Astronomy Toadfish Nerds Unite!

[anthrobabe]

Once again if you do not subscribe to Phil Plaits blog feed you are missing out.

Link Here to a picture full of 'stuff' at first it seems to be an ordinary star picture- nice and all with lots and lots of stars
but wait
it's not stars
it is galaxies-- hundreds and hundreds and hundreds

The Anthrobabe be humbled at her tiny self existing in this universe...

[Opsa]

Somehow it makes me feel less alone, seeing all those possibilities.

The Geminids meteor shower will be on December 13th, this Saturday. The full moon will block a lot of them from here, but it's still worth a peek.

[anthrobabe]

I need to scribble that on me calender-- and this is the time of year I am changing from one dayminder (aka the BRAIN don't loose it) to another. I need a blackberry or something but just can't afford it for now so it's the good old pen and ink system for me.

[Opsa]

I'm with you, Sib. If I had a blackberry I'd probably lose it, anyway.

[Opsa]

Biggest full moon of the year tonight

...and wouldn't ya know it's raining here? 

[Aphos]

This isn't exactly astronomy news, but is related.

Methane plumes have been discovered on Mars.  Similar plumes on Earth are often the result of methane formed by bacteria far underground.

So, this is a possible sign of life on Mars.

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/01/15/live-blogging-the-mars-methane-mystery-aliens-at-last/

[Opsa]

Wow! That is too cool!

"One thing is for certain, there is no stopping them; the ants will soon be here. And I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords. I'd like to remind them that as a trusted TV personality, I can be helpful in rounding up others to...toil in their underground sugar caves."

-Kent Brockman

[Aggie]

Can anyone recommend a good basic astronomy field guide (a gift for a friend)?

Something that will serve as a good introduction to constellations, major stars and the planets; doesn't need to be comprehensive.

[Aphos]

Can anyone recommend a good basic astronomy field guide (a gift for a friend)?

Something that will serve as a good introduction to constellations, major stars and the planets; doesn't need to be comprehensive.

I have "A Field Guide to the Stars and Planets" by Menzel.  I don't think it is still in print, but I think this...

http://www.amazon.com/Field-Guide-Stars-Planets/dp/0395934311/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1232334409&sr=1-1

...is an updated version.  Also, the "Peterson First Guide to Astronomy" mentioned on the same page is supposed to be good.

[anthrobabe]

Can anyone recommend a good basic astronomy field guide (a gift for a friend)?

Something that will serve as a good introduction to constellations, major stars and the planets; doesn't need to be comprehensive.

Ok-been waiting to do this-wishing for a reason to do so--      Guide Linky

[anthrobabe]

100 Hours of Astronomy

Link     -- enjoy!

[anthrobabe]

What happend on April 12th, 1961?
The first human being- Yuri Gagarin- left Earths atmosphere to become the first person in space.

Celebrate --- Yuri's Night ----


Then on April 12th, 1981 (just 20 years later) what happened?

First Space Shuttle Launch-- STS1---- Columbia--

[youtube=425,350]KwLlzUSOW_E[/youtube]


"Columbia, Houston-go throttle up."
"Roger, go throttle up."

Now that's Rock and Roll!

I wasn't here yet when Kennedy was asassinated-- but I remember being at school and my teacher wheeling in a TV and watching this...

[Sibling Chatty]

OH, yeah, make me feel old.

I spent that evening helping out friends who owned a restaurant near NASA because they had a private party in their banquet room...the Columbia Houston Team. About 30 of them...or about 100 bottles of champagne worth.

Some of them had been up for 36 straight hours, and just crashed. We had the waiters drive them home and take a cab back to the restaurant. They booked EVERY after-shuttle party there, for years.

[anthrobabe]

How Phil crashes the internet thingie

he give stuff away

post here and you have a chance too!

Phil Plait twofer
but soon he 'draws' on like the 7th or 8th

[Opsa]

What fun! I signed up.