MEPAG: Mars needs civil engineers; Evolution of puppy eyes; Our variable sun; 2019 UFO Symposium and Field Investigations

Greetings from Palmia Observatory,


Well this been another very busy week and I have been worn out by the confluence of conferences and workshops that just happened in the weeks following our trip to Chile for the solar eclipse. After the Ninth International Mars Conference we had the co-located meeting of the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) and the 2019 International UFO Symposium.

Ninth International Mars Conference at Caltech; What have we learned about Mars, Dust and Biosignatures and where is the water?

Greetings from Palmia Observatory

Well just as soon as the Astrobiology for Astronomers Workshop ended, it is now time for the Ninth International Mars Conference held at Caltech.  I'm already exhausted and hoped to spend at least a couple of days on Mars.

Inside a lava tube on Rapa Nui; Double suns? Disequilibria and searches for life: Can't get away from microbiology

Greetings from Palmia Observatory

This week we have some more comment summaries from the Astrobiology for Astronomers Workshop from Caltech and a look inside a lava tube and strange illusion seeming to show multiple suns.  Also it is time to head back to Pasadena for the Ninth International Mars Conference.  See all of you Martians there!

Some more eclipse in Chile comments and photos; Sitting in on the Astrobiology for Astronomers Workshop at Caltech and where's Sheldon; Handling a 4 billion year old rock; Time for a martini and livestreaming!

Greetings from Palmia Observatory

Well we are back from our fantastic visit to Chile and the 2019 total solar eclipse.  This post has a few additional comments on that trip and mainly provide a calendar update for upcoming conferences and some summary comments on the Astrobiology for Astronomers Workshop conducted at Caltech.

Post eclipse adventure on Rapa Nui; Finally captured a photo of SMC and LMC

Greetings from Palmia Observatory,

Well, here we are on our final leg of our Chilean adventure, during which we first saw the 2019 total solar eclipse and the toured the Atacama desert and now on the last portion of the trip,with a short visit on Easter Island (Rapa Nui) and finally some success with imaging the dwarf galaxies, SMC and LMC.

Fuming volcano and Tatio hot springs and geysers in the Atacama; Desert Fox; Valley of the Moon and Salt Flats; Flying to Easter Island

Greetings from Palmia Observatory

Well our adventure in the Atacama continues.  This time up at up to 14,000 feet elevation at the Tatio geysers and hot springs.  Along the way we see the volcano, Putana, maybe not active, but certainly out gassing.  Not much to report on astronomical events, but exploring the desert was a lot of fun.

Are constellations like the Big Dipper upside down in the Southern Hemisphere and do you just fall off the earth? Exploring the Chilean Atacama Desert

Greetings from Palmia Observatory

Well after viewing the July 2 eclipse we are here in San Pedro de Atacama for our continuing journey through the Atacama Desert.

Hooray, great viewing of the 2019 eclipse in Chile; Flew to Atacama Desert and shot the Milky Way

Greetings from Palmia Observatory

Well, it’s July 2 and we have arrived at our old mine platform in La Higuera, Chile, to view the 2019 total solar eclipse.

Touring around La Serena; Boat trip to Isla ; Early inspection of eclipse viewing site in La Higuera, Chile

Greetings from Palmia Observatory

Well we arrived in La Serena and had this second day to take a boat ride to Isla Damas and the National Wildlife Preserve and a chance to look for penguins, otters, sea lions and lots of birds, after which we stopped by our eclipse viewing site in La Higuera.