Global warming is changing habitats where animals live. Many like these walrurses are dying as their habitat and lifestyle changes. Article includes photo of injured walrus.
http://rhodeisland.cox.net/cci/newsnational/national?_mode=view&_state=maximized&view=article&id=D8THF33G1&_action=validatearticle
12/15/2007
(E.O.A.S.blog) 1 Students will gain a better understand of the cause and effects of climate changes on living organisms.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
Great Geminids Meteor Shower:Best since 2002 Geminids & 2001 Leonids
What a show! I headed south to Powell observatory (20 minutes away from Olathe KS ) near Kansas City ( where I could view all around from almost horizon to horizon. I was glad I did.
The sky was very clear. I camped out with my sleeping bag, deck chair and pad and red light. I surprised no one else was there. That's too bad.
I saw a -2 Geminid (brightness of Venus) right away. The meteors just started falling all around in every direction. From 1:38- 3:19 I saw 45 meteors ranging from -4 mag to 4 magnitude (it was that clear). Unfortunetly while many were bright they were almost all white which is strange because many Geminids are usually yellow.
Most were bright, without tails (trains) and were 5-15 degrees long.
Several times two would appear right after another. There was a yellow one however that left a 0.75 second train. Most (like many Geminids) were 0.5 second in duration although a few were faster.
I actually would have seen more but I always plot the information about each meteor (for the American Meteor Society) so I can send the data in. Each plot takes 30 or so seconds to turn on red light and write.
Clouds and fog moved in but stayed away. I left earlier to go back as I had school the next day to teach and I was cold even though I had bundled up and it was in 20 to 30 degrees.I wanted to stay longer but my legs were getting frozen (it was 20 degrees ) eventhough I was in a sleeping bag.
This 2007 shower ranked up with the 2002 Geminid shower when I saw 50 bright and more colorful meteors in around 2 hours. The 2001 Leonids was even better but the meteors were fainter on the average.
Probably one of the top ten showers I have ever seen (since 1963).
(see spaceweather.com for photos of Geminids including an all sky camera shot of over hundred meteors (look for 12/16 in archives if not on main page).
Next up Quadrantids January 3-4.
Dr.Eric
The sky was very clear. I camped out with my sleeping bag, deck chair and pad and red light. I surprised no one else was there. That's too bad.
I saw a -2 Geminid (brightness of Venus) right away. The meteors just started falling all around in every direction. From 1:38- 3:19 I saw 45 meteors ranging from -4 mag to 4 magnitude (it was that clear). Unfortunetly while many were bright they were almost all white which is strange because many Geminids are usually yellow.
Most were bright, without tails (trains) and were 5-15 degrees long.
Several times two would appear right after another. There was a yellow one however that left a 0.75 second train. Most (like many Geminids) were 0.5 second in duration although a few were faster.
I actually would have seen more but I always plot the information about each meteor (for the American Meteor Society) so I can send the data in. Each plot takes 30 or so seconds to turn on red light and write.
Clouds and fog moved in but stayed away. I left earlier to go back as I had school the next day to teach and I was cold even though I had bundled up and it was in 20 to 30 degrees.I wanted to stay longer but my legs were getting frozen (it was 20 degrees ) eventhough I was in a sleeping bag.
This 2007 shower ranked up with the 2002 Geminid shower when I saw 50 bright and more colorful meteors in around 2 hours. The 2001 Leonids was even better but the meteors were fainter on the average.
Probably one of the top ten showers I have ever seen (since 1963).
(see spaceweather.com for photos of Geminids including an all sky camera shot of over hundred meteors (look for 12/16 in archives if not on main page).
Next up Quadrantids January 3-4.
Dr.Eric
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Geminid Meteor shower tonight & tusks show evidence of blast from past
Geminids meteor shower is tonight/ tomorow morning. I collect meteorites, watch meteor showers and am interested in meteoritic events past andpresent. I saw this article "Mammoth tusks show up meteorite shower" and that got me curious. It's not from "rag newspaper" but a magazine named Nature.
I give a lot of credit to this guy you made the connection. Seeing the tiny holes after going for a hunch and checking for magetism was incredible. Read more
http://www.nature.com/news/2007/071212/full/news.2007.372.html
12/13/2007
(E.O.A.S.blog) 1 Students will gain an understanding of observational evidence that can lead to further possible discovers in astronomy (and other sciences).
