Astronomy and Space
- basementer
- Dorkwood
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Re: Astronomy and Space
The opposite error: a couple of years ago, a friend said that they'd seen Mars near the moon during a lunar eclipse. I replied that I remembered not seeing it, so to speak, and guessed if they'd seen something red nearby it might have been Antares.
In checking, I found out for the first time where the name of the star Antares comes from. It's anti-Ares, the rival of Mars. Obvs really.
In checking, I found out for the first time where the name of the star Antares comes from. It's anti-Ares, the rival of Mars. Obvs really.
Money is just a substitute for luck anyway. - Tom Siddell
Re: Astronomy and Space
I saw two shooting stars tonight. My first two. Very bright - not loads brighter than the stars but the brightest things I could see, really fast - much fast than satellites or planes, absolutely no mistaking them for anything else. They went in the same direction about a minute or so apart. Didn’t see any more, but it was a genuine, literal, thrill.
where once I used to scintillate
now I sin till ten past three
now I sin till ten past three
Re: Astronomy and Space
Geminids innit. It's cloudy here and even if it wasn't, there's a lot of light pollution, so don't think I'll see much, even if I try.Grumble wrote: ↑Tue Dec 13, 2022 10:53 pmI saw two shooting stars tonight. My first two. Very bright - not loads brighter than the stars but the brightest things I could see, really fast - much fast than satellites or planes, absolutely no mistaking them for anything else. They went in the same direction about a minute or so apart. Didn’t see any more, but it was a genuine, literal, thrill.
Re: Astronomy and Space
It's the time of year for the Geminids meteor shower, so that sounds very likely.Grumble wrote: ↑Tue Dec 13, 2022 10:53 pmI saw two shooting stars tonight. My first two. Very bright - not loads brighter than the stars but the brightest things I could see, really fast - much fast than satellites or planes, absolutely no mistaking them for anything else. They went in the same direction about a minute or so apart. Didn’t see any more, but it was a genuine, literal, thrill.
Interestingly*, the Geminids are not associated with a comet, but with an asteroid, the Earth orbit crossing asteroid Phaethon.
My avatar was a scientific result that was later found to be 'mistaken' - I rarely claim to be 100% correct
ETA 5/8/20: I've been advised that the result was correct, it was the initial interpretation that needed to be withdrawn
Meta? I'd say so!
ETA 5/8/20: I've been advised that the result was correct, it was the initial interpretation that needed to be withdrawn
Meta? I'd say so!
Re: Astronomy and Space
Thought they might be Geminids, wish I’d seen more than two. I was between trees a lot of the time.
where once I used to scintillate
now I sin till ten past three
now I sin till ten past three
Re: Astronomy and Space
The Atacama Large Millimeter Array has been down since October due to a cyber attack
https://physicstoday.scitation.org/do/1 ... 212a/full/
https://physicstoday.scitation.org/do/1 ... 212a/full/
Re: Astronomy and Space
How large can a millimetre get anyway?dyqik wrote: ↑Mon Dec 19, 2022 5:45 pmThe Atacama Large Millimeter Array has been down since October due to a cyber attack
https://physicstoday.scitation.org/do/1 ... 212a/full/
where once I used to scintillate
now I sin till ten past three
now I sin till ten past three
Re: Astronomy and Space
Depends how close it is.Grumble wrote: ↑Tue Dec 20, 2022 7:47 amHow large can a millimetre get anyway?dyqik wrote: ↑Mon Dec 19, 2022 5:45 pmThe Atacama Large Millimeter Array has been down since October due to a cyber attack
https://physicstoday.scitation.org/do/1 ... 212a/full/
Re: Astronomy and Space
Also, how fast it's going away from youdyqik wrote: ↑Tue Dec 20, 2022 11:22 amDepends how close it is.Grumble wrote: ↑Tue Dec 20, 2022 7:47 amHow large can a mill ftimetre get anyway?dyqik wrote: ↑Mon Dec 19, 2022 5:45 pmThe Atacama Large Millimeter Array has been down since October due to a cyber attack
https://physicstoday.scitation.org/do/1 ... 212a/full/
My avatar was a scientific result that was later found to be 'mistaken' - I rarely claim to be 100% correct
ETA 5/8/20: I've been advised that the result was correct, it was the initial interpretation that needed to be withdrawn
Meta? I'd say so!
ETA 5/8/20: I've been advised that the result was correct, it was the initial interpretation that needed to be withdrawn
Meta? I'd say so!
Re: Astronomy and Space
SPIDER, a CMB balloon experiment, finally managed to launch from McMurdo today.
- shpalman
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Re: Astronomy and Space
the first satellites launched from British soil failed to reach orbit
Back in Cornwall spectators did a “conga” dance around a replica of the rocket at the perimeter of the spaceport
having that swing is a necessary but not sufficient condition for it meaning a thing
@shpalman@mastodon.me.uk
@shpalman@mastodon.me.uk
Re: Astronomy and Space
Saying they were launched from British soil is stretching a point. To my mind they aren’t launched until they drop off the plane.shpalman wrote: ↑Tue Jan 10, 2023 7:28 amthe first satellites launched from British soil failed to reach orbit
Back in Cornwall spectators did a “conga” dance around a replica of the rocket at the perimeter of the spaceport
where once I used to scintillate
now I sin till ten past three
now I sin till ten past three
Re: Astronomy and Space
Who gives a f.ck. It's like we're in the 1950s and Britain is pretending it's in the space race. We need to acclimatise fast to being a pathetic country without healthcare, law courts and social welfare. "Don't look down at the queue for the food bank, look up at a British Rocket."
