tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15291664269263305982024-03-17T20:02:18.787-07:00Palmia ObservatoryWhere armchair and observational cosmologists and physicist wannabes have fun and do real science and share lessons learned.
Sharing weekly blogs for over nine years. Click on archive or search box to find specific topic or any of more than nine years of individual posts to show and read more of the post and picturesPalmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.comBlogger553125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-33650642354662761772024-01-13T15:58:00.000-08:002024-01-13T19:44:55.913-08:00Back from the Southern Hemisphere with only clouds in the night sky; Upgrading the microscope in the search for living Water Bears<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory,</p><p>Well, we are back from our cruise adventure to the Southern Hemisphere with ports of call in New Zealand and Australia with an add on adventure into the outback of Australia. We were also lucky in travelling with old friends, OC Astronomers and Radio Hams, Marty and Bonnie.</p><p>Anyway, we are late in wishing everyone a happy new year. So, Happy New Year everyone! There was a lot of celebration aboard the ship, but we were tired out and missed actual new year's by about 3 hours.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW673AKCrmhQS1J7Xxl_T7Ibb727kvYIZ6Ju-Q7Gel7Et-54n9pI8SS7LSej5CPLAEjvPDJrLrPoy3YIGerq0N5BkHmhuPlRQkZEjuMWMcZ0IOaGKc_hTycMB8icc_ZAH7gN8DiyaYE52EraqavE3epSqwlYqc7dR-doJr6-5HWH8ejxriluuz2VmH3HGc/s639/Celebrating_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Resident Astronomers say Happy New Year Everyone! (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW673AKCrmhQS1J7Xxl_T7Ibb727kvYIZ6Ju-Q7Gel7Et-54n9pI8SS7LSej5CPLAEjvPDJrLrPoy3YIGerq0N5BkHmhuPlRQkZEjuMWMcZ0IOaGKc_hTycMB8icc_ZAH7gN8DiyaYE52EraqavE3epSqwlYqc7dR-doJr6-5HWH8ejxriluuz2VmH3HGc/w480-h640/Celebrating_web.jpg" title="Resident Astronomers say Happy New Year Everyone! (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resident Astronomers say Happy New Year Everyone! (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We joined our cruise ship in Auckland, New Zealand and then after some days of sailing celebrated Christmas at sea off the coast of New Zealand on the way to Tasmania. Here we are at the bottom of the grand staircase in front of the Christmas trees.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniN-28gBicAJQUCCxeiYdUs4EDmIuJ9SWM8GEQgP1t9jADVLH_5OrsLLQJqblxjAyLRUKSMhosXRlxbTFY_RTeMp-6jfdn-tx10D_WXNeYsmHVbla995HEex5Lj9urVEps84s4LEfQ6cHaOfGPbb-vXr-_j0qHB-3mJ6xChBALacwPeBVeD1CQx0ppWEx/s640/Christmas_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Celebrating Christmas aboard Viking Orion off the New Zealand coast (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniN-28gBicAJQUCCxeiYdUs4EDmIuJ9SWM8GEQgP1t9jADVLH_5OrsLLQJqblxjAyLRUKSMhosXRlxbTFY_RTeMp-6jfdn-tx10D_WXNeYsmHVbla995HEex5Lj9urVEps84s4LEfQ6cHaOfGPbb-vXr-_j0qHB-3mJ6xChBALacwPeBVeD1CQx0ppWEx/w480-h640/Christmas_web.jpg" title="Celebrating Christmas aboard Viking Orion off the New Zealand coast (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating Christmas aboard Viking Orion off the New Zealand coast (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Now we had hoped to be able to get some views of the night sky from the Southern Hemisphere, but it was mostly cloudy and overcast with just a patch or two of clear sky. The Viking Orion cruise ship had a resident astronomer on board, Dr. Charles Lineweaver, who conducted a few observing attempts under cloudy skies. Many of us physicist Wannabes are familiar with Dr. Lineweaver from our studies of calculating the entropy of the universe so it was nice to meet him.</p><p>We didn't bring a telescope, only a DSLR and flimsy tripod, but Resident Astronomer Peggy managed to look around with shipboard telescope.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdYa3YKONmoyyB45yPIzFfrdYamMT2F3WzM5nPvrvMfk9AISIEXCxK8jay7NQFYscxPs0KcB5V1399kfTx9dLY3j2xnfq_c8wVFgYAEZNEo5AmTMCurMMDtaKO4Vc4DuYfl5rAW0MWrs7OI2LipYxzJC90zf8cIRCnhmEWxwUWuaMCSQRiCbw-qrT78xm/s720/Peggy-observing_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Resident Astronomer tries observing aboard Viking Orion (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdYa3YKONmoyyB45yPIzFfrdYamMT2F3WzM5nPvrvMfk9AISIEXCxK8jay7NQFYscxPs0KcB5V1399kfTx9dLY3j2xnfq_c8wVFgYAEZNEo5AmTMCurMMDtaKO4Vc4DuYfl5rAW0MWrs7OI2LipYxzJC90zf8cIRCnhmEWxwUWuaMCSQRiCbw-qrT78xm/w480-h640/Peggy-observing_web.jpg" title="Resident Astronomer tries observing aboard Viking Orion (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resident Astronomer tries observing aboard Viking Orion (Source: Palmia Observatory)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>One of the things we liked about being onbaord was all the great food. It was nice to enjoy eating a great meal and just watching the sea go by.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakmWsMKjvZx_tn2xip2ZLfpqjs4dG-nikhgJZjjv1toH1sItuAl6q4YGbxCrDZ4DTXAW80gMR_4c80eXkhh2qEJk7uWSKn51KpsrV86lxbGPY7EUCSbUO-kDlLFd-23UvAYFmXmGMFbBVrnLMmvblm_yQdmn2nMp_2ho7KCYABbYMd3GOXNNSgjMdCu0_/s600/Dinner-at-Sea_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Resident Astronomers enjoy dinner (and martinis) at sea (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="600" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakmWsMKjvZx_tn2xip2ZLfpqjs4dG-nikhgJZjjv1toH1sItuAl6q4YGbxCrDZ4DTXAW80gMR_4c80eXkhh2qEJk7uWSKn51KpsrV86lxbGPY7EUCSbUO-kDlLFd-23UvAYFmXmGMFbBVrnLMmvblm_yQdmn2nMp_2ho7KCYABbYMd3GOXNNSgjMdCu0_/w640-h582/Dinner-at-Sea_web.jpg" title="Resident Astronomers enjoy dinner at sea (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resident Astronomers enjoy dinner (and martinis) at sea (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Our first stop after Hobart in Tasmania was the mainland Australian city of Melbourne, where we saw the local sites and visited the Melbourne Zoo. We had hoped to see the New Year fireworks celebration in Sydney, but it turned out we were still out at sea at midnight and were only able to get to Sydney on New Years Day. We just sailed passed the Sydney Opera House and didn't have any time to get inside.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1dOyw_RawuCJmNdaWRMstfcOsGtVZxo156LeMYKgPzNrZzZN0YxvIBH215mMhOejJYJb-MQcjBhEmDz8nOjz9rVm7Q5aH7jnGdvdooQfhZdI08Pt-D0rvrOmkp-FlpTGPIy7KletrmNGESD9qHeZzhSuJ3yBJ3k5UEfjC_cM9m-L2j-UveVt7TXMOtch/s600/Sydney_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Leaving the cruise in Sydney for Australian outback adventure (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="600" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1dOyw_RawuCJmNdaWRMstfcOsGtVZxo156LeMYKgPzNrZzZN0YxvIBH215mMhOejJYJb-MQcjBhEmDz8nOjz9rVm7Q5aH7jnGdvdooQfhZdI08Pt-D0rvrOmkp-FlpTGPIy7KletrmNGESD9qHeZzhSuJ3yBJ3k5UEfjC_cM9m-L2j-UveVt7TXMOtch/w640-h504/Sydney_web.jpg" title="Leaving the cruise in Sydney for Australian outback adventure (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving the cruise in Sydney for Australian outback adventure (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>So we disembarked our cruise ship after a day of sightseeing in Sydney and a rest stop at Bondi Beach and hoped on a plane for the flight to the Australian outback. Our first stop there was Ayers Rock Resort, home of the Ayer's Rock, or Uluru as it is called in the aboriginal language.</p><p>We still had some time to review more of Dr. Lineweaver's discussion of "Complexity and the Arrow of Time." We read that gravity is the main source of complexity in that the gravitational collapse of big bang hot gas results in clumpy galaxies and solar systems.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMsh-XQtntTfgW2X8SlpfNnS-ZENgoBiFGfA6kTW99O5xd6emPxog-vnwp2BQVIJL8bOeUD8S3wYHJGSLL-FM6g27DZMX1l5xPR1A1krKEzy4R1LNT1QNPSRif3ZUOCwM6Ib51COmLAx6dQtMbP3KvxFOndvMIsAvoP2I7dsuogBahK3qy8dvkw1k8ILk/s650/Reading-Dr-Charlie_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Reading Dr. Charlie's book with help from my martini friend (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMsh-XQtntTfgW2X8SlpfNnS-ZENgoBiFGfA6kTW99O5xd6emPxog-vnwp2BQVIJL8bOeUD8S3wYHJGSLL-FM6g27DZMX1l5xPR1A1krKEzy4R1LNT1QNPSRif3ZUOCwM6Ib51COmLAx6dQtMbP3KvxFOndvMIsAvoP2I7dsuogBahK3qy8dvkw1k8ILk/w640-h480/Reading-Dr-Charlie_web.jpg" title="Reading Dr. Charlie's book with help from my martini friend (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading Dr. Charlie's book with help from my martini friend (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We had hoped that the outback, given that it is mostly a dry desert type environment, that we would have cloud free nights for observing. But no, the clouds and some rain interfered with that. We had one great night out while at a barbeque event on the outskirts of Alice Springs and the sponsors turned off all the lights and we were almost blinded by the number of visible stars. We didn't bring the DSLR but so enjoyed just seeing so many stars. But any hopes of seeing the LMC and SMC were dashed by lots of clouds in that area of the sky.</p><p>Back at the hotel, I grabbed the DSLR and just did a 15-second handheld exposure of the night sky overlooking a golf course from our hotel room. Hmm, just as you can see there are not stars visible through all the clouds.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsxag1STVDxDoi97UUw4ADmBjePERl_vBc4pxk_MthVo0MTr5hUXazKUjKZKzITickmVo2aP6uF9tOsmw7B1IIbiJ2_7bNi-22PcQzncZk0Y-6d3KNiQGx2oShb3hQRcg51BFmHnrs7-p_sHsSGcsbfJ2W1aHfEMYtXISNSZsXsCdHLZ4-o8igRW_Xk4k/s900/IMG_5924_15sec-handheld.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Clouds and more clouds in this 15 second, DSLR night sky image (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsxag1STVDxDoi97UUw4ADmBjePERl_vBc4pxk_MthVo0MTr5hUXazKUjKZKzITickmVo2aP6uF9tOsmw7B1IIbiJ2_7bNi-22PcQzncZk0Y-6d3KNiQGx2oShb3hQRcg51BFmHnrs7-p_sHsSGcsbfJ2W1aHfEMYtXISNSZsXsCdHLZ4-o8igRW_Xk4k/w640-h426/IMG_5924_15sec-handheld.jpg" title="Clouds and more clouds in this 15 second, DSLR night sky image (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouds and more clouds in this 15 second, DSLR night sky image (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We had scheduled two observing events around that big darn rock, Uluru, for sunrise viewing and for sunset viewing. Both events were mostly clouded out and no sunlight streaming over the rock could be seen.</p><p>As you can see in this image of Uluru, if it had not been for my astronomy app showing the sunrise, and sunset in this case, you would not be able to tell that the sun was above the horizon. It was still impressive and very enjoyable to be there.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjM7n1CrSW9zXsnGIXyvRPN8KyP5WXD6Vj8EW9yYsmYBxwNcg17fn993JY-o_-EIOq3WyGsFoQshexMyYv_4XIOp4fvWsDde6byNtU7AhubAEtmza68EV_egOOmou71cl-Ohc1lh43dVkzXIT6xvE9EQengwcd2QuPf_s9YOHI0Vq4gW-lmuxAt3rmr4ku/s1050/IMG_5920_Uluru-sunset_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Even sunset at Uluru was clouded out (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1050" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjM7n1CrSW9zXsnGIXyvRPN8KyP5WXD6Vj8EW9yYsmYBxwNcg17fn993JY-o_-EIOq3WyGsFoQshexMyYv_4XIOp4fvWsDde6byNtU7AhubAEtmza68EV_egOOmou71cl-Ohc1lh43dVkzXIT6xvE9EQengwcd2QuPf_s9YOHI0Vq4gW-lmuxAt3rmr4ku/w640-h426/IMG_5920_Uluru-sunset_web.jpg" title="Even sunset at Uluru was clouded out (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even sunset at Uluru was clouded out (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>We finally did capture an image of sunrise from our Alice Springs hotel even with a lot of clouds.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz78yG7NpXuHjM0UFT5ZZduOjVw4aWIX5GNK2rxovd-gYNnxxo3uy3e1TRN3g13vEBmTaAHG_J0Ei0QetUHfkz8w_fvaGNqgU106yRh8OAeQtLwkPcg3VHZVw8TNvySx4dOzmbSP-7n7Ygw4oNUUJ_gnzar_609Y1cWy6ZQsntbmH23CD9LtYrlsi1rOM0/s360/Alice-Springs-SunRise_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sunrise in Alice Springs with clouds (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="360" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz78yG7NpXuHjM0UFT5ZZduOjVw4aWIX5GNK2rxovd-gYNnxxo3uy3e1TRN3g13vEBmTaAHG_J0Ei0QetUHfkz8w_fvaGNqgU106yRh8OAeQtLwkPcg3VHZVw8TNvySx4dOzmbSP-7n7Ygw4oNUUJ_gnzar_609Y1cWy6ZQsntbmH23CD9LtYrlsi1rOM0/w640-h480/Alice-Springs-SunRise_web.jpg" title="Sunrise in Alice Springs with clouds (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise in Alice Springs with clouds (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>We managed to see some wildlife on our adventure, like wallabies, but no Kiwi in New Zealand or Koala bears either, so we had to suffice with some stuffed versions of the native animals when we got back to the Observatory. Astronomer Assistant Ruby was maybe a bit depressed about being replaced, but we quickly let her know that that was not the case.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdtI5Tlq2ErPteaND6RQ14sxVhGrqWvqsOCbjVciKORf3qubikePO795uLGnqgkCvpZkyg0dYhgNJ6rg5wttIXvHm0e-iKmPCHnJRXhAV4gV-FjlBgJeSeDiQgJiyTK2tdtYEKjWDB_nCGyE6pVk-RO2ZkszJM-UvEbiOyapQ5vprE9QvtyCCCiHkQlAj/s360/New-Pets_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="We didn't see any of our new Kiwi and Koala friends (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="360" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdtI5Tlq2ErPteaND6RQ14sxVhGrqWvqsOCbjVciKORf3qubikePO795uLGnqgkCvpZkyg0dYhgNJ6rg5wttIXvHm0e-iKmPCHnJRXhAV4gV-FjlBgJeSeDiQgJiyTK2tdtYEKjWDB_nCGyE6pVk-RO2ZkszJM-UvEbiOyapQ5vprE9QvtyCCCiHkQlAj/w640-h500/New-Pets_web.jpg" title="We didn't see any of our new Kiwi and Koala friends (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We didn't see any of our new Kiwi and Koala friends (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Well, we were a bit jet lagged after crossing the international date line and returning to Observatory, but I still managed to find a more stable and suitable microscope to continue with our search for actual water bears. Our friends at Amazon had a great little digital microscope for $398, which was quite cheap compared with some astronomy type tools.</p><p>Anyway, we hope to continue in our search and will have to take off our astronomer wannabe hat and replace it with a microbiologist wannabe hat for a week or two.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJq9Jrq4-d_Q1ikIE-80CI3tmdF4SD6uFyw0VYJ3RbCOj-UpwSueWQx6REd026Ao1utFL69Oc7ifjaMIRa3yZ708r-j27F3Vxysh8CfWU5ZxfY6h6SjtrIbwWXQlb7tYfsgJe-QSYbwu2vpTbfx-hJU9nWVBUTA1ES3dDxzZx50Q3HwI4OuZHLIpVK1uNJ/s675/Microscope_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Selected this digital microscope for Water Bear search (Source: Amazon.com)" border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="675" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJq9Jrq4-d_Q1ikIE-80CI3tmdF4SD6uFyw0VYJ3RbCOj-UpwSueWQx6REd026Ao1utFL69Oc7ifjaMIRa3yZ708r-j27F3Vxysh8CfWU5ZxfY6h6SjtrIbwWXQlb7tYfsgJe-QSYbwu2vpTbfx-hJU9nWVBUTA1ES3dDxzZx50Q3HwI4OuZHLIpVK1uNJ/w640-h430/Microscope_web.jpg" title="Selected this digital microscope for Water Bear search (Source: Amazon.com)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selected this digital microscope for Water Bear search (Source: Amazon.com)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Well, the microscope showed up at the Observatory receiving dock and even in my still jet lagged mind was able to set it up and power it up. The first light through the microscope just shows some dirt or something on the lens or illumination bulb.</p><p>So, stay tuned for our ongoing adventure in microscopy! If you missed the connection with water bears or tardigrades, check out our previous blog post of December 15, 2023 at: <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/2023/12/resident-astronomer-tries-his-hand-at.html">http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/2023/12/resident-astronomer-tries-his-hand-at.html</a></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTIbVjP8UryAbVhA4GJCsdeuMknR8qTUARTy4VxS2xMbIUzf3z9GEiBD9okW70yJv838XmzWcSyf6jJdPmNLlWuM2SVdGXVtZ_VZslbHp4vBaSuVvdrzksfl_SAIqSxkRnucgbRxV7oTMt12GH4u_hhFDbdOYsvz0BYbcBXdieH42LVmyRt6zbV88W8QI/s709/First-Light_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="First light through new microscope (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="525" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTIbVjP8UryAbVhA4GJCsdeuMknR8qTUARTy4VxS2xMbIUzf3z9GEiBD9okW70yJv838XmzWcSyf6jJdPmNLlWuM2SVdGXVtZ_VZslbHp4vBaSuVvdrzksfl_SAIqSxkRnucgbRxV7oTMt12GH4u_hhFDbdOYsvz0BYbcBXdieH42LVmyRt6zbV88W8QI/w474-h640/First-Light_web.jpg" title="First light through new microscope (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="474" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First light through new microscope (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Until next time,</p><p>Resident Astronomer George</p><p><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Be sure to check out over 500 other blog posts on similar topics</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">If you are interested in things astronomical or in astrophysics and cosmology</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-50779445073019703792023-12-15T13:53:00.000-08:002024-02-09T16:58:18.316-08:00Resident Astronomer tries his hand at using a microscope in lieu of a telescope to search for actual living Tardigrades<p> </p><div dir="auto">Greetings Physicist Wannabes from Palmia Observatory,</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Last week at our Astrophysics SIG we watched a video from the series, “Life in our Universe” and we talked about how some microorganisms can survive in more extreme conditions than normally found on Earth. </div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"> The professor used the Tardigrade, aka Water Bear as an example.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Screenshot from "Life in the Universe" video series (Source: The Teaching Company)" class="CToWUd a6T" data-bit="iit" data-image-whitelisted="" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=fc793a872b&attid=0.6&permmsgid=msg-a:r337853321796848568&th=18c6e3c4d5f6f9f4&view=fimg&fur=ip&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ8zrceanX4pCRL-i3KCs3MZ-dLMjd0JN1SLzIcySE9hGQerns91z4_RffO8_DnIykl-cSc6gnYLpXT_Lg7utiac1_ZzNLLdoC4h0rV2aPZN_k10lDVvPYZajF0&disp=emb&realattid=18c6e1fbd22a452b7af1" style="cursor: pointer; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" title="Screenshot from "Life in the Universe" video series (Source: The Teaching Company)" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screenshot from "Life in the Universe" video series (Source: The Teaching Company)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div dir="auto">He brought has daughters stuffed Water Bear toy for discussion and then showed us an image of a real Water Bear as found in nature.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="CToWUd a6T" data-bit="iit" data-image-whitelisted="" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=fc793a872b&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-a:r337853321796848568&th=18c6e3c4d5f6f9f4&view=fimg&fur=ip&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ_JMvVns_VkfPZRzlRn4d73u6d2SSaYt419bI5FkcZ20pXmoNBTZSAwFReAAVAf7sCYJr0D2A-sxQXvFWsPsIefw6ICJZJ1I9GGMhXb0nFQsXVEPXcFDG6Cc-8&disp=emb&realattid=18c6e219bfa9fedbc0f2" style="cursor: pointer; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water Bears from "Life in the Universe" video series (Source: The Teaching Company)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">During our discussion we wondered how we could find these tiny creatures, sub-millimeter in size, in our everyday natural environment. Yes, they can be found all around us.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Rather than poking around in the dirt, I wondered if I could just order some tardigrades from Amazon. You can just about anything on Amazon and when I checked, yes you order your own vial of them.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Well I couldn’t resist and just pushed order now. So a vial cost $25 and a little microscope starts at about $40. Now I’m used to looking through a telescope, but am going to have to learn how to set up the microscope and how to put a specimen in the microscope view. Luckily the tardigrade delivery was expected in a couple of days later so I get to practice a-bit.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Resident Astronomer puts on his amateur microscopist hat (Source: Palmia Observatory)" class="CToWUd a6T" data-bit="iit" data-image-whitelisted="" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=fc793a872b&attid=0.4&permmsgid=msg-a:r337853321796848568&th=18c6e3c4d5f6f9f4&view=fimg&fur=ip&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ-bxW_g_vja8l86QnPRGClrTOSk-AT8d0Qnur_z1UP8GyYuKABhhWjdp6nt8DF2fAkrGcuDVs4sneuFYOTWilYQye1m9rDyAH6LXWFwcsxbQJqZqPhwEFrBoQo&disp=emb&realattid=18c6e2bae3e5ca102113" style="cursor: pointer; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" title="Resident Astronomer puts on his amateur microscopist hat (Source: Palmia Observatory)" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resident Astronomer puts on his amateur microscopist hat (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div dir="auto">The microscope claims a magnification of up to 1000x, but I doubt if I can adjust the flimsy mount and focus and find something as small as a tardigrade, so I practices with a nickel. I took a photo of a nickel with my iPhone and then put it under the microscope and took an image which was WiFi transferred to my iPhone.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="First trial image using the small microscope (Source: Palmia Observatory)" class="CToWUd a6T" data-bit="iit" data-image-whitelisted="" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=fc793a872b&attid=0.2&permmsgid=msg-a:r337853321796848568&th=18c6e3c4d5f6f9f4&view=fimg&fur=ip&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ9iTKel5Uovgvt2QoFy9jHUkJ9zMuN4cMp98B_47kx9cao8nt3sAKCFbfE2qoQwSuQabUEWIj_Aj_UvPFdvLx2LlnR4FCAxcE0KKbwoJcRBQe_H_1ALRvox9qI&disp=emb&realattid=18c6e2e9f51e828bf14" style="cursor: pointer; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" title="First trial image using the small microscope (Source: Palmia Observatory)" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First trial image using the small microscope (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Looking for a little more magnification (Source: Palmia Observatory)" class="CToWUd a6T" data-bit="iit" data-image-whitelisted="" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=fc793a872b&attid=0.5&permmsgid=msg-a:r337853321796848568&th=18c6e3c4d5f6f9f4&view=fimg&fur=ip&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ-fPTj7VcOY1BkKU4IN8GRwCZminAKhdAfmY5EivB7Rcfn3CQT1xKhB4SKUYJW4bnpcFMXVl3upMrKJF8Ctz-FFF1Wf-3jzsrb9W2GpZ-KwOF-qKAbFQgiOrZA&disp=emb&realattid=18c6e2f9060e93d9ede5" style="cursor: pointer; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" title="Looking for a little more magnification (Source: Palmia Observatory)" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking for a little more magnification (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div dir="auto">Wow, pretty good. I guess you could say I looked through a microscope and found God!</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Then comparing the image sizes and measuring the size of the lettering, I estimate that my microscope magnification at that moment is about 24X. So if it had a tardigrade in view it might look like it was a centimeter long.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Well, the package finally arrived with tardigrades. Now I just have to find some time to dare to open up the vial and try to image one of them. Sadly, I’m too busy right now with packing for our flight to the southern hemisphere and might have to wait until we get back next year. I guess the tardigrades can survive during our absence and sorry to disappoint you if you wanted to see a real image.