about the dynamic weather system on Saturn and other planets.
posted: 29 April 2008 3:53 pm EDT
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080429-saturn-lightning-storm.html

also
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080327-saturn-hurricanes.html

Fossil sediments in Spain may give clues to what happened to life on Mars

Fossil sediments in Spain may give clues to what happened to life on Mars
A river in Spain may show how signs of life could be preserved on Mars and possibly can give us clues as to possibly life that might have been on mars.
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080501-am-mars-life-iron.html

Mars Phoenix will land soon on Mars

If all goes well and we hope it does, the probe/spacecraft/rover will land on Mars in a couple of weeks. Here is more .This should be exciting to supplement the two Rovers still working on Mars and the Mars Express snapping from over head above Mars.
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/13may_phoenix.htm

7.8-magnitude earthquake rocks China

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake devastated a hilly region of small cities and towns in Sichuan and nearby provinces. Thousands killed in China earthquake.
http://news.aol.com/story/_a/huge-quake-kills-thousands-in-china/20080512061409990001

Learn about/ see storms, tornadoes and more

I am helping with a tour and running a weather workshops starting June 1 for a week.

If you are interested in knowing more click on this link
? let me know

Dr. Eric Flescher (kcstormguy@aol.com)
http://www.violentskiestours.com/schedule/index.html

Amazing video of tornado in Alabama 5/8/2008

This is one of the most amazing footages I and many other stormchasers have seen. The power of this EF-2 tornado and what it does (I won't spoil it you have to look).

http://www.whnt.com/Global/category.asp?C=6018&nav=menu108_1

Typhoon hits Burma news and picture/video

Some other articles mention 120 to 130 with higher gusts.

"Electricity supplies and telecommunications in Yangon have been cut since late Friday night as the storm bore down from the Bay of Bengal, packing winds of 190-240 kilometres (120-150 miles) per hour.
Some damage description too.

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5...acleFVUOsIsG8Q


some pics here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...=moreheadlines

Nice closeup view of the Mars' moon Phobos

A really nice closeup view of the Mars' moon Phobos taken from orbiting spacecraft

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap080414.html

Young star appears to have

It is interesting to see objects in the heavens that are possible birth places for future extrasolor (beyond Earth) planets). Even young stars are possible candidates. This star 100,000 years old may be forming planets.
BY EMILY BALDWIN
ASTRONOMY NOW
Posted: April 2, 2008
This star is probably less than 100,000 years old


http://www.astronomynow.com/news/080402embryonicplanet/

International Space Station, Endeavor space shuttle and a red surprise photo

I've seen the ISS and Space Shuttle recently. But in 2004, I took an unexpected photo that I nicknamed the "Red Surprise." Comet Ikeya- Zhang was a fine comet in 2004 that I photographed and saw with my naked eye too. I took some pictures with one of the robotic telescope I use and waited for the next days pic. I was the comet in my picture on the right. Since I took it with a red filter there was not much of its tail showing. But what were thought 3 streaks diagonally on the left? I had no clue. So I used my Starry Night Pro software to find out. Finding that date and time, I found part of what I was looking for. A bright stripe with a lesser bright stripe next to it, was the International Space Station (ISS) and the Endeavor space shuttle. But what was the other one. Fiddling with the timer and going forward and backwards on this pass, I found it. A Soviet spacecraft happened to be passing right by in tandem. Fittingly I called it my "Red Surprise". While I've been to Moscow, Space City and had many surprises along the way, this a Soviet Union delight in another celestial and different way!

Could Saturn's moon Enceladus have oceans and life under its ice?

Creatures called extremophiles, live in very inhospitable places in the oceans near volcanic vents, in subfreezing climes and other places, have given us new insights about life. While the verdict is still out whether there was life on Mars in the past or present, scientists are looking elsewhere. One possible place is under the icy ridges of the Jupiter's moon Europa. But now Saturn's tiny moon Enceladus is showing interest.
Since a craft made it through the smog layed of Saturn's giant Moon Titan, new missions may hold more proof of what may be there. New evidence is finding that there may be liquid water seas maybe even containing containing organic molecules or life may once be discovered under Enceladus and Europa. Robotic crafts may someday drill and dive into these possible cap/ oceans to see what's done there.4/1 (if not date use archives)
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

The only thing derailing the Mars Rover is NASA

The NASA team did a brilliant job designing, implementing and then getting the two rovers to Mars. To their credit, these two have lasted more then the supposed 3 month span. Now in the fourth year and still truck'in, the only thing that stands in the way for more marvelous research is budget cuts. JPL plans to appeal thought. Stay tuned and see more at
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080324-mars-rovers-update.html

Ocean possibly exists beneath the crust of moon Titan

The pictures of Titan below its smog clouds, organic dunes, lakes, channels and mountains were stunning. Considering all the things that had to go right to accomplish the feat. Now more data that there might be oceans of water and ammonia under the crust of Titan.
The findings were discovered using radar measurements of Titan's rotation.


http://www.saturndaily.com/reports/Ocean_May_Exist_Beneath_Titan_Crust_999.html

Its not beer but an organic brew erupting into the skies above Saturn's tiny moon

The Cassini spacecraft orbiting the planet Saturn has now found evidence of organic brew erupting in a geyser-like manner from Saturn's moon Enceladus. On 12 March, scientists are happy about this tiny moon is its apparent inclination for such great and mysterious active.