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 -:State of Kansas-JPL NASA Solar System Ambassador: #2572 IMCA
I give a lot of credit to this guy you made the connection. Seeing the tiny holes after going for a hunch and checking for magetism was incredible. Read more
http://www.nature.com/news/2007/071212/full/news.2007.372.html
12/13/2007
(E.O.A.S.blog) 1 Students will gain an understanding of observational evidence that can lead to further possible discovers in astronomy (and other sciences).
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 -
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The Geminids are coming, the Geminids are coming
The Geminids are coming! Didn't Paul Revere, (the famous astronomer) coin this phrase? Not!
But nevertheless- rain, ice, sleet is here right now (Tuesday) here in Olathe, KS .
Tomorrow (Wed) partly cloudy and 37 F and party cloudy and sunny for Thurday.
Means it look good or half decent for viewing the Geminid meteor shower starting Thurday night (see previous post).
The Geminids are coming Thursday night to Saturday morning. (see the info story at this link
Best Meteor Shower of 2007 Peaks Dec. 13
http://www.space.com/spacewatch/071207-ns-geminids.html
Meanwhile here is a photo of a Leonid meteor in 2006 that Kelly from Tonganoxie, KS sent to me (I have less bright ones on my photos).
Monday, December 10, 2007
Sunspots are not dark and they are not spots
Using his telescope Galileo saw sunspots . This changed an assumption that the Sun was "perfect." His observations also damaged his eyes.
Sunspots are not actually dark. These patches of "magnetic storms" are just cooler then the sun's very hot surface. Thus they appear dark.
The best way to see them for most people with out telescopes and the right filters to block out the glare is a orbiting telescope called SOHO. At the SOHO website
http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/
you can click on the sunspot area and see a huge current sunspot.
http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/sunspots/
Over time you will see the sunspot(s) move towards the right.
What does that mean?
12/10/2007
(E.O.A.S.blog)1 Students will look at the sunspots and compare their size to that of Earth's and Jupiter's size.
(E.O.A.S.blog)2 Students will draw conclusion about the Sun's temperature compared to the surface of the Sun and what the Sun does over time (which is like what happens to the Earth every day).
http://eoas-dreric1kansas.blogspot.com/
Sunspots are not actually dark. These patches of "magnetic storms" are just cooler then the sun's very hot surface. Thus they appear dark.
The best way to see them for most people with out telescopes and the right filters to block out the glare is a orbiting telescope called SOHO. At the SOHO website
http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/
you can click on the sunspot area and see a huge current sunspot.
http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/sunspots/
Over time you will see the sunspot(s) move towards the right.
What does that mean?
12/10/2007
(E.O.A.S.blog)1 Students will look at the sunspots and compare their size to that of Earth's and Jupiter's size.
(E.O.A.S.blog)2 Students will draw conclusion about the Sun's temperature compared to the surface of the Sun and what the Sun does over time (which is like what happens to the Earth every day).
http://eoas-dreric1kansas.blogspot.com/
Friday, December 7, 2007
The Solar corona - why is it so hot?
Scientists have never understood why the atmosphere of the Sun (corona), has a temperature that rises to millions of degrees. Now there is a better understanding of the cause.
The Sun produces many X-ray Jets that heat the Solar Corona
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/06dec_xrayjets.htm
12/07/07
(E.O.A.S.)1 Students will gain a better understanding of the heating process around the sun and how the solar corona has become so hot compared to the sun surface etc
The Sun produces many X-ray Jets that heat the Solar Corona
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/06dec_xrayjets.htm
12/07/07
(E.O.A.S.)1 Students will gain a better understanding of the heating process around the sun and how the solar corona has become so hot compared to the sun surface etc
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Volcanoes that formed on the Moon
Especially in the last number year, there has been a lot of speculation how and when our Moon was formed and evolved. Was it created by itself or part of Earth ? Now there is more interesting information that gives us a better understanding about Earth and Moon.
solar system volcanoes
12/6/07 Student will learn about the evolution of our Solar system, moons, planets and other physical characteristics
Moon Formed Volcanoes Early, Rock Study Shows
Mason Inman
for National Geographic News
December 5, 2007
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/12/071205-moon-volcanoes.html
solar system volcanoes
12/6/07 Student will learn about the evolution of our Solar system, moons, planets and other physical characteristics
Moon Formed Volcanoes Early, Rock Study Shows
Mason Inman
for National Geographic News
December 5, 2007
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/12/071205-moon-volcanoes.html
Monday, December 3, 2007
Catch the International Space Station (ISS) 4th-6th
Check out information to view where the for International Space Station (ISS) will be viewable in your area as well as help to look for constellations, comets (several in the sky that can be viewed naked eye (1) or other telescopically.