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Who knew you can order Water Bears on Amazon? (Source: Palmia Observatory)" class="CToWUd a6T" data-bit="iit" data-image-whitelisted="" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=fc793a872b&attid=0.3&permmsgid=msg-a:r337853321796848568&th=18c6e3c4d5f6f9f4&view=fimg&fur=ip&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ8blr4SgF5DYLzzMVv69H0R3HqOtsnktQjtS6bvk-mdXnu8xNG-O0jjbFRsVCXMDPPU5Gu8apXyKWdGfhpyKSsAhByYEb8vy5uHIM2TQKaCklFgwfbAbI2u0uQ&disp=emb&realattid=18c6e3565a3338c73bc6" style="cursor: pointer; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" title="Who knew you can order Water Bears on Amazon? (Source: Palmia Observatory)" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who knew you can order Water Bears on Amazon? (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div dir="auto">See you later and hopefully with a real photo.</div><div dir="auto"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /></div><div dir="auto">Until Next time,</div><div dir="auto">Resident Astronomer George</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Be sure to check out over 500 other blog posts on similar topics</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">If you are interested in things astronomical or in astrophysics and cosmology</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p></div>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-55486170712004847192023-10-21T13:19:00.005-07:002023-10-21T16:51:32.054-07:00Travelled to St. George Utah for better view of the annular solar eclipse; Stopped in Las Vegas to see the Sphere; Photographing the eclipse; What to do with the Frunk?<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory</p><p>Well, we left on our road trip to view the October 14, 2023, annular solar eclipse from our selected location in St. George, Utah. Las Vegas is about halfway from OC, so we had to stop there for refreshments and get a view of the Sphere.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>One of the newest attractions along the way is the Sphere in Las Vegas. This new theater, almost 600 feet across, can seat over 16,000 people for concerts and events. Here is the Sphere as seen from our hotel room.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPt81o7HvKuJZBeFAwMzef06g_ixCzVViNjZcSTCz0tpVThqvpQXwQuiUtB47t-pzDfR_oiO8iAIQDjbgsjQE1EWb2m2Og7nq06AlKaD3CCb77m491VM-uxDPkac4ISy1RNgkC0VlZAXBEvNEP6ZCnw7RodZnS1gT6dMIm0QdNo4nUsdZS4mBCHd96cVP/s540/The-sphere-in-a-quiet-moment_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Viewing the Sphere from our Las Vegas hotel room (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="540" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPt81o7HvKuJZBeFAwMzef06g_ixCzVViNjZcSTCz0tpVThqvpQXwQuiUtB47t-pzDfR_oiO8iAIQDjbgsjQE1EWb2m2Og7nq06AlKaD3CCb77m491VM-uxDPkac4ISy1RNgkC0VlZAXBEvNEP6ZCnw7RodZnS1gT6dMIm0QdNo4nUsdZS4mBCHd96cVP/w640-h480/The-sphere-in-a-quiet-moment_web.jpg" title="Viewing the Sphere from our Las Vegas hotel room (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viewing the Sphere from our Las Vegas hotel room (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The Sphere is lit up 24/7 and its exterior display is always changing. Just watching it is kind of mesmerizing. We were glad that we planned to stop in Las Vegas and saw it. Sadly, we didn't get inside as the tickets were quite expensive and would have like to see U2 perform inside, we had to move on.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5E9hOa7BCQH6CjxaGnoIbbmth0t6fEayVBFMA0Ms_JbNAI7bhikIw6cSqjQjWqKOgLptFRB7tVpTKHR07PhbhABiRinsrEcyt7qsTlH46A7JWFacfxdsmz7z7pZttYyJEZhSeqPOItiAOkLZ8V8Un1c_k4ETZ8MnEoU_Gi1DBYzzhIkcRKiAErrdnioeo/s600/The-sphere-alive_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Another exotic view of the Sphere from our Venetian Hotel room (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5E9hOa7BCQH6CjxaGnoIbbmth0t6fEayVBFMA0Ms_JbNAI7bhikIw6cSqjQjWqKOgLptFRB7tVpTKHR07PhbhABiRinsrEcyt7qsTlH46A7JWFacfxdsmz7z7pZttYyJEZhSeqPOItiAOkLZ8V8Un1c_k4ETZ8MnEoU_Gi1DBYzzhIkcRKiAErrdnioeo/w640-h480/The-sphere-alive_web.jpg" title="Another exotic view of the Sphere from our Venetian Hotel room (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another exotic view of the Sphere from our Venetian Hotel room (Source: Palmia Observatory)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>One final photo of the Sphere showed a giant eyeball in very high resolution. What else can be hidden inside the Sphere?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAZSi5z3QMCjVnUQ6G_zJ_tljAb1GdSCVxLGPWfm07wGO_XZlrL96tIn9FaE7Ar6IggN7xcGK8OtNiZx2OTi2Octw0XkIZy3kadi877kZulzVFqKhWzY_MZAs7SF8LY3rXydzd_dnKfprqwCmwW_hIPJtgAhgbJ_kEhgWonrpjAZfWPVERsNrGxjiA-CC/s652/The-sphere-with-eyeball_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Wow, who knew the Sphere had a giant eyeball inside! (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAZSi5z3QMCjVnUQ6G_zJ_tljAb1GdSCVxLGPWfm07wGO_XZlrL96tIn9FaE7Ar6IggN7xcGK8OtNiZx2OTi2Octw0XkIZy3kadi877kZulzVFqKhWzY_MZAs7SF8LY3rXydzd_dnKfprqwCmwW_hIPJtgAhgbJ_kEhgWonrpjAZfWPVERsNrGxjiA-CC/w588-h640/The-sphere-with-eyeball_web.jpg" title="Wow, who knew the Sphere had a giant eyeball inside! (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="588" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wow, who knew the Sphere had a giant eyeball inside! (Source: Palmia Observatory)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The drive from OC through Las Vegas and on to St. George was one of first road trips with our new Tesla. We had a little bit of range anxiety and worry about charging up and all of that, but it turned out we really had nothing to worry about. The Tesla supercharging network had many charging locations along the way and the automobile software made it easy to determine when and where was a convenient charging location. Here we one stop in Barston, CA, right next to a Chile's restaurant, which had the 25-minute stop pass by quite easily.</p><p>For those who want to put your engineering hat back on you can see for this charging location with 16 superchargers that it is powered by a 1000 kVA transformer connection to the utility. Some chargers were rated at 150 kW, so as long as not all of the charging locations were in use at the same time you could get your recharge very quickly.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOf-AHzIioQe8DZdrAajj2GNSS-gi2TUqy0Tv_gMWMPhiXLQwHqsHvHz1RJ5rB2fYL0IikFBOILy81wpO8yuUJWCbCZVDfPOuLTq2JK7PGoiU-Yx5BUCDnUaAz2ueHbzLO95nfJUcRmCGfx_nnUB849CS4wS_Cn36Q-ngn-DzJym50vkMC9pa0xAIUzQ3/s540/Put-your-engineering-hat-back-on_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Checking out the supercharger transformer in Barstow, CA (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="540" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOf-AHzIioQe8DZdrAajj2GNSS-gi2TUqy0Tv_gMWMPhiXLQwHqsHvHz1RJ5rB2fYL0IikFBOILy81wpO8yuUJWCbCZVDfPOuLTq2JK7PGoiU-Yx5BUCDnUaAz2ueHbzLO95nfJUcRmCGfx_nnUB849CS4wS_Cn36Q-ngn-DzJym50vkMC9pa0xAIUzQ3/w640-h480/Put-your-engineering-hat-back-on_web.jpg" title="Checking out the supercharger transformer in Barstow, CA (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out the supercharger transformer in Barstow, CA (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Well we finally made our way to St. George for our viewing location. If we had not been so lazy, we could have driven another two hours to Richfield, Utah, which was right on the eclipse centerline. Here is our DSLR camera setup, with cardboard sun shield, on our flimsy tripod.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdS2huIP4NC7gcu3ZEa4nSUyt7tr7VqfEpKFF0f8NNzAYoPa9UVxU_eJCCeJ7xMhf43eMARk1Ztg9AiqksesWo6BCgN3DBG82bDDxQQA5C6y_jsn4hOHw4wmaYQ_zUd8eRtfMgDpIAkzncZFo8cShl4tMWALanIU3XnLdXAuYlKz38hSmgFXjisrutnQK/s611/RA-with-hat_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Resident Astronomer borrows Peggy's hat for some camera setup (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdS2huIP4NC7gcu3ZEa4nSUyt7tr7VqfEpKFF0f8NNzAYoPa9UVxU_eJCCeJ7xMhf43eMARk1Ztg9AiqksesWo6BCgN3DBG82bDDxQQA5C6y_jsn4hOHw4wmaYQ_zUd8eRtfMgDpIAkzncZFo8cShl4tMWALanIU3XnLdXAuYlKz38hSmgFXjisrutnQK/w566-h640/RA-with-hat_web.jpg" title="Resident Astronomer borrows Peggy's hat for some camera setup (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="566" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resident Astronomer borrows Peggy's hat for some camera setup (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Here is a photo of the pre-eclipse sun, with at least two visible sunspots.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7zGL0aq-LR08EkTUiQvqtOxZyUqIo4dAPLKPC8K8F_Il4UnxoQBAUwMEsUSzCxSqc2HaRB13DpyuHpSY08UxbiAY6LOoEdx-hRUj3puBM-feNTPOCbdg9pK3Oo012h6WD88rT4pkiWWAQ9evgpxKutzbCldEU97ztDkO5PckeAuN2IKryN1nC6qfjVxL/s800/IMG_5868_1of1000_1014_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pre-eclipse photo of the sun; DSLR, 300mm, 1/1000 sec (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="800" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7zGL0aq-LR08EkTUiQvqtOxZyUqIo4dAPLKPC8K8F_Il4UnxoQBAUwMEsUSzCxSqc2HaRB13DpyuHpSY08UxbiAY6LOoEdx-hRUj3puBM-feNTPOCbdg9pK3Oo012h6WD88rT4pkiWWAQ9evgpxKutzbCldEU97ztDkO5PckeAuN2IKryN1nC6qfjVxL/w640-h564/IMG_5868_1of1000_1014_web.jpg" title="Pre-eclipse photo of the sun; DSLR, 300mm, 1/1000 sec (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-eclipse photo of the sun; DSLR, 300mm, 1/1000 sec (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We enjoyed watching the progression of the eclipse with our solar glasses and took a lot of photos along the way. Here is one of the photos taken near the maximum obscuration as seen from St. George. Other OCA members and of course anyone along the center line of the eclipse were able to get the circular ring of light where the moon blocked all but a tiny thin ring of light from the sun.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4DQfcSFdlvpPt6wjPj5cRp_ZpN0i-cfBjzYfkUK4Wk2cb__0BNssao-YQkZ4OqhUO2dRdvN12lON0XUprk-beEk8Oey-1jn0PXkgs9kYsgDrovGUULjnHA-ZSStZ6uD_Gb6pCyAFweUa8-sMGAjTJAszHE11EQB2G7KCzf36zlTMvdGoPkwG5VckqDvo/s1000/IMG_5877_near-maz_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Photo showing near maximum obscuration; DSLR, 300mm, 1/60 sec (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="976" data-original-width="1000" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4DQfcSFdlvpPt6wjPj5cRp_ZpN0i-cfBjzYfkUK4Wk2cb__0BNssao-YQkZ4OqhUO2dRdvN12lON0XUprk-beEk8Oey-1jn0PXkgs9kYsgDrovGUULjnHA-ZSStZ6uD_Gb6pCyAFweUa8-sMGAjTJAszHE11EQB2G7KCzf36zlTMvdGoPkwG5VckqDvo/w640-h624/IMG_5877_near-maz_web.jpg" title="Photo showing near maximum obscuration; DSLR, 300mm, 1/60 sec (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo showing near maximum obscuration; DSLR, 300mm, 1/60 sec (Source: Palmia Observatory)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Well after a morning, busy standing in the sun, adjusting the camera pointing and watching the eclipse, from start to finish, it was time for a relaxing meal. One of our now favorite locations, is George's Corner, in downtown St. George. They serve a wide selection of food, and we especially enjoyed the "flirty lemon drop martinis."</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwLhgkGA8T3-y7rxlGwVEYAIG4CBtTqQlb47ZjNEXNbKBFzFyvMd1aXz6yRUgKX5dDE-gjKsYxt2pHk-4nGfu16ccRzg69QLhMLQ6GnGZHY6gKWG-e1Dzc8IQABiPtnaAstCvzcuWsOlehl7sHpHOgXoGRGY8LN2KqMrPMX3iIoZIOm7g6i3TQrO4UBpJ/s560/Refreshments-at-Georges_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Resident Astronomer at a very favorite restaurant/bar in St. George (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="420" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwLhgkGA8T3-y7rxlGwVEYAIG4CBtTqQlb47ZjNEXNbKBFzFyvMd1aXz6yRUgKX5dDE-gjKsYxt2pHk-4nGfu16ccRzg69QLhMLQ6GnGZHY6gKWG-e1Dzc8IQABiPtnaAstCvzcuWsOlehl7sHpHOgXoGRGY8LN2KqMrPMX3iIoZIOm7g6i3TQrO4UBpJ/w480-h640/Refreshments-at-Georges_web.jpg" title="Resident Astronomer at a very favorite restaurant/bar in St. George (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resident Astronomer at a very favorite restaurant/bar in St. George (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>We also had some relaxing time to wonder what we could put in the Tesla frunk. There is no engine in there! For those of you with new a Tesla, maybe picking up blondes with champagne is one possible way to fill up the frunk. Hey, it worked for me!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmuy44c6thRcQl_Eqfj4y5R-kYrsGri1R54OwIVWr-ZaNzMpmcS_9kvFIzSW9_9o_vu5FnR3vRlD27XDAZovE_L60jy0lyXPOTYmUOxF-X9MGEVC3u2dCh7iPKwd4x48PJcdA82NTFIHnmcs0JcdPgh78Shl-t9Ixqbm0rYNetqnoA8lYzp9XuYDZSFd2/s665/Peggy-in-Frunk_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Having fun collecting Resident Astronomer Peggy in the frunk (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmuy44c6thRcQl_Eqfj4y5R-kYrsGri1R54OwIVWr-ZaNzMpmcS_9kvFIzSW9_9o_vu5FnR3vRlD27XDAZovE_L60jy0lyXPOTYmUOxF-X9MGEVC3u2dCh7iPKwd4x48PJcdA82NTFIHnmcs0JcdPgh78Shl-t9Ixqbm0rYNetqnoA8lYzp9XuYDZSFd2/w578-h640/Peggy-in-Frunk_web.jpg" title="Having fun collecting Resident Astronomer Peggy in the frunk (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="578" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having fun collecting Resident Astronomer Peggy in the frunk (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We also had fun reminiscing with my sister along the way and she showed us this newspaper clipping illustrating how dad was instrumental in developing a new airport and starting a flight school in a small town. I didn't have much of a memory of this, but nice to know.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fD4OBDFSnXUzAUSFH8rnJqk5S9dHajGFKdEKxN6swzmagitoP0qC4sOcRBw2V1VeZYKxrw7K6wKbrpRsWgrE0UA7Z46tvn_DJU0K-_8K6Xg-edKTu__cA62G-aL6p2Uyeao4hpA-JJVRhWnZA6CUfRf4Ou-Qls0zHvzsOvB9e7diZ8o-hPp1Srj4_iEg/s630/Thoughts-of-Dad_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Newspaper article about dad building airport (Source: Salt Lake Tribune, April 4, 1946)" border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="630" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fD4OBDFSnXUzAUSFH8rnJqk5S9dHajGFKdEKxN6swzmagitoP0qC4sOcRBw2V1VeZYKxrw7K6wKbrpRsWgrE0UA7Z46tvn_DJU0K-_8K6Xg-edKTu__cA62G-aL6p2Uyeao4hpA-JJVRhWnZA6CUfRf4Ou-Qls0zHvzsOvB9e7diZ8o-hPp1Srj4_iEg/w640-h480/Thoughts-of-Dad_web.jpg" title="Newspaper article about dad building airport (Source: Salt Lake Tribune, April 4, 1946)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newspaper article about dad building airport (Source: Salt Lake Tribune, April 4, 1946)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>So, all in all we had a nice little road trip to see the Sphere in Las Vegas and travel on to St. George to get a better view of the annular solar eclipse than what we could have gotten by just staying in Orange County. Now back home at the observatory, while relaxing in a favorite recliner, I found this "cartoon" on Facebook that I am tempted to try at our next wine tasting event.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gGljJrpkwoDIu43uc4nFEcz9J8uFt8qehmCzprZn1VaVTUjszCBt285RwXWWwWi0_Z5ds08FVtPZ_UwRMcV4-B-SvW8WEcPItyvWE4tnpM0JGnSi7_bWbkKXdjXaK9PvPEihI8de7Uf-kQefLzDXTxpK6IpoeHLspZ5G6Z-ftLEFBs5srlJSaCzWgJ4S/s646/Wine-snob-fun_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pull this prank at your next wine tasting event (Source: Facebook, unknown author)" border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gGljJrpkwoDIu43uc4nFEcz9J8uFt8qehmCzprZn1VaVTUjszCBt285RwXWWwWi0_Z5ds08FVtPZ_UwRMcV4-B-SvW8WEcPItyvWE4tnpM0JGnSi7_bWbkKXdjXaK9PvPEihI8de7Uf-kQefLzDXTxpK6IpoeHLspZ5G6Z-ftLEFBs5srlJSaCzWgJ4S/w594-h640/Wine-snob-fun_web.jpg" title="Pull this prank at your next wine tasting event (Source: Facebook, unknown author)" width="594" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pull this prank at your next wine tasting event (Source: Facebook, unknown author)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Resident Astronomer George</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; 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font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-67301523977253765112023-09-08T17:35:00.004-07:002023-09-08T18:44:17.194-07:00Some photos and past comments of the 2017 and 2019 total solar eclipse events; For the October 14 Annular Eclipse, while millions watch and enjoy, the electric utility reliability planners are very busy!<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory,</p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Well, many of us are making plans for where we will be to observe the April 2024 total solar eclipse, but the upcoming annular eclipse on October 14 is also on our planning radar. But as astronomers we often forget about another group that is especially interested in eclipses: Electric Utilities who must plan for the loss of solar generated power at that time.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">This Resident Astronomer, having worked previously in various aspects of power generation equipment and interconnection to the utility power system, I attended an online webinar on how the utility system coordinators are planning to keep the lights on during the entire eclipse period and will make some summary comments about that.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">But first, let me provide some blog references to previous eclipses that we were lucky enough to observe firsthand. For the 2017 total eclipse we travelled to Casper, WY. The 2017 Astrocon was held in Casper in conjunction with viewing the eclipse. Some summary comments from the days before the eclipse are at blog url: <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/2017/08/visited-yellowstone-but-had-only-stormy.html">August 16, 2017 Blog Post</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Some 2017 eclipse photos and details are at blog url: <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/2017/08/hooray-part-2-of-august-21-total.html">August 23, 2017 Blog Post</a></span></p><p>Some 2019 eclipse photos from Chile are at blog url: <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/2019/07/hooray-great-viewing-of-2019-eclipse-in.html">July 3, 2019 Blog Post</a></p><p>Many OCA observers have already elected to travel somewhere else or just stay in OC and get about 70% obscuration for the October 14 eclipse. Resident Astronomer Peggy and I expect to be in southern Utah to observe 95% obscuration, possibly even the annular ring.</p><p>But now let's consider how electric utility planning folks are going to respond to the eclipse. The main effect is the loss of solar generated power and even some degradation of wind generated power. The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) sees eclipse impacting California system from 8:00 am to 11:00 am.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEi_055wHjMtpB1BEDz8zW8n5n8T141H4wLEQpGfSeWergyXCSjoaLwsR2VDnOBvlPaJfOTCk0efHl9yU5YYx08UK9b5m9T1EepmscL0P6jMVIcCIoIfgb0DKxtJAcX_BJ39r72WeAz_hlOoWbfK2hj0DG7MDSrzNrXrdEFw9PQbRuZstTq2wzULDKAz7d/s882/Eclipse-Overview_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Eclipse Overview (Source: CAISO Webinar on Utility System Preparation)" border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="882" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEi_055wHjMtpB1BEDz8zW8n5n8T141H4wLEQpGfSeWergyXCSjoaLwsR2VDnOBvlPaJfOTCk0efHl9yU5YYx08UK9b5m9T1EepmscL0P6jMVIcCIoIfgb0DKxtJAcX_BJ39r72WeAz_hlOoWbfK2hj0DG7MDSrzNrXrdEFw9PQbRuZstTq2wzULDKAz7d/w640-h480/Eclipse-Overview_web.jpg" title="Eclipse Overview (Source: CAISO Webinar on Utility System Preparation)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eclipse Overview (Source: CAISO Webinar on Utility System Preparation)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: quot;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">It is interesting to look back and see how the utility grid was affected by the 2017 eclipse. In this screenshot we how the eclipse notched out about 6000 MW of solar power production. This lost energy source has to be made up by other power purchases like from standby gas fired turbine generators. In addition to loss of utility scale solar power plants, the load demanded by customers increases because many businesses have what is termed, "Behind the Meter (BTM)" solar arrays. These arrays provide power for the internal parts of the business and just show up as reduced load from the utility billing standpoint. But during an eclipse, this loss of solar power is made up by the businesses buying more power from the utility.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIib2qHyFezN_XsWH8rvUsGrwTQDMcs23IjXh0edTCyIfXBZ2S4DbUhH5aJnJuElziGQd0JzoTtxeksMLSRzFj8b0BvJEwkzCJoxbhVZF1y2M0c-CI4rzuBtV6EvY4azkd8MXXfYCty1ezOwDkD0h4-ipfEYekuWuBf0XHJacOiRTfWgR1L8JzwusLxvxa/s882/2017-Eclipse-Impact_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="2017 Eclipse Effects of state power demand (Source: CAISO Webinar on Utility System Preparation)" border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="882" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIib2qHyFezN_XsWH8rvUsGrwTQDMcs23IjXh0edTCyIfXBZ2S4DbUhH5aJnJuElziGQd0JzoTtxeksMLSRzFj8b0BvJEwkzCJoxbhVZF1y2M0c-CI4rzuBtV6EvY4azkd8MXXfYCty1ezOwDkD0h4-ipfEYekuWuBf0XHJacOiRTfWgR1L8JzwusLxvxa/w640-h480/2017-Eclipse-Impact_web.jpg" title="2017 Eclipse Effects of state power demand (Source: CAISO Webinar on Utility System Preparation)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2017 Eclipse Effects of state power demand (Source: CAISO Webinar on Utility System Preparation)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: quot;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">In this screenshot we see different level of impact for the 2017 vs. 2023 eclipse. California has much more solar power installed in 2023 so the impact of the eclipse can be more severe. More of the sun will be obscured during the 2023 annular eclipse also so its impact is higher. The Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) is a wider area covering multiple states. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 30% of connected annual load is provided by renewable energy.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1HaO5l_qoI5_3-hy9L4wCTYF3C3UmbfEEBqYbm2l69BRmuQnEWhbq5wX5qK_B_ZypnQ1vqJ-1f_K8dxEy4AIX9ABiXLdjbiRu1uv8qvGQukM119vNPuV8V13b0PD1ikgVdXtH8FcCakPp39fZuFGiukElM-_Ie9r-LSj139BxF3tGD_OpTvW_xpDEmhw/s784/Eclipse-Path-Comparison_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="2017 vs. 2023 Eclipse Effects (Source: CAISO Webinar on Utility System Preparation)" border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="784" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1HaO5l_qoI5_3-hy9L4wCTYF3C3UmbfEEBqYbm2l69BRmuQnEWhbq5wX5qK_B_ZypnQ1vqJ-1f_K8dxEy4AIX9ABiXLdjbiRu1uv8qvGQukM119vNPuV8V13b0PD1ikgVdXtH8FcCakPp39fZuFGiukElM-_Ie9r-LSj139BxF3tGD_OpTvW_xpDEmhw/w640-h480/Eclipse-Path-Comparison_web.jpg" title="2017 vs. 2023 Eclipse Effects (Source: CAISO Webinar on Utility System Preparation)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2017 vs. 2023 Eclipse Effects (Source: CAISO Webinar on Utility System Preparation)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: quot;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">For those who have observed a total eclipse you also experience an eerie silence as birds often stop chopping and the ambient temperature gets cooler quite quickly. There is also less wind and the air becomes calmer, but the wind speed reduction can also result in less wind power generation during the eclipse period.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">This screenshot shows for expected obscuration of about 70% in OC that there should be minimal interruption of wind power energy. In areas where the obscuration is > 85% then reduction of wind power is to be expected.