10/8/05
Friday night I went to the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society's star stare over at Palmer Park. It was painfully obvious that the situation was meant for the public rather than some serious observation. The light from the comings and goings of cars was bad enough coupled with the light pollution.
I had a lovely time, I saw the Ring Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy, Mars, the Saturn Nebula, something in Hercules, twin clusters that were really amazing and stuff. One guy talked with me about the sky, showed me a neat little palm pilot program that mapped the heavens and I had a few good looks at Mars. The Andromeda Galaxy was just a very fuzzy ball of light, the twin clusters were very beautiful as a certain point in the sky was full of millions of stars. To my naked eye, the area was just featureless night but the telescope revealed something miraculous. When I enquired with some of the astronomers about their telescope, nearly every one said they didn't grind their mirror and would chuckle at me that I'd think they would have the time for such an endeavor.
One guy had his telescope pointed at Cygnus and I asked him if he could find 61 Cygni A+B since it's usually featured in science fiction. The pair of stars he showed me were nice though, a blue and orange star very near each other.
Back at the car, Spot and I sat in the dark. She climbed across my chest and rested while I held her close.
Friday night I went to the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society's star stare over at Palmer Park. It was painfully obvious that the situation was meant for the public rather than some serious observation. The light from the comings and goings of cars was bad enough coupled with the light pollution.
I had a lovely time, I saw the Ring Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy, Mars, the Saturn Nebula, something in Hercules, twin clusters that were really amazing and stuff. One guy talked with me about the sky, showed me a neat little palm pilot program that mapped the heavens and I had a few good looks at Mars. The Andromeda Galaxy was just a very fuzzy ball of light, the twin clusters were very beautiful as a certain point in the sky was full of millions of stars. To my naked eye, the area was just featureless night but the telescope revealed something miraculous. When I enquired with some of the astronomers about their telescope, nearly every one said they didn't grind their mirror and would chuckle at me that I'd think they would have the time for such an endeavor.
One guy had his telescope pointed at Cygnus and I asked him if he could find 61 Cygni A+B since it's usually featured in science fiction. The pair of stars he showed me were nice though, a blue and orange star very near each other.
Back at the car, Spot and I sat in the dark. She climbed across my chest and rested while I held her close.
A lovely night, indeed.
nevar
Should this meager site of ramblings ever fall under the critical gaze of the media, I don't want to be referred to as being in a "blogosphere" nor do I want this called a fucking "blog". It's my journal, my commonplace book, at the very worst heptapod.org is a diary.
Everything else demands a drano gargle and shotgun mouthwash.
heavens
Last weekend, raddidge bought me a little squirrel feeder. I hung it from the tree and the very next day I saw that the squirrels, naughty creatures, had nibbled through the cord and absconded with my generous offering. There are some mighty buttery squirrels around here.
finally
Lately I've been really tired. Yesterday I was yawning at work. I never yawn at work! Of course I've been getting to sleep aroudn 11:30 or midnight rather than the appointed 10 p.m.. Methinks my body is already gearing up for the return to wholesome and healthful standard time while daylight savings is put on the shelf for another year.
Wednesday was the first day where it truly felt like autumn. Usually the days were pleasantly warm, even in the shade, but now the air has a nip. I am pleased.
