3-30-10

This post is gonna be random blathering, mostly.
...But I do enjoy a good ramble. For example, one time in Spanish class I made sure all my sentences centered around Ents from Lord of the Rings. A few minutes later I was reminiscing about the time I had soft ice cream in New York.

Anyway, enough rambling about stuff not astronomy-related. I'm biased, but few things are more interesting to talk about than astronomy. Anything else I can think of that is equally interesting has to do with global warming, Star Wars, or the watershed. So... I'll stick with something science-y. Even though global warming and the watershed are very scientific. And Star Wars in sci fi.

On global warming: Seriously, we're in very deep fodder. Act now! Stop carbon emissions! Don't leave every light in your house on when you go on vacation! (Who does that, anyway?)

On the watershed/saving water: Um... save every drop! Don't dump chemicals down the drain. Treasure the Chesapeake. 'Nough said?

On Star Wars: Vote Boba Fett for Mr. Star Wars 2010! And for your information, the Clone Wars series on Cartoon Network is very... childish. The ratings haven't been very high, anyway. And I'm still trying to figure out why no one liked The Phantom Menace! Sure, Jar Jar kinda blew it, but... really.

Right now I'm working on a research paper on time travel. It's sooo fun; I don't even have this much fun writing stories.

Yeah; I did just say that. Oh, I'm also writing this, trying to figure out why my glasses keep sliding down my nose, and humming the song "Blue" by Eiffel 65. It's techo. It's about a blue guy. It's awesome.

Through all my research, I haven't seen a single theory that suggests that to go back (or forward) in time, you could hop out of time and reenter in another point in time. I suppose that's kiiiinda what it's like with a black hole. Really? I dunno, people always use the phrase 'travel through time.' Suppose you were to hop out of the universe, where there is... um, no time, and then hop back in at some other point in time? You probably couldn't control where you were going to end up, though. And with the Law of Conservation of Energy, you can't really leave the universe.

There's my idea. Thought I'd put it out there. It has major flaws and all, but it's something to think about.

3-19-10

Just came inside! It's chilly out. Especially if you're wearing flip flops; I don't recommend it.

Anyway... the sky was so clear! Well, to the south it was cloudy but we couldn't see that anyway because of street lights and trees. But the Orion constellation was brilliant. I could see a lot of the stars in it; as well as a ton of others you don't see on any given night.

First we saw Capella and Sirius; 'cause they were the telescope's calibration stars. Then we did went to the Moon- and it was so cool. 'Lil crescent; lots of craters. I got a picture with my cellphone camera, and with a regular one. The pic from my cell is to the right.

After that we went to Mars (lil red-ish like dot) and Saturn (really clear; we saw rings and everything). Granted, at first tree branches were blocking it at first but we waited a while and went back to it. All good.

Next stop? (cue the dramatic music) The Great Orion Nebula! One of my favorites! And we saw a hazy, weird-shaped cloud-like thing (Aren't I good with the descriptions?) but we also saw some stars in it and around it, which were a bonus.

And we moved on to Betelgeuse. If I were a star, I think she/he/it would be my role model. Maybe we could be BFFLS! :D Always loved that star.

Sombrero Galaxy was too low to see; our house was where it should have been.

I got my hopes up for the Andromeda Galaxy just 'cause I love it so much, so while the telescope was using its talented motors to whir itself into position, we were crossing our fingers. Too bad. It was right in a group of tress; really close to the horizon.

Then we went back to Jupiter, Mars, the Moon, etc.

We saw some double cluster... I didn't see a thing. I think our calibration was a tiny bit off. The compass is weird.

Lastly, we came across the Pleiades (spelling?). Lotsa stars. I never really liked the Pleiades. But it's not really a matter of liking or un-liking, considering they are just stars.

Overall, it was very spiffy. *sage nod*

3-19-10

Short post.
Spring starts tomorrow.

I'm really tired and sore from gym class (I've just started running again :D), but I really want to go out with my telescope. It's clear and warm outside. And there's a crescent moon, which is really pretty. And if the camera cooperates, I'll try to take some pictures and post them here!

...That is, if my Dad will let me. But he likes astronomy too! I remember one time I kept insisting we look for a black hole 'cause it was in the telescope's GPS-- didn't see a thing, after an entire hour. I think it was basically impossible. Then there was the time we stared at some blur for about 30 minutes and we were trying to figure out if it was the Sombrero Galaxy... or whatever it's called; I just know it by that. But when we tried to change the lens we lost it.
The best was the Andromeda galaxy. Yes, it was probably below zero at the time. Yes, it was really, really late. But it was amazing! Just a little blob kinda like a galaxy.

Maybe I could do it by myself- pretty simple, you just make sure the compass is correct and then you find some stars to calibrate on (That's the hard part; we have so many trees in our yard and on our horizon) and then you can begin searching through the tree branches for whatever astronomical object your heart desires. As long as it's in the GPS. Oh, and it's gotta be above the horizon. And trees or lights can't be in your way. Guh)

...That's why I love New York. It's almost always clear and you have the entire northern sky. So many stars- and the milky way. And a sea breeze, and waves crashing, and a the lights of Connecticut across the way (Long Island Sound, peoples)-- ooh, one time we saw cars and buildings and stuff through the telescope there. It was so cool. But most of all, I love it there 'cause we're usually there during the Pleiades's Meteor Shower. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Anywho. As soon as it get's dark enough I'll try and drink and energy drink or something. And look up a few star charts, and see if my Dad's up for it. If not, I'll probably shrug and haul the telescope out by myself. XD

(a few minutes later) YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY! THANK YOU, MOST AWESOMEST FATHER IN THE WORLD! WE'RE GOING OUT WITH THE TELESCOPE!