Goto Heavenabove website link.
http://www.heavens-above.com/
The giant International Space Station (ISS) is flying over many US towns and cities during the evening hours of Dec. 3rd-6th. Now I know there is a link there in the ISS section to see a map of where the ISS will move in the sky (blue- white light) and that is helpful.
One activity that I invented for my summer students is to :
(1) Look at and make a print out of what the evening sky looks at on a present date.
(2) Then change the date parameters to their birthdate and if they can remember their time, and do a similar printout.
(3) Have the students compare/ contrast the constellations, planets , stars that are visible.
12/3/07 (E.O.A.S.)1 Students wilI compare/ contrast the constellations, planets , stars that are visible.
12/3/07 (E.O.A.S.)2 Students wilI learn to find and identify man manned spacecraft moving in the sky.
Goto Heavenabove website link.
http://www.heavens-above.com/
The giant International Space Station (ISS) is flying over many US towns and cities during the evening hours of Dec. 3rd-6th. Now I know there is a link there in the ISS section to see a map of where the ISS will move in the sky (blue- white light) and that is helpful.
One activity that I invented for my summer students is to :
(1) Look at and make a print out of what the evening sky looks at on a present date.
(2) Then change the date parameters to their birthdate and if they can remember their time, and do a similar printout.
(3) Have the students compare/ contrast the constellations, planets , stars that are visible.
12/3/07 (E.O.A.S.)1 Students wilI compare/ contrast the constellations, planets , stars that are visible.
12/3/07 (E.O.A.S.)2 Students wilI learn to find and identify man manned spacecraft moving in the sky.
You think it is hot on Earth- Life is Hell if you lived on Venus
If you go out and look in the East before sunrise you will see a very bright "white star." It's actually the planet Venus, the 2nd planet from our Sun. Clouds reflect much of the light but also make it impossible to take look at the surface of Venus. These clouds are not made of water vapor but sulphuric acid. But that's not all.
The carbon dioxide rich atmosphere traps much of the heat. Basicly this conditon creates a runaway Greenhouse gas condition in which all the heat which enter through the clouds is trapped. The temperature is over 700 Fahrenheit so it is like"Hell on Venus."
Two Russian Venera spacecraft did land on the surface and sent back photos of the surface which instantly told us how arid this desolate planet is. But we did not know why it is so dry. Now we have answers.
Europe's Venus Express spacecraft has communicated an important discovery: the solar wind dries out Venus. Unlike Earth, Venus has no global magnetic field to deflect particles from the sun. When radiation from the Sun called "solar wind" hits Venus, it decreases the upper atmosphere. Hydrogen and oxygen atoms fly into space, removing water from Venus. The process makes conditions even hotter and worse by making the climate dryer planet.
Here is further information.
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Venus_Express/SEM0G373R8F_0.html
Photos from the surface of Venus, what the Venusian clouds look like and more interesting photos at
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/photo_gallery/photogallery-venus.html
planets weather 12/3/2007 (E.O.A.S)1 : Students will discover information about other planets and compare/ contrast the conditions/ characteristics to that of Earth
The carbon dioxide rich atmosphere traps much of the heat. Basicly this conditon creates a runaway Greenhouse gas condition in which all the heat which enter through the clouds is trapped. The temperature is over 700 Fahrenheit so it is like"Hell on Venus."
Two Russian Venera spacecraft did land on the surface and sent back photos of the surface which instantly told us how arid this desolate planet is. But we did not know why it is so dry. Now we have answers.
Europe's Venus Express spacecraft has communicated an important discovery: the solar wind dries out Venus. Unlike Earth, Venus has no global magnetic field to deflect particles from the sun. When radiation from the Sun called "solar wind" hits Venus, it decreases the upper atmosphere. Hydrogen and oxygen atoms fly into space, removing water from Venus. The process makes conditions even hotter and worse by making the climate dryer planet.
Here is further information.
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Venus_Express/SEM0G373R8F_0.html
Photos from the surface of Venus, what the Venusian clouds look like and more interesting photos at
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/photo_gallery/photogallery-venus.html
planets weather 12/3/2007 (E.O.A.S)1 : Students will discover information about other planets and compare/ contrast the conditions/ characteristics to that of Earth
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Nice comet animation
This latest photo is an animation of Comet Holmes using two images. The animation shows how far the comet moves in 45 minutes. See it at this archive link on Spaceweather.com (above). It is a great website with loads of photos and interesting weather and astronomy information.
