I was with Uncle Bob this last week and he showed me the video, of which I have attached a link. It takes about 10 minutes but stick with it. It was filmed by some smuch who just happened to get lucky....right place at the right time. There are professionals that have spent a lifetime trying to film such an event. It is really fascinating. Turns out good so dont' worry but watch it till the end.
The morale of this film is don't every tick off an water buffalo as they have terrific memories and lots of friends.
Enjoy,
Dad
http://ugv.abcnews.go.com/Player.aspx?id=556758
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Celestial Fireworks
Just wanted you all to know that there are several celestial events that are happening this month and you should try and see them if you can. Here are the ones I know about. Lest you think I've suddenly become some kind of a astronomy nut, this was in an article in the paper this week and I thought you all might want to take a crack as seeing some of this.
Astronomically yours,
Love, Dad
1) There will be a major meteor shower this month. It happens on August 12th (tonight) and August 13th. Those are the peak times. It will also be a new moon so it should make for some great watching. This meteor shower is caused by the earth going through the debris trail of the Comet Swift-Tuttle as it makes its 130 year orbit around the sun. This is called the Perseids meteor shower. As many as 100 'falling stars" can occur every hour. Unfortunately the best time to watch this is when it is darkest which is between 1 a.m and 5 a.m. Tomorrow, the 13th is the prime time, but don't worry because you will have a couple days after that...it just won't be as intense. I have seen this once and it is really amazing.
2) We wil also have a total lunar eclipse on August 28th. This is when the Moon passes through the earth's shadow. The full moon will darken and and turn deep orange near dawn. The further west you are the better as in California you will be able to see the entire eclipse from start to finish. Not sure what you will see up in Seattle Ty and Dana. As you go farther east the more the eclipse's end will be cut off as the moon sets. Total lunar eclipses happen up to 3 times a year all over the world. but he continental US has sometimes gone years without seeingone. There will be another one next February if you miss this one.
3) The constellation Taurus, (the bull) is know for the "V" of its head and horns, with the red star Aldebaran forming an eye. I have never seen this myself. Apparently, between Aug. 18 and Aug. 24 after Mars passes close to Aldebaran, the planet will form a second red eye, completing the bull's fiery gaze and making for a striking sight from anywhere in the USA, especially between 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. Th situation occurs only every few years so it is somewhat rare. The hour of the day isn't the greatest for sure. I think you look somewhere to the western sky for this.
4) This last one takes a telescope or a strong pair of binoculars. On August 29th, Jupiter will get a new neightbor in additon to its 4 moons that can be seen from a telesope. It is Vesta, the brightest asteroid in the sky named after the Roman goddess of the hearth. It was the 4th asteroid every discovered It is about 330 miiles across and has a highly reflective surface that rotates about every 5 hours so as to be visable. It is the only astroid visible to the naked eye. It hasnt shown this bright since 1989. Since none of us has a telescope it doesn't do us to much good but it is supposed to be pretty spectacular if you see 5th "moon" appear around Jupiter. Maybe if you look for Jupiter....not sure but I think it is in the western sky, maybe you can see it.
Astronomically yours,
Love, Dad
1) There will be a major meteor shower this month. It happens on August 12th (tonight) and August 13th. Those are the peak times. It will also be a new moon so it should make for some great watching. This meteor shower is caused by the earth going through the debris trail of the Comet Swift-Tuttle as it makes its 130 year orbit around the sun. This is called the Perseids meteor shower. As many as 100 'falling stars" can occur every hour. Unfortunately the best time to watch this is when it is darkest which is between 1 a.m and 5 a.m. Tomorrow, the 13th is the prime time, but don't worry because you will have a couple days after that...it just won't be as intense. I have seen this once and it is really amazing.
2) We wil also have a total lunar eclipse on August 28th. This is when the Moon passes through the earth's shadow. The full moon will darken and and turn deep orange near dawn. The further west you are the better as in California you will be able to see the entire eclipse from start to finish. Not sure what you will see up in Seattle Ty and Dana. As you go farther east the more the eclipse's end will be cut off as the moon sets. Total lunar eclipses happen up to 3 times a year all over the world. but he continental US has sometimes gone years without seeingone. There will be another one next February if you miss this one.
3) The constellation Taurus, (the bull) is know for the "V" of its head and horns, with the red star Aldebaran forming an eye. I have never seen this myself. Apparently, between Aug. 18 and Aug. 24 after Mars passes close to Aldebaran, the planet will form a second red eye, completing the bull's fiery gaze and making for a striking sight from anywhere in the USA, especially between 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. Th situation occurs only every few years so it is somewhat rare. The hour of the day isn't the greatest for sure. I think you look somewhere to the western sky for this.
4) This last one takes a telescope or a strong pair of binoculars. On August 29th, Jupiter will get a new neightbor in additon to its 4 moons that can be seen from a telesope. It is Vesta, the brightest asteroid in the sky named after the Roman goddess of the hearth. It was the 4th asteroid every discovered It is about 330 miiles across and has a highly reflective surface that rotates about every 5 hours so as to be visable. It is the only astroid visible to the naked eye. It hasnt shown this bright since 1989. Since none of us has a telescope it doesn't do us to much good but it is supposed to be pretty spectacular if you see 5th "moon" appear around Jupiter. Maybe if you look for Jupiter....not sure but I think it is in the western sky, maybe you can see it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)