Good grief! Winter hasn't even started and the Northeast has literally been blasted by a "Monster" ice storm, bitter cold temperatures and follow-up snow storms. Enough is enough! Sitting out the winter in the south is terrific, but we've been through many storms so we fully understand what people and property at home are going through and hope and pray "Mother Nature" calms down for the Northeast over the coming winter months.
I still haven't had the telescope out for any stargazing. Light pollution, moisture in the sky and just a hint of laziness is hampering my observing. To boot, the sky is relatively void of planetary objects for a while. Orion is creeping higher in the sky which will be worth setting up for.
I hope you all had a change to observe the "largest" full moon of 2008! If not, there will be another chance to see the "largest" full moon of 2009 in January. Saturn is slowly making its way into the night sky. The rings of Saturn are a real crowd pleaser to view but they are slowly tilting and will soon "disappear!" Fear not, they're tilting edge-on and as they are very thin, the rings will "disappear" for smaller amateur telescopes. However, without our sun's light reflecting off the rings we may actually begin to see other features of Saturn. We may even be able to pick out one or two of Saturn's larger moons. Now that'll make me take out the scope!
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Till next time....
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Grumblings about the weather and things to do!
December 3, 2008
This afternoon we welcomed two fellow Winnebago Travelers to our campground. Phil and Carol S. settled in a short distance from us. They’ll be here for a couple of evenings and to top things off, the weather is looking nicer into the weekend. All we seem to be hearing on the weather front is that it’s cooler than normal in central Florida for this time of the year! Sure, we’re looking forward to the 70’s and we’re stuck in the 60’s and 50’s! I know, all of you sure “feel” for us down here!
We have to wear long pants and sweaters! Grrrrr!! At night we have to add a jacket to our outer wear! Actually, I’m not writing the above to complain, I’m angry because I’m one of those folks who can catch a cold easily when the temperature fluctuates so much… and I did! Of course, it wouldn’t have any thing to do with how busy we’ve been, enjoying Disney, biking, walking, shopping, eating, every thing outdoors and working! Come to think of it, it’s more likely that I caught the cold at work. Disney Quest has hot and cool attraction areas, some attractions that we oversee require a great deal of fast movement and there are lots of people to come in contact with!
As for astronomy, I’m trying to take advantage of getting out observing before the moon goes beyond its first quarter and Jupiter and Venus are still visible. Pretty soon the night sky will be void of any planets for a while; they will be entering a position in their orbits that doesn’t favor our position to view them. I guess we’ll just have to adjust and go back to looking at all those “faint fuzzies” and double stars the sky has to offer.
One of the “events” I really want to try here at the campground is what is referred to as, “Sidewalk Astronomy!” A number of years ago an amateur astronomer in California wanted to bring the night sky to people who rarely think about looking up at the night sky. Either their locale (city) or daily routine fails to offer them the opportunity to enjoy some spectacular (and free) visual treats the night sky has to offer. He would pack up his telescope, and head for any busy street with lots of people walking by. After setting it up, he would then, simply invite them to look through his telescope at the most common, bright celestial objects that were visible in the sky between all the city lights and buildings. People were awestruck! Many had never looked at the moon through a telescope let alone see a planet’s detail with their own eyes.
Now I have a mission!
Till next time!
This afternoon we welcomed two fellow Winnebago Travelers to our campground. Phil and Carol S. settled in a short distance from us. They’ll be here for a couple of evenings and to top things off, the weather is looking nicer into the weekend. All we seem to be hearing on the weather front is that it’s cooler than normal in central Florida for this time of the year! Sure, we’re looking forward to the 70’s and we’re stuck in the 60’s and 50’s! I know, all of you sure “feel” for us down here!
We have to wear long pants and sweaters! Grrrrr!! At night we have to add a jacket to our outer wear! Actually, I’m not writing the above to complain, I’m angry because I’m one of those folks who can catch a cold easily when the temperature fluctuates so much… and I did! Of course, it wouldn’t have any thing to do with how busy we’ve been, enjoying Disney, biking, walking, shopping, eating, every thing outdoors and working! Come to think of it, it’s more likely that I caught the cold at work. Disney Quest has hot and cool attraction areas, some attractions that we oversee require a great deal of fast movement and there are lots of people to come in contact with!
As for astronomy, I’m trying to take advantage of getting out observing before the moon goes beyond its first quarter and Jupiter and Venus are still visible. Pretty soon the night sky will be void of any planets for a while; they will be entering a position in their orbits that doesn’t favor our position to view them. I guess we’ll just have to adjust and go back to looking at all those “faint fuzzies” and double stars the sky has to offer.
One of the “events” I really want to try here at the campground is what is referred to as, “Sidewalk Astronomy!” A number of years ago an amateur astronomer in California wanted to bring the night sky to people who rarely think about looking up at the night sky. Either their locale (city) or daily routine fails to offer them the opportunity to enjoy some spectacular (and free) visual treats the night sky has to offer. He would pack up his telescope, and head for any busy street with lots of people walking by. After setting it up, he would then, simply invite them to look through his telescope at the most common, bright celestial objects that were visible in the sky between all the city lights and buildings. People were awestruck! Many had never looked at the moon through a telescope let alone see a planet’s detail with their own eyes.
Now I have a mission!
Till next time!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
December 2, 2008
The conjunction of the moon, Jupiter and Venus was beautiful. We all got a chance to have a good look at them before the clouds set in. Even the bright lights of Disney’s Hollywood Studios didn’t spoil our view. Here’s a photo taken from the parking lot, under a street light, resting the camera on someone’s van! (Venus is below the moon and Jupiter is at a right angle to the right from Venus.)
The moon will begin to rise higher into the sky but Jupiter and Venus will stay reasonably close for a few more days.
We made our way from HStudios to EPCOT. We thought we’d take in the “Candlelight Procession” and Christmas reading at EPCOT. Neal Patrick Harris was the guest reader but the line prohibited us from getting in to see it. Back we went to HS! We planned to see the Osborn/Sylvania 5+million Christmas lights set up on all the building of the “Downtown America area of Hollywood Studios.” WOW! “Snow” streaming off the building tops, Christmas music and every so often they would play an upbeat (loud) rendition of a Christmas song and the lights would “dance” to the music! It’s a must see. The lights will be there till after the holidays.
It seems so strange, everything says Christmas, but having the sun, mild temps and no heavy outer clothing certainly doesn’t say New England!
Till next time!
The conjunction of the moon, Jupiter and Venus was beautiful. We all got a chance to have a good look at them before the clouds set in. Even the bright lights of Disney’s Hollywood Studios didn’t spoil our view. Here’s a photo taken from the parking lot, under a street light, resting the camera on someone’s van! (Venus is below the moon and Jupiter is at a right angle to the right from Venus.)
The moon will begin to rise higher into the sky but Jupiter and Venus will stay reasonably close for a few more days.
We made our way from HStudios to EPCOT. We thought we’d take in the “Candlelight Procession” and Christmas reading at EPCOT. Neal Patrick Harris was the guest reader but the line prohibited us from getting in to see it. Back we went to HS! We planned to see the Osborn/Sylvania 5+million Christmas lights set up on all the building of the “Downtown America area of Hollywood Studios.” WOW! “Snow” streaming off the building tops, Christmas music and every so often they would play an upbeat (loud) rendition of a Christmas song and the lights would “dance” to the music! It’s a must see. The lights will be there till after the holidays.
It seems so strange, everything says Christmas, but having the sun, mild temps and no heavy outer clothing certainly doesn’t say New England!
Till next time!
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