Determine Your Longitude: the Lunar Eclipse Method Part I February 14, 2008
Posted by webmaster in : Classic Experiments Waiting to be Duplicated , add a comment
We’re back now with a new look! Hopefully, it’s less of an eyestrain for our loyal legion of readers… and just in time for this months’ Lunar Eclipse!
Getting an accurate fix on your position has long been a bane of the world traveler. Long before Global Positioning Systems, a way was sought for navigators to calculate their location using the stars. Latitude was easy enough; in the Northern Hemisphere, you simply have to measure the angle of Polaris, also known as the North Star, above the horizon. (more…)
A Martian Bigfoot? The Affinity for Illusions February 7, 2008
Posted by webmaster in : Astro News, The Debunker , add a comment
Who is that amid the rocks?
Something strange is happening on the surface of Mars. The above image has circulated around the Internet the past few weeks. Taken from the Spirit rover, the panorama shows a vast, Martian landscape. The close up inset above appears to show a vague figure. What gives? Are there, perhaps, a tiny civilization of Bigfoots (Or is it Bigmen?) mocking our rovers? (more…)
Astro-Themed Drinks for Cloudy Nights February 1, 2008
Posted by webmaster in : Classic Experiments Waiting to be Duplicated , 1 comment so far
A Star Party Exposure.
There is a long tradition of alcohol in Astronomy. Tycho Brahe was a great imbiber. Beer Crater (actually named after the imminent selenographer, Wilhelm Beer) on the Moon may well be ultimate site for a brewery one day. But when the cirrus starts getting thick, what’s one to do? True, you can only recollimate your mirrors so much. (more…)