Unfortunetly it is not, in many cases, a real good learning tool for education beyond being "Eye Candy." I do activities that I create using Spaceweather and Astronomy Picture of the Day in my summer computer earth-space camp. When I have time I will post more (there are some in this blogs archives).
Unfortunetly it is not, in many cases, a real good learning tool for education beyond being "Eye Candy." I do activities that I create using Spaceweather and Astronomy Picture of the Day in my summer computer earth-space camp. When I have time I will post more (there are some in this blogs archives).
These Jellyfish are huge and trouble
I saw and videotaped poisonous Box jellyfish in Capetown, S.Africa aquarium and other places but never this size as related in this article. This kind is pesky in its own way.
Invasion of Jellyfish Envelops Japan In Ocean of Slime
The Wall Street Journal ^ | November 27, 2007 | By Sebastian Moffett
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1931506/posts
Nice picture here
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/01/0119_060119_jellyfish.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nomura's_jellyfish
Invasion of Jellyfish Envelops Japan In Ocean of Slime
Skip to comments. Invasion of Jellyfish Envelops Japan In Ocean of Slime · The Wall Street Journal ^ | November 27, 2007 | By Sebastian Moffett ...
www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1931506/posts
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/08/060818-jellyfish-spain.html
Invasion of Jellyfish Envelops Japan In Ocean of Slime
The Wall Street Journal ^ | November 27, 2007 | By Sebastian Moffett
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1931506/posts
Nice picture here
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/01/0119_060119_jellyfish.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nomura's_jellyfish
Invasion of Jellyfish Envelops Japan In Ocean of Slime
Skip to comments. Invasion of Jellyfish Envelops Japan In Ocean of Slime · The Wall Street Journal ^ | November 27, 2007 | By Sebastian Moffett ...
www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1931506/posts
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/08/060818-jellyfish-spain.html
Friday, November 30, 2007
Geminids meteor shower 12/13/07
The Geminids is usually the best meteor shower along with the August Perseids during the year. The moon will be setting early after sunset so that will make observing more meteors. The meteor shower has many bright meteors and sometime trails called trains. Many are yellow. With bright ones and fainter ones you might see 60 per minute if you are looking at a dark sky site. (For me I never see that many no matter as I am busy writing down information about each meteor as fast as I can so I can back to watching after shutting off my red light ). I do this for research for the Meteor Society. Then I have a record of what I do too for the Meteor Observer Award for the Astronomical League.
Due to the meteor swarms orbit and orientation, the Geminid meteor shower rates rise slower than they fall (better before the peak for those in Asia it is early hours of Sat morning (where it will be the best).
In N .America , the Geminids will peak on 9-10 pm Thursday Dec 13th and onward through the night to dawn on Friday morning (12am-6am).Friday evening (if you want to try) will start well early in evening then decline as it goes towards later part of the evening and morning.
During the early evening you might also see some meteors called Earthgrazers that show early and skim through the tops of the atmosphere. These are usually very bright and long. I saw a very bright Perseid earthgrazer a couple of years ago during the Perseids and it rose from the East like a big orange firecracker , sparkling along its path
Many meteor showers are associated with comets which have left the meteoroids in their wake and "shower " us at certain times of the year. This one however is known to associated with not a comet but an asteroid called Phaethon. It is possibly an ancient dead comet that has and keep leaving more particles in its wake easy December.
The weather can still be mild so it is a great time to see some bright meteors. Use a lawn chair and take a sleeping bag and also bundle up with sweater, jacket etc
? let know
Good luck.
Due to the meteor swarms orbit and orientation, the Geminid meteor shower rates rise slower than they fall (better before the peak for those in Asia it is early hours of Sat morning (where it will be the best).
In N .America , the Geminids will peak on 9-10 pm Thursday Dec 13th and onward through the night to dawn on Friday morning (12am-6am).Friday evening (if you want to try) will start well early in evening then decline as it goes towards later part of the evening and morning.
During the early evening you might also see some meteors called Earthgrazers that show early and skim through the tops of the atmosphere. These are usually very bright and long. I saw a very bright Perseid earthgrazer a couple of years ago during the Perseids and it rose from the East like a big orange firecracker , sparkling along its path
Many meteor showers are associated with comets which have left the meteoroids in their wake and "shower " us at certain times of the year. This one however is known to associated with not a comet but an asteroid called Phaethon. It is possibly an ancient dead comet that has and keep leaving more particles in its wake easy December.
