esrosedotblog

FLASH

This is the time of year that we always went to the Caribbean for three weeks. St. Croix.

There we encountered the mysteries of the "green flash".

Hotly contested at the sunset gathering, in our resort, the faithful split from the agnostics and atheists over the question of whether the "flash" existed or not.

We joined the fray and, after a few sunsets, saw the "flash". We were born again.

Many still deny its existence but this posting today from APOD tells the true story.

There is a green, sometimes blue, flash and it is good.

A Green Flash From the Sun

Conditions need to be right to see it. In the photo shown, not the APOD, there are two things that favor the flash. One is that the air is hazy. The other is that the photographer had the luck to snap at just the right instant.

You can go to Google images for photos of the flash and most of them do not show green at all. The finger is slower than the eye.

The other thing about this controversy, particularly in resort settings, is that it provides safe and sane opportunity for argument over drinks.

Beats politics and religion every time.

Labels: APOD, astronomy, astropix

THE BIG GUY

I have written that Orion is the only constellation I know.

That is because the first session of the Astronomy Club had only three kids in it and they folded the group.

But we did see Orion.

I still look at him every morning, now. In the spring he will re-emerge at sunset.

This has more detail to it if you go to the link.

Orion: Head to Toe.

Labels: APOD, astronomy, astropix

FLYBY

We saw the International Space Station (ISS) last night.

One of the MIT kids turned me on to the Flyby site.

It was very bright. Exciting.

It will go by one more time tonight at 5 before it tracks out of our area. Some are seeing it in twilight it is so vivid.

We missed the combo sightings earlier in the week. The Atlantis and the ISS.

I actually found this through Spaceweather.com which is now on my daily bookmark tour.

Labels: astronomy, astropix, technology

HOLY FUCKING JESUS

The record distance from "land" in a test of the new space suit navigation system. Read about it here at APOD.

Labels: astropix, science

HAPPY EQUINOX

Today, the Sun crosses the celestial equator heading north at 11:44 UT. Known as an equinox, this astronomical event marks the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere and autumn in the south. It also marks the beginning of Norouz, the Persian (Iranian) new year. Equinox means equal night. With the Sun on the celestial equator, Earth dwellers will experience nearly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. Of course, in the north the days will grow longer, the Sun marching higher in the sky as summer approaches. To celebrate the equinox, consider this scenic view of the setting Sun from the island of Naxos in the Aegean Sea. Recorded last June, the well-planned image captures the Portara (big door) in a dramatic silhouette. Measuring about 6 by 3.5 meters, the Portara is the large entrance to the Greek island's ancient, unfinished Temple of Apollo.

Labels: APOD, astropix, nature

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Pink Floyd and the asteroid.

Labels: astropix, nature

ORION IS EVERYWHERE

I see my one and only constellation in this great APOD photo

He in Turkey these days.

I wondered.

He has left our morning skies and is just here in evening.

I wondered where he was spending his days.

Labels: APOD, astropix

PANORAMIC

I look at the APOD every day. Usually it is a bunch of galaxies and stuff all colorized which I don't much appreciate somehow. Not too close to home.

But everyonce in awhile they get something that hits me right across the brow. I look and look.

Maybe you would like to take a look too.

Yes. You have to scroll horizontally.

It is not unusual to have the sun setting and the moon rising at the same time. Or visa versa!

I remember being in one of our first desert trips to Death Valley. I got up and saw the two at once. A big fat moon going "down" and the sun coming "up".

I got John up to see it.

We were alone in the desert outside the Furnace Creek Inn area.

I think that it is the setting that does it to me.

Here in the APOD we see anything but a desert. Still, it is riveting.

Labels: APOD, astropix, internet

MOONGLOW

We saw the full eclipse of the moon last night.

I think it was only visible in California but maybe not.

No.

It would have to be visible elsewhere. Just different times.

Yes?

Anyway, there it was. Full at 7PM.

We had been cloudy for much of the day but the skies opened and there it was.

Saturn too; a bonus.

Labels: astropix, nature

SONIC BOOM

Look at this!

For a bigger picture and discussion, go here

Labels: APOD, astropix, technology

CRATERED

The APOD site has a picture of the

Meteor Crater

today in 3-D.

You need the blue/red glasses to get the full effect.

But here it is without.

I went there a couple of years ago. It is a tourist trap in some ways. But there is no denying the impact of the site.

The APOD picture does a great job showing the immensity of it.

Labels: astropix

NORTHERN LIGHTS

Yesterday we saw the film and today we see the real thing. Aurora Borealis:

I love to type and say those words.

If you want to see the big image go to

Aurora Over Alaska

Beeeeeauuutiful.

Labels: astropix, films

RM W MT VW

How cool would it be to stand right here?

APOD: The View From Everest

Labels: astropix, nature

VOLCANO

I haven't shown any Astropix for awhile.

Take a look at this volcano and smoke cloud on one of Jupiter's moons, Io.

Labels: astropix