Astronomy Toadfish Nerds Unite!

[Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith]

Alas, the moonrise was a bust 'round these parts.  Too bad.

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

I was able to se the end (which isn't really impressive) but the actual eclipse was eclipsed by the clouds. 

[Opsa]

Here, as well. By the time the clouds moved, I could see the last little nibble on the upper right side of the moon. Just a shadow. Foo.

[anthrobabe]

Has anyone heard about the meteorite that "took out" the home computer in IL maybe not being a real one. Might be a chunk of metal hurled from a wood chipper.

here is the link

http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=5264

[Opsa]

I heard about that, but didn't know it was being refuted.

I wish they had a photo of it. We once found what looked like a molten rock in our yard and have always wondered if it might be a meteorite.

[Vita Curator]

News for March 20 [ aside from the fact the equinox arrives this evening  ]

GREEN COMET: There's a new comet in the southern hemisphere: Comet Lovejoy (C/2007 E2). Terry Lovejoy of Australia discovered it on March 15th using, remarkably, not a telescope but only an off-the-shelf digital camera. The green comet is too dim to see with the naked eye, but it is a nice target for backyard telescopes. After five days of monitoring, the comet's orbit is now known with some accuracy and it is possible to make predictions about Comet Lovejoy's future movements and brightness. Visit http://spaceweather.com for details.

BONUS--VENUS AND THE MOON: When the sun goes down tonight, step outside and look west. You'll see Venus and the slender crescent Moon beaming together through the glow of sunset. If you miss the pair on March 20th, try again on the 21st. They will be beautifully close together on both nights.

[Opsa]

Ooooh ...sexy! that'll be a nice sky decoration for my anniversary tomorrow!

[anthrobabe]

I'm having a current fetish with Nebula.

The attached ( and my new profile photo) is not one- but it is lovely
it's the Hubble center of the Milky Way

I simply think it is amazing ( and spiritual in my way) that we are made of the same stuff as stars, comets, nebula, etc.

[Opsa]

Beautiful.

Isn't it almost weird that what's wa-a-a-ay out there can look so much like what's inside us? That could be a microscopic photo of some sort of corpuscular activity, couldn't it?

[anthrobabe]

so true...

I'm always amazed by this living Universe we inhabit.

[Kiyoodle the Gambrinous]

The oldest known meteor shower -- the Lyrids -- peaks this year on the morning of April 22 just four days after the Full Moon.

Full article here: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast18apr_1m.htm

Unfortunately, They probably won't be very visible in the city (and I can't get out of the city tonight) and because of the very bright moon.

[anthrobabe]

I went out about 4ish, didn't see much. It did give me a connection to the bigger picture though. Something nice about spreading a blanket on the ground and visiting with the sky.

[Opsa]

Perseid Meteor Shower Watch this weekend!

A new moon should make for beneficial conditions (barring weather) for viewing some Perseids this weekend. At optimum conditions, as many as 50 per hour may be spotted. According to the 2007 Astronomical Calendar, skywatchers in North, Central and Northern South America have the best chance to see the show.

Look low in the northeast sky after ten p.m. The Perseid radiant will move towards the high eastern sky by dawn. Perseids are active between July 17 and August 24, but peak around August 12-13 this year. They are fast, bright and sometimes leave a persistant trail!

[Aggie]

Hey, I was thinking about getting out camping... might be a good call!

[Alpaca]

I wonder if the dog'll wanna be dragged out for a late-night walk.