The weather can still be mild so it is a great time to see some bright meteors. Use a lawn chair and take a sleeping bag and also bundle up with sweater, jacket etc
? let know
Good luck.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Rainbow cloud over Colorado
I have seen clouds like this within the last few months but did not have my camera handy. In any here is a a great photo posted 11/25/2007 (if not this date look in archives).
An Iridescent Cloud Over Colorado
Credit & Copyright: August Allen
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
An Iridescent Cloud Over Colorado
Credit & Copyright: August Allen
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Catch Comet Holmes, other comets get an award and cool pin
Happy Thanksgiving day. Do you like astronomy? Are you interesting in observing and getting awards for your interesting endeavors? Contact you local astronomy club or the Astronomical League (http://www.astroleague.org/)or me .
Those trying for comet silver and gold awards, amateur astronomers and other sky observers (see link below) can contact me for more information as I am the coordinator.
There are also many awards you can go dealing with meteors, constellations, telescope use and more.
Read: http://www.astroleague.org/al/obsclubs/comet/comet.htm
What to do? observe / sketch or photograph 12 comets (see more below)
what do you get? a cool Comet Plaque (suitable for framing) and our cool comet obs award pic
I also have a (free) comet newsletter to find out more information.
Comet Holmes has lessened in brightness but still great in scopes and binocs. It is still quite large around the diameter of moon angular wise. I think it is around 5 mag or so. At the side is one of the best photos I took of Comet McNaught in January. We had just 4 days to view this splendid sight. (in the middle above the reddish hued sky on the bottom.)
My pics and more coming soon.
Dr. Eric Flescher (kcstarguy@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: Subscribe to (send your email to):CometObserversAwardAL-subscribe@yahoogroups.com:E.O.A.S. (Earth, Oceans, Atmosphere and Space) Blog -
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
PLANETS FOUND FORMING IN PLEIADES STAR CLUSTER
One of my interests is extrasolar planets (planets beyond our system). This latest news describes possible planet formation around the Pleidies, a pretty little star cluster (that looks like a minuture big dipper) in constellation Taurus. Find the Pliedes with your telescope or binoculars.
PLANETS FOUND FORMING IN PLEIADES STAR CLUSTER
----------------------------------------------
Rocky terrestrial planets, perhaps like Earth, Mars or Venus, appear to be
forming or to have recently formed around a star in the Pleiades ("seven
sisters") star cluster, the result of "monster collisions" of planets or
planetary embryos.
http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0711/15pleiades/
PLANETS FOUND FORMING IN PLEIADES STAR CLUSTER
----------------------------------------------
Rocky terrestrial planets, perhaps like Earth, Mars or Venus, appear to be
forming or to have recently formed around a star in the Pleiades ("seven
sisters") star cluster, the result of "monster collisions" of planets or
planetary embryos.
http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0711/15pleiades/
HUBBLE ZOOMS IN ON HEART OF MYSTERIOUS COMET HOLMES
The comet has decreased to 3rd magnitude and supposedly someone said it has lost its color evenwhile it has grown in size (to our Sun). In the sky, this translates to the size of the moon higher in the sky. I will post more of my photos tomorrow. Meanwhile latest news on Hubble spying the comet
HUBBLE ZOOMS IN ON HEART OF MYSTERIOUS COMET HOLMES
---------------------------------------------------
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has probed the bright core of Comet
17P/Holmes, which, to the delight of sky watchers, mysteriously brightened
by nearly a millionfold in a 24-hour period last month.
http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0711/15cometholmes/
HUBBLE ZOOMS IN ON HEART OF MYSTERIOUS COMET HOLMES
---------------------------------------------------
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has probed the bright core of Comet
17P/Holmes, which, to the delight of sky watchers, mysteriously brightened
by nearly a millionfold in a 24-hour period last month.
http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0711/15cometholmes/
Monday, November 19, 2007
onight comet Holmes is in front of several stars.
Tonight comet Holmes is in front of several stars. Comet Holmes large fragment broke off and disintegrated into tiny dust particles which scattered to create the bubble we see. Catch the comet this week before full moon. Information suggest that the comet bubble cloud will expand in weeks (and months?) but will grow fainter as it continues to expand.