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkx-CGxt6IocqD3c8sCZofmkMcLNZAt4POPbt-SnnM5sTFYMHsHVWplLsndGo2QokYswUgsLFux_N61zpPgKPCxFEjzKdnffeSaPYihY9rdY1_LvUwNMl8xnaAuYVRwXssWFEXqYuVdsu4lB-te-XmLwJk75Ifx6esORIFBrTGihomWQnjQTOX5_ZSS7e/s784/Impact-on-Temperature-and_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Eclipses affect temperature and wind speed (Source: CAISO Webinar on Utility System Preparation)" border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="784" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkx-CGxt6IocqD3c8sCZofmkMcLNZAt4POPbt-SnnM5sTFYMHsHVWplLsndGo2QokYswUgsLFux_N61zpPgKPCxFEjzKdnffeSaPYihY9rdY1_LvUwNMl8xnaAuYVRwXssWFEXqYuVdsu4lB-te-XmLwJk75Ifx6esORIFBrTGihomWQnjQTOX5_ZSS7e/w640-h480/Impact-on-Temperature-and_web.jpg" title="Eclipses affect temperature and wind speed (Source: CAISO Webinar on Utility System Preparation)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eclipses affect temperature and wind speed (Source: CAISO Webinar on Utility System Preparation)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: quot;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Overall, what the CASIO challenge is to match the reduction in solar power during all portions of the eclipse with increased generation from gas fired turbine generators or energy storage systems. In the last screenshot we see the expected loss of solar power reaches a maximum of 6600 MW. This amount of power must be produced by other sources to keep the volage and frequency of the grid within allowable limits.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">A major problem in trying to keep electrical load and electrical generation in balance is the need for the ramp rate, the rate at which external generators can be commanded to change their power output, has to match the loss of solar power ramp rate. The interesting thing about the ramp rates, all dictated by the design of the power plants, is that the ramping down rate is often higher than the ramp up rate. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can really be helpful here because their ramp rate, both up and down, can be very fast compared to other mechanical generators. The projection is for maximum required ramp up rate is 68 MW/minute, while the maximum required ramp down rate is 105 MW/minute. The challenge for the CAISO is to arrange for the right number of generators that can be brought online in a contractually controlled way at an agreed to price. There might be several cases where some standby generators are contracted to run for just a few hours during the eclipse while they are offline for the rest of the day or week.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaS75eqjLFR_TtqY82sOaRH5DFPl60TojuIF8Uheu0B4IGDrs7iDruYSvqthbGblR4nO7q6clParlfKg9HsLEv0gX13LEeOOM517wNuaMGrmT-9DezbSyu5iR_L54J-smU5Bh5qHpqwZ5FIB_w1n1hJMo-fJ6OiY-Nn2DRnf4zAOG4mwc8kaukqGiu9uU0/s1093/Pow-Gen-Needed-Prediction_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1093" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaS75eqjLFR_TtqY82sOaRH5DFPl60TojuIF8Uheu0B4IGDrs7iDruYSvqthbGblR4nO7q6clParlfKg9HsLEv0gX13LEeOOM517wNuaMGrmT-9DezbSyu5iR_L54J-smU5Bh5qHpqwZ5FIB_w1n1hJMo-fJ6OiY-Nn2DRnf4zAOG4mwc8kaukqGiu9uU0/w640-h480/Pow-Gen-Needed-Prediction_web.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eclipse Overview (Source: CAISO Webinar on Utility System Preparation)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: quot;"><br />So, when I was sort of involved in some of the issues of power system dynamics and energy storage and generation systems, it is much more fun now to just be out enjoying the eclipse, trying to take some good photos, and not go blind, and just experience the obscuration of the sun.</span><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Resident Astronomer George</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; 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font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">If you are interested in things astronomical or in astrophysics and cosmology</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-1420922565605399062023-08-24T12:23:00.001-07:002023-08-25T21:55:40.841-07:00The 1961 movie about the first rocket ship, X-15; Richard Ellis and Brian Keating discuss Cosmic Dawn; Recalling coding problems?<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory</p><p>This week we attended a viewing of the 1961 classic movie, X-15 and watched a great conversation with Richard Ellis on the latest findings leading up to the Cosmic Dawn.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>Well we drove to Lakewood to see this film which was screened as part of an AIAA event. Truth be told, my interest might have been more to see one of my first TV girlfriends, Mary Tyler Moore, in her first starring role, so Resident Astronomer Peggy and I met up with Math Whiz, Dave, for the screening.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5VQ8oL3x_eTZuA6EiAelwYmEYjowvk-ubUPmv228Qzpg6JK12KUjKNOqarlR7LGMBp5ANO3O5DaJeddKHhES3NfONCGbSQkEnXWHU9czlqTG3LCUEoPO4iJqxIt3V9sXzwugsIIrL7sWWjj0Tc8iwfClxGkrE48il1kfoECKoSDTuGzR2xah8-ADqA1R/s630/X-15_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Poster for 1961 released X-15 movie being shown at local AIAA event (Source: United Artists)" border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="630" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5VQ8oL3x_eTZuA6EiAelwYmEYjowvk-ubUPmv228Qzpg6JK12KUjKNOqarlR7LGMBp5ANO3O5DaJeddKHhES3NfONCGbSQkEnXWHU9czlqTG3LCUEoPO4iJqxIt3V9sXzwugsIIrL7sWWjj0Tc8iwfClxGkrE48il1kfoECKoSDTuGzR2xah8-ADqA1R/w640-h496/X-15_web.jpg" title="Poster for 1961 released X-15 movie being shown at local AIAA event (Source: United Artists)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poster for 1961 released X-15 movie being shown at local AIAA event (Source: United Artists)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>It was ok for a 1961 era film were social roles for men and women clearly reflected that era and where the tough test pilots and other personnel had to light up a cigarette to show their virility. I also never realized how constrained the X-15 pilot was and how he could barely move his head to the left or right. In addition, the pilot had to be talked down while landing by one of the chase planes that helped the pilot control the elevation and rate of descent. In fact, the film shows one of the cases where the chase plane had become damaged and lost hydraulic pressure, but, nonetheless, the pilot continued to talk the X-15 down for a good landing. The chase plane eventually crashed, and the pilot was killed.</p><p>Anyway, a key part of the AIAA event was a discussion of the film by Michelle Evans, author of "X-15 Rocket Plane." </p><p>Michelle had copies of her book available for sale and Resident Astronomer Peggy bought me a signed copy. Now, since most of my book reading and purchases is done online in electronic format, where are we going to put this book on already bulging and full bookshelves?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwD_q_IUGIfTo7NvVb8_mHXSt3F4jGO2belIvmbxL6FFudmPwVQMMCHpgfWn1bzH8fpncn3mIM7qA0VDkR1kJJd7NFQHR3WbI4wjbI5co4LZqNK6q4VRAWCKmkweQuQTWMOat38NbeA1n4Yaox62R0TfYNoHaULfjphnoG8xYccrY3db7m0gdS192JM0D/s756/Michelle-at-X-15-Movie_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Michelle Evans, author of "The X-15 Rocket Plane" introduces X-15 movie (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="756" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwD_q_IUGIfTo7NvVb8_mHXSt3F4jGO2belIvmbxL6FFudmPwVQMMCHpgfWn1bzH8fpncn3mIM7qA0VDkR1kJJd7NFQHR3WbI4wjbI5co4LZqNK6q4VRAWCKmkweQuQTWMOat38NbeA1n4Yaox62R0TfYNoHaULfjphnoG8xYccrY3db7m0gdS192JM0D/w640-h556/Michelle-at-X-15-Movie_web.jpg" title="Michelle Evans, author of "The X-15 Rocket Plane" introduces X-15 movie (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle Evans, author of "The X-15 Rocket Plane" introduces X-15 movie (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>In other activities during the week, we had a chance to listen in on a conversation between Brian Keating and Richard Ellis on some of the recent findings about the first stars and galaxies that turned on just after the big bang. This era is called the "Cosmic Dawn", which is also the title of Ellis' just released book. You can check out the conversation yourself at: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHxxTastS3g">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHxxTastS3g</a></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxY-dAKcWtvEYC88cNriBU5QqdQIQE7yKoO9xk-tmftHANkgjiOeJUme0ubAqu4s_JBVf0I7qAfTP6kEwpb0E8IgIOOWF1wbVWQ_RcCGRwg1nfmWljPvZPU_B8IoAE88sPjkdlQImZvZvK5dZINYsMkgSo7zBS-l6L5iEILRy4mWTzoaw2_x09QbV7mpt/s840/Richard-Ellis-on-with-Brian-Keating_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Great discussion on searching for Cosmic Dawn, now with JWST (Source: Brian Keating)" border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="840" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxY-dAKcWtvEYC88cNriBU5QqdQIQE7yKoO9xk-tmftHANkgjiOeJUme0ubAqu4s_JBVf0I7qAfTP6kEwpb0E8IgIOOWF1wbVWQ_RcCGRwg1nfmWljPvZPU_B8IoAE88sPjkdlQImZvZvK5dZINYsMkgSo7zBS-l6L5iEILRy4mWTzoaw2_x09QbV7mpt/w640-h468/Richard-Ellis-on-with-Brian-Keating_web.jpg" title="Great discussion on searching for Cosmic Dawn, now with JWST (Source: Brian Keating)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great discussion on searching for Cosmic Dawn, now with JWST (Source: Brian Keating)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Richard Ellis is mostly an observational cosmologist at the University College London and is the author of the recently released, "When Galaxies Were Born." The key signature of the first galaxies is that they are composed of chemically pristine stars, which contain on hydrogen and helium.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjypmdPZUbL3OjrszMzkGUNp3d4NcA1y2VMgXOHHWLT7XtDON618pcDf_cW87v-hAyrvl-f2WRyg05rkfV1NyAaeGG6eLVOuKxe2f8hyeA7jvBdy-nvEvH6JjPYEFDPLj_PWWzjUzUSjhNChZFpxY1n2znarf8ujywwv-2V6vcZib-BaBXPKCWmNykM7X/s840/The-Holy-Grail_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Holy Grail: The Search for Cosmic Dawn (Source: Richard Ellis)" border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="840" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjypmdPZUbL3OjrszMzkGUNp3d4NcA1y2VMgXOHHWLT7XtDON618pcDf_cW87v-hAyrvl-f2WRyg05rkfV1NyAaeGG6eLVOuKxe2f8hyeA7jvBdy-nvEvH6JjPYEFDPLj_PWWzjUzUSjhNChZFpxY1n2znarf8ujywwv-2V6vcZib-BaBXPKCWmNykM7X/w640-h470/The-Holy-Grail_web.jpg" title="The Holy Grail: The Search for Cosmic Dawn (Source: Richard Ellis)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Holy Grail: The Search for Cosmic Dawn (Source: Richard Ellis)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>All observed stars lie somewhere on the H-R Diagram. The search for cosmic dawn has to find examples of the very oldest of stars.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudvJT4tR7y3GdkAv-ata0U8ctsx-2DAWoj0TzDY5n-jx06dvBCT8OPB7l5wDpiYblgu0IV51ZUv7sKmXMBTBrdxtndroV6zq8UrEK8js4C_VFO9Atuv5eBBKXavG9gxXuOR_XRhgPE9Ggrj_4wMvdiZ81-s1EAmskcBsxKu0elMtrtLxr29VsOMDKhTZO/s840/Richard-Ellis-and-the-HR-Diagram_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Where to look for pristine stars (Source: Richard Ellis)" border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="840" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudvJT4tR7y3GdkAv-ata0U8ctsx-2DAWoj0TzDY5n-jx06dvBCT8OPB7l5wDpiYblgu0IV51ZUv7sKmXMBTBrdxtndroV6zq8UrEK8js4C_VFO9Atuv5eBBKXavG9gxXuOR_XRhgPE9Ggrj_4wMvdiZ81-s1EAmskcBsxKu0elMtrtLxr29VsOMDKhTZO/w640-h426/Richard-Ellis-and-the-HR-Diagram_web.jpg" title="Where to look for pristine stars (Source: Richard Ellis)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where to look for pristine stars (Source: Richard Ellis)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>So no matter where the star is on the sequence of his evolutionary history, we need to find very old stars. These old stars, not contaminated by the elements from other supernovae explosions will be at very high red shift.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7fmuIsFcCZz4iNLCaCAj7hoMtznES2hXABLSbI6eGkVEHLQl9aVGoAH7bctWs-_Dw8GP4fxEeXgw2sd2_Y4oZ1YPUdXtrSwhzmL64kpXZywiXiJhcQLm8XLCaUmVpOQJK8ArEic6sWFyCm7-XpQYPMtaUA9ovdha8K95r4ZC-OGzeHNrmKGf8jJetNfd/s840/Cosmic-Expansion_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Chemically pristine stars will be observed at very high redshift (Source: Richard Ellis)" border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7fmuIsFcCZz4iNLCaCAj7hoMtznES2hXABLSbI6eGkVEHLQl9aVGoAH7bctWs-_Dw8GP4fxEeXgw2sd2_Y4oZ1YPUdXtrSwhzmL64kpXZywiXiJhcQLm8XLCaUmVpOQJK8ArEic6sWFyCm7-XpQYPMtaUA9ovdha8K95r4ZC-OGzeHNrmKGf8jJetNfd/w640-h480/Cosmic-Expansion_web.jpg" title="Chemically pristine stars will be observed at very high redshift (Source: Richard Ellis)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chemically pristine stars will be observed at very high redshift (Source: Richard Ellis)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Early results from JWST have left astronomers with a puzzle. I haven't got a good understanding of how the assumed value for the Star Formation Rate (SFR) is key to understanding how fast stars can form in the early universe. You can see in the following screenshot that there is some discrepancy between the observations and the theoretical predictions.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMlky0uJjDlcAP4Y4kpBxRQTpw5zj9fnkFcN7cDrtaHuDsY1tzrc8AO5yzHo5DkeX0RXC6oJDxCT7LAeB8j7SyPLLLOIxAUAXcczf1FCchgZLJNzg_mLuB7OJE5TqL64as9y1Ns5z_psrUyz6ZnfasmIJgz78bQCCbG_H8J58Iva8SoMnNSPfhWF1cMfS/s840/Initial-JWST-Census_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="JWST has been able to observe more very old stars (Source: Richard Ellis)" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="840" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMlky0uJjDlcAP4Y4kpBxRQTpw5zj9fnkFcN7cDrtaHuDsY1tzrc8AO5yzHo5DkeX0RXC6oJDxCT7LAeB8j7SyPLLLOIxAUAXcczf1FCchgZLJNzg_mLuB7OJE5TqL64as9y1Ns5z_psrUyz6ZnfasmIJgz78bQCCbG_H8J58Iva8SoMnNSPfhWF1cMfS/w640-h486/Initial-JWST-Census_web.jpg" title="JWST has been able to observe more very old stars (Source: Richard Ellis)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JWST has been able to observe more very old stars (Source: Richard Ellis)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>As the observations become more refined, we get better agreement for various estimates of SFR and how it evolves over the history of the universe. I'm looking forward to getting a better understanding of the concepts involved here and can't comment more about it at this time.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuhSKqlwYghl_zcz3C6j9COXjLsbgMIIPbsnCMJsO60vZm3cld1J0iM5kWjdQVmw3neWsBrSpDqyUfEpAFMrInKxbORgA_7IhLPbI-rM4t2CmOdCFa8RyAXLGXqjthLFwYQ4r8EXqoNmyT31WS9m7-b-VhKvjveUv8HFfmVfqUAoBABdCgEm0h_tx9zQB/s840/Census-of-Star-Formation-at-redshift-10_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Census of Star-forming Galaxies at Redshift 10 (Source: Richard Ellis)" border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="840" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuhSKqlwYghl_zcz3C6j9COXjLsbgMIIPbsnCMJsO60vZm3cld1J0iM5kWjdQVmw3neWsBrSpDqyUfEpAFMrInKxbORgA_7IhLPbI-rM4t2CmOdCFa8RyAXLGXqjthLFwYQ4r8EXqoNmyT31WS9m7-b-VhKvjveUv8HFfmVfqUAoBABdCgEm0h_tx9zQB/w640-h484/Census-of-Star-Formation-at-redshift-10_web.jpg" title="The Census of Star-forming Galaxies at Redshift 10 (Source: Richard Ellis)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Census of Star-forming Galaxies at Redshift 10 (Source: Richard Ellis)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>When spectrographs of stars and galaxies observed at red shifts, like here at z = 10.6, we see that this galaxy already has elements present that could have been made in the nuclear synthesis inside earlier younger stars. So, the observations have to still be made much earlier in time when the observed stars, mostly yet to still be found, did not have any of these elements.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbbpGEJl89tTmJhntNdc1bqdsAx4OiI3E3RkvwBLNJRs4vGIEB3Hc4EhVtDgtbKXWmchrg5EXcwAWg1uAqTfqnBXX2aNevc67x7MdEkYM8ij6pZNOsrT4aR_GmXdpq_PWOeHLp2iztJOWDDAIqaGT3_1J57NbnlyMurPyfSg2kmBpL5yNJ8opt9nv2vCL/s840/Chemical-Composition-to-Redshift-10_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Spectroscopy at redshift 10+ leads the search for pristine stars (Source: Richard Ellis)" border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="840" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbbpGEJl89tTmJhntNdc1bqdsAx4OiI3E3RkvwBLNJRs4vGIEB3Hc4EhVtDgtbKXWmchrg5EXcwAWg1uAqTfqnBXX2aNevc67x7MdEkYM8ij6pZNOsrT4aR_GmXdpq_PWOeHLp2iztJOWDDAIqaGT3_1J57NbnlyMurPyfSg2kmBpL5yNJ8opt9nv2vCL/w640-h484/Chemical-Composition-to-Redshift-10_web.jpg" title="Spectroscopy at redshift 10+ leads the search for pristine stars (Source: Richard Ellis)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spectroscopy at redshift 10+ leads the search for pristine stars (Source: Richard Ellis)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p> So this long journey in astronomy back to the earliest era of the universe is to find the cosmic dawn, when the first stars ever turned on. These first stars would not have any of the elements present that would have been made in later older stars that had finished their chemical evolution.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-VJ_RqsTN_ZCNThJTcsRs33gJtdGClcX4x0v6_j-9rVnLcMlArhsdhLfPfhmRfyWQaOEFA08Dv9H35kLGC3sBT3nmCJUei-17DHItPGhGEh2Grk2GrtHIJpZ8wU68xdgLdU6DTr3z2eIdslrwzEgfyCo8tk0GsInC2WhMUSTEM713qfqvT8WUlpLe5Zt/s840/The-Ultimate-Goal_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The ultimate goal is seeing the first stars to turn on after the big bang (Source: Richard Ellis)" border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="840" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-VJ_RqsTN_ZCNThJTcsRs33gJtdGClcX4x0v6_j-9rVnLcMlArhsdhLfPfhmRfyWQaOEFA08Dv9H35kLGC3sBT3nmCJUei-17DHItPGhGEh2Grk2GrtHIJpZ8wU68xdgLdU6DTr3z2eIdslrwzEgfyCo8tk0GsInC2WhMUSTEM713qfqvT8WUlpLe5Zt/w640-h424/The-Ultimate-Goal_web.jpg" title="The ultimate goal is seeing the first stars to turn on after the big bang (Source: Richard Ellis)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ultimate goal is seeing the first stars to turn on after the big bang (Source: Richard Ellis)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Finally, after our search for cosmic dawn, and feeling the need for some comic relief, the Python Developers Community reminded us of our daily work goals. How many times have you had to go back and look at old code or old algorithms and try to remember what the heck were you thinking?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJEAQCkoQgWh1QGB2bx4l6tIP7N5XjbYe6C6l1F7sIAabtobgf9m7EPiEMaHyH4XaAxaf0qAuHE4YJ2dSqggrY2IDjM5HRge5iVE8iI2j99yPpq6Saoq35jBZb2aOmBL7rSDStMNccV8FYAZ-l8Ie0TV5aGaTqJJrHVLG1512Ci60YBJ7z7nc66J4vplm/s858/Coding-Joke_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Coding troubles? (Source: Python Developers Community)" border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJEAQCkoQgWh1QGB2bx4l6tIP7N5XjbYe6C6l1F7sIAabtobgf9m7EPiEMaHyH4XaAxaf0qAuHE4YJ2dSqggrY2IDjM5HRge5iVE8iI2j99yPpq6Saoq35jBZb2aOmBL7rSDStMNccV8FYAZ-l8Ie0TV5aGaTqJJrHVLG1512Ci60YBJ7z7nc66J4vplm/w502-h640/Coding-Joke_web.jpg" title="Coding troubles? (Source: Python Developers Community)" width="502" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coding troubles? (Source: Python Developers Community)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; 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font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-13721386117342791942023-07-22T11:33:00.008-07:002023-07-22T23:10:16.130-07:00Didn't see Starlinks but one OCA saw rocket launch; What is your ecological footprint? Some comments about a magnetotail and water on the moon from NESF conference; The end of the particle era?<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory</p><p>Well, we didn't have much luck seeing the latest prediction for Starlink String of Pearls, but some lucky observers caught a distant rocket launch. More about that and comments about our ecological footprint and water ice on the moon discussion at National Exploration Science Forum 2023.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>So, OCA Brett Nordby, while doing some observing at OCA Anza site happened to catch and photograph the contrail from a rocket launched from Vandenberg AFB. Check out these two images below. By the way, Brett captured these images with just his iPhone.</p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLl4F-dMJQky2SlLWIJP0uVpC4B02-caAGjktTlq1JrnWlRHKTZMCDdecf57QCtERQviKII23oKCygSTlNubZ_dIqmB7bj5VRe-UwNysfL7gNeeqN7h44RBi4J7_99dgp7qlt40ptWMDKzWA2rcszV_kyeI8prSB93MZbBzanarTXwOI7Wtws0b8LVoTZ/s504/SpaceX-Launch-as-seen-at-Anza-by-Brett-Nordby_web2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Rocket contrail as seen from OCA Anza site (Source: OCA Brett Nordby)" border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="504" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLl4F-dMJQky2SlLWIJP0uVpC4B02-caAGjktTlq1JrnWlRHKTZMCDdecf57QCtERQviKII23oKCygSTlNubZ_dIqmB7bj5VRe-UwNysfL7gNeeqN7h44RBi4J7_99dgp7qlt40ptWMDKzWA2rcszV_kyeI8prSB93MZbBzanarTXwOI7Wtws0b8LVoTZ/w640-h427/SpaceX-Launch-as-seen-at-Anza-by-Brett-Nordby_web2.jpg" title="Rocket contrail as seen from OCA Anza site (Source: OCA Brett Nordby)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocket contrail as seen from OCA Anza site (Source: OCA Brett Nordby)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p><p>This other view is pretty fantastic too. Thanks for sharing, Brett!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsFBj0uWdVuPnZYM_pLGNK_ubTptTaoXNqjWDT5DDRPtK1SqkOIVQLC3t-mx7cqIY54rri9KaEVjs-eN07B3y8eoirPTSaVpsu8OhlmULw4XIBaFLbaSEuaoTlvwj4x9yER9WVRtLCT35RBOfaCrKLzxFysF013Fvu5l0c6T3rFKB_t-okUVCMhU9DMid/s550/SpaceX-Launch-as-seen-at-Anza-by-Brett-Nordby2_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Rocket contrail as seen from OCA Anza site (Source: OCA Brett Nordby)" border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsFBj0uWdVuPnZYM_pLGNK_ubTptTaoXNqjWDT5DDRPtK1SqkOIVQLC3t-mx7cqIY54rri9KaEVjs-eN07B3y8eoirPTSaVpsu8OhlmULw4XIBaFLbaSEuaoTlvwj4x9yER9WVRtLCT35RBOfaCrKLzxFysF013Fvu5l0c6T3rFKB_t-okUVCMhU9DMid/w640-h480/SpaceX-Launch-as-seen-at-Anza-by-Brett-Nordby2_web.jpg" title="Rocket contrail as seen from OCA Anza site (Source: OCA Brett Nordby)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocket contrail as seen from OCA Anza site (Source: OCA Brett Nordby)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Most of this week has been involved with sitting in on NESF remotely online, but before making some comments about that, let's catch up on some reading of this little book "Ecological Footprint." Now as many of you readers know, we have been doing a lot of reading about the transition from fossil fuels to more renewable energy sources.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindAwKZh23yGFC6kJmBdGuZbqBQ12ry_1pIr4TflJL-AfgPVaTaPyczSL4-1ahe_omFQw-Gi5qZrgbq96KJLK7uHZ4vrsZxq-8tKGsFisccsplWWqNfHp1ToK_ooDRmqvHCYNdM1nNLHEWMvAEodIBtewa1Eajpic391Nd5CjYzGdouj8JtggKN145QGEZ/s547/Ecological-Footprint_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Great little introduction ecological biocapacity (Source: Ecological Footprint)" border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindAwKZh23yGFC6kJmBdGuZbqBQ12ry_1pIr4TflJL-AfgPVaTaPyczSL4-1ahe_omFQw-Gi5qZrgbq96KJLK7uHZ4vrsZxq-8tKGsFisccsplWWqNfHp1ToK_ooDRmqvHCYNdM1nNLHEWMvAEodIBtewa1Eajpic391Nd5CjYzGdouj8JtggKN145QGEZ/w422-h640/Ecological-Footprint_web.jpg" title="Great little introduction ecological biocapacity (Source: Ecological Footprint)" width="422" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great little introduction ecological biocapacity (Source: Ecological Footprint)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>I have come to accept that most of us throughout the world are to use a term originally discussed on Nate Hagen's podcasts, "Energy Blind." This means that most of us have no idea how significant the use of fossil fuel energy is on how the whole world economy works and what is going to be involved as we strive to transition away from fossil fuels. You can check out his blog on Youtube starting at: <a href="https://www.thegreatsimplification.com/">The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p>Anyway, the book references the website, <a href="https://www.footprintcalculator.org/home/en">https://www.footprintcalculator.org/home/en</a>, you can enter your specific energy and material usage in your own lifestyle and see your ecological footprint. The image below shows the Observatory footprint which just includes a small home, made of wood, no food grown at home, air-conditioning, some international airflights each year, a couple of cruises, etc. </p><p>Wow, who knew that the relatively "spartan" lifestyle lived here would require 6.5 Earths if everyone else used as much energy and materials and foodstuffs as we do here!