Skywatch

[Bo D]

Obama cut funding to NASA.....so, good question.

http://news.yahoo.com/nasa-budget-cuts-draw-threat-presidential-veto-220135002.html
The $51 billion Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act for 2013 (H.R. 5326) that the Republican-led House began debating today would fund NASA at $17.56 billion next year — the lowest level since 2008 and some $150 million less than President Obama requested for the agency.

[Palehorse]

Obama cut funding to NASA.....so, good question.

Umm. . .no. That would have been congress. . .

****SIDEBAR**** I see this topic now taking a turn that will force its move into the rough house. ****/SIDEBAR****

[Bo D]

Umm. . .no. That would have been congress. . .

****SIDEBAR**** I see this topic now taking a turn that will force its move into the rough house. ****/SIDEBAR****

I apologize for responding to that ridiculous post earlier. I promise to ignore stupid, political comments in this thread, henceforth and herewith.

[Henry Hawk]

  Since the Republicans are so Anti-science, do you think they will let us put them up.  What a great chance to give more scientist to research the Universe.  I think it would be great.  But then, I think science is great, greater the religion ever was.   

But this was OKAY, then, RIGHT?

****SIDEBAR**** I see this topic now taking a turn that will force its move into the rough house. ****/SIDEBAR**** 
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Obama-s-budget-would-cut-NASA-Pentagon-and-cost-3313215.php

[Bo D]

Did anybody watch the Venus transit Tuesday? I used a pair of binoculars to project an image on my garage door. It was way cool! I wanted to take a picture but I couldn't hold the binoculars steady enough to get a decent image.

[Locutus]

Did anybody watch the Venus transit Tuesday? I used a pair of binoculars to project an image on my garage door. It was way cool! I wanted to take a picture but I couldn't hold the binoculars steady enough to get a decent image.

It was too cloudy here.  Saw some cool imagery online though.   How exactly did you project using binoculars?  I don't think I would have thought to try that even if the weather had been clear.

[libby]

Did anybody watch the Venus transit Tuesday? I used a pair of binoculars to project an image on my garage door. It was way cool! I wanted to take a picture but I couldn't hold the binoculars steady enough to get a decent image.

I didn't. Congratulations for your ingenuity. Like Locutus, I wouldn't have thought of that.

[Bo D]

It was too cloudy here.  Saw some cool imagery online though.   How exactly did you project using binoculars?  I don't think I would have thought to try that even if the weather had been clear.

I simply pointed the binoculars at the sun as if I were looking at it (with the eyepiece pointed at the garage door.) I had to move them around quite a bit until I got a good focus, but it worked. I can't take credit for the idea, though. That was one of the suggestions I heard on the radio.

[Locutus]

I simply pointed the binoculars at the sun as if I were looking at it (with the eyepiece pointed at the garage door.) I had to move them around quite a bit until I got a good focus, but it worked. I can't take credit for the idea, though. That was one of the suggestions I heard on the radio.

And you were actually able to see the shadow of Venus during the crossing?

[Bo D]

And you were actually able to see the shadow of Venus during the crossing?

Yes. Absolutely. Clear as can be! It appeared as a small black dot on the lower part of the image of the sun. Of course you couldn't actually see it move, but I checked it several times before sunset and noticed the change in position of the dot.

The image of the sun on the door was about two inches in diameter, so it was quite easy to see it once I got the focus problem fixed.

[Locutus]

Congratulations man!  That's awesome.  I'll have to remember that technique next time there's an eclipse.  I'm sure it would work in a similar manner for that as well.

[Henry Hawk]

That is a great idea....

[Bo D]

Congratulations man!  That's awesome.  I'll have to remember that technique next time there's an eclipse.  I'm sure it would work in a similar manner for that as well.

Thanks. But here's a hint. Practice the method first. I hadn't done it before so the first few minutes were a bit frantic trying to get a good image. You have to first play with the aim, then once you get that, you have to try changing the distance the distance between the binoculars and the surface you are projecting to. I found that with my binoculars, a good distance was about three feet. Finally you have to fiddle with the focus. It ain't easy, Dude! It would have been so much better if I had used a tripod.

[Locutus]

Thanks. But here's a hint. Practice the method first. I hadn't done it before so the first few minutes were a bit frantic trying to get a good image. You have to first play with the aim, then once you get that, you have to try changing the distance the distance between the binoculars and the surface you are projecting to. I found that with my binoculars, a good distance was about three feet. Finally you have to fiddle with the focus. It ain't easy, Dude! It would have been so much better if I had used a tripod.

I was just getting ready to ask if you used a tripod.  That's amazing that you were able to do that just using your hands while trying to hold the binoculars steady, and adjust the focus and projection distance all at the same time. 

[Henry Hawk]

http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/slideshow?articleId=USRTR335U6#a=1

Here is a nice slide show of it....pretty cool