I will try to post more of my pics tomorrow.
more info at
Comet Holmes Now Bigger Than the Sun
Friday, November 16, 2007
By Robert Roy Britt
"The offset nature of the coma, seen in ground-based images, suggests "a large fragment broke off and subsequently disintegrated into tiny dust particles after moving away from the main nucleus," Hubble astronomers said in a statement Thursday."
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,311868,00.html
I will try to post more of my pics tomorrow.
more info at
Comet Holmes Now Bigger Than the Sun
Friday, November 16, 2007
By Robert Roy Britt
"The offset nature of the coma, seen in ground-based images, suggests "a large fragment broke off and subsequently disintegrated into tiny dust particles after moving away from the main nucleus," Hubble astronomers said in a statement Thursday."
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,311868,00.html
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Leonid Meteor shower Sunday 11/18 morning
The famous Leonid meteor shower will appear this Sunday morning.
Look for meteors streaming out from the sickle in the constellation Leo s it rises from the NE.
This will not be a great year as the Earth will not hit the major meteoric parts of the stream but it is supposed to be better in Asia.
You may see some bright ones however with trails called "trains."
I will post what I see. If anyone takes photos or see some good fireballs let me know .
Look for meteors streaming out from the sickle in the constellation Leo s it rises from the NE.
This will not be a great year as the Earth will not hit the major meteoric parts of the stream but it is supposed to be better in Asia.
You may see some bright ones however with trails called "trains."
I will post what I see. If anyone takes photos or see some good fireballs let me know .
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
My latest picture of CometHolmes Bubble
60 exposure to highlight outer bubble.That over exposes the inner part though.
Map to find the Comet see it below.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
It has been about 2 weeks when the comet Holmes erupted.
It has been about 2 weeks when the comet Holmes erupted. Finally I have some pics of several to post. Taken on 11/04/07 are 5 of my pictures taken in collage style of the surprising comet Holmes.
all 8 seconds long exp.
Top left with red filter
Top- right with green filter
Bottom- left with blue filter
Bottom- right with infra red filter
center - clear filter
Holmes amazing its tranformation and links to pics and more
First it was amazing what this comet did by exploding and zooming from 17 to magnitude 2.5 in a very short time (1 million times in brightness increase it was said).
Second it is amazing that this comet show has lasted so long as I thought it would fade away quite rapidly and not put on such a show for this length of time.
It has been a lot of fun to watch, observe and photograph.
There was another article in the Kansas City star recently from another AP press article entitled " Comet Explodes , interest booms," from a Knoxville, TN source and photo. So it is really good that our newspaper and now other are posting and telling people about this comet. I can't say the same for the inability of the press to post information about the Great Comet McNaught in January before it went too close to the sun and went below the equator.( We only had four good days after sunset to look and the comet though bright was more difficult to see as it was low on the horizon but still....)
The beautiful photo of Holmes and its fan tail
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap071110.html
***
another beautiful photo in Apod of Comet Holmes with the tail at
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap071105.html
I received more information about its creation from the author (see the following below- with other links below that)
*
Hello,
thank you very much for all of your compliments and congratulations!
I got to much mails, contacting each of you.
The photo of comet Holmes is an average of 42 single shots (each 1 min) taken with an ccd camera ST 2000XM. For processing I used CCD-Soft, RegiStax and Photoshop (for individual masks)
Optic: 600mm f/6
Best regards
Sebastian Voltmer
***
Meanwhile comet expansion animation at
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap071030.html
***
Holmes shell expansion
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap071103.html
**
Golden color photo
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap071029.html
**
first good look and report
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap071026.html
***
Nov 10 (if not seen that day look in archives)
http://www.spaceweather.com/
also more
(1) another nice photo of the tail of Holmes splitting off,
(2) good information about a theory about what made the brightness eruptions and
and this very cool
(3) if you have 3 D red and blue glasses
a 3d photo of the comet
***
Dr. Eric Flescher (kcstarguy@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: Subscribe to (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 -
Friday, November 9, 2007
Hailstorm
Nice photos of hailstorms result spanish speaking country. Look at the size of the hailstones and the damage holes in buildings.
Monday, November 5, 2007
My photo collage of comet Holmes
It has been about 2 weeks when the comet erupted. Finally I have some pics of several to post. Taken on 11/04/07 are 5 of my pictures taken in collage style of the surprising comet Holmes.
all 8 seconds long exp.