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNXwHDk23wcWaCH12-q0bZSWm6ASwf431mFPVZc-LIXnWeVh8xv10SMwJrVxi15YlkOJnsQ2kyg9ESijMytvZRkMh0ixgNHC0Tf8PkmnSUuiiMtwyq1B0mYnSkClXgKAH6lVvqfj-88emcZz15u08SAQCiQaExMOxAH-GKpDclkcJnZkRGIvZ97fZO9-7/s500/My-Footprint_footprintcalculatordotorg_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ecological footprint for Palmia Observatory (Source: www.footprintcalculator.org)" border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="500" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNXwHDk23wcWaCH12-q0bZSWm6ASwf431mFPVZc-LIXnWeVh8xv10SMwJrVxi15YlkOJnsQ2kyg9ESijMytvZRkMh0ixgNHC0Tf8PkmnSUuiiMtwyq1B0mYnSkClXgKAH6lVvqfj-88emcZz15u08SAQCiQaExMOxAH-GKpDclkcJnZkRGIvZ97fZO9-7/w640-h414/My-Footprint_footprintcalculatordotorg_web.jpg" title="Ecological footprint for Palmia Observatory (Source: www.footprintcalculator.org)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ecological footprint for Palmia Observatory (Source: www.footprintcalculator.org)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>The NESF 2023 was held in College Park, MD this week and I shelled out the $100 to be able to attend online. The latest programmatic development of the Artemis program was illustrated, and I followed mostly some of the scientific discussion.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNy2AaVZiQS_DKKZmCfiJbEM15-5NLQn10vz5ncFLvQmq--1-sCww8RKHyIb7WhxOyn3rRwuJHQWsY1L62NXrfj28EcRDtxg8g44sx5nrp8H8_ejWkKKIWR4JkyUg-0y8iGGoS9gW9O81sWOWpqY6EEcsug1F_T-udhXiVkdNB8JmKnO22JO1o28pLZmY4/s600/NESF-Cover-Slide_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cover slide for the NASA Exploration Science Forum 2023 (Source: NASA)" border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="600" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNy2AaVZiQS_DKKZmCfiJbEM15-5NLQn10vz5ncFLvQmq--1-sCww8RKHyIb7WhxOyn3rRwuJHQWsY1L62NXrfj28EcRDtxg8g44sx5nrp8H8_ejWkKKIWR4JkyUg-0y8iGGoS9gW9O81sWOWpqY6EEcsug1F_T-udhXiVkdNB8JmKnO22JO1o28pLZmY4/w640-h402/NESF-Cover-Slide_web.jpg" title="Cover slide for the NASA Exploration Science Forum 2023 (Source: NASA)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover slide for the NASA Exploration Science Forum 2023 (Source: NASA)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>One of the more interesting presentations for me was where the water on the Moon came from. A summary of some evidence for water on the Moon is shown here. We see clear indication that the correlation with the solar wind shows one source of hydrogen ions on the moon.</p><div> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrfPt5Rg2AiTKPiLBfBoMHUShBM0lWzujUDwLZewbK57q8rS0G4OjS4ZrIxWoclwFo_aaD93979OLG39kUrGKk2QjYK7PbziGrZx7fdwI5zB7wBgO2ztJtIbYysc3X8moX0rVNYpCJPDw9MhtBxUxgGT2W7VG3UpIzJLplj_zGxu5j_rAwNASvMnOUDbb/s882/Evidence-for-Hydroxylation_web2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Evidence for Hydroxylation on the Moon (Source: L. Yeo, NESF 2023)" border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrfPt5Rg2AiTKPiLBfBoMHUShBM0lWzujUDwLZewbK57q8rS0G4OjS4ZrIxWoclwFo_aaD93979OLG39kUrGKk2QjYK7PbziGrZx7fdwI5zB7wBgO2ztJtIbYysc3X8moX0rVNYpCJPDw9MhtBxUxgGT2W7VG3UpIzJLplj_zGxu5j_rAwNASvMnOUDbb/s16000/Evidence-for-Hydroxylation_web2.jpg" title="Evidence for Hydroxylation on the Moon (Source: L. Yeo, NESF 2023)" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evidence for Hydroxylation on the Moon (Source: L. Yeo, NESF 2023)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Another speaker talked about how the solar wind can cause hydroxylation at the lunar surface, but how are the hydroxy ions converted to water. Otherwise, we see mostly hydroxides of the lunar minerals and not a lot of water. Here the author shows that the required temperature rise to cause the formation of water, instead of just hydroxyl ions, could be caused by micrometeorite impacts.</p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSi-Jm81xUQXiuRIPllsHgacEjf6HViKQPn1VXek_-J4unl0aL4DywbANG-OzzMQ2zoXOT0C8LWqOOXIViTFrFp1lrQ-SybblLPIo6aqFA2P4K9r0R2PapXlreuWwt7vcs6WiPytIFFrKecivxEhJIhSxM1I9_mMwrTdnm6eZUoLvA8gSumGeDCf2uAQ8h/s360/How-did-water-get-on-the-Moon_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="How did water get on the Moon (Source: Andrew Jordan, NESF 2023)" border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="360" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSi-Jm81xUQXiuRIPllsHgacEjf6HViKQPn1VXek_-J4unl0aL4DywbANG-OzzMQ2zoXOT0C8LWqOOXIViTFrFp1lrQ-SybblLPIo6aqFA2P4K9r0R2PapXlreuWwt7vcs6WiPytIFFrKecivxEhJIhSxM1I9_mMwrTdnm6eZUoLvA8gSumGeDCf2uAQ8h/w640-h408/How-did-water-get-on-the-Moon_web.jpg" title="How did water get on the Moon (Source: Andrew Jordan, NESF 2023)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How did water get on the Moon (Source: Andrew Jordan, NESF 2023)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I was curious about how the solar wind would strike the polar regions of the moon where ice is still supposed to be found. The permanently shaded regions of craters, etc., would not be in the direct flight path of the solar wind from the sun.</p><p>But we need to include the effects of the magnetic fields around the moon. We know on Earth, its magnetic field deflects the main portion of the solar wind, and its path impacts the Earth mainly in the polar regions. The moon has some minor residual magnetic field, but it also passes through the Earth's magnetic field are various times in its orbit around the Earth. The screenshot below identifies that the moon enters the Earth's magnetic field about 3 days before full moon and stays inside until about 6 days after full moon.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFKTkbGsbYneAurv9PkZjUJsLY4SOJzjJ81xM0pDrFqHzqlqSkW9WzWUfosFJoM8fam6IlOzJtxTnbdiPg4NS74Fbyd2P5lvAVdZmV8cyj3p_-GJ9dqIRXHSV18q5FjNdDno-ry4eGHDmmSwhQjS2tYI9Ihwk1JGz9nLlLi_YsHeNP1vh9eTF_9S8TzHo/s865/The-Moon-and-Magneto-Tail_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Moon and the Magnetotail (Source: NASA)" border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFKTkbGsbYneAurv9PkZjUJsLY4SOJzjJ81xM0pDrFqHzqlqSkW9WzWUfosFJoM8fam6IlOzJtxTnbdiPg4NS74Fbyd2P5lvAVdZmV8cyj3p_-GJ9dqIRXHSV18q5FjNdDno-ry4eGHDmmSwhQjS2tYI9Ihwk1JGz9nLlLi_YsHeNP1vh9eTF_9S8TzHo/s16000/The-Moon-and-Magneto-Tail_web.jpg" title="The Moon and the Magnetotail (Source: NASA)" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Moon and the Magnetotail (Source: NASA)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Another speaker, Kennedi White, Brown University, presented some data collected from a solar storm back in 1989, which shows the abundance of observed hydrogen on the moon's surface. What was especially interesting was the high incidence observed hydrogen at the lunar polar regions during some of the observed time period.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVNLE04Bu5ZoDHFbpDkXeZPLX2RnPeqdY9T_ulhjlhJsv0nHdKDUDL4ZpX0bjx2cM70HTNNsxGIhneg84xOtdjvbCd95pTZz7gRcWr4BqMhdYq6Ap3LOFQnSyR5a7g5IWIU-eOu5X2RaK5K5mFLzDeYNikaF9vJyVh1cghOXXwjhSvyjnaldjc7EEF0OO/s700/Kennedi-White_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Detection of hydrogen, especially at polar lunar regions (Source: Kennedi White, NESF 2023)" border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="700" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVNLE04Bu5ZoDHFbpDkXeZPLX2RnPeqdY9T_ulhjlhJsv0nHdKDUDL4ZpX0bjx2cM70HTNNsxGIhneg84xOtdjvbCd95pTZz7gRcWr4BqMhdYq6Ap3LOFQnSyR5a7g5IWIU-eOu5X2RaK5K5mFLzDeYNikaF9vJyVh1cghOXXwjhSvyjnaldjc7EEF0OO/w640-h410/Kennedi-White_web.jpg" title="Detection of hydrogen, especially at polar lunar regions (Source: Kennedi White, NESF 2023)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detection of hydrogen, especially at polar lunar regions (Source: Kennedi White, NESF 2023)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Also, after learning how water could be formed on the moon, I can't help but mention one of the early papers that redid the calculations showing the possibility of ice on the moon, once formed, to be stable. It is one thing for water to be formed on the moon from hydroxyl ions, it is another thing for any remaining ice to be stable there. Our good dog walking neighbor and friend, Ken Watson, did some of the calculations while he was at Caltech to show that ice could be stable there in permanently shadowed regions. At the pressure and temperature expected in permanently shadowed regions on the moon, ice would have had the required thermodynamic stability. Thanks, Ken!</p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVEcbixOgS4K9KIAtq81oDzjijczRlmAdmG-rxwq5F-tNdeqW8ZZ3hKOGk0WHJ8hNJRG16mfs6O1ssUjUGq1Hp03O0CbSB76oViGjSTrFsONPUjqTCjJH-t04SpgmEr348b4FODY5nHC2GV_svErpO3HLj081wP1Ie_jamfWmxKIO8hCZa7jSfxgOk5FD/s935/First-Page-of-Ken;'s-Paper_web2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="This paper outlined possibility of ice on the Moon (Source: Watson, 1961)" border="0" data-original-height="935" data-original-width="706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVEcbixOgS4K9KIAtq81oDzjijczRlmAdmG-rxwq5F-tNdeqW8ZZ3hKOGk0WHJ8hNJRG16mfs6O1ssUjUGq1Hp03O0CbSB76oViGjSTrFsONPUjqTCjJH-t04SpgmEr348b4FODY5nHC2GV_svErpO3HLj081wP1Ie_jamfWmxKIO8hCZa7jSfxgOk5FD/s16000/First-Page-of-Ken;'s-Paper_web2.jpg" title="This paper outlined possibility of ice on the Moon (Source: Watson, 1961)" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This paper outlined possibility of ice on the Moon (Source: Watson, 1961)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Finally, we end up this blog post with an interesting article pointed out to us by Sabine Hossenfelder, who often discusses why there doesn't seem to be much real progress in particle physics ever since the discovery of the Higgs. This paper in the European Physical Journal points out how the "the particle era must undergo an important reconfiguration" as the era of "on-shell discoveries" might be at an end. What say you?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDN4MI69Bomm-Odj_RI3PpaiZbwrza_qDLExk8e5wYiOiNCLC_5ti_0g1NIC-TkSr9c-eLhqQxzLcXoMbMfQ8It7tkhVxuoECCMZk5n54OhW0wntRO-HdTE7J9sWExOmIw3veoqMLUEIP3d2XfBA5klo3jSMKauB5jWIQzLOUywkmfMqfIyrG7XoIOvN5/s920/The-End-of-the-Particle-Era_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The end of the particle era? (Source: Harlander, et al, European Physical Journal, Nov. 2023)" border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDN4MI69Bomm-Odj_RI3PpaiZbwrza_qDLExk8e5wYiOiNCLC_5ti_0g1NIC-TkSr9c-eLhqQxzLcXoMbMfQ8It7tkhVxuoECCMZk5n54OhW0wntRO-HdTE7J9sWExOmIw3veoqMLUEIP3d2XfBA5klo3jSMKauB5jWIQzLOUywkmfMqfIyrG7XoIOvN5/s16000/The-End-of-the-Particle-Era_web.jpg" title="The end of the particle era? (Source: Harlander, et al, European Physical Journal, Nov. 2023)" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end of the particle era? (Source: Harlander, et al, European Physical Journal, Nov. 2023)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Resident Astronomer George</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; 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font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-1700964846864684732023-07-12T11:52:00.003-07:002023-07-12T15:01:43.188-07:00Captured Starlinks with flimsy tripod camera; Upcoming Annular Eclipse; Activity at SpaceX Starbase; Oh-oh Atomic Size Black Holes; LIGO beginning Q4 Observations; It's hot but no need to worry!<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory</p><p>Well we saw some Starlink string of pearls this week and planned for the upcoming annular eclipse and worried about atomic sized black holes but enjoyed some LIGO news benefits of the hot weather,<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We spotted this announcement on Heavens Above website about early morning visibility of Starlinks String of Pearls and, even though we don't like to set an alarm, decided to get up early and try to capture a photo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yMaulWKkdWTKJiI1_21TwHF9EeKbjZ_xOCPrX5QvbI_Pc_teh64B43QpSg_2sYbY41Mwk7580IfeZU7FstQoQh2jUSZjN7wrQSMXW84i5yFuKIsEmH5uSKlx2MK2hk3inp_xtQapbyvUDFhOyzc_eIfwZrVit0QT4poCf9sk9rQkJ2rM5fh-vc-cVL2P/s626/Heavens-Above_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Predicted path of Starlink Satellites (Source: Heavens Above)" border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yMaulWKkdWTKJiI1_21TwHF9EeKbjZ_xOCPrX5QvbI_Pc_teh64B43QpSg_2sYbY41Mwk7580IfeZU7FstQoQh2jUSZjN7wrQSMXW84i5yFuKIsEmH5uSKlx2MK2hk3inp_xtQapbyvUDFhOyzc_eIfwZrVit0QT4poCf9sk9rQkJ2rM5fh-vc-cVL2P/w460-h640/Heavens-Above_web.jpg" title="Predicted path of Starlink Satellites (Source: Heavens Above)" width="460" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Predicted path of Starlink Satellites (Source: Heavens Above)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>So here we see one of the early morning captured images of the string of pearls. Sadly, but fortunately, the flimsy tripod had some horizonal motion when the shutter was snapped. Otherwise the Starlink trails, due to the 1/2 second exposure, would have been aligned right on top of each other and we would not have been able to identify each satellite separately. Hooray, for flimsy!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7LHnlCArkAAmxOElSA_3glECNmrhouMcMvIv-F-8zFY2kIWIWY2KGhiMLY7kxuMhPrY4Q6o1o8M8vbElLcqBnYnK0uixEuOGhb8DZ12XLdRodvg5Oi009Hx3bnyJtTMwGVzDgx4bEoaETVLc8atYtVyJuLJa8varcqZccVI1EKv5d8p65KezWVWyNzwn/s900/Starlinks-July-10_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="DSLR image, 55mm, 1/2 second exposure, on flimsy tripod (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7LHnlCArkAAmxOElSA_3glECNmrhouMcMvIv-F-8zFY2kIWIWY2KGhiMLY7kxuMhPrY4Q6o1o8M8vbElLcqBnYnK0uixEuOGhb8DZ12XLdRodvg5Oi009Hx3bnyJtTMwGVzDgx4bEoaETVLc8atYtVyJuLJa8varcqZccVI1EKv5d8p65KezWVWyNzwn/w640-h426/Starlinks-July-10_web.jpg" title="DSLR image, 55mm, 1/2 second exposure, on flimsy tripod (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DSLR image, 55mm, 1/2 second exposure, on flimsy tripod (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Now probably everyone is trying to figure out where to travel and if they can still find rooms to stay in for the total solar eclipse in April 2024, but we have a much closer annular eclipse that we can plan for. Check out the path of the annular eclipse of October 14, 2023. That is just 3 months away.</p><p>The sun here in Orange County will be about 75% occluded. If you travel to the eclipse center line you will see the sun 98% occluded and be able to see the ring of the sun, still illuminated, but with the center blocked out by the moon. Hmm, yeah maybe need to travel to see this annular eclipse.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5XT0PJkaGrr71loIHk8ERLRxKWhfesXGiIrUFskW2_gJYZhCdFeF1aWeoLmx0iNvD5Wf-M4CJHRbck6e_U90Qc6amEX2pUQViPctkPZw3Rb2ELeZvg36Wb49HqINGWln6v08UTXq4-Re4KOWvrIlfRkMczK20jWKVfOcJ52ElTV_73kz_A2JfY1E8zOO/s462/Annular-Eclipse_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Predicted path of October 14 annular eclipse (Source: www.solarsystem.nasa.gov)" border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5XT0PJkaGrr71loIHk8ERLRxKWhfesXGiIrUFskW2_gJYZhCdFeF1aWeoLmx0iNvD5Wf-M4CJHRbck6e_U90Qc6amEX2pUQViPctkPZw3Rb2ELeZvg36Wb49HqINGWln6v08UTXq4-Re4KOWvrIlfRkMczK20jWKVfOcJ52ElTV_73kz_A2JfY1E8zOO/w554-h640/Annular-Eclipse_web.jpg" title="Predicted path of October 14 annular eclipse (Source: www.solarsystem.nasa.gov)" width="554" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Predicted path of October 14 annular eclipse (Source: www.solarsystem.nasa.gov)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Gravity Guy and Part-time Las Vegan, Ken, alerted us to other movement of the Moon and how it seems to be crashing into Las Vegas on a daily basis. Thanks for the heads up Ken, we might stop by that location if we travel towards Utah for the annular eclipse!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYJNTgvOr8nG-y_Ahe5gUVkxlG9HH_znOa9r7g6OJ9lU459Sbb6V6vb29yycNHeaZtlJNp1LL6DqcUZIQrw9VIG69oQm_onY5ZAdN7vQDqCHGbY37IE4FpyPcn58Vzx1xE9LMTUY56Drk1XOvKs4AaiGh2slCoxzhuNYsGMGgvmp-K4ZiG6XuoWZsftAg/s600/Moon-in-Vegas_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The recently opened 6400-seat theater in Las Vegas sometimes looks like the Moon (Source: BBC.com)" border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYJNTgvOr8nG-y_Ahe5gUVkxlG9HH_znOa9r7g6OJ9lU459Sbb6V6vb29yycNHeaZtlJNp1LL6DqcUZIQrw9VIG69oQm_onY5ZAdN7vQDqCHGbY37IE4FpyPcn58Vzx1xE9LMTUY56Drk1XOvKs4AaiGh2slCoxzhuNYsGMGgvmp-K4ZiG6XuoWZsftAg/w640-h436/Moon-in-Vegas_web.jpg" title="The recently opened 6400-seat theater in Las Vegas sometimes looks like the Moon (Source: BBC.com)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The recently opened 6400-seat theater in Las Vegas sometimes looks like the Moon (Source: BBC.com)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Hmm, it looks like that we might be able to combine a trip to Boca Chica, TX to see progress at Starbase and move just a short distance to see the annular eclipse also. Or maybe we can head up somewhere like central Utah to see the eclipse and go to Boca Chica another time. Maybe, we can just check in with some of the many volunteer followers of activity there and see what is happening right now.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqulLoSjTbYYvFW9X91PYOQCicJG95IL-ZW_cqmpT7AYDi78mEpEIidjXpFWEOjCgwJuuHL_Gu92Q7VS-9-c3CMQQqtIMkSaBpezP6zSCfEqI8pxP5ggkbVIiIH8sO_AlSXMSN_qd33_MFMLJgEsL3-L_lJHT_etjYzkyGHMoXuSOsqsp9OGiZr-v8KBf8/s500/Boca-Chica-Rocket-Garden_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Starbase construction site with Rocket Garden (Source; NasaSpaceFlight)" border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="500" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqulLoSjTbYYvFW9X91PYOQCicJG95IL-ZW_cqmpT7AYDi78mEpEIidjXpFWEOjCgwJuuHL_Gu92Q7VS-9-c3CMQQqtIMkSaBpezP6zSCfEqI8pxP5ggkbVIiIH8sO_AlSXMSN_qd33_MFMLJgEsL3-L_lJHT_etjYzkyGHMoXuSOsqsp9OGiZr-v8KBf8/w640-h358/Boca-Chica-Rocket-Garden_web.jpg" title="Starbase construction site with Rocket Garden (Source; NasaSpaceFlight)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starbase construction site with Rocket Garden (Source; NasaSpaceFlight)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Here is another overhead view of the Starbase construction site provided by RGV Aerial Photography.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpR3U-5GFvrVmrJe5qXlZig6Frzn5UTpG2DmaI3S9dVW2k4VZjWmLjSd3waU8wfmoYVi-tocaRtT_gSH2ZcZ4l7duphbIv0_Q21pexiBNiYUzypKZootOC35OS7YVI4jwnNeKb33lbouVBF5jf1CDasuZao4C-xBzrzFnXTk5IY4OtegGH2iH5LRuPgg5/s560/Fabrication-Site_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Overhead view of construction at Starbase fabrication area (Source: RGV Aerial Photography)" border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpR3U-5GFvrVmrJe5qXlZig6Frzn5UTpG2DmaI3S9dVW2k4VZjWmLjSd3waU8wfmoYVi-tocaRtT_gSH2ZcZ4l7duphbIv0_Q21pexiBNiYUzypKZootOC35OS7YVI4jwnNeKb33lbouVBF5jf1CDasuZao4C-xBzrzFnXTk5IY4OtegGH2iH5LRuPgg5/w640-h480/Fabrication-Site_web.jpg" title="Overhead view of construction at Starbase fabrication area (Source: RGV Aerial Photography)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overhead view of construction at Starbase fabrication area (Source: RGV Aerial Photography)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Of course we also need to check out the activity at the Starbase Launch Site also. Here we see in this overhead view a lot of activity, especially the orange moisture barrier material under the launch pad where hundreds of concrete trucks are installing the protection for the new water deluge flame suppression system. Hmm, maybe this time the Starship booster rocket blast won't dig a deep hole! The 2nd attempted launch of the Supper Heavey Booster and Starship could now just be a couple of months away.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGjp53oUe4kwfuLSxjvxU8MvH1i502jA7Vxu_t99uXNRKi-UDpXx4svOAvlmnLuKjk323kz6vJedDlmIsgVWyxpFTZpIMO_fUhyfUIxbUkoOlqDJ3X6Wcn2hD8CalY2qthZIRdfSmKqlMXf79tuxcvwXK3qqZUk0-Owvbo04R4TDYQ7dQnPG0fPdEy3LK/s500/Launch-Site_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Overhead view of construction at Starbase launch site (Source: RGV Aerial Photography)" border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGjp53oUe4kwfuLSxjvxU8MvH1i502jA7Vxu_t99uXNRKi-UDpXx4svOAvlmnLuKjk323kz6vJedDlmIsgVWyxpFTZpIMO_fUhyfUIxbUkoOlqDJ3X6Wcn2hD8CalY2qthZIRdfSmKqlMXf79tuxcvwXK3qqZUk0-Owvbo04R4TDYQ7dQnPG0fPdEy3LK/w640-h480/Launch-Site_web.jpg" title="Overhead view of construction at Starbase launch site (Source: RGV Aerial Photography)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overhead view of construction at Starbase launch site (Source: RGV Aerial Photography)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>In other news, this question about the effects of an atomic sized black hole, if it were right next to you, caught my attention. Wow, now I didn't check the calculation, but wow, watch out for atomic sized black holes. I guess maybe the good news is that black holes that size supposedly would evaporate very quickly, and we might notice them coming our way. Also if we find ourselves near a black hole, we want it to be a really big one where we might not feel that we have crossed the event horizon!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajlDlkcAbBsFomW4j4hlzqhVXNBBoGvC2_l-ea-E_Guv1nF9-vIrik-7HQKA_BvTCKDyq-Q_-MX2zpeJ6ksHeFGa6SIG_b4-nUdZ7wgmZSJtJ3zmuASapbPMm7-VHBOXIS1DdDwr1-lNqIXdd43uxIhY-edMT9xKrx0bCSn4x5yoqGdRM65j2OGfxMVVw/s600/Atomic-Size-Black-Hole_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Oh-oh, stay away from atomic size black holes! (Source: Boutros Gladius on Quora)" border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="600" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajlDlkcAbBsFomW4j4hlzqhVXNBBoGvC2_l-ea-E_Guv1nF9-vIrik-7HQKA_BvTCKDyq-Q_-MX2zpeJ6ksHeFGa6SIG_b4-nUdZ7wgmZSJtJ3zmuASapbPMm7-VHBOXIS1DdDwr1-lNqIXdd43uxIhY-edMT9xKrx0bCSn4x5yoqGdRM65j2OGfxMVVw/w640-h332/Atomic-Size-Black-Hole_web.jpg" title="Oh-oh, stay away from atomic size black holes! (Source: Boutros Gladius on Quora)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh-oh, stay away from atomic size black holes! (Source: Boutros Gladius on Quora)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>In other more positive and not worrying news, we found some articles on the status of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration. The results of the Q3 Observation Run have been released and the start of Q4 Observing Run has been announced.</p><p>Look at this collection of mergers that included not only binary black hole systems but neutron star mergers also.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZJ_HYeHmNxfBLKoSbjtK27_ARj_N_Vb4A_4BS6JMesmwx3ZBBw15RzeMjbaepKAJWLo-6mcHpzc-iLGXUD4KtD6cAHcwPcZNU7EuqM5WV91qkTn7NsD2UbFJiqJYJrp5YU9XiDv_ePwc5jeoLgPp9tRu_juF3PnG9W__LcMD5tbLtF4F6sxuiT-udCdD/s720/LIGO-Q3_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Observed "graveyard" of merging neutron stars and black holes (Source: LIGO Scientific Collaboration)" border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="720" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZJ_HYeHmNxfBLKoSbjtK27_ARj_N_Vb4A_4BS6JMesmwx3ZBBw15RzeMjbaepKAJWLo-6mcHpzc-iLGXUD4KtD6cAHcwPcZNU7EuqM5WV91qkTn7NsD2UbFJiqJYJrp5YU9XiDv_ePwc5jeoLgPp9tRu_juF3PnG9W__LcMD5tbLtF4F6sxuiT-udCdD/w640-h574/LIGO-Q3_web.jpg" title="Observed "graveyard" of merging neutron stars and black holes (Source: LIGO Scientific Collaboration)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Observed "graveyard" of merging neutron stars and black holes (Source: LIGO Scientific Collaboration)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The Q4 Observing Run was started back on May 24, 2023, and here is some of the details of this latest ongoing observation run. The detection of merging neutron stars and subsequent observation in optical and other domains is going to be a source of possible new physics.