Full story:
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Cassini-Huygens/SEMHFYQ03EF_0.html

Gorgeous photos of two galaxies in Ursa Major

This is a magnificent photo of two galaxies M81 and M82, each how to millions and billions of start. While I have taken photos of both, the detail and color in this photo is better showing more detail.

picture at 3/25/08 (if not this date use archives)

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

Googling to find new meteor craters

Using Google Eearth, a new crater has been found.
Satellite image reveals new crater
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
ScienceNetwork WA By Michelle Ridley
The Hickman Crater as seen on Google Earth

Next time you’re virtually roaming Google Earth, make sure you take a
close look at any unusual landforms
http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20081803-17058-2.html

Found:organic molecule in the atmosphere of a planet orbiting another star

The Hubble Space Telescope has made the first discovery of an organic molecule in the atmosphere of a planet orbiting another star. This will help identify signs of life on a planet outside our Solar System.

More at:
http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMTZ1N5NDF_index_0.html

Workers Uncovering rare Mummified Dinosaur

Mummufied dinosaurs happen when the animals are covered soon after their demise. Possibly one of the best was uncovered and workers are now trying to uncover its secrets.

By BLAKE NICHOLSON,

Filed Under: Science News

BISMARCK, N.D. (March 18) - Using tiny brushes and chisels, workers picking at a big greenish-black rock in the basement of North Dakota's state museum

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/workers-uncovering-mummified-dinosaur/20080318125409990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

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Stunning photo of Space Shuttle going into space

This is a stunning photo of Space Shuttle going into space
3/14/08 ( if not this day go to archives on the bottom of this webpage
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

Latest meteorite news Peru and Ontario, Canada

Astronomers searching for meteorite that crashed in Ontario
When there is a big fireball, many people think that meteorites landed. Not always true but it happens. We will shall see if something turns up.
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/03/11/science-meteor.html
How The Peruvian Meteorite Made It To Earth

By RSS on March 11th, 2008
The strange Peruvian meteorite has yielded some interesting conclusions that could change the what we know about the size and type of meteorites that can strike Earth. The Carancas fireball was a stony meteorite and kept on going at a great speed ( 15,000 miles per hour). The impact however was different because of this. More information about conclusions.
http://www.physorg.com/news124466115.html

There is a curious ozone haze which has enveloped the upper atmosphere of Venus

There is a curious ozone haze which has enveloped the upper atmosphere of Venus. Here is also more information about this newly found strange phenomenon on Venus.


http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap080226.html

Weather on all the planets (depends if you still consider Pluto a planet -its here too)

Here is more about bad weather and other weather phenomenon on other planets

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/solarsystem/solar_system_weather_010306-1.html

www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/www.windows.ucar.eplanets/95-31.html

school.discoveryeducation.com/school.discoveryeducaplanetaryweather/


Why Do Planets Have Weather?
http://lithops.as.arizona.edu/~jill/EPO/Solarsystem/weather.htm

see an eclipse -"To Spark teens curiousity, do not disturb"

((c) photo by E.Flescher)

There was an interesting article in Sundays Kansas City Star (P.B9, 2/24/2008) under the Opinion page entitled "To Spark teens curiousity, do not disturb" by Rhonda Lokeman.

In the article, there is a photo of the eclipse in the sky over Macedonia from the Associated Press. But it is the content of the article that really said much more.

The lunar eclipse had caught the eye of this reporter's teenager.The eclipse captured her attention and pointed the eclipse to her mother. The reporter actually observed it because of the daughter's observation. "What matters to teenagers, as parents will attest, is the source of the suggestion. Parental suggestions are just not cool. "

This was also a night in which the military was to shoot down a rouge spy satellite (and succedded). The eclipse for this child was "cooler" then the interception and destruction of a satellite, which was the preoccupation of the reporter.

What is even better, is the daughter took extra time and creativity to take a picture with her camera on her phone! This she displayed to the reporter/ mother. The moment of observation was "captured" through images which many of us like to do with our digital cameras and videocamcorders to "relive" the moments of the eclipse, celestial object or other sights.