Top left with red filter
Top- right with green filter
Bottom- left with blue filter
Bottom- right with infra red filter
center - clear filter
Holmes amazing its tranformation and links to pics and more
First it was amazing what this comet did by exploding and zooming from 17 to magnitude 2.5 in a very short time.
Second it is amazing that this comet show has lasted so long as I thought it would fade away quite rapidly and not put on such a show for this length of time.
It has been a lot of fun to watch, observe and photograph.
There was another article in the Kansas City star recently from another AP press article entitled " Comet Explodes , interest booms," from a Knoville, TN source and photo. So it is really good that our newspaper and now other are posting and telling people about this comet. I can't say the same for the inability of the press to post information about Comet McNaught in January before it went too close to the sun and went below the equator.
The beautiful photo of Holmes and its fan tail
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap071110.html
***
another beautiful photo in Apod of Comet Holmes with the tail at
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap071105.html
I received more information about its creation from the author (see the following below- with other links below that)
*
Hello,
thank you very much for all of your compliments and congratulations!
I got to much mails, contacting each of you.
The photo of comet Holmes is an average of 42 single shots (each 1 min) taken with an ccd camera ST 2000XM. For processing I used CCD-Soft, RegiStax and Photoshop (for individual masks)
Optic: 600mm f/6
Best regards
Sebastian Voltmer
***
Meanwhile comet expansion animation at
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap071030.html
***
Holmes shell expansion
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap071103.html
**
Golden color photo
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap071029.html
**
first good look and report
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap071026.html
Dr. Eric Flescher (kcstarguy@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: Subscribe to (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 -
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Fires from Space
These winds comet every year. The people know its coming. All it takes is a spark. Fires from space as seen. I wonder why the people don't try a little preventive measures before the fact?
Friday, October 26, 2007
lightning: don't take a leak, clean your teeth or jog with ipod
Incredible news items about weather and lightning
Which do you find most incredible and why?
(1) , (2) or (3)
**
Biker's penis hit by lightning
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22478688-23109,00.html
By staff writers
September 25, 2007 11:12am
Article from:
Font size: + -
Send this article: Print Email
AN Croatian motorbike rider was knocked unconscious when lightning struck his penis during a roadside toilet break.
Metro.co.uk reported Ante Djindjic, 29, escaped relatively unscathed from the incident, suffering only light burns to his chest and arms.
He said: "I don't remember what happened. One minute I was taking a leak and the next thing I knew I was in hospital.
"Doctors said the lightning went through my body and because I was wearing rubber boots it earthed itself through my penis."
"Thankfully, the doctors said that there would be no lasting effects, and my penis will function normally eventually."
That's just as long as lightning doesn't stike in the same place twice.
**
Lightning exits from woman's bum
A Croatian woman was left with a severely burned anus after a lightning strike which entered through her mouth left her body through her bottom. picked by mitzuzake 2 weeks ago
Lightning exits from woman's bum
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
What Natasha Timarovic's bottom may have looked like
A Croatian woman was left with a severely burned anus after a lightning strike which entered through her mouth left her body through her bottom.
The lightning reportedly struck Natasha Timarovic's building as she was cleaning her teeth – with her mouth to the tap, sending the current through her body.
And as she was wearing rubber-soled shoes, the lightning bolt was unable to earth through her feet – so it took the next easiest route, and came out of her rectum.
It then earthed itself via her moist shower curtain.
'It was incredibly painful, I felt it pass through my torso and then I don't remember much at all,' Timarovic said.
A medic told local news station 24 Sata: 'Instead of earthing through her feet, it appears the electricity shot out of her backside… if she had not been wearing the shoes she would probably have been killed.'
The medic described the incident as 'bizarre, but not impossible.'
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?in_article_id=20883
**
A Jogger Wearing iPod Struck by Lightning
A man wearing his iPod during a thunderstorm was hurled eight feet into the air when lightning hit a tree close by. The 37-year-old Canadian jogger was taken to a Vancouver hospital with burned parts of body, blown-out eardrums and fracture of a lower jaw. The burns covering the man's chest, neck and ear coincided with the positions of his iPod earphones he was wearing at the moment of the lightning strike.
http://www.infoniac.com/offbeat-news/a-jogger-wearing-ipod-struck-by-lightning.html
Which do you find most incredible and why?
(1) , (2) or (3)
**
Biker's penis hit by lightning
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22478688-23109,00.html
By staff writers
September 25, 2007 11:12am
Article from:
Font size: + -
Send this article: Print Email
AN Croatian motorbike rider was knocked unconscious when lightning struck his penis during a roadside toilet break.