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorb_3DU9qrUeOZiatKgdDrmAgqEtcyJa6B5OvD19LGkDKrxl2VLwrBzFD5iXX36CYNEQIy67rkEE-FH21X3o43LyMWaMsLVG-Nq00NXGxBz0NOaIaAtrXVQ3Ws_RJSnhMdXygRoCxzLzgsWULN2eYIbkqJV2K-lgOZUlKJnV1CkN4ASSszKhhru94ucUe/s810/LIGO-Q4-bagan-in-May_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="LIGO Q4 Observation Run has started (Source: LIGO Scientific Collaboration)" border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorb_3DU9qrUeOZiatKgdDrmAgqEtcyJa6B5OvD19LGkDKrxl2VLwrBzFD5iXX36CYNEQIy67rkEE-FH21X3o43LyMWaMsLVG-Nq00NXGxBz0NOaIaAtrXVQ3Ws_RJSnhMdXygRoCxzLzgsWULN2eYIbkqJV2K-lgOZUlKJnV1CkN4ASSszKhhru94ucUe/w474-h640/LIGO-Q4-bagan-in-May_web.jpg" title="LIGO Q4 Observation Run has started (Source: LIGO Scientific Collaboration)" width="474" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LIGO Q4 Observation Run has started (Source: LIGO Scientific Collaboration)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Finally, as summer hot weather is finally making its appearance some to the Palmia Observatory staff have got their summer haircuts. Here we see Astronomer Assistant Ruby in all her finest.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbjnmlMsNFtp-rlgTa8tetUmFcGkH9AXLT7SYZuU12PUwC81jtvCtnhP2ZsmZ9aoo0uU3Gt2ctV9cj_jIQ0BD2qfOT2ymilTGOYaT7lXowJm5hf9KFEGvSqhkLK5ZXAvILm1jS0Gw8Y-2KPcECYprGiHNyW2yFOe3Mf9agveUYcBA6ly2biXoM12aRam6/s487/New-Ruby_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Astronomer Assistant Ruby shows off her summer haircut (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbjnmlMsNFtp-rlgTa8tetUmFcGkH9AXLT7SYZuU12PUwC81jtvCtnhP2ZsmZ9aoo0uU3Gt2ctV9cj_jIQ0BD2qfOT2ymilTGOYaT7lXowJm5hf9KFEGvSqhkLK5ZXAvILm1jS0Gw8Y-2KPcECYprGiHNyW2yFOe3Mf9agveUYcBA6ly2biXoM12aRam6/w474-h640/New-Ruby_web.jpg" title="Astronomer Assistant Ruby shows off her summer haircut (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="474" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Astronomer Assistant Ruby shows off her summer haircut (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Ok, ok, just in case you are still worried about the atomic size black holes and the continuing summer heat, here we find some pundit found at least one less thing to worry about.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNecHBgVKbfOGvqW39PrjHLjZtp_dEMty9lNq-cVR8P198K27t_H2lbo-_-uDYO9e8FfBwNJb9R-vDg9-KvIfq8akIpCNZUsNXepCMFOIHAY-66gHo8eIJpdG_Wbdx47nZeqQAial3lLO_8-8QEKJpN20fM_mnrpKM-WmAvWMLzQ7PVyoeGnAmAh9Jxhn/s362/Bar-and-one-good-thing_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="One good thing about hot summer weather (Source: Facebook post)" border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNecHBgVKbfOGvqW39PrjHLjZtp_dEMty9lNq-cVR8P198K27t_H2lbo-_-uDYO9e8FfBwNJb9R-vDg9-KvIfq8akIpCNZUsNXepCMFOIHAY-66gHo8eIJpdG_Wbdx47nZeqQAial3lLO_8-8QEKJpN20fM_mnrpKM-WmAvWMLzQ7PVyoeGnAmAh9Jxhn/w636-h640/Bar-and-one-good-thing_web.jpg" title="One good thing about hot summer weather (Source: Facebook post)" width="636" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One good thing about hot summer weather (Source: Facebook post)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Resident Astronomer George</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; 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font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-92161868375474808922023-06-28T06:07:00.001-07:002023-07-03T11:27:59.882-07:00Some Preliminary Comments from the first days of PASCOS 2023 Conference at UC Irvine; Using my ChatGPT Study Buddy; New Physics from Gravitational Waves?<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory</p><p>Well it is finally time for PASCOS 2023, June 26-30, held at UC Irvine this year. PASCOS has international speakers in three main areas of study: Particle Physics, String Theory and Cosmology.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>It has been at least 2 years of COVID shutdown since the UCI campus has opened up and has begun the movement away from Zoom and back to in room meetings. I had to learn all over again the intricacies of buying a campus parking pass from the little machines in the parking lots. Here the Resident Astronomer gets ready to attend the conference for the 2nd day. The first day was very technical and I was not prepared to understand many of the topics.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTzsYoX4hobzyMnOwvEu9ze1XyzNfb6LzRcTbpvgBZE9ERG80GrHq2HqIS3SB5wyOytzbLhJicwtNa1i_BEkrZjQcUF--ZpFSCxlBhvGXoWrcxJJS7MKhCGVUrqlI-XJl11w5LZX0OSZ6zac5tAiRnFLpOZM9rDOKvz_dtkmvW_DNY_QST05olwbYkBGk/s625/RA-Ready-to-Go_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Resident Astronomer ready to go to PASCOS 2023 (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTzsYoX4hobzyMnOwvEu9ze1XyzNfb6LzRcTbpvgBZE9ERG80GrHq2HqIS3SB5wyOytzbLhJicwtNa1i_BEkrZjQcUF--ZpFSCxlBhvGXoWrcxJJS7MKhCGVUrqlI-XJl11w5LZX0OSZ6zac5tAiRnFLpOZM9rDOKvz_dtkmvW_DNY_QST05olwbYkBGk/w368-h640/RA-Ready-to-Go_web.jpg" title="Resident Astronomer ready to go to PASCOS 2023 (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="368" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resident Astronomer ready to go to PASCOS 2023 (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The PASCOS conference is held in the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building (ISEM) which was just constructed in 2021. The conference auditorium was pretty much full with all of the attendees.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9l1a2yh_bNqQxzA4KcITlrMBuJHwnlgXSOuH2sfuZl2xeQNbDS8FphpmEhymJF5S0m0JtWksZABtEeY1Y7eSL4udaAzyOCeg7TfRl9Tu0YxFXBkFke3d8JL2it84qIU6Apf21jLwurhaGGlGFzapJ4kE26BrBsLUGg2ezQOHU3Q9fiQIJUUfs8M3yah-X/s550/PASCOS-attendees-in-ISEB-1010-ready-to-go_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="PASCOS 2023 attendees ready to go in ISEB 1010 (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9l1a2yh_bNqQxzA4KcITlrMBuJHwnlgXSOuH2sfuZl2xeQNbDS8FphpmEhymJF5S0m0JtWksZABtEeY1Y7eSL4udaAzyOCeg7TfRl9Tu0YxFXBkFke3d8JL2it84qIU6Apf21jLwurhaGGlGFzapJ4kE26BrBsLUGg2ezQOHU3Q9fiQIJUUfs8M3yah-X/w640-h480/PASCOS-attendees-in-ISEB-1010-ready-to-go_web.jpg" title="PASCOS 2023 attendees ready to go in ISEB 1010 (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PASCOS 2023 attendees ready to go in ISEB 1010 (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Many of the plenary sessions were quite technical and seemed a little higher level of technicality that what I would normally expect in a plenary session. Here Professor Lindner, MPIK, explains that notwithstanding the overwhelming success of the standard model of particle physics, there are still other problems, such as the nature of dark matter and dark energy, and the standard model has no good explanation. He lists some of the other issues in this introductory slide.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNKWYUhH7tgspeD5cRFEQ5PLwJkhe3p2I7jET_Q2yWwTDvMs6hcmuxsth0uZT__1sUETOiDyRVc_pMpFvnXr79ByodVKT6vBUNWAOJ9iBKmKC9kPNcK7NS68PWphqJTv48h6nQuuCPVyeUDh_5LLjiw-0X6zT-JWuq0U9lkGhhKT2VXCBbGNuyNX9jFBj/s1000/Reasons-to-go-beyond_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Some reasons for searching beyond the standard model (Source: M. Lindner, MPIK, PASCOS 2023)" border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="1000" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNKWYUhH7tgspeD5cRFEQ5PLwJkhe3p2I7jET_Q2yWwTDvMs6hcmuxsth0uZT__1sUETOiDyRVc_pMpFvnXr79ByodVKT6vBUNWAOJ9iBKmKC9kPNcK7NS68PWphqJTv48h6nQuuCPVyeUDh_5LLjiw-0X6zT-JWuq0U9lkGhhKT2VXCBbGNuyNX9jFBj/w640-h396/Reasons-to-go-beyond_web.jpg" title="Some reasons for searching beyond the standard model (Source: M. Lindner, MPIK, PASCOS 2023)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some reasons for searching beyond the standard model (Source: M. Lindner, MPIK, PASCOS 2023)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>One of ongoing searches for particles and physics beyond the standard model is looking for the hypothetical axion. Here, Yikun Wang, Caltech, previews one of the ongoing search methods. It still seems strange that physicists can identify theoretical particles and predict that if they have the assumed properties then they should be detectable by the various ongoing methods. What we see with approach is the available parameter space in which the particle hide just keeps getting smaller and smaller. How far do you keep searching until you just decide to give up and realize that the hypothetical particle just doesn't exist? Mabe when the money runs out?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeFdMazStGH7d4BZIsV_Bsb2r1XcITv-cKzc1Y7AUuj1yCzjpFNe2Fd0RbPeZ9__op3jjoAQajh2K0HWxXG007sWgrds7H5JXxAY9vFZd7dS2ZqGsvTlG9oyoxhoMsvJtSerF1FqsAGfpdOEXni3Z8_NB2TsUvjKY87s-3ez3ruzMdbkC4VysMYE2zFaV/s600/Yikun-Wang-Axion-Detection_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Axion Detection Methods with Optomechanical Cavities (Source: Yikun Wang at PASCOS 2023)" border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="600" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeFdMazStGH7d4BZIsV_Bsb2r1XcITv-cKzc1Y7AUuj1yCzjpFNe2Fd0RbPeZ9__op3jjoAQajh2K0HWxXG007sWgrds7H5JXxAY9vFZd7dS2ZqGsvTlG9oyoxhoMsvJtSerF1FqsAGfpdOEXni3Z8_NB2TsUvjKY87s-3ez3ruzMdbkC4VysMYE2zFaV/w640-h600/Yikun-Wang-Axion-Detection_web.jpg" title="Axion Detection Methods with Optomechanical Cavities (Source: Yikun Wang at PASCOS 2023)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Axion Detection Methods with Optomechanical Cavities (Source: Yikun Wang at PASCOS 2023)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><br /><p>Whenever the speaker introduced some physics terminology or concept that I didn't quite understand or remember the details, I decided to use ChatGPT as my "study buddy" and see if I could get a simpler explanation. One bullet point in one of the slides was "The implications of BSM (Beyond Standard Model) Phenomenology." What does that mean? Well, here is the first part of a longer explanation that ChatGPT offered:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJxFexvre9ZobbQ7faV8kgTTVx8x3kTCWVDKqWmlxE0Vtf6A6_KVVk5eIpUs5wsZH_LBP-rzR-tEhkQB2Vp3C5u2NqzhYJxW_cTv9jO8u9otRkNz9L7IsMxMHuJg96hP6Zf7iAS5Hj_yXrBpLfZkKlt_kN4MAlX_gcG2Bj0Z09PkshU-77Z0GaFkFKIH2/s731/Implacations-of-BSM_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Using ChatGPT to explain "Implications of BSM Phenomenology" (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJxFexvre9ZobbQ7faV8kgTTVx8x3kTCWVDKqWmlxE0Vtf6A6_KVVk5eIpUs5wsZH_LBP-rzR-tEhkQB2Vp3C5u2NqzhYJxW_cTv9jO8u9otRkNz9L7IsMxMHuJg96hP6Zf7iAS5Hj_yXrBpLfZkKlt_kN4MAlX_gcG2Bj0Z09PkshU-77Z0GaFkFKIH2/w394-h640/Implacations-of-BSM_web.jpg" title="Using ChatGPT to explain "Implications of BSM Phenomenology" (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="394" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using ChatGPT to explain "Implications of BSM Phenomenology" (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>That seems to be a pretty cogent explanation and description. So far so good! Another aspect of particle physics that kept showing up in several presentations was the idea of particles being a "singlet" or "triplet" configuration. Again, I had some idea about what this meant, but elected to ask ChatGPT again.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsSZN_hgSRecCiiCO9y0ZtOeu9NPdyFqWhmgGozNQ_9LDIkY9JfTxhwTydMPK_20dPVrhavfWm8JALkXg6Usq1B2wpt7EesKfumO46V_g6ebX8upcf38CBwTN9gBIuG0esvt8H8xg7W-pTe3FOVwhWKilWd_dMk6eGl5K6aIi8y_OaM7jtCMjqubRi-1q/s858/ChatGPT-Part-1_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Using ChatGPT to explain unknown physics term: "gauge singlet" (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="560" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsSZN_hgSRecCiiCO9y0ZtOeu9NPdyFqWhmgGozNQ_9LDIkY9JfTxhwTydMPK_20dPVrhavfWm8JALkXg6Usq1B2wpt7EesKfumO46V_g6ebX8upcf38CBwTN9gBIuG0esvt8H8xg7W-pTe3FOVwhWKilWd_dMk6eGl5K6aIi8y_OaM7jtCMjqubRi-1q/w418-h640/ChatGPT-Part-1_web.jpg" title="Using ChatGPT to explain unknown physics term: "gauge singlet" (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="418" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using ChatGPT to explain unknown physics term: "gauge singlet" (Source: Palmia Observatory)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Ok, so that helps, but now I need to go back and review other concepts from gauge theory such as gauge forces and more. I am starting to appreciate how ChatGPT can be a study buddy, who just like our real study friends can be right sometimes and wrong sometimes.</p><p>More about that later, but we finally have a coffee break and time for a restroom break too. Hmm, you know you are on a college campus when you see evidence of consideration of the latest in social issues. I had never seen this sign on a restroom door before. I kind of understood that I was qualified to use the facilities but elected to use the less risky one just marked "Men."</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOthjNBuYHAYBLVCQGziTd0KfMmFSgX9VAfAU4InmLfTBqm8PpbFzg71tjhvg8XIEV2-6Hse3gO4tjwCeHVBsTHLyufZsxbJ_fPtVpIVahOlqQ1ylfGv09is4KOqX8YXXY0KmywxMOO65UTat5n3rsfQTmOzyjtMDeCoajI1_UG0-1weq8iFDaPBQ1byq/s556/I-guess-I-can-go-here_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Inclusive restroom in ISEB with updated signage (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOthjNBuYHAYBLVCQGziTd0KfMmFSgX9VAfAU4InmLfTBqm8PpbFzg71tjhvg8XIEV2-6Hse3gO4tjwCeHVBsTHLyufZsxbJ_fPtVpIVahOlqQ1ylfGv09is4KOqX8YXXY0KmywxMOO65UTat5n3rsfQTmOzyjtMDeCoajI1_UG0-1weq8iFDaPBQ1byq/w576-h640/I-guess-I-can-go-here_web.jpg" title="Inclusive restroom in ISEB with updated signage (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="576" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inclusive restroom in ISEB with updated signage (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>So far we have seen a lot of presentations on particle physics and I kept waiting for some presentations on cosmology. This presentation by Deliliah Gates, Princeton, sort of went a little bit into cosmology but only to discuss how there might be some exciting new physics to be discovered right near the event horizon of black holes, especially spinning black holes. Well, I couldn't make out about the particle physics there and will have to review her presentation later in more detail. One slide that I sort of understood was a concise presentation of the Kerr metric for spinning black holes.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOHmFj8lS9APdwbCrvIddjyn_RoYEdxUkp49fS-Y8yzOD3CtU-5n6AM4xah-brnJGZS-BIufg4FnTugHnlZ4VOg59FTpclsOHGI7egQKQjPdvPbVs3Bw7WeTYFRmwGhFdDZxUg5zv0xjXbxUUGLOwn79yr765bJfvFO1me88EnHcGGYaU-YPm9RGBtNDj/s500/Kerr-Metric_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Kerr Metric for spinning black holes (Source: Delilah Gates, Princeton, PASCOS 2023)" border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="500" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOHmFj8lS9APdwbCrvIddjyn_RoYEdxUkp49fS-Y8yzOD3CtU-5n6AM4xah-brnJGZS-BIufg4FnTugHnlZ4VOg59FTpclsOHGI7egQKQjPdvPbVs3Bw7WeTYFRmwGhFdDZxUg5zv0xjXbxUUGLOwn79yr765bJfvFO1me88EnHcGGYaU-YPm9RGBtNDj/w640-h456/Kerr-Metric_web.jpg" title="Kerr Metric for spinning black holes (Source: Delilah Gates, Princeton, PASCOS 2023)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kerr Metric for spinning black holes (Source: Delilah Gates, Princeton, PASCOS 2023)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>One of my favorite presentations was done by Stuart Raby, Ohio State, who gave a great historical perspective on particle physics. We have come a long way from the first theories of Maxwell and others when electricity and magnetism were unified. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjsHZTtBKwhCFtBYrOK0a8gCa1BSv690sZMAaoSMsqtbbRw0UHox_PON4bpR__R505E_ZQSUMHVdup2QJMvLtO7hMU8deFFeNbSHR6yJAfYLLJ5OwwQZQQEuK0zZ_Y7vFHTBS4052S4j97Legj-oPXfeo6DBuNFb_2MuG83lyZMQjmUOabWEQs4zSiQIA/s360/Stuart-Raby-and-Book_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Stuart Raby explores perspectives in particle physics and his new book (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="298" data-original-width="360" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjsHZTtBKwhCFtBYrOK0a8gCa1BSv690sZMAaoSMsqtbbRw0UHox_PON4bpR__R505E_ZQSUMHVdup2QJMvLtO7hMU8deFFeNbSHR6yJAfYLLJ5OwwQZQQEuK0zZ_Y7vFHTBS4052S4j97Legj-oPXfeo6DBuNFb_2MuG83lyZMQjmUOabWEQs4zSiQIA/w640-h530/Stuart-Raby-and-Book_web.jpg" title="Stuart Raby explores perspectives in particle physics and his new book (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuart Raby explores perspectives in particle physics and his new book (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>After the presentation, I looked up Raby's book and was so impressed I just bought the book on Amazon and downloaded it then and there. This might be the textbook that finally fits my level of trying to understand the physics of the Standard Model. Here is the first page of the contents of the book and you can see the introductory topics, all of which are necessary to gain an understanding and the number of pages assigned to each topic. The contents show other sections that go into the details and explanation of the need to go beyond the current standard model of particle physics.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXHM9DVqLfJMip8YzPd4U9hTzyYAP_UD-l1RApW4UJtIutrbzgx-fTFMDEKq_oT06Ue-xdMJRQRG3bUrkqqbM8njo4_SJUUHrC7fUz5jTyK5s2_8TK71VlG_hpPMo5icSwtODw04P9jGdO5uIpgwuGozL0Ca3EmcvmrNcbR9roceik8KcuRONsGZh94Zc/s644/Raby-Contents_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="First page of content shows easy beginnings for students (Source: Raby, "Introduction to the Standard Model and Beyond")" border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXHM9DVqLfJMip8YzPd4U9hTzyYAP_UD-l1RApW4UJtIutrbzgx-fTFMDEKq_oT06Ue-xdMJRQRG3bUrkqqbM8njo4_SJUUHrC7fUz5jTyK5s2_8TK71VlG_hpPMo5icSwtODw04P9jGdO5uIpgwuGozL0Ca3EmcvmrNcbR9roceik8KcuRONsGZh94Zc/w496-h640/Raby-Contents_web.jpg" title="First page of content shows easy beginnings for students (Source: Raby, "Introduction to the Standard Model and Beyond")" width="496" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First page of content shows easy beginnings for students (Source: Raby, "Introduction to the Standard Model and Beyond")</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Maybe when I get back to the observatory I can get a good start in reviewing the standard model physics as outlined in the book.</p><p>Finally, we should mention this presentation by Graciela Gelmini, UCLA on Catastrogenesis. What really kept my attention in this presentation was how the observation of gravitational waves could lead to new physics. Who new that theories describing collapsing strings or theories of inflation indicate that the gravitational waves of those events could theoretically be observable.</p><p>Remember how Brian Keating described in his book, "Losing the Nobel Prize" the sad story how early excitement of supposed observation of the gravitational wave effects on inflation were thought to have been observed, but instead the observations were contaminated by galactic dust.</p><p>So Graciela laid out some of the effects that might be observed in the future. This is the first time that I had heard of collapsing strings and how that might have affected the early universe and left some imprint behind that might be seen today. Will these effects be observed? Maybe they already have been observed. Recall that some of us are waiting for the upcoming announcement by the NanoGrav Collaboration, who has scheduled a news conference for a "big" announcement, this Thursday, June 29. We will have to wait and see.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyMt6q4M5X7zaJnp_yNTVL0ckDZ7D6HOv6bMqdX2il_acAaS-Wm2lPOBeIya4_JfLN50WKd5xIH1uLeG3TQMye6vYinihZCga-8vSmHzbCUmG7-f70mktqyGSBhFWKw5xpcQYDDv7AzlWUQnn2ZRDsovvqrJJFqTD_vq69OuPlxw9lSTo3RkKZSlGuCy_/s360/Catastrogenesis_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Catastrogenesis and how gravity waves might indicate new physics (Source: Graciela Gelmini, UCLA, PASCOS 2023)" border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="360" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyMt6q4M5X7zaJnp_yNTVL0ckDZ7D6HOv6bMqdX2il_acAaS-Wm2lPOBeIya4_JfLN50WKd5xIH1uLeG3TQMye6vYinihZCga-8vSmHzbCUmG7-f70mktqyGSBhFWKw5xpcQYDDv7AzlWUQnn2ZRDsovvqrJJFqTD_vq69OuPlxw9lSTo3RkKZSlGuCy_/w640-h436/Catastrogenesis_web.jpg" title="Catastrogenesis and how gravity waves might indicate new physics (Source: Graciela Gelmini, UCLA, PASCOS 2023)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catastrogenesis and how gravity waves might indicate new physics (Source: Graciela Gelmini, UCLA, PASCOS 2023)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Well, I have to tell you that I am completely worn out at spending some days at PASCOS. I was too tired to open up Raby's book. So here, with the help of a martini, I can rest up, get ready for more lectures tomorrow and hopefully not spill the martini!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fvyGWXDvft7g5nvjjVh3Phi3l84NE1pjJJz-2VfidWNiq1_-PMuDqGimNqRsEmhyJvt4nHMSiDNvGKW3EV6ny-Z28K59H6ezpF93xQWCYumbX6TvaP3OjmmeMMXGaLwa5nnoOmXu2ON8oHQ2fyhFbfyeYJLDCZ4utqL1NidwJAaVAPoIaLFARRl2J7Jl/s493/Tired-RA_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Resident Astronomer wiped out with martini after PASCOS day 1 (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fvyGWXDvft7g5nvjjVh3Phi3l84NE1pjJJz-2VfidWNiq1_-PMuDqGimNqRsEmhyJvt4nHMSiDNvGKW3EV6ny-Z28K59H6ezpF93xQWCYumbX6TvaP3OjmmeMMXGaLwa5nnoOmXu2ON8oHQ2fyhFbfyeYJLDCZ4utqL1NidwJAaVAPoIaLFARRl2J7Jl/w584-h640/Tired-RA_web.jpg" title="Resident Astronomer wiped out with martini after PASCOS day 1 (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="584" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resident Astronomer wiped out with martini after PASCOS day 1 (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Resident Astronomer George</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; 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font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-69736098123054239512023-06-11T08:39:00.003-07:002023-06-16T22:18:40.244-07:00First use of Rspec Software for Spectral Analysis; Still need to get a good Type A star spectra to calibrate camera pixels to wavelength<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory</p><p>This blog post covers the first four images to be processed by Rspec software in a first attempt to calibrate the observed SA-100 spectra camera image and convert the pixels to wavelengths.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>An easy way for amateurs to get started in actually doing some visual light spectroscopy is with the SA-100 Star Analyzer, available from Field Tested Systems. This company was founded in 1995 by Tom Field, who has attended local conferences like the Society for Astronomical Studies held locally in Ontario, CA. This Resident Astronomer has attend the symposium many times in the past and this year's conference is held on June 22-24. If you want to attend their symposium heck out the details at their website : <a href="https://socastrosci.org/">SAS</a>. The SAS symposium is a great local, low cost meeting where you an interact with other amateurs who try to do real scientific type observations. </p><p>The SA-100 is available on Field Tested Systems website at: <a href="https://store.fieldtestedsystems.com/products/star-analyser-100-grating">Star Analyser 100 Grating – Field Tested Systems</a></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdS9ex_9acVxn5mFFnyrsCZdLtGp8FX8vTevdF2MLtoDGT_ndcE7EwMV0kR065I4b2CGRWwyY4cozmF7iN70lSLaI4qewUV_f9BiW3FkxL058uk5ijZPJoKdhJ4QcyzDbvuWyWbch-3xBq5agN8vdnuCxP3ThEguXJwdNg17kvHu1n-w5GKdPXvueS7w/s720/Field-Tested-Systems_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Field Tested Star Analyzer 100 Grating (Source: Field Tested Systems)" border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="720" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdS9ex_9acVxn5mFFnyrsCZdLtGp8FX8vTevdF2MLtoDGT_ndcE7EwMV0kR065I4b2CGRWwyY4cozmF7iN70lSLaI4qewUV_f9BiW3FkxL058uk5ijZPJoKdhJ4QcyzDbvuWyWbch-3xBq5agN8vdnuCxP3ThEguXJwdNg17kvHu1n-w5GKdPXvueS7w/w640-h368/Field-Tested-Systems_web.jpg" title="Field Tested Star Analyzer 100 Grating (Source: Field Tested Systems)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field Tested Star Analyzer 100 Grating (Source: <a href="https://store.fieldtestedsystems.com/">Field Tested Systems</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>The SA-100 is sized to fit in the 1.25 inch diameter filter wheel used by many amateurs. For me, as the lazy astronomer, prefer to just use the available adapter to screw onto the DSLR telephoto lens.