The daugher then sent it on to her friend with the camera phone. Her friend's response, predicatbly , came as a text message : "Kul"

We had a little more time to tell people about this eclipse. We weren't so fortunate with the Comet McNaught, (the brightest comet in 40 years), which only several of us, in the Northern Hemisphere, only saw for 4 days beforethe brilliant comet slipped into the skies of the Southern Hemisphere

I had sent information through my emails to relatives, blog, email listserves etc. My mother in Providence, RI saw it through her kitchen window. My brother in law saw it and telephoned me. I had told some of my students to watch for it and while they tried, the weather here in Overland Park was not good. While I lamented staying at Powell Observatory (near Louisbourg, KS and Kansas City area) as the clouds rolled in, I hoped others would see the eclipse. I should have tried to escape the clouds to see this lunar eclipse, as we did in Hungary 1999, to see the total solar eclipses of that year. Others had better luck North or in Missouri.

But like that teenager, I saw some of it and saw the orange-red hues on the moons surface like the eclipse in August 2007. I have my pictures and videos of that great 1999 eclipse and that past lunar eclipse. There are many words to express a beautiful sight. For older and young "Kul" says a lot.

Dr. Eric Flescher (kcstarguy@aol.com), Olathe, KS: Lat 38.834, Lon -94.778: Nature's Greatest Spectacle- 2008 & 2009 Total Eclipse- Winco Eclipse Tours, Inc.:www.eclipsetrips.com: Comet Observers Award Coordinator- Astronomical League / Astronomical Society of Kansas, KC, MO-Louisburg,KS: http://www.astroleague.org/al/obsclubs/comet/comet.htm: Comet Observers Blog: http://cometobservers.blogspot.com/:Subscribe to Comet Observers newsletter (send your email to):CometObserversAwardAL-subscribe@yahoogroups.com : : Eclipse sightings > http://eclipse-sightings.blogspot.com/: E.O.A.S. (Earth, Oceans, Atmosphere and Space) Blog -:sign up for free monthly astronomical newsletter (send message to:
blacksuneclipse-subscribe@egroups.com: Blog : State of Kansas-JPL NASA Solar System Ambassador

Comet finding telescope discovers periodic comet

SOHO's find new periodic com: P/2007 R5
In 2005, German PhD student Sebastian Hoenig realised that the two comets were so similar in orbit that they might actually be the same object.
http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMAU2C1S6F_index_0.html

Astronomers find solar system with Jupiter-Saturn configuration

For the first time, astronomers have found extrasolar planets in a far away system that has a Jupiter / Saturn like configuration like our own solar system . Microlensing is the relatively new process used by astronomers to spy these new worlds. Implications tell us that there are more planetary solar system like our own - out there. More articles and info below.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080214144532.htm


Jupiter-Size Planet Found Orbiting Star In Big Dipper
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/12/031201064153.htm

Planetary Scientists To Find Out Composition, Structure Of Asteroids
http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2007/0608-visit_to_an_asteroid.htm

(E.O.A.S.blog ) http://eoas-dreric1kansas.blogspot.com/
Students will gain a better understanding of how scientific instruments, devices, probes, spacecraft can assist with a better understanding of our universe.

Auroras seen by Astronauts 200 miles above Earth

I've seen aurora before in the skies above Michigan, Maine and looking out through a window on a jet over Buffalo, NY looking toward Canada. The astronauts aboard the International Space Station took some recent pictures from their loft 200 miles above the Earth!

2/10/2008 (not this date go to archives)
http://www.spaceweather.com/

also to see more photos and to learn more see
http://www.exploratorium.edu/auroras/

(E.O.A.S.blog) http://eoas-dreric1kansas.blogspot.com/
Earth Atmosphere 2/10/08 Students will learn about about Earth- Space phenomenon and gain an understanding of what the causes are

That was close! asteroid flies by Earth

That was close. Yesterday, newly discovered asteroid 2008 CT1 flew past Earth only 72,000 miles (0.3 lunar distances) away on 2/5/08. If it struck the 13-meter wide space rock ( size to a school bus) probably would have exploded in the atmosphere and showering an ocean with meteorites.

http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2008%20CT1;orb=1

more coming close near us in the near future

http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2008%20CT1;orb=1

Tornadoes in February do occur: Latest outbreak

Colder months still breed tornadic weather . At least six tornadoes touched down between Oxford, Miss., and Jackson, Tenn., said a National Weather Service spokesman.

http://www.wsbtv.com/weather/15227643/detail.html

TN TWISTER SHORT VIDEO- in right pane (shows funnel)

nice pop window How tornadoes form (video slide show- which I have seen before but well done) and more
Tornado touchdown near Arlington, 25 miles northeast of downtown Memphis. It knocked out a radio tower for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
nice picture of tornado

http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=7827503

http://weather.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/02/06/tragic-february-tornado-outbreak/

Monday 2/4/08 dawn celestial spectacle

On 2/1/08, Venus and Jupiter were very close together. I could not see it here in Kansas due to the clouds but others saw it.

I did photograph the pair with the Moon on 2/2/08. Taken with my canon digital rebel XT around 6:00 pm CT.
At this day, the planets were farther apart (then 2/1) but the Moon was more in view.

The planets and moon will look like this on Monday morning at dawn. Have a look at dawn.
(spaceweather 2/4/08 illustration)