Metro.co.uk reported Ante Djindjic, 29, escaped relatively unscathed from the incident, suffering only light burns to his chest and arms.
He said: "I don't remember what happened. One minute I was taking a leak and the next thing I knew I was in hospital.
"Doctors said the lightning went through my body and because I was wearing rubber boots it earthed itself through my penis."
"Thankfully, the doctors said that there would be no lasting effects, and my penis will function normally eventually."
That's just as long as lightning doesn't stike in the same place twice.
**
Lightning exits from woman's bum
A Croatian woman was left with a severely burned anus after a lightning strike which entered through her mouth left her body through her bottom. picked by mitzuzake 2 weeks ago
Lightning exits from woman's bum
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
What Natasha Timarovic's bottom may have looked like
A Croatian woman was left with a severely burned anus after a lightning strike which entered through her mouth left her body through her bottom.
The lightning reportedly struck Natasha Timarovic's building as she was cleaning her teeth – with her mouth to the tap, sending the current through her body.
And as she was wearing rubber-soled shoes, the lightning bolt was unable to earth through her feet – so it took the next easiest route, and came out of her rectum.
It then earthed itself via her moist shower curtain.
'It was incredibly painful, I felt it pass through my torso and then I don't remember much at all,' Timarovic said.
A medic told local news station 24 Sata: 'Instead of earthing through her feet, it appears the electricity shot out of her backside… if she had not been wearing the shoes she would probably have been killed.'
The medic described the incident as 'bizarre, but not impossible.'
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?in_article_id=20883
**
A Jogger Wearing iPod Struck by Lightning
A man wearing his iPod during a thunderstorm was hurled eight feet into the air when lightning hit a tree close by. The 37-year-old Canadian jogger was taken to a Vancouver hospital with burned parts of body, blown-out eardrums and fracture of a lower jaw. The burns covering the man's chest, neck and ear coincided with the positions of his iPod earphones he was wearing at the moment of the lightning strike.
http://www.infoniac.com/offbeat-news/a-jogger-wearing-ipod-struck-by-lightning.html
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Comet 17P/Holmes brightens 500000 times to reach mag 2.5
Another unexpected surprise for a comet. Comet Holmes has brightened to 2.5 magnitude while over Europe. It is Perseus in the Northeast sky as the constellation rises tonight.
The moon is hindering the process with filmy clouds here in Kansas but I think I see it .
It is on a line from the brightest star in Perseus (called ) and yellow Capella (brightest star in Auriga). It is .25 way down (to Capella ) and to the left.
Catch it as who knows how long this outburst will last.
Space Weather News for Oct. 24, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
ERUPTING COMET: Astronomers in Japan and Europe report that Comet 17P/Holmes is undergoing a spectacular eruption. The 17th-magnitude comet has brightened by a factor of five hundred thousand or more during the past 24 hours becoming a naked eye object in the evening sky. This may signify a breakup of the comet's core or a rich vein of ice suddenly exposed to sunlight--no one knows. Look for a yellow 2.5th-magnitude fuzzball in the constellation Perseus after sunset. ("2.5th magnitude" means a little dimmer than the stars of the Big Dipper.) At present the comet looks more like a star than a comet; it does not have a discernable tail, but it might grow one as the outburst continues. Visit http://spaceweather.com for a sky map, photos and updates.
The moon is hindering the process with filmy clouds here in Kansas but I think I see it .
It is on a line from the brightest star in Perseus (called ) and yellow Capella (brightest star in Auriga). It is .25 way down (to Capella ) and to the left.
Catch it as who knows how long this outburst will last.
Space Weather News for Oct. 24, 2007
http://spaceweather.com
ERUPTING COMET: Astronomers in Japan and Europe report that Comet 17P/Holmes is undergoing a spectacular eruption. The 17th-magnitude comet has brightened by a factor of five hundred thousand or more during the past 24 hours becoming a naked eye object in the evening sky. This may signify a breakup of the comet's core or a rich vein of ice suddenly exposed to sunlight--no one knows. Look for a yellow 2.5th-magnitude fuzzball in the constellation Perseus after sunset. ("2.5th magnitude" means a little dimmer than the stars of the Big Dipper.) At present the comet looks more like a star than a comet; it does not have a discernable tail, but it might grow one as the outburst continues. Visit http://spaceweather.com for a sky map, photos and updates.
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