</p><p>Let's look at one of the first test cases using the SA-100. The SA-100 was connected to the DSLR and the flimsy tripod was just moved into the garage for some spectral testing of two green LEDs. The green LED was behind a diffusing lens that is part of the Tesla Wall Charger. The red LED was constructed out of a red-light flashlight, used at star parties, but covered with some tin foil with a small hole poked in it. See below.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRScnQTrT3hgqs3b2kZAyoYOkF0DPb3IjbnhPQT6p0y9i7548dHXoczGtdkuq1v1Vxz4n9_agWX9l-jKf1HDUaV3Q9kjVDdBXFnqldOU0RADaqmbPg3mf1O5m1Jj_m5ysDNA3lwvQhNw8oiCFUahZvZd-bVSPn1jsHybvLL7DBKNaK1pLYPrKvKHiH-Q/s750/Red-and-Green-LED_IMG5804_110mm_1-of-30-sec_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Red and Green LEDs with SA-100, DSLR, 110mm, 1/30 second (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRScnQTrT3hgqs3b2kZAyoYOkF0DPb3IjbnhPQT6p0y9i7548dHXoczGtdkuq1v1Vxz4n9_agWX9l-jKf1HDUaV3Q9kjVDdBXFnqldOU0RADaqmbPg3mf1O5m1Jj_m5ysDNA3lwvQhNw8oiCFUahZvZd-bVSPn1jsHybvLL7DBKNaK1pLYPrKvKHiH-Q/w640-h426/Red-and-Green-LED_IMG5804_110mm_1-of-30-sec_web.jpg" title="Red and Green LEDs with SA-100, DSLR, 110mm, 1/30 second (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red and Green LEDs with SA-100, DSLR, 110mm, 1/30 second (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>You notice right away that both red and green lights are positioned at about the same horizontal position in the camera frame but that the spectral lines of the red light show up just a bit further to the right than does the green. This is to be expected because the red light has longer wavelength. You can also notice that there is lot of extraneous light that is reflected off of automobiles in the garage and you can also see both red and green lights have a weaker, less bright 1st order diffraction image to the left of the 0th order.</p><p><br /></p><p>Ok, let's take this image and do some analysis using the Rspec Spectroscopy software. You don't have to worry about taking the image so that it is perfectly horizontal because the Rspec software easily allows you to rotate and select just the portion of the image you want to analyze. In this first screenshot we see the red LED has been selected for spectral analysis.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPWzg5dFfigskJkppU49Ufxa-xNA9yJNfV48JYUbhL9_W_OKhdYkigABFYozjcR_VpTDe1lIUH1pXJ0eSGi_c1WXGTiNpJi8kykHURFmA44tItdUnjrYa8ByLWtoUfKxo9cpJ4mEiakKvxEuqhu4xMj_vk9rJyX65Yc_daaOx7i4dNLJc9WObQ7HNuQ/s720/Red-and-Green-LED-110mm-1-of-30-seconds-IMG5804_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Red LED with SA-100 and Rspec Spectral Software (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPWzg5dFfigskJkppU49Ufxa-xNA9yJNfV48JYUbhL9_W_OKhdYkigABFYozjcR_VpTDe1lIUH1pXJ0eSGi_c1WXGTiNpJi8kykHURFmA44tItdUnjrYa8ByLWtoUfKxo9cpJ4mEiakKvxEuqhu4xMj_vk9rJyX65Yc_daaOx7i4dNLJc9WObQ7HNuQ/w640-h240/Red-and-Green-LED-110mm-1-of-30-seconds-IMG5804_web.jpg" title="Red LED with SA-100 and Rspec Spectral Software (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red LED with SA-100 and Rspec Spectral Software (Source: Palmia Observatory)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>So, the weaker 1st order diffraction shows up at about camera pixel location 50 and the main incident light image shows up at about camera pixel 240-300 and the 1st order spectral display starts to show up at about camera pixel location of 450-600.<br /><p><br /></p><p>Next we can adjust the software cursor to do analysis of the green LED. This spectral display is much more peaked than was the red LED.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3LUuwpcZLuIMbTWSx29h1daHLmU5-PZLgv7oAg_iUhxF7Mq-8NCSzU4aqnUJlygT8lluXh1zCbOgttD7CC9Zt6h1o65O3BNdUDOLiUkmnqjAvbLPid3A7uFpu9k5ZdsRtvwA_Ikt2-6WOq8mjgSzyjPKL2g8DmBjQBjhpdXvld4ZmwrBoEH1Q8yxfw/s720/Red-and-Green_Emphasized--LED_IMG5804_110mm_1-of-30-sec_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Green LED with SA-100 and Rspec Spectral Software (Source: Palmia Observatory" border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3LUuwpcZLuIMbTWSx29h1daHLmU5-PZLgv7oAg_iUhxF7Mq-8NCSzU4aqnUJlygT8lluXh1zCbOgttD7CC9Zt6h1o65O3BNdUDOLiUkmnqjAvbLPid3A7uFpu9k5ZdsRtvwA_Ikt2-6WOq8mjgSzyjPKL2g8DmBjQBjhpdXvld4ZmwrBoEH1Q8yxfw/w640-h240/Red-and-Green_Emphasized--LED_IMG5804_110mm_1-of-30-sec_web.jpg" title="Green LED with SA-100 and Rspec Spectral Software (Source: Palmia Observatory" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green LED with SA-100 and Rspec Spectral Software (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Ok with this first test of the SA-100, or at least the first test other than the earlier test that occurred about 5 years ago, it is now time to take the SA-100 and camera on flimsy tripod outside and look at some celestial objects.</p><p>Let's first look at an earlier image of the sun using the SA-100 tool. This is DSLR IMG5798, 300mm, 1/1000 second exposure. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_DnDAzsuOGFTlZZUzIb1cC2AVVU4Al_VTkPDDBccGkSrZA_5c7e9xsakyB7fWEX7VSG-ExhuV0LkPHpIDJhZSu48t40r5siGobeJ_E42bFZbWMu0vYCjBHLnw93Y7jPikV0eN91SBgDbLaTyBDHIyqVXgd3p2ThMOtr1YYio48_1fxft9GLj3ETUQw/s720/Rspec-Analysis-of-Sun-per-IMG5798_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Spectral Image of Sun with SA-100 Grating and Rspec Software (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="720" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_DnDAzsuOGFTlZZUzIb1cC2AVVU4Al_VTkPDDBccGkSrZA_5c7e9xsakyB7fWEX7VSG-ExhuV0LkPHpIDJhZSu48t40r5siGobeJ_E42bFZbWMu0vYCjBHLnw93Y7jPikV0eN91SBgDbLaTyBDHIyqVXgd3p2ThMOtr1YYio48_1fxft9GLj3ETUQw/w640-h224/Rspec-Analysis-of-Sun-per-IMG5798_web.jpg" title="Spectral Image of Sun with SA-100 Grating and Rspec Software (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spectral Image of Sun with SA-100 Grating and Rspec Software (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>This image of the Moon with SA-100 is DSLR IMG5811, 300mm, 1/500 second exposure.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5h2Ezp3BhC359IMtWW_fBiHwDpZDM3Y6kD9KjHzhkx9wfA2ufo-BPytH2dgr2tujPeBWxJpC77me1PAwWH5Tdvu23hYdJvzKbYlxXheZtwa6BtzjMnGsfaF3hF4viReJkplzkSmIDTEY38LpicSmr4g-SPf30ITzvHz6Mtfm50xuAPjfHhzomfMFZRA/s720/Moon-Spectra_IMG5811-Rspec_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Spectral Image of Moon with SA-100 Grating and Rspec Software (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="248" data-original-width="720" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5h2Ezp3BhC359IMtWW_fBiHwDpZDM3Y6kD9KjHzhkx9wfA2ufo-BPytH2dgr2tujPeBWxJpC77me1PAwWH5Tdvu23hYdJvzKbYlxXheZtwa6BtzjMnGsfaF3hF4viReJkplzkSmIDTEY38LpicSmr4g-SPf30ITzvHz6Mtfm50xuAPjfHhzomfMFZRA/w640-h220/Moon-Spectra_IMG5811-Rspec_web.jpg" title="Spectral Image of Moon with SA-100 Grating and Rspec Software (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spectral Image of Moon with SA-100 Grating and Rspec Software (Source: Palmia Observatory)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>This image of Venus with SA-100 is DSLR IMG5808, 110mm, 1/2 second exposure.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZE-V3Wj6xgDSPpfQ2lPf2u75cHRYXYjqM1sYLvlXvdELtrveaeM6b9O1iD2vuUlqxm3wCgenr5NAq_TZNFh2Nf0mLP_oMd5qSC0nrldWRJKEPmIeBgcJxkT5AIoImMvDvz6mJ9z6FFsIao254_IWdeezp3mjOkn5IpREgEAc86xtGklvg64Pxz07kiw/s720/VEnus-spectra_IMG5808-in-RSPEC_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Spectral Image of Venus with SA-100 Grating and Rspec Software (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="720" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZE-V3Wj6xgDSPpfQ2lPf2u75cHRYXYjqM1sYLvlXvdELtrveaeM6b9O1iD2vuUlqxm3wCgenr5NAq_TZNFh2Nf0mLP_oMd5qSC0nrldWRJKEPmIeBgcJxkT5AIoImMvDvz6mJ9z6FFsIao254_IWdeezp3mjOkn5IpREgEAc86xtGklvg64Pxz07kiw/w640-h224/VEnus-spectra_IMG5808-in-RSPEC_web.jpg" title="Spectral Image of Venus with SA-100 Grating and Rspec Software (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spectral Image of Venus with SA-100 Grating and Rspec Software (Source: Palmia Observatory)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Now we are still left with trying to identify the camera pixel location with the wavelength of the incident light. To convert from pixel location to wavelength location we need a standard with which to calibrate the system and measurements. The Rspec recommendation is to use a Type A star which has very well defined Balmer lines. Vega is one such star that is visible in the night sky now.</p><p>This image of Vega is DSLR IMG5813, 300mm, 8 second exposure.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3O89bw2hY4TfeItZZRHJdle9djv0id450_rB72KQKiTxOjYWP_X19svBo1x-BcAWf-0xq7XrewadoUcpZw_1d5nNJGPOzdc0hS0zzrTxZUbFqWI1IWR_ep9QIkUCWp9HdkYI1J_9iyNXw5OJERPMv3cTSdcBSMU3hW-RyLPOjT3wTRXNs7nyJAUZjQ/s720/Vega-Spectra-in-RSPEC_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Spectral Image of Vega with SA-100 Grating and Rspec Software (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="720" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3O89bw2hY4TfeItZZRHJdle9djv0id450_rB72KQKiTxOjYWP_X19svBo1x-BcAWf-0xq7XrewadoUcpZw_1d5nNJGPOzdc0hS0zzrTxZUbFqWI1IWR_ep9QIkUCWp9HdkYI1J_9iyNXw5OJERPMv3cTSdcBSMU3hW-RyLPOjT3wTRXNs7nyJAUZjQ/w640-h224/Vega-Spectra-in-RSPEC_web.jpg" title="Spectral Image of Vega with SA-100 Grating and Rspec Software (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spectral Image of Vega with SA-100 Grating and Rspec Software (Source: Palmia Observatory)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>It is not easy to see much of the spectra or identify any peak. So, until we get a brighter image of a Type A star with a useable spectral image, we will just have to wait to calibrate the previous images and convert them from pixel locations to wavelength locations. We might find that we need to go to a dark sky location to get a good calibration star spectrum. We maybe be able to use laboratory type source of well-defined wavelength to calibrate our camera with SA-100 Star Analyzer. More investigation or patience is needed.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Resident Astronomer George</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">P.S. This blog post is the basis for part 3 of a presentation made at the OCA Astrophysics SIG on Jue 16, 2023.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; 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font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-63103933514442299712023-06-10T08:44:00.002-07:002023-06-16T22:18:15.551-07:00Spectroscopy is a fundamental tool to study the universe; Red Shift; Lyman Forests; Stellar Classification, Type and Color; Balmer lines of Hydrogen; Diffraction Gratings and Measurements<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory</p><p>This week we provide a technical discussion of spectroscopy as one of the fundamental tools of astrophysics and then review how amateurs can use modern diffraction gratings to make wavelength measurements of light from celestial objects.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>Why do we care about and use spectroscopy and use it in our study of astrophysics and cosmology? This screenshot from a NASA site tells us of the type so information we learn from analyzing the spectral light we get from celestial objects.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvNQ_r_rrW9lgCdmFS3JVP1PlgTIN96YbMj6CZW6cX4Lqt8sZDVNWqetrDuyb9JBATpmsvR6RyEpAYPViSfLfQx7DPPJlXCypufgbaVNXMBSBvo_7BDw3NcpSeMtygMrugX-VcC-FAtqYcIA082-j4tzMEqrgiW6BrFEsPCf6iRMBcbX8F-m9KxCDcw/s720/Spec-Introduction_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Spectroscopy is a fundamental tools that tells much about the universe (Source: imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov)" border="0" data-original-height="301" data-original-width="720" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvNQ_r_rrW9lgCdmFS3JVP1PlgTIN96YbMj6CZW6cX4Lqt8sZDVNWqetrDuyb9JBATpmsvR6RyEpAYPViSfLfQx7DPPJlXCypufgbaVNXMBSBvo_7BDw3NcpSeMtygMrugX-VcC-FAtqYcIA082-j4tzMEqrgiW6BrFEsPCf6iRMBcbX8F-m9KxCDcw/w640-h268/Spec-Introduction_web.jpg" title="Spectroscopy is a fundamental tools that tells much about the universe (Source: imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spectroscopy is a fundamental tools that tells much about the universe (Source: imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>One of the most important observations that we make is the redshift of galaxies. This next screenshot shows how the observed spectra, created by supposed quantum mechanics transitions of elements found in the galaxy, are shifted according to the velocity of the observed galaxy. The red shift can be caused by the galactic velocity or because of the expansion of spacetime between us and the observed galaxy. This forms the basis of Hubble's Law.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKq3zO_i9ZsnkTgyePHCrGZEP1HdDx0U4Aql5E_PcMF98IuzwUF-Joah1Bj3qp5muA_bH9rPV05b_eW5AXcTK9cWY3xmWSsxz1rIWjC3938giOzQ0V4s_PvcUGfpGArLUn43x0KTufyVJarSH9DqhKjFp6vca-hukf-vdqYqBhVQOgTOSvH_kW2A7Rw/s983/Galactic-Redshift_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Spectroscopy identifies redshift of distant galaxies (Source: itu.physics.uiowa.edu)" border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="560" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKq3zO_i9ZsnkTgyePHCrGZEP1HdDx0U4Aql5E_PcMF98IuzwUF-Joah1Bj3qp5muA_bH9rPV05b_eW5AXcTK9cWY3xmWSsxz1rIWjC3938giOzQ0V4s_PvcUGfpGArLUn43x0KTufyVJarSH9DqhKjFp6vca-hukf-vdqYqBhVQOgTOSvH_kW2A7Rw/w364-h640/Galactic-Redshift_web.jpg" title="Spectroscopy identifies redshift of distant galaxies (Source: itu.physics.uiowa.edu)" width="364" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spectroscopy identifies redshift of distant galaxies (Source: itu.physics.uiowa.edu)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />The measured redshift for distant galaxies identifies the expansion of the universe. We also use the redshift to identify the velocity of gas and dust in and between galaxies. The doppler shift tells us if the gas is coming towards us or moving away from us. We also can get estimates of the density of the object compared to the previous time.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbK4JKw5CVWpNiX1aXlvAWQUDVxzrmT2yndmUAJNtYqoNx_LlT1ysigNP612XtLqag0U5Ttbw0VRnwSFT6WN4ZDU7VtfdEvNdl-HQ-6ZX4E5iPdigo0kDPztl2lEqvuI7gy3e7t2OI48Fa7wmeKhRg9yB6GrtF5OYH80ZIwrKA2f-5VRbf3tTOzyH5w/s915/Measured-Red-Shifts_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Measured redshift identifies expansion and mass density (Source: hyperphysics-phy-astr.gsu.edu)" border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbK4JKw5CVWpNiX1aXlvAWQUDVxzrmT2yndmUAJNtYqoNx_LlT1ysigNP612XtLqag0U5Ttbw0VRnwSFT6WN4ZDU7VtfdEvNdl-HQ-6ZX4E5iPdigo0kDPztl2lEqvuI7gy3e7t2OI48Fa7wmeKhRg9yB6GrtF5OYH80ZIwrKA2f-5VRbf3tTOzyH5w/w560-h640/Measured-Red-Shifts_web.jpg" title="Measured redshift identifies expansion and mass density (Source: hyperphysics-phy-astr.gsu.edu)" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Measured redshift identifies expansion and mass density (Source: hyperphysics-phy-astr.gsu.edu)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>When we consider the wide variety of stars that we see in the night sky, we recall that plotting all of these stars on the Hertzsprung Russell Diagram we can identify how the stars fall into classes with different characteristics.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QCmAFXHxgFLQSUFyo0tTW6vUF7tlP6KHXkTLO2lKF8uXdZk90oWKK1rMkmkuFvZw__vf4LF3wJgAtRVPAPB3CJzBhm722yMr4JYigdCfMpfiRa6rH5WSwVfNZss2eLkItGDKti0gMVGY5NhOR-DG8v-roVkFCN8ihZc7_pimnsUqHbz60qeC7Al7WQ/s630/Stellar-Classification_wikipedia_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Stellar Classifications (Source: Wikipedia)" border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="630" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QCmAFXHxgFLQSUFyo0tTW6vUF7tlP6KHXkTLO2lKF8uXdZk90oWKK1rMkmkuFvZw__vf4LF3wJgAtRVPAPB3CJzBhm722yMr4JYigdCfMpfiRa6rH5WSwVfNZss2eLkItGDKti0gMVGY5NhOR-DG8v-roVkFCN8ihZc7_pimnsUqHbz60qeC7Al7WQ/w640-h630/Stellar-Classification_wikipedia_web.jpg" title="Stellar Classifications (Source: Wikipedia)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stellar Classifications (Source: Wikipedia)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The spectral types (O, B... M) each correspond to a particular temperature.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNKvx7gKbiZKeqyWgwxiE_lzdlaJoUsBBIO47iSkFAWGWdaLXl_WU57dOHyqD_6gNFADCdDlRf1_HnjlfEVz7tmDr97u-tBcoYGCejWSPjOOjjjLHkeuN7vE76dK-gzwWm7MK8QbD2yQhtg81Vp4LXixFvz9BbDNt_lnfJuUweUMwVByjU4zGLvX-xg/s600/Spectral-Types-and-Color_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Spectral types or color represent temperature (Source: astroprinceton.edu)" border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNKvx7gKbiZKeqyWgwxiE_lzdlaJoUsBBIO47iSkFAWGWdaLXl_WU57dOHyqD_6gNFADCdDlRf1_HnjlfEVz7tmDr97u-tBcoYGCejWSPjOOjjjLHkeuN7vE76dK-gzwWm7MK8QbD2yQhtg81Vp4LXixFvz9BbDNt_lnfJuUweUMwVByjU4zGLvX-xg/w640-h450/Spectral-Types-and-Color_web.jpg" title="Spectral types or color represent temperature (Source: astroprinceton.edu)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spectral types or color represent temperature (Source: astroprinceton.edu)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>In addition to measuring the wavelength we see that the line strength tells use information about how many optical transitions are occurring at the measured wavelength. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3R-ZYgEnlkKP2AEUpetanUiGBtb065s-WnEHXKEYX4YIEfRFaEiY1n90-Db6BrOjUhMI0X467JoZeetk4aKfZcvQ6rCIPld2lXZABwhYzoPN6Ke0wDKMO0irYU7kiE6z4enmN25MxWNLsJKA0_49ZlZZpsFqyusjw9tDKl3kL-1cIT3VTHmjbdL3eVw/s360/Line-Strengths-vs-Temp_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Line Strengths versus temperature for some elements (Source: astro.princeton.edu)" border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="360" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3R-ZYgEnlkKP2AEUpetanUiGBtb065s-WnEHXKEYX4YIEfRFaEiY1n90-Db6BrOjUhMI0X467JoZeetk4aKfZcvQ6rCIPld2lXZABwhYzoPN6Ke0wDKMO0irYU7kiE6z4enmN25MxWNLsJKA0_49ZlZZpsFqyusjw9tDKl3kL-1cIT3VTHmjbdL3eVw/w640-h480/Line-Strengths-vs-Temp_web.jpg" title="Line Strengths versus temperature for some elements (Source: astro.princeton.edu)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Line Strengths versus temperature for some elements (Source: astro.princeton.edu)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>All astronomical observation of spectra is based on the assumption that the quantum mechanical basis of emission and absorption of atoms, like hydrogen, are the same as here observed on Earth and we can rely on this assumption when observing spectra from distant objects and any observed differences are due to the velocity or expansion of space or in some instances the different magnetic fields. In this screenshot we see that the most important transitions for hydrogen are the Balmer series, which occur in the visible spectrum.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxoM3c0yiwZDxRjODl2vKLIGWUodS7OvSVzpKA0BkpOiXO46jtFyeZ-bJcI3_VRDm7MaWRx_uWN04COMO4v3x1ldNvT9W1AjjF6Wo9i71m7mogtoe46Cc49JXBk79IVFcyyn8Ym99tZ0GOuhlp2LP_7kmWYBtRcqe2YehcExkhKdudfoIZu1BQPi5og/s675/Physics-of-Emission_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Physical atoms and emission/absorption lines are discrete (Source: Wikipedia)" border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="675" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxoM3c0yiwZDxRjODl2vKLIGWUodS7OvSVzpKA0BkpOiXO46jtFyeZ-bJcI3_VRDm7MaWRx_uWN04COMO4v3x1ldNvT9W1AjjF6Wo9i71m7mogtoe46Cc49JXBk79IVFcyyn8Ym99tZ0GOuhlp2LP_7kmWYBtRcqe2YehcExkhKdudfoIZu1BQPi5og/w640-h540/Physics-of-Emission_web.jpg" title="Physical atoms and emission/absorption lines are discrete (Source: Wikipedia)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Physical atoms and emission/absorption lines are discrete (Source: Wikipedia)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Most of this blog post will deal with spectroscopy from the Balmer line series of hydrogen and other transitions from elements found in stars, etc., but a very significant tool for measuring the cosmic expansion and monitoring the Interstellar Medium (ISM) comes from the Lyman Alpha transition lines of hydrogen. Of particular importance is the first Lyman line occurring at 121.6 nm. Note how in this screenshot the 121.6 nm line is shown being redshifted to longer wavelengths due to cosmic expansion. Tracking the Alpha Forest is a great tool for exploring the ISM and cosmic expansion. This important topic is not discussed further in this post.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilp-mNv3YRoI5jKBTSplyQelKbWuTklx-5cxhnQxy5OoAVKpWcCWDJW5hkEI9DKaBOmqeK_jkKn7xtD_RBiSjRNEv_-kU13rvItg-B6EiMsh4hwlHdY_-o3yeuj9q5AQolwt8KoVgi4ZZYKRWl6c3nHn_9XDn4gdo9YE7nz5Be_4BWpMsyZaGYUd7dog/s650/Lyman-Alpha-Forest_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lyman Alpha Forest due to cosmic expansion (Source: Wikipedia)" border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="650" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilp-mNv3YRoI5jKBTSplyQelKbWuTklx-5cxhnQxy5OoAVKpWcCWDJW5hkEI9DKaBOmqeK_jkKn7xtD_RBiSjRNEv_-kU13rvItg-B6EiMsh4hwlHdY_-o3yeuj9q5AQolwt8KoVgi4ZZYKRWl6c3nHn_9XDn4gdo9YE7nz5Be_4BWpMsyZaGYUd7dog/w640-h486/Lyman-Alpha-Forest_web.jpg" title="Lyman Alpha Forest due to cosmic expansion (Source: Wikipedia)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lyman Alpha Forest due to cosmic expansion (Source: Wikipedia)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Back in the world of Balmer line observations we see more details available about starts from the observed spectra. Some of the typical spectral lines observed in star are shown in the screenshot below.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB61i8VxAJ2Z7T_g3Wl0hkLQX-4h7ZO8eJuI4rqsNFbTLT3mAoHbQ03zK3bPgIV-_s8eqASfH8z1tE3E03ZdRgmcRKPd5HxuvU6MHVsnJJxrK3Y5z0e84PvvqRLZmhQchETm34g4aMS_BIZegy0VhuTp_iLy24bIxwVdkqSbnAXA6vPe6TDBoOJxchow/s585/Spectral-Classification-of-Stars_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Spectral Classification of Stars and elements present (Source: astro.princeton.edu)" border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="585" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB61i8VxAJ2Z7T_g3Wl0hkLQX-4h7ZO8eJuI4rqsNFbTLT3mAoHbQ03zK3bPgIV-_s8eqASfH8z1tE3E03ZdRgmcRKPd5HxuvU6MHVsnJJxrK3Y5z0e84PvvqRLZmhQchETm34g4aMS_BIZegy0VhuTp_iLy24bIxwVdkqSbnAXA6vPe6TDBoOJxchow/w640-h506/Spectral-Classification-of-Stars_web.jpg" title="Spectral Classification of Stars and elements present (Source: astro.princeton.edu)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spectral Classification of Stars and elements present (Source: astro.princeton.edu)</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The observed spectra of stars is a combination of quantum transitions from deep within the star and how these and other transitions are modified by the cooler outer stellar atmosphere. Note because of many factors, including the random motion of all of the atoms in the stellar atmosphere we see a continuous spectrum in addition to various spectral lines.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXHBHHtWTsOEaKIJDDe9E4qXpp5HIhUh791lukWDqY6qD60egg6lWrmKLq3QhCOyskiY6cxO3gGDqc0RDLEg2jMZaTPN_VT5gC8KyDd1-1iZrwKRxOk3R1dlGrpJVqUDW65IOoivwAhwPZVi1zo5b5f1lFN5BnvTsQ6VX1jvi7uIQ5g3EbkpfDMAkVQ/s585/Balmer-Lines_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Balmer lines of hydrogen show up in the visible region (Source: astro.princeton.edu)" border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="585" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXHBHHtWTsOEaKIJDDe9E4qXpp5HIhUh791lukWDqY6qD60egg6lWrmKLq3QhCOyskiY6cxO3gGDqc0RDLEg2jMZaTPN_VT5gC8KyDd1-1iZrwKRxOk3R1dlGrpJVqUDW65IOoivwAhwPZVi1zo5b5f1lFN5BnvTsQ6VX1jvi7uIQ5g3EbkpfDMAkVQ/w640-h498/Balmer-Lines_web.jpg" title="The Balmer lines of hydrogen show up in the visible region (Source: astro.princeton.edu)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Balmer lines of hydrogen show up in the visible region (Source: astro.princeton.edu)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>So we see that the spectral lines are generated by quantum mechanical transitions at the source and their wavelengths are modified by the velocity and expansion of space between then and now when the lines are observed. For us earthbound observers we need to make sure that the atmosphere is transparent to the wavelengths of concern.