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