3-9-10

Not much to say today... over the weekend I'll try to say something about time travel or whatever. Tonight as my family and I were driving home there was a pretty clear sky, so I pointed out everything to my sisters while I listened to Simon and Garfunkel. Weird, I know.

That leads me to the Ipod conundrum... my sister says I was playing it too loud, but when I took my headphones out I couldn't hear any music coming out. Either my hearing is really bad or hers is just good. Does hearing change when you're young? O_o I don't even listen to it that loud. Promise.

...And somehow, that leads me to talk about planetarium shows. I've been to three of them... I think. Can't really remember the third. So I'll skip to the 2nd one. It was at the National Air and Space Museum when I went with my astronomy camp. And- (cue the screaming fangirls) LIAM NEESON NARRATED! Imagine sitting in this dome-place learning about the cosmos with Liam Neeson's voice surround sound... yeah. It was awesome. XD

The third one I went to was last summer in New York. Some old, historical rich dude had a planetarium on his uber-huge place so when we went there, we saw the show. It covered some of Earth's weather, and there was a very realistic (in my opinion) simulation of a storm in the Midwest US. Thunder and lightning and wind and rain. It freaked me out a little bit. But it was very memorable.

3-8-10

So, I'll start off with a few link.

http://spaceweather.com/
Spaceweather.com is fun and extremely helpful-it's got lots of stuff pertaining to the Sun, astronomical events, etc.

And... I thought I'd share a story about auroras that I wrote. It is a myth-and yes, it is a fanfic written for the Chronicles of Narnia.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Chronicles of Narnia, nor do I own auroras.

Peter Pevensie was well educated, and had nothing against science. At time, he even enjoyed it.

Everything about Narnia was mired in mystery. It was like a different world, yet in their world. Peter had accepted that science could not explain it. Susan, on the other hand, was always trying to make sense of it. She shielded her inquiries from the Narnians, but not from Peter. Peter was always able to persuade her that science could not and would not explain it.

This led to quarrels and plenty of food for thought. Susan wasn't exactly the best at science, but she was old enough to want to solve things logically.

Most of the questions posed the pair would never be answered. Questions like, "Does Santa exist in the real world?"

One time, Lucy overheard them passing questions back and forth. "You just have to believe! It's magic!" She exclaimed.

As much as they would love to be content with that, they couldn't. Susan and Peter kept debating anything that came to mind. It was always a waste of air; for five minutes they would debate and eventually fall silent.

One time, Susan came up with a question she was positive they could answer. "Does Narnia have auroras, Pete?" She asked him earnestly.

Frankly, Peter was surprised. It was a strange question for his sister to ask. "What is that, again?"

"The Northern Lights!" She said, exasperated. "We saw them on holiday with mum a few years ago, remember?"

"I remember," he said bleakly. "Why would Narnia have them?"

Susan rolled her eyes. "I don't know. But it would be interesting to find out."

"At least we'll be able to figure this one out," Peter grinned. "Just keep your eyes peeled."

Weeks passed. Not a trace of the lights were found in the sky. Susan and Peter moved on to much more productive things- such as ruling Narnia.

As Lucy got ready for bed, something in the window caught her attention. Poking her head out into the cool night air, she called for Susan.

"The aurora!" Susan said, awestruck.

"You've seen them before?"

"We all did; once. You were too young to remember." Susan quickly filled her in. "Peter, Edmund, come quick!"

Edmund stomped in, closely followed by Peter. "What is it?"

They all leaned out the window to watch in amazement as ribbons of green and purple frolicked across the sky in a beautiful, erratic dance. "It's beautiful," Lucy breathed.

"I've never seen them here before," Edmund frowned.

"That's because they didn't come when the White Witch was here." Mr. Tumnus appeared in the doorway, respectfully bowing to the young Kings and Queens.

"Why is that?" Susan asked.

"They are the spirits of all those who fought for freedom from the White Witch. While we were under her rule, they didn't dance. Who would dance for the 'Queen' of Narnia?" He scoffed. "Then you saved
us, they celebrate."

Susan looked puzzled. "That's not how it happens… back in London."

Lucy looked at her, and then laughed. "No, silly! This is Narnia!"

Not my best work, but I'm proud of it. :D

On Friday (3.5.10.) my Dad and I saw the International Space Station. We tried to set up the telescope ten minutes early, but it's so hard to calibrate with all the trees in our yard. It was easy to see with the naked eye- I'd say a little smaller than a plane and a little brighter than your average star... though few stars are average, I think. It about 2 minutes to get across the sky-slow enough so that when it disappeared behind trees I could chase it up the street.

Sometimes I'll notice a little blob of haze below Orion's Belt...
that couldn't be the Orion Nebula, could it? But it's always there on a good night. What else could it be?

Up next: The Sun, dark matter, and my bea-uti-ful telescope!