</p><p>This screenshot shows the atmosphere being transparent to optical wavelengths and some radio wavelengths but not so much transparent to infrared wavelengths. This is why satellite observatories are more appropriate for many wavelengths. Luckily, a lot of amateur spectroscopy is done in the visible wavelengths.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHy-OTuwIR2oTJoRZvXXZCKhzowjavJtdrB4AwECQqhIwK2V5Lm5xCeLATV3r7r6P9uxY_WHdTeOg8oA8v8Xkjxg6ky4Vj7THyhpuj_ahSp3pVDcZfWKTuazQ4BBCpVTxdhhuj3SgXV64Sn4Ko8rYs4t3VKkeaxryPjw8E09LFbdHaJoko0rnKNV5bdg/s700/Atmospheric-Window_ipac_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The opacity of the Earth's atmosphere limits observations (Source: ipac, icc.dur.ac.uk)" border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="700" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHy-OTuwIR2oTJoRZvXXZCKhzowjavJtdrB4AwECQqhIwK2V5Lm5xCeLATV3r7r6P9uxY_WHdTeOg8oA8v8Xkjxg6ky4Vj7THyhpuj_ahSp3pVDcZfWKTuazQ4BBCpVTxdhhuj3SgXV64Sn4Ko8rYs4t3VKkeaxryPjw8E09LFbdHaJoko0rnKNV5bdg/w640-h402/Atmospheric-Window_ipac_web.jpg" title="The opacity of the Earth's atmosphere limits observations (Source: ipac, icc.dur.ac.uk)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The opacity of the Earth's atmosphere limits observations (Source: ipac, icc.dur.ac.uk)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Ground based survey telescopes like the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) located in Apache Point, NM, can take up to 640 individual spectra of galaxies in each sky location that it is pointing at. This used aluminum disk was used once for the sky location and then ultimately the disk, one of hundreds, was given away to interested attendees at an AAS meeting. A separate fiber optic cable would be placed in each hole and connected to the multi-inputs of the spectrometer.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWM8Uysresj40fyeNKs35_fIJhMzZroXrVxKX50k8PaX0KQlSZ6p6449ppZuETUvv3-HzUvNPjpBXEdk1a9iElcbOrdTTeuctz4Z0Q3-dYDMfJyaatTSWLgIdvEJHJFwZCFCyuG3KfxKJfWmneTLFEyTGINUC495hR78BtqyTSzoldEgcbK5KsfaeFg/s600/SDSS-Disk_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sloan Digital Sky Survey disks enable 640 spectra simultaneously (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWM8Uysresj40fyeNKs35_fIJhMzZroXrVxKX50k8PaX0KQlSZ6p6449ppZuETUvv3-HzUvNPjpBXEdk1a9iElcbOrdTTeuctz4Z0Q3-dYDMfJyaatTSWLgIdvEJHJFwZCFCyuG3KfxKJfWmneTLFEyTGINUC495hR78BtqyTSzoldEgcbK5KsfaeFg/w640-h480/SDSS-Disk_web.jpg" title="Sloan Digital Sky Survey disks enable 640 spectra simultaneously (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sloan Digital Sky Survey disks enable 640 spectra simultaneously (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Resident Astronomer George visited the SSDS observatory in Apache Junction, NM, way back in October 2019 as part of a group tour sponsored by the AAVSO. You can check out the details of that visit at the blog post: http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/2019/10/aavso-108th-meeting-concluded-hooray.html</p><p>The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) can also collect the spectra from 100 different individual objects at the same time. The JWST is also in space and not subject to the transparency or opacity of the atmosphere.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlW1rwPs6sdcBBkV96RyathcsVxBae4TD6zvcFBpxyG3cXzIng2PXpabk8HoMCO8vVS2pyPdrIcTORA_vnPRnRnywPFRKclSap3CW6i8pGogyZtIpA_-it_b0jEWw6Kgn3NiSXyPDjYihBGBjhCJ966g6BC0LHYDMOPE6A2WWgknqKM0PiJvZ7FKU56w/s750/JWST-and-Spectra_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The JWST is designed for observing spectra in the infrared (Source: www.webbtelescope.org)" border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="750" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlW1rwPs6sdcBBkV96RyathcsVxBae4TD6zvcFBpxyG3cXzIng2PXpabk8HoMCO8vVS2pyPdrIcTORA_vnPRnRnywPFRKclSap3CW6i8pGogyZtIpA_-it_b0jEWw6Kgn3NiSXyPDjYihBGBjhCJ966g6BC0LHYDMOPE6A2WWgknqKM0PiJvZ7FKU56w/w640-h474/JWST-and-Spectra_web.jpg" title="The JWST is designed for observing spectra in the infrared (Source: www.webbtelescope.org)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The JWST is designed for observing spectra in the infrared (Source: www.webbtelescope.org)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The spectrograph uses prisms or gratings to separate the incoming light according to the wavelength. High quality spectrographs often use a slit in the optical path to control and limit the source of light entering the spectrograph. Spectrographs with optical slits must be correctly positioned to keep the object aligned with the slit.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJAwDSlWhzLfTNWktZoEczh8hBJayvM9Xh-3p3xORfZ-6-lawRSUTSeF6xyHw1JPQ81rLa0uVeW1T_iw5I5Z8vE2Rfumc8zcBH3E45rBcG29fIzhifF1CseDkSAM-zQjBwqbx1gO03245vYYwnD8IJq5kXb6vaPo0ua7j6HRdEb8JHSi0XGOhUGtgBw/s560/Spectrographs_edmundoptics_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Conceptual configurations of spectrographs (Source: edmondoptics.com)" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="560" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJAwDSlWhzLfTNWktZoEczh8hBJayvM9Xh-3p3xORfZ-6-lawRSUTSeF6xyHw1JPQ81rLa0uVeW1T_iw5I5Z8vE2Rfumc8zcBH3E45rBcG29fIzhifF1CseDkSAM-zQjBwqbx1gO03245vYYwnD8IJq5kXb6vaPo0ua7j6HRdEb8JHSi0XGOhUGtgBw/w640-h610/Spectrographs_edmundoptics_web.jpg" title="Conceptual configurations of spectrographs (Source: edmondoptics.com)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conceptual configurations of spectrographs (Source: edmondoptics.com)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Amateur spectroscopy trying to use a slit base spectrometer must have careful telescope alignment and tracking and even guiding to keep the object aligned with the slit. Regardless of whether the spectrometer has a slit or is "slitless" the diffraction grating is used to separate the incoming light according to wavelength. In the screenshot below we see that the incoming white light is reflected and shows up in various locations identified by the order of reflection. The "0 Order" is just the reflection of the original incident light without any separation by wavelength. The "1st Order" is where we start to see separation by wavelength.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9FQT-mx7wCXEq-MJ8QysF6dwB94azTr4kdb6ER6V47MOlc9vqjIeoxZ69Y4QZvAGYvec_wAlrx7JbCajagbTjimTEFL2N-RVIPJTQ-vp1NfLjtQiYyDLOI1JP-Ou1IQDbsDMjTWc0wRPeLunyv1MNbzJva3cQze_p1c72qHVoaGzJhzCv9m7u2Flew/s630/More-on-orders_edmandoptics_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Diffraction gratings spread the light into "0 order and more (Source: edmondoptics.com)" border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="630" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9FQT-mx7wCXEq-MJ8QysF6dwB94azTr4kdb6ER6V47MOlc9vqjIeoxZ69Y4QZvAGYvec_wAlrx7JbCajagbTjimTEFL2N-RVIPJTQ-vp1NfLjtQiYyDLOI1JP-Ou1IQDbsDMjTWc0wRPeLunyv1MNbzJva3cQze_p1c72qHVoaGzJhzCv9m7u2Flew/w640-h536/More-on-orders_edmandoptics_web.jpg" title="Diffraction gratings spread the light into "0 order and more (Source: edmondoptics.com)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diffraction gratings spread the light into "0 order and more (Source: edmondoptics.com)</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Using the laws of optical diffraction shows how the various orders are arranged.</div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5AIkbaOqqY4v5M4OBnl4TeU3W-G2Wn3QPDh8xodUzd7r4rckUyTrtrdwsKrwHhh-GBb_tb6T2smPwh4uG46kBheO2ffvgLovUeR6QKC4FdGEB1LGEYuZ-Q8l4m7xQcYTjD8DG7_Uvc0-i0xSZtPEgwI57v6h15-E1q07zhpLkEHGbv6JAEiD26ky2g/s700/Spectral-Orders_brainkartcom_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Diffraction and wavelength and grating order (Source: www.brainkart.com)" border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="700" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5AIkbaOqqY4v5M4OBnl4TeU3W-G2Wn3QPDh8xodUzd7r4rckUyTrtrdwsKrwHhh-GBb_tb6T2smPwh4uG46kBheO2ffvgLovUeR6QKC4FdGEB1LGEYuZ-Q8l4m7xQcYTjD8DG7_Uvc0-i0xSZtPEgwI57v6h15-E1q07zhpLkEHGbv6JAEiD26ky2g/w640-h440/Spectral-Orders_brainkartcom_web.jpg" title="Diffraction and wavelength and grating order (Source: www.brainkart.com)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diffraction and wavelength and grating order (Source: www.brainkart.com)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>In our next blog posting we will look at some actual spectral images taken with the SA-100 diffraction grating tool and see how we use diffraction theory to identify the wavelength and intensity of the light.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Resident Astronomer George</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; 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This blog post is the basis for part 2 of a presentation made at the OCA Astrophysics SIG on Jue 16, 2023.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; 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font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p></div>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-66089427638024810682023-05-24T13:30:00.004-07:002023-06-16T22:17:50.129-07:00Looking again at using SA-100 diffraction grating and DSLR for stellar spectroscopy demonstration; when the clouds go away, find a Type A star for calibration<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory</p><p>Well this week we are revisiting some spectroscopy work done way back in January 2018 for the purpose of preparing a presentation at the OCA Astrophysics SIG.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>For the more technical part of the presentation check out the blog post of June 10 (Edited 6/10/23) for those details.</p><p>Initially, we procured a SA-100 Star Analyzer, which is a diffraction grating in 1.25 inch filter format and can be installed in a telescope filter wheel or installed on a DSLR with a threaded adapter. The details of that early work are found in the five years ago January 2018 blog post at: http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/2018/01/wakefield-technology-offers-1000-times.html</p><p>We elected to use the SA-100 instead of the more capable Shelyak LISA spectrometer because that spectrophotometer requires a lot of telescope mount setup with alignment and guiding capability, which was considered too difficult for a demonstration at the Astrophysics SIG. The LISA spectrophotometer is shown in the photo below for reference. The LISA fits into a 2 inch telescope tube barrel and has two CCD cameras; one for imaging and one for guiding to keep the celestial object fixed on the spectrometer slit.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtYquoK4RRqRakaQJsKgBax2tKCePiWFfjQdNd2lcUhIiRwrtB9GgzPlQCz6uc75PcDl0_W6t4XmFOUtlFK2BDnfFJsOzzOg5SvbyOk7B2XdkY-VHRdNLYOEgLWO4f2LHbHqK163ToSwcWJq2OIYJwaXzvLG4lXCXxMb3XMve-2kng-AN0ND_0CvLpg/s379/LISA_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Shelyak LISA Spectrophotometer (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtYquoK4RRqRakaQJsKgBax2tKCePiWFfjQdNd2lcUhIiRwrtB9GgzPlQCz6uc75PcDl0_W6t4XmFOUtlFK2BDnfFJsOzzOg5SvbyOk7B2XdkY-VHRdNLYOEgLWO4f2LHbHqK163ToSwcWJq2OIYJwaXzvLG4lXCXxMb3XMve-2kng-AN0ND_0CvLpg/w608-h640/LISA_web.jpg" title="Shelyak LISA Spectrophotometer (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="608" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelyak LISA Spectrophotometer (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The SA-100 diffraction grating is available from Tom Field at Rspec-astro with details as shown at their website: https://www.rspec-astro.com/</p><p>In this photo we see the SA-100 and threaded adaptor mounted on a DSLR.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bfgKQkdfBHMmXksoz7dAnkf5qm0M1h8_SZUIhQGxXBdwbn4R8zjmqNjhwuiWjwPK5Z9tcz8ZORDm58IOVR10zdMuv6czdpp0ofeJaRgNaKj5_reCsq9jIAyfO2NXqvVm3brpwG64D5C_hAYrIGxCDJrKUp51WyR05Bx9GmtYcH-xIGtVrTvgAknENA/s483/SA-100-on-DSLR_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mounting SA-100 Star Analyzer on DSLR (Source: rspec-astro.com)" border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bfgKQkdfBHMmXksoz7dAnkf5qm0M1h8_SZUIhQGxXBdwbn4R8zjmqNjhwuiWjwPK5Z9tcz8ZORDm58IOVR10zdMuv6czdpp0ofeJaRgNaKj5_reCsq9jIAyfO2NXqvVm3brpwG64D5C_hAYrIGxCDJrKUp51WyR05Bx9GmtYcH-xIGtVrTvgAknENA/w596-h640/SA-100-on-DSLR_web.jpg" title="Mounting SA-100 Star Analyzer on DSLR (Source: rspec-astro.com)" width="596" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mounting SA-100 Star Analyzer on DSLR (Source: rspec-astro.com)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>For our first attempt let's go outside and take a look at the sun and get its spectra as well. Here we see the SA-100 mounted on a DSLR and the flimsy tripod with neutral density solar filter. The cardboard tube holds the solar filter fixed while still allowing some adjust of the focus wheel and positioning the SA-100 so the spectra is aligned horizontally in the camera image. We get the Resident Astronomer's shadow as an additional feature in the photo.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUH6hcrArOJS6_uze7wYbvw_kE4kOuJ8g_3t1Owk0SZw5FNhPqR94e4Eko3JC9QNPvYywnuOPNzAYYCwjGXdCJWPwil2YchoVovJ80q8w8gxn7r1IoKzf3geR0HGf6OrcNiaY8Z4Bs8Rj9myROA_fmWWA46x1jjOyLdREFTtF_cX1MmoouVZjGd65Z_w/s441/Solar-Filter-with-SA-100-and-Shadow_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Going outside with SA-100 with solar filter on DSLR (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="324" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUH6hcrArOJS6_uze7wYbvw_kE4kOuJ8g_3t1Owk0SZw5FNhPqR94e4Eko3JC9QNPvYywnuOPNzAYYCwjGXdCJWPwil2YchoVovJ80q8w8gxn7r1IoKzf3geR0HGf6OrcNiaY8Z4Bs8Rj9myROA_fmWWA46x1jjOyLdREFTtF_cX1MmoouVZjGd65Z_w/w470-h640/Solar-Filter-with-SA-100-and-Shadow_web.jpg" title="Going outside with SA-100 with solar filter on DSLR (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="470" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going outside with SA-100 with solar filter on DSLR (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>This first solar image is taken without the SA-100 in place and we can see right away that there is at least one big sunspot on the sun today.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXJE_0ZCv3rR5a3Xg3PwwWYbceBeV7d_89LfEa-k7CTbU4xn22VoTjpK7w8FDnNQzEJ8BbuHh8HQFEgZB6FALOLLZ5-LN2INOz7muqazcWQAqqh9wCRUOBSqwF18DSzqltF6zvlXVVi7LTGetbXY5_TkUpQja1cMPOmjMM90s5HTe47h5Vm89_gOYHw/s1500/Sun-with-spot_IMG5795_300mm_1-of-4000-sec_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Solar image, with sunspot, 300mm DSLR, 1/4000 second (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1500" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXJE_0ZCv3rR5a3Xg3PwwWYbceBeV7d_89LfEa-k7CTbU4xn22VoTjpK7w8FDnNQzEJ8BbuHh8HQFEgZB6FALOLLZ5-LN2INOz7muqazcWQAqqh9wCRUOBSqwF18DSzqltF6zvlXVVi7LTGetbXY5_TkUpQja1cMPOmjMM90s5HTe47h5Vm89_gOYHw/w640-h512/Sun-with-spot_IMG5795_300mm_1-of-4000-sec_web.jpg" title="Solar image, with sunspot, 300mm DSLR, 1/4000 second (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solar image, with sunspot, 300mm DSLR, 1/4000 second (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Now with solar filter still in place and the SA-100 re-installed we collect our first spectra since our first attempt back in 2018. So this is our first hint as to how the spectra of objects will be displayed. The spectra is arranged with the shorter wavelength light at the left "blue" edge and the longer wavelength light at the "red" right edge.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZLep6f7s1vpreCzQ42o9oLTxbkEf6dn7Nr4PpmLDGWpuV3RyH0vzTzCSq10x-KW99VJwZFdOy3f7fB7zLV2-TdMvthsS-GbfizNRio9T52i2bMok-WsqyPzfNUdo6FVH6YEqwu2td2cSVqnafCvLemLZQUw-F6pBId9M0QadnfCxrPOKEDHKgX-O8A/s1500/Sun-with-SA-100_IMG5798_300mm_1-of-1000_web-sec.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Solar image with SA-1000, 300mm DSLR, 1/1000 sec (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="1500" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZLep6f7s1vpreCzQ42o9oLTxbkEf6dn7Nr4PpmLDGWpuV3RyH0vzTzCSq10x-KW99VJwZFdOy3f7fB7zLV2-TdMvthsS-GbfizNRio9T52i2bMok-WsqyPzfNUdo6FVH6YEqwu2td2cSVqnafCvLemLZQUw-F6pBId9M0QadnfCxrPOKEDHKgX-O8A/w640-h250/Sun-with-SA-100_IMG5798_300mm_1-of-1000_web-sec.jpg" title="Solar image with SA-1000, 300mm DSLR, 1/1000 sec (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solar image with SA-1000, 300mm DSLR, 1/1000 sec (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Just for fun we setup the SA-100 and DSLR in a darkened area and took images of some visible LED lights. The green light, a LED behind a diffusing lens, was on a Tesla wall charger and the red light was made from a red light flashlight with a covering with just a small pinhole.</p><p>The 1/30 second exposure time is long enough that we can see some reflections from other objects in the room and light that leaks out and around the red flashlight. We also can see the normally dimmer spectra image on the left hand side of the image. The diffraction grating design normally shows the brighter spectral image to the right and the much dimmer spectral image on the left. These two versions are called the "order of the spectra." In the future we will use shorter exposure settings so that the primary, brighter order only shows up on the right side of the image.</p><p>We also note that the red light spectra does indeed show up more towards the right side than does the shorter wavelength green light.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfO9Dp3G_cdnIw24e7Yaw9QDUr5rukytaxUYrazKmScx9IG9b_-GlNsyFJiRIrMQOI5OHSzXuYYKysMYlvWuq1zTxSho8JVo6LlPSk7ur-d2vJe4n8ZEZGLGvD6Hf_SDixVoIyxBv34N-xAyw09KsOZyjjvYY2r41C75DCDcquonecUCjydcoMF4aJOg/s1200/Red-and-Green-LED_IMG5804_110mm_1-of-30-sec_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Red and Green LEDs as seen with SA-100, DSLR, 110mm, 1/30 sec (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfO9Dp3G_cdnIw24e7Yaw9QDUr5rukytaxUYrazKmScx9IG9b_-GlNsyFJiRIrMQOI5OHSzXuYYKysMYlvWuq1zTxSho8JVo6LlPSk7ur-d2vJe4n8ZEZGLGvD6Hf_SDixVoIyxBv34N-xAyw09KsOZyjjvYY2r41C75DCDcquonecUCjydcoMF4aJOg/w640-h426/Red-and-Green-LED_IMG5804_110mm_1-of-30-sec_web.jpg" title="Red and Green LEDs as seen with SA-100, DSLR, 110mm, 1/30 sec (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red and Green LEDs as seen with SA-100, DSLR, 110mm, 1/30 sec (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Ok, so now maybe we are ready to continue gathering some stellar test images for spectroscopic analysis. One of the first things we need to do is calibrate our spectral images so that we can convert pixel location to an estimate of the wavelength of the light. See the screenshot below taken from the getting started manual which can be found at: https://www.rspec-astro.com/download/Getting%20Started%20in%20Astronomical%20Spectroscopy%20using%20RSpec.pdf</p><p>A good calibration star is one with mainly hydrogen spectral lines. We will search for a good Type A star like Sirius or Vega when the clouds go away.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWa5t0znXBjyHXCPxmYceiNSC_QY9Cw3lSzLZmr8VDCuU1t9vvWLWEMEWPfWmAO10fEClH3rFBPLHoNsAHetPcNidZsh5-TSucK6xKFdRpIV37hzvlpI5G_5zOd_VmD25v42lAlirrK6zr9S5Ktt3bk_cduWfEiVwTEBAoe13NbqOyvKL6dqEwHL9wjA/s500/Calibrate-with-Type-A-star_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Turn pixel locations to wavelengths using Type A star for calibration (Source: www.rspec-astro.com)" border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="500" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWa5t0znXBjyHXCPxmYceiNSC_QY9Cw3lSzLZmr8VDCuU1t9vvWLWEMEWPfWmAO10fEClH3rFBPLHoNsAHetPcNidZsh5-TSucK6xKFdRpIV37hzvlpI5G_5zOd_VmD25v42lAlirrK6zr9S5Ktt3bk_cduWfEiVwTEBAoe13NbqOyvKL6dqEwHL9wjA/w640-h564/Calibrate-with-Type-A-star_web.jpg" title="Turn pixel locations to wavelengths using Type A star for calibration (Source: www.rspec-astro.com)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turn pixel locations to wavelengths using Type A star for calibration (Source: www.rspec-astro.com)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Now it is not obvious how convert this spectrum into a calibrated image which converts pixels to wavelengths. Rspec-astro tutorials show how this is done as illustrated in this next screenshot. Line spectra for hydrogen Balmer lines are superimposed on the image and we see that they coincide directly with dips in the observed spectra. This allows the direct assignment of pixel locations to known wavelengths.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPt2p98KWaEzdCWY2vpFPzvnDpdpUt-oB1HJuxcCvO1Bktx5xjJ3y-NWWuHUIQl0QxygfkFa068s20nY6f6HaUtfXTOrjc6YQuLYrZaM07km9gHiVNm6YqbxwZpdZInMQw4arUpSjWPfzysxHQ-QHb4OqHj61H7vxsLqF5Be7LLmwi6Xl3oQS-AGFRxg/s800/Vega-Spectrum-Example_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Using dips in the observed spectra to identify spectral lines (Source: www.rspec-astro.com)" border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="800" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPt2p98KWaEzdCWY2vpFPzvnDpdpUt-oB1HJuxcCvO1Bktx5xjJ3y-NWWuHUIQl0QxygfkFa068s20nY6f6HaUtfXTOrjc6YQuLYrZaM07km9gHiVNm6YqbxwZpdZInMQw4arUpSjWPfzysxHQ-QHb4OqHj61H7vxsLqF5Be7LLmwi6Xl3oQS-AGFRxg/w640-h444/Vega-Spectrum-Example_web.jpg" title="Using dips in the observed spectra to identify spectral lines (Source: www.rspec-astro.com)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using dips in the observed spectra to identify spectral lines (Source: www.rspec-astro.com)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><p>But until the clouds go away, we will not be seeing Vega or any stars this week.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Resident Astronomer George</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">P.S. This blog post is the basis for part 1 of a presentation made at the OCA Astrophysics SIG on Jue 16, 2023.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; 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font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-84816890928561649702023-05-19T10:09:00.001-07:002023-05-19T12:48:28.525-07:00Starship launch video shows rubber rocket effect; Digital image distortion effects with rolling shutter vs. global shutter technology<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory</p><p>We watched the first orbital launch attempt of the SpaceX Starship online. It didn't make it to orbit, but that story is told elsewhere. Here we want to discuss the optical illusion displayed in the launch videos where the rocket seemed to be made of rubber and was wildly bending in all sorts of directions.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>The rubber rocket illusion is not seen this still image taken from one of the videos. But what causes this often observed effect when watching the whole video?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq51yDfi6V5-WSHAgojEWdcFQhtKIqXIOuh1Tio7aAbe8giVFnAvFJFfdMgtCJDR2I0_YlDaLrsI1ihmLKlVBJ8sV9sw-zVRPEul4Ruvf4KSivpWEpw-Bm0y3YRpMlAkphKrSs-Py0HSdUliyBD9l_Ko44tt4mqZKfqe8DyKKEhlE4J1H8GY3BIUmMjA/s800/Rubber-Rocket_WAI_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Booster 7, Starship 24 launch on April 20 (Source: WAI)" border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="800" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq51yDfi6V5-WSHAgojEWdcFQhtKIqXIOuh1Tio7aAbe8giVFnAvFJFfdMgtCJDR2I0_YlDaLrsI1ihmLKlVBJ8sV9sw-zVRPEul4Ruvf4KSivpWEpw-Bm0y3YRpMlAkphKrSs-Py0HSdUliyBD9l_Ko44tt4mqZKfqe8DyKKEhlE4J1H8GY3BIUmMjA/w640-h368/Rubber-Rocket_WAI_web.jpg" title="Booster 7, Starship 24 launch on April 20 (Source: WAI)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Booster 7, Starship 24 launch on April 20 (Source: WAI)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>This effect reminds me of another observed effect when the light from the photographed object passes through heavy turbulence in the air. Check out this awesome photo showing a Falcon 9 launch where the perspective shows the rocket passing in front of the moon. Notice how the bottom edge of moon is quite distorted with little fingers appearing in the image, while the top of lunar image shows no ill effects of any distortion. This effect is likely to be caused by the air density fluctuations in the line of sight between moon and the camera due to the rocket exhaust plume.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCyNBs9D63Bi5yQ1e7R_5jhdopfG5iDVdDMunLqKZ1AOi3BsTYc5anieLxr4nqc3wcVllOsbT_1Uqg7xbcendiWf48Ukk-g2f-s2j4BLr1a3Zy0Ioic5PUiYJSjJcNgWEozWlrXVGuKzC5wSna4XL7j_tmByJLb62OWoZFyVuomS2sWEpTxX7wLJOKw/s750/Falcon-9-and-Moon-Shutter_Oct11_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Falcon 9 launch with full moon in the background (Source: Trevor Mahlmann)" border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="750" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCyNBs9D63Bi5yQ1e7R_5jhdopfG5iDVdDMunLqKZ1AOi3BsTYc5anieLxr4nqc3wcVllOsbT_1Uqg7xbcendiWf48Ukk-g2f-s2j4BLr1a3Zy0Ioic5PUiYJSjJcNgWEozWlrXVGuKzC5wSna4XL7j_tmByJLb62OWoZFyVuomS2sWEpTxX7wLJOKw/w640-h440/Falcon-9-and-Moon-Shutter_Oct11_web.jpg" title="Falcon 9 launch with full moon in the background (Source: Trevor Mahlmann)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Falcon 9 launch with full moon in the background (Source: Trevor Mahlmann)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Both of these illusions could be caused by the same type of distortion called "rolling shutter effect." Check out the two versions of the rotating airplane propeller in the photo below. The image on the left shows the rotating propeller with little distortion, but the right hand view shows a wildly distorted view of the airplane propeller.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwX0HCcIn5IvNHc82AKFGRskfQVtk-XYzqOhEdSEwPyNnXr-6tQb9SaWuauH_N-SI1f2tSRY4fffXb_zJO0196CcKxHcwPdM0G4tkxpTRTeFIGx83id7a_8fQMGleouewLGem4xFOFtjIXORWfKPShwLsKDTS50gS3ujUYyIK0qWacpjlQKBk1bQnFpQ/s750/Airplane-Propeller_StudioBinder_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Airplane propeller rolling shutter distortion example (Source: Studiobinder.com)" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="750" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwX0HCcIn5IvNHc82AKFGRskfQVtk-XYzqOhEdSEwPyNnXr-6tQb9SaWuauH_N-SI1f2tSRY4fffXb_zJO0196CcKxHcwPdM0G4tkxpTRTeFIGx83id7a_8fQMGleouewLGem4xFOFtjIXORWfKPShwLsKDTS50gS3ujUYyIK0qWacpjlQKBk1bQnFpQ/w640-h358/Airplane-Propeller_StudioBinder_web.jpg" title="Airplane propeller rolling shutter distortion example (Source: Studiobinder.com)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Airplane propeller rolling shutter distortion example (Source: Studiobinder.com)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Here is one more example with a front view of a rotating airplane propeller.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VxM1AxkEQudzDoBfkmZLA18btw-VnAC4Hy3YZPK-i9m9iGPeJZisQxnmxoYwuVnIoVJ4qquOpXlGJF-M9dvNnJ31J3eMbABv6OFkCDcfC6bQFHIuHR_ahN5Fjsqv8zcio38xq_9tDlHs9OJPF-hE_AVeea00mIyAajKApspNo6rbgEMck0nqHsApMg/s630/Airplane-Propeller-2_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Airplane propeller rolling shutter distortion example (Source: Studiobinder.com)" border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="630" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VxM1AxkEQudzDoBfkmZLA18btw-VnAC4Hy3YZPK-i9m9iGPeJZisQxnmxoYwuVnIoVJ4qquOpXlGJF-M9dvNnJ31J3eMbABv6OFkCDcfC6bQFHIuHR_ahN5Fjsqv8zcio38xq_9tDlHs9OJPF-hE_AVeea00mIyAajKApspNo6rbgEMck0nqHsApMg/w640-h350/Airplane-Propeller-2_web.jpg" title="Airplane propeller rolling shutter distortion example (Source: Studiobinder.com)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Airplane propeller rolling shutter distortion example (Source: Studiobinder.com)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>This example of rolling shutter distortion of vibrating guitar strings is really interesting too.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGUcGkYF5AngS07fG8SiY6cRlBd1Et486zggL6xgkLX-5Q3c98za0l4vJUKfUx2ego9b2UGZ8geeth29Rm9QLOY0RqSFLeaLp4YGP8-vdcgvh_vmP7tXPRn8YWZcG3ckSNrA6zU7Fwrw7YA8iMVMuvmNiKloL7ODEXTMUpa8xSWv25yq_i_Xw-hRC-Q/s675/Guitar-Strings_Studio-Binder_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Rolling shutter distortion seen in photo of vibrating guitar strings (Source: StudioBinder.com)" border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="675" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGUcGkYF5AngS07fG8SiY6cRlBd1Et486zggL6xgkLX-5Q3c98za0l4vJUKfUx2ego9b2UGZ8geeth29Rm9QLOY0RqSFLeaLp4YGP8-vdcgvh_vmP7tXPRn8YWZcG3ckSNrA6zU7Fwrw7YA8iMVMuvmNiKloL7ODEXTMUpa8xSWv25yq_i_Xw-hRC-Q/w640-h452/Guitar-Strings_Studio-Binder_web.jpg" title="Rolling shutter distortion seen in photo of vibrating guitar strings (Source: StudioBinder.com)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling shutter distortion seen in photo of vibrating guitar strings (Source: StudioBinder.com)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>This next example from a Quora article on rolling shutter distortion is really interesting. It shows an image of a girl moving excitedly moving and how her reflection in the mirror is quite different. The rolling shutter effect here seems to have the rolling shutter moving horizontally to the camera frame. This is sort of like low speed special relativity effects of non-simultaneity. Neat!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwUZJlJ2WYm8LKrCbtPj4ZXOaqfUGoE1XL5h-GtVzlsgeMDuicxb24FzN9TMIOybm4nmUZVf7-JSOgwHQfzAwC_q73BYmYn2Gka6MoCdaia2YA9La7oixkmLGniIAaQgn-FqGNLx3Owxw5gVzNpKfgZZbKv0otM_2otpCOWd2xAXzuaNWGvwVcIVJhg/s759/Image-in-Mirror_Quora_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Rolling shutter effects reflection and subject differences (Source: Massimo on Twitter)" border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="675" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwUZJlJ2WYm8LKrCbtPj4ZXOaqfUGoE1XL5h-GtVzlsgeMDuicxb24FzN9TMIOybm4nmUZVf7-JSOgwHQfzAwC_q73BYmYn2Gka6MoCdaia2YA9La7oixkmLGniIAaQgn-FqGNLx3Owxw5gVzNpKfgZZbKv0otM_2otpCOWd2xAXzuaNWGvwVcIVJhg/w570-h640/Image-in-Mirror_Quora_web.jpg" title="Rolling shutter effects reflection and subject differences (Source: Massimo on Twitter)" width="570" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling shutter effects reflection and subject differences (Source: Massimo on Twitter)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>So what is going on in the camera sensor to account for some of these strange effects? In the following diagram, we see representations of a camera sensor, with a 5 x 5 pixel array. Cameras using a global shutter design will expose all pixels at the same time and then change some voltage gate or bias signal so that whatever happens next in front of the camera no pixels are changed until after all pixels have been read out and stored. In the rolling shutter camera design, one segment of the camera array, in this case just one line of 5 pixels is exposed and then read out immediately. Then the next line of pixels is exposed and then again read out immediately. In this case if something has changed in front of the camera then the remaining unexposed and unread pixels can reflect that change.</p><p>So, if the camera is operating in video mode at 30 frames per second, the actual image captured at the bottom of the frame is actually 1/30 second behind what was captured at the top of the frame.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdYPvbL8HnGxO5bwbc4upDIW07yhEdGY8lDBNMWVMFiAYlIgerchZpuzVwGwo2BlboWrErprLFPrnHbWgPvZMZhpi9IxeCOl4w69VLAxJMXY1hDowYTX3gSTjzD-UNTE2M_fcY6Ix-Ao01fZBtV98q6EQaXJ1uGxcUL_hxvaNyraMrvOJ_f-AjAjO4Q/s720/Rolling-Shutter-Camera_L-Puzzo_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Conceptual pixel readout for both rolling shutter and global shutter (Source: L Puzzo, 1/25/2011)" border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="720" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdYPvbL8HnGxO5bwbc4upDIW07yhEdGY8lDBNMWVMFiAYlIgerchZpuzVwGwo2BlboWrErprLFPrnHbWgPvZMZhpi9IxeCOl4w69VLAxJMXY1hDowYTX3gSTjzD-UNTE2M_fcY6Ix-Ao01fZBtV98q6EQaXJ1uGxcUL_hxvaNyraMrvOJ_f-AjAjO4Q/w640-h260/Rolling-Shutter-Camera_L-Puzzo_web.jpg" title="Conceptual pixel readout for both rolling shutter and global shutter (Source: L Puzzo, 1/25/2011)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conceptual pixel readout for both rolling shutter and global shutter (Source: L Puzzo, 1/25/2011)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>For me details about rolling shutter operation check out the rest of the article a: https://www.mosaic51.com/technology/rolling-vs-global-shutter-camera-effects-explained/</p><p>So, in conclusion we see that astronomical photography with DSLR or other CCD cameras with real mechanical shutters can take very long exposures and not suffer the kind of distortion we have seen here. But if the astronomical exposure time is long enough and the camera is not on a tracking mount, we can suffer from streaking and other distortion effects due to the motion of the Earth.</p><p>Now, I had every intention of conducting my own investigation of rolling shutter effects, so after putting on my propeller hat, I tried taking some iPhone videos, but mostly just got some blurring images and couldn't get any interesting examples. But, hey, I put my own body on the line for a scientific study, so I'm tired and guess now I deserve a martini!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_P4C4qitpZoIHx4E7pYPsxkEZ6IIZUHoA342NUSFuP70iBxKjutFDm-QoiaUcfGwqgmOeFkNfCqyZArM1o4YmtogLIwAxGCiNeG-mRrnRqBhzPbbgVBj5VmzAE_dQQ6B6hoOgRrx97QMjiCvhz2nTNWi98kLaYFSryVICsAHNm9Yr7Yw6HFpM-mjVA/s430/Physicist-Wannabe-with-Propeller-Heat_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Resident Astronomer George prepares for some personal propeller effects (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_P4C4qitpZoIHx4E7pYPsxkEZ6IIZUHoA342NUSFuP70iBxKjutFDm-QoiaUcfGwqgmOeFkNfCqyZArM1o4YmtogLIwAxGCiNeG-mRrnRqBhzPbbgVBj5VmzAE_dQQ6B6hoOgRrx97QMjiCvhz2nTNWi98kLaYFSryVICsAHNm9Yr7Yw6HFpM-mjVA/w536-h640/Physicist-Wannabe-with-Propeller-Heat_web.jpg" title="Resident Astronomer George prepares for some personal propeller effects (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="536" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resident Astronomer George prepares for some personal propeller effects (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; 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font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-82969527450161435182023-04-18T14:55:00.001-07:002023-04-18T14:59:02.475-07:00Some comments on recent developments in fusion power research by TAE as discussed at CSULB Physics Colloquium<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory</p><p>Stars are powered by fusion and the potential benefits of fusion power here on Earth are of interest and some latest results by TAE, formally Tri-Alpha Energy, as described at the April 17 CSULB Physics Colloquium are covered here.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>One of my earlier first posts on some of the fusion research activities and companies was covered recently from this Palmia Observatory post of September 2020: <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/2019/10/flat-earth-do-your-first-greenhouse.html">Some fusion research companies</a></p><p>Check out that blog post for some background but for now let's provided some comments on the presentation by Artem Smirnov from TAE Technologies. A key aspect of TAE fusion research is through the use of "aneutronic" fusion, which essentially means the use of a fusion reaction that minimizes the production of neutrons which create some radioactive waste, but at the same time release large amounts of fusion energy.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHagOmPitLJRTFaDKvdonhyViR7BG6IbwM-eNVJwLrl0Y6GCZfDSmxux-6_WWCSYW_6WLzeZCUDSoDaV3qMbvaKNtjYJBihl0F_DF5CLxRHwi2thUWcOCL4-xVxNV_cRJsK_53o3tMSpVjw-a2-BPBPK8qsWA6Qc8ZAVhypiEY-0_3gtCOp7TphqyoQ/s750/Artem-Smirnov_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Aneutronic Fusion Developments at TAE (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="750" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHagOmPitLJRTFaDKvdonhyViR7BG6IbwM-eNVJwLrl0Y6GCZfDSmxux-6_WWCSYW_6WLzeZCUDSoDaV3qMbvaKNtjYJBihl0F_DF5CLxRHwi2thUWcOCL4-xVxNV_cRJsK_53o3tMSpVjw-a2-BPBPK8qsWA6Qc8ZAVhypiEY-0_3gtCOp7TphqyoQ/w640-h402/Artem-Smirnov_web.jpg" title="Aneutronic Fusion Developments at TAE (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aneutronic Fusion Developments at TAE (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Some of the advantages of Aneutronic fusion are shown in the slide screenshot below.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50Iu2WITEW0uOIxNz8gKl2CoD1oN68iWmdL3IA1Ak2Da1qCn1PK_tbDEZtNDfNBLs-cr1_SNUGuHT3VnnfqzYDki6n8VZZOCL8hiM-PezuUz7dMS2x2dlW8GIlN-LuFjLcZ_HGP-FuWGIoT0AsDFnvVOReAc5zn1FVe-3saGtm5gNFITf22oILw590w/s800/Aneutronic-Fusion_net.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Benefits of Aneutronic Fusion (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50Iu2WITEW0uOIxNz8gKl2CoD1oN68iWmdL3IA1Ak2Da1qCn1PK_tbDEZtNDfNBLs-cr1_SNUGuHT3VnnfqzYDki6n8VZZOCL8hiM-PezuUz7dMS2x2dlW8GIlN-LuFjLcZ_HGP-FuWGIoT0AsDFnvVOReAc5zn1FVe-3saGtm5gNFITf22oILw590w/w640-h400/Aneutronic-Fusion_net.jpg" title="Benefits of Aneutronic Fusion (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benefits of Aneutronic Fusion (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />TAE aneutronic fuels are not as efficient as the Deuterium-tritium fuels and require higher confinement temperatures, but offer the added benefits of not producing a lot of neutrons and the fuels are much more readily in supply.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpREK2B7UfgdlcmVuQdjQ5rdLxd2xoQn9hDpH8Lz7ZuyahGKL_u7F93NLFuxEBp47gbLCrorG0M698aTA4SahhN7Y7hs99Gxc9y0trTlaFq0VDuwjjeySVcjSPKnvrhK04OXnthqLwQbzJUJV22gFaH5LGrGM0IM6Bl4cpCHkqZXtDdw-mMLYUYG1Dg/s850/Fusion-Fuels_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Aneutronic fusion fuel Hydrogen-boron, pB11 ( (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="850" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpREK2B7UfgdlcmVuQdjQ5rdLxd2xoQn9hDpH8Lz7ZuyahGKL_u7F93NLFuxEBp47gbLCrorG0M698aTA4SahhN7Y7hs99Gxc9y0trTlaFq0VDuwjjeySVcjSPKnvrhK04OXnthqLwQbzJUJV22gFaH5LGrGM0IM6Bl4cpCHkqZXtDdw-mMLYUYG1Dg/w640-h416/Fusion-Fuels_web.jpg" title="Aneutronic fusion fuel Hydrogen-boron, pB11 ( (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aneutronic fusion fuel Hydrogen-boron, pB11 ( (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><p>All fusion reactions have to meet the high temperature and high pressure requirements in order for the repulsion forces between protons to be overcome in order for the atomic particles to combine or fuse together. In stars it is gravitational force that compresses the stellar material to higher and higher temperatures and pressures in order to allow the fusion process to occur. To meet these high temperatures in the laboratory and for sufficient time for the fusion reactions to occur is called the Lawson Criterion</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXjMKwIV6HZevJXBeYqq3sj7snAVAeMKnaAAjGHY7KMUnrZZy7cQofdrbIUmhEOGf-ArEoHdBWAme_6XA4MdV7-dWju_93xFShg1Jb677fhrK36f7t9Tl3BfUmp2qI-ix_ulBgN7kYVso39q19i3D0muhgS3GlULZRVFXCJMgTcqf2XwOZes3EYcO6Q/s950/Lawson-Criteria_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Fusion Reactors and Lawson's Criterion (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="950" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXjMKwIV6HZevJXBeYqq3sj7snAVAeMKnaAAjGHY7KMUnrZZy7cQofdrbIUmhEOGf-ArEoHdBWAme_6XA4MdV7-dWju_93xFShg1Jb677fhrK36f7t9Tl3BfUmp2qI-ix_ulBgN7kYVso39q19i3D0muhgS3GlULZRVFXCJMgTcqf2XwOZes3EYcO6Q/w640-h440/Lawson-Criteria_web.jpg" title="Fusion Reactors and Lawson's Criterion (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fusion Reactors and Lawson's Criterion (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Fusion research in the past 40 years has tried using many different ways of confining the plasma sufficiently to meet the Lawson Criterion, of which the Tokomak has been one of the most popular. TAE is developing the Field Reversed Configuration, FRC, where the magnetic field used to confine the plasma is generated internally by inducting high currents into the plama.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkfHk8uLM-5EfLMZIDiop96521iK5TJ93jJKwCcIid8Oq1aGWNaTsenAbcRiwKYRQdroxA6HTRwJbqewKlL5eHNJpt-2VsNbnmZGfvjvVRodhXoIqEeXe5aGW-V111vpCwpi0_2myjR3XJnIhaFhbrxgWY1i5dSn8n1HRX7oO9axXzxa8QEoItbitmg/s850/Magnetic-Confinement_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Some magnetic confinement of plasma configurations (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="850" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkfHk8uLM-5EfLMZIDiop96521iK5TJ93jJKwCcIid8Oq1aGWNaTsenAbcRiwKYRQdroxA6HTRwJbqewKlL5eHNJpt-2VsNbnmZGfvjvVRodhXoIqEeXe5aGW-V111vpCwpi0_2myjR3XJnIhaFhbrxgWY1i5dSn8n1HRX7oO9axXzxa8QEoItbitmg/w640-h428/Magnetic-Confinement_web.jpg" title="Some magnetic confinement of plasma configurations (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some magnetic confinement of plasma configurations (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>In this next slide we see the internal magnetic field generated in the confined plasma</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9LaMR5SNEOx7BXqX-FN-wJojP95x1fxeOdCFwBcAzwMcTurXliLcEHTU3Vic7WLNbe_mkRnvuxuthVMDClC-aR6tKW9_jMAoKiYJIr0C5k7z1SXXjreA3t9kdb692ezJeIPGU1d6DYvt8p7V8zu2q5K_4RB4r3BUglFHJIgHWQOWiFNyNrz6qr7Gug/s810/TAE-FRC_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="FRC confines the plasma with internal magnetic fields (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="810" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9LaMR5SNEOx7BXqX-FN-wJojP95x1fxeOdCFwBcAzwMcTurXliLcEHTU3Vic7WLNbe_mkRnvuxuthVMDClC-aR6tKW9_jMAoKiYJIr0C5k7z1SXXjreA3t9kdb692ezJeIPGU1d6DYvt8p7V8zu2q5K_4RB4r3BUglFHJIgHWQOWiFNyNrz6qr7Gug/w640-h470/TAE-FRC_web.jpg" title="FRC confines the plasma with internal magnetic fields (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FRC confines the plasma with internal magnetic fields (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><div>This slide showed part of an animation that shows the glowing confined plasma.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeNse_MTRQnKolhD0nMABHJIry2Rh4bkphfc5hLzPh5Kp0TbWc3Z91rmP8udH6u9_QnlBL8GH_qxT2nHhPEiFpCVFtd-vn6c6OWZ6SH6L7NhwrPr5Nn_9v_2oq_lojG6LjZl7cUx8mcvx7wPoyD9f7J-N1emvH4jC60oDahJEs2GtQGLVoJ8qRDYV0w/s808/Hot-Plasma_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Animation of confined plasma inside FRC machine (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="808" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeNse_MTRQnKolhD0nMABHJIry2Rh4bkphfc5hLzPh5Kp0TbWc3Z91rmP8udH6u9_QnlBL8GH_qxT2nHhPEiFpCVFtd-vn6c6OWZ6SH6L7NhwrPr5Nn_9v_2oq_lojG6LjZl7cUx8mcvx7wPoyD9f7J-N1emvH4jC60oDahJEs2GtQGLVoJ8qRDYV0w/w640-h438/Hot-Plasma_web.jpg" title="Animation of confined plasma inside FRC machine (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Animation of confined plasma inside FRC machine (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Meeting the Lawson confinement time is demonstrated with FRC technology as shown in this slide. The confinement time is stable at 40 milliseconds and fusion can occur.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgllrMCB2hxO1RKZJzP7UjXA-zPbBw8358ocoIO0D7EHGQBkaH0DFzKPqCoHrD_rYPa9WX8UrO5TzhdoDgF550sSMERLNLLW-sqR3hlYLiM2vQp1oc5tcFgMx7LWs6034VFyy5nPW4N80VcwcoWFSfthUd506hZtK6bNN0pKWehJAj1ibkHWe_xt1t5rQ/s720/First-FRC-Steady-State_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="TAE developed First Field Reversed Configuration (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="720" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgllrMCB2hxO1RKZJzP7UjXA-zPbBw8358ocoIO0D7EHGQBkaH0DFzKPqCoHrD_rYPa9WX8UrO5TzhdoDgF550sSMERLNLLW-sqR3hlYLiM2vQp1oc5tcFgMx7LWs6034VFyy5nPW4N80VcwcoWFSfthUd506hZtK6bNN0pKWehJAj1ibkHWe_xt1t5rQ/w640-h416/First-FRC-Steady-State_web.jpg" title="TAE developed First Field Reversed Configuration (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TAE developed First Field Reversed Configuration (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>So, in 20+ years, TAE has made many key accomplishments.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTj18QQSULnVOeJcIh6qH7_xlzQZGz0BPNnQaXNSNLEOWu3VG2uvq7bn19bD_ui2MqwZDysOOtAC2UQyhD8dpZMbvP8g_36eyGgGzfbCef4CdVm2PUOy0vD-Tkllz2wY7UOCeRMzGzRQ2REkI2kPJ6Tk_egrGT7k9dA04FK-bFceB0TtZNqHHaKDf3Mw/s810/Key-Accomplishments_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="TAE Key Accomplishments (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="810" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTj18QQSULnVOeJcIh6qH7_xlzQZGz0BPNnQaXNSNLEOWu3VG2uvq7bn19bD_ui2MqwZDysOOtAC2UQyhD8dpZMbvP8g_36eyGgGzfbCef4CdVm2PUOy0vD-Tkllz2wY7UOCeRMzGzRQ2REkI2kPJ6Tk_egrGT7k9dA04FK-bFceB0TtZNqHHaKDf3Mw/w640-h398/Key-Accomplishments_web.jpg" title="TAE Key Accomplishments (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TAE Key Accomplishments (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br style="text-align: left;" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>TAE continues in the development of larger FRC machines with the goal of finally achieving commercial power production. Here is the timeline for development out to 2030+.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcF8REi98whktctMEg8ogzLNNONx68n_zot5ezKJZBFF598IlqVbQnSu8HBNRWRu29C-MDmTrgakGxVUYYqIVSlUTjuDeC2Uc-TRevs4LOp_dWy3OVmlzVQMFibqinyS0HIPkdVEbxIuvduj_OAkg30F-eL7WPPZOcN9C_Z31FEf7K1eW3dinU5fZ3QA/s945/Roadmap-of-TAE-Devices_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Future FRC prototypes out to 2030+ timeframe (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="945" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcF8REi98whktctMEg8ogzLNNONx68n_zot5ezKJZBFF598IlqVbQnSu8HBNRWRu29C-MDmTrgakGxVUYYqIVSlUTjuDeC2Uc-TRevs4LOp_dWy3OVmlzVQMFibqinyS0HIPkdVEbxIuvduj_OAkg30F-eL7WPPZOcN9C_Z31FEf7K1eW3dinU5fZ3QA/w640-h440/Roadmap-of-TAE-Devices_web.jpg" title="Future FRC prototypes out to 2030+ timeframe (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Future FRC prototypes out to 2030+ timeframe (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>When one looks at the history of funding for fusion research we see that mostly in the past the government provided the research funds. TAE was always privately financed. Now with many financial investors having a very long time perspective, willing to wait many years for the investment to pay off, there are a log more funds available from private investors. See the big spike in investment, especially from 2021 onward. So even if commercial fusion power is say 20+ years away, there is still a lot of investment interest.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2gu6QkDB3C7GMimKXG_zDJyVHwcE7c9lpcuiqiNsiQzjJW6t7EaQNWK7vPGWqnnHHkB07j-nsklnQsfEGbUdVMBMhCm3euuwwqi1QxwAp0gHcCTm4thq8a4thtGi4sf_r5CHCoJoGwG67x45Rr9ygb1KuHrhyWwHiZ1hT_-kxZfvO1aobjntqsGt7g/s720/Funding_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Surge in private funding for fusion power development (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2gu6QkDB3C7GMimKXG_zDJyVHwcE7c9lpcuiqiNsiQzjJW6t7EaQNWK7vPGWqnnHHkB07j-nsklnQsfEGbUdVMBMhCm3euuwwqi1QxwAp0gHcCTm4thq8a4thtGi4sf_r5CHCoJoGwG67x45Rr9ygb1KuHrhyWwHiZ1hT_-kxZfvO1aobjntqsGt7g/w640-h480/Funding_web.jpg" title="Surge in private funding for fusion power development (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surge in private funding for fusion power development (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Also it is important to keep in mind that recent press releases about fusion breakthroughs, such as at the National Ignition Facility, of having achieved breakeven, we need to keep in mind they have a different specific meaning to "breakeven." They typically mean for example that the energy in the laser beam, which compresses the hydrogen pellet just matches the energy released by the fusion products. What they often fail to say that the energy loss used to produce the laser beam can be more than a hundred times larger.</p><p>TAE has been able to spin off some of the neutral beam injector technology used to add energy to the confined plasma in the FRC machine. These neutron beams are expanding the availability of cancer treatment therapies. These technology spinoffs then in addition to their benefits for health care, help finance fusion research.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhop6oE6dF4Ru5pQHPkvfHh0ESy9i19Bbm2Ya-9LYxvu28Ij4uBneOooOM1tMb9ts2I24F