Awarded gold star 4 November 2021
- tenchboy
- After Pie
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Re: Astronomy and Space
Sims she do stop at Cambourne after all.
If you want me Steve, just Snapchat me yeah? You know how to Snapchap me doncha Steve? You just...
Re: Astronomy and Space
You'll have likely seen the doctored photo that Grant Shapps tweeted where ex PM Johnson had been airbrushed out
@garius, the author of The Brexit Tapes offered a free copy to the best version of the image... https://twitter.com/garius/status/1612775552305201153
The best I've seen so far ]
@garius, the author of The Brexit Tapes offered a free copy to the best version of the image... https://twitter.com/garius/status/1612775552305201153
The best I've seen so far ]
My avatar was a scientific result that was later found to be 'mistaken' - I rarely claim to be 100% correct
ETA 5/8/20: I've been advised that the result was correct, it was the initial interpretation that needed to be withdrawn
Meta? I'd say so!
ETA 5/8/20: I've been advised that the result was correct, it was the initial interpretation that needed to be withdrawn
Meta? I'd say so!
Re: Astronomy and Space
If you have a pair of 'eclipse glasses' (made specifically for watching eclipses), the Sun is currently featuring a Sunspot that is about 4x the diameter of the Earth, which makes it just about visible without magnification.
Don't try looking with the naked eye.
If you don't have a suitable pair, you can use a pair of binoculars to project an image of the Sun onto white card - there should be multiple sunspots visible.
My image using a filtered telescope from a couple of days ago.
Don't try looking with the naked eye.
If you don't have a suitable pair, you can use a pair of binoculars to project an image of the Sun onto white card - there should be multiple sunspots visible.
My image using a filtered telescope from a couple of days ago.
My avatar was a scientific result that was later found to be 'mistaken' - I rarely claim to be 100% correct
ETA 5/8/20: I've been advised that the result was correct, it was the initial interpretation that needed to be withdrawn
Meta? I'd say so!
ETA 5/8/20: I've been advised that the result was correct, it was the initial interpretation that needed to be withdrawn
Meta? I'd say so!
Re: Astronomy and Space
Ooh. Nice. For context, what portion of the sun's diameter are we seeing there?
Re: Astronomy and Space
The image is about 1/5 the sun's diameter. I've realised that the Spot shown isn't actually the one that was naked eye.
Which was about twice the width of the one above.
My avatar was a scientific result that was later found to be 'mistaken' - I rarely claim to be 100% correct
ETA 5/8/20: I've been advised that the result was correct, it was the initial interpretation that needed to be withdrawn
Meta? I'd say so!
ETA 5/8/20: I've been advised that the result was correct, it was the initial interpretation that needed to be withdrawn
Meta? I'd say so!
- tenchboy
- After Pie
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Re: Astronomy and Space
Has anyone been out for a look at the comet yet?
If you want me Steve, just Snapchat me yeah? You know how to Snapchap me doncha Steve? You just...
Re: Astronomy and Space
MrsG and I saw it last Thursday just after midnight. Used binoculars (required), couldn't make out any colour, nor a tail, but the fuzzy patch was about 1/3 degree across.
My avatar was a scientific result that was later found to be 'mistaken' - I rarely claim to be 100% correct
ETA 5/8/20: I've been advised that the result was correct, it was the initial interpretation that needed to be withdrawn
Meta? I'd say so!
ETA 5/8/20: I've been advised that the result was correct, it was the initial interpretation that needed to be withdrawn
Meta? I'd say so!
- basementer
- Dorkwood
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Re: Astronomy and Space
Near Polaris? That would explain why it hasn't made the news in my area.
Money is just a substitute for luck anyway. - Tom Siddell
- shpalman
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Re: Astronomy and Space
I haven't been out to look for it since the nights which would be clear enough are too f.cking cold for going outside.
having that swing is a necessary but not sufficient condition for it meaning a thing
@shpalman@mastodon.me.uk
@shpalman@mastodon.me.uk
Re: Astronomy and Space
Nipped out with binoculars. Located a definite smudge. Didn't hang around long enough for my night vision to improve as shivering is incompatible with holding binoculars steady.
Re: Astronomy and Space
Got a good evening at Astrofarm France (run by a friend, it offers holidays for Astronomers). Got a few images of a variety of things over a couple of hours yesterday
Including this of the Comet - cold but worth it
Including this of the Comet - cold but worth it
My avatar was a scientific result that was later found to be 'mistaken' - I rarely claim to be 100% correct
ETA 5/8/20: I've been advised that the result was correct, it was the initial interpretation that needed to be withdrawn
Meta? I'd say so!
ETA 5/8/20: I've been advised that the result was correct, it was the initial interpretation that needed to be withdrawn
Meta? I'd say so!
Re: Astronomy and Space
A Progress (cargo) spacecraft attached to the ISS has developed a coolant leak, apparently similar to the leak that affected the most recent Soyuz spacecraft sent to the ISS. Quality control would seem to be the most likely cause.