Skywatch

[libby]

Anybody remember that old hit from the 60's - 'Midnight in Moscow?' ........

Here's a picture ...






and a really big one here .....

http://www.scientificcomputing.com/news-DS-Moscow-at-Night-042412.aspx?et_cid=2617964&et_rid=41373174&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.scientificcomputing.com%2fnews-DS-Moscow-at-Night-042412.aspx

I didn't remember it -- until I listened to it.  As for that picture,     That is spectacular! I thought at first it was another image of a distant galaxy.

[Palehorse]

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2113093,00.html?hpt=hp_t2#ixzz1tcJYiX56

Dark-Matter Mystery: Why Are 400 Stars Moving as if There's Nothing There?

The theory of dark matter took decades to take hold in astronomy, and no wonder. It's pretty tough to wrap your mind around the notion that some mysterious, invisible substance pervades the cosmos — and even tougher to accept that it outweighs ordinary matter by a factor of 6 to 1, at least. Evidence eventually trumped incredulity, though, and by the 1980s, the vast majority of scientists were on board with the idea, nutty though it might seem, and there they've remained ever since. . .


For every mystery we solve there seems to be at least 3 or 4 to take its place.

[Henry Hawk]

Supermoon alert: Biggest full moon of 2012 due Sat

http://www.space.com/15474-supermoon-full-moon-2012.html
The moon will swing in 221,802 miles (356,955 kilometers) from our planet, offering skywatchers a spectacular view of an extra-big, extra-bright moon, nicknamed a supermoon.

[Locutus]

Hopefully the damn rain will clear up around here by then.  It's been raining for four straight days. 

[followsthewolf]

Supermoon alert: Biggest full moon of 2012 due Sat

http://www.space.com/15474-supermoon-full-moon-2012.html
The moon will swing in 221,802 miles (356,955 kilometers) from our planet, offering skywatchers a spectacular view of an extra-big, extra-bright moon, nicknamed a supermoon.

Thanks, Hank.

[libby]

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2113093,00.html?hpt=hp_t2#ixzz1tcJYiX56

Dark-Matter Mystery: Why Are 400 Stars Moving as if There's Nothing There?

The theory of dark matter took decades to take hold in astronomy, and no wonder. It's pretty tough to wrap your mind around the notion that some mysterious, invisible substance pervades the cosmos — and even tougher to accept that it outweighs ordinary matter by a factor of 6 to 1, at least. Evidence eventually trumped incredulity, though, and by the 1980s, the vast majority of scientists were on board with the idea, nutty though it might seem, and there they've remained ever since. . .


For every mystery we solve there seems to be at least 3 or 4 to take its place.

Here's what  a current astronomy textbook (Professor Alex Fillippenko) says: "Dark matter: invisible matter that dominates the mass of the universe."  Makes me think back to the days several decades ago when I got interested in the Rosicrucians -- and their theory that the universe is made up of waves -- everything vibrating at its own frequency. That preceded the more current string theory, of course. (I like the vibrating universe theory better. but what do I know? I just like to look at the stars on a dark moonless night.)

[The Troll]

Here's what  a current astronomy textbook (Professor Alex Fillippenko) says: "Dark matter: invisible matter that dominates the mass of the universe."  Makes me think back to the days several decades ago when I got interested in the Rosicrucians -- and their theory that the universe is made up of waves -- everything vibrating at its own frequency. That preceded the more current string theory, of course. (I like the vibrating universe theory better. but what do I know? I just like to look at the stars on a dark moonless night.)

  When my wife and I were going down to Gulf Shores Al.  we would drive out South on Fort Morgan Rd. until there was no night lights.  The stars over the Gulf was absolutely beautiful.  Something you never get to see in Indiana.   

[Locutus]

Just walked outside to see a 'super' full moon rising, and had the added treat of seeing the Hubble Space Telescope passing far overhead.  Too cool.

The ISS was also visible tonight, but was on too low of an orbit to make it a triple play.

[Palehorse]

The moon was "large" as it came up over the horizon this evening, but I have seen it much larger. (Which was kind of a disappointment).

But it is rather bright now that it is up in the sky. 

[Locutus]

Indeed it is. 

[The Troll]

  We were up at the lake where is little city lights.  The Moon was so bright as we walk along the gravel road the Moon cased our shadows on the road.  Something very beautiful.   

[Bo D]

Beautiful picture of Mars ....



For the big picture .....

http://www.scientificcomputing.com/news-DS-Opportunitys-Selfie-053012.aspx?et_cid=2674531&et_rid=41373174&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.scientificcomputing.com%2fnews-DS-Opportunitys-Selfie-053012.aspx

[Henry Hawk]

 

[Henry Hawk]

Speaking of skywatch..............the dragon lands in 26 minutes!!!
500 miles west of San Diego...

[Henry Hawk]

The Dragon has landed!  Splash down complete...........

Not nearly as exciting as it was several years ago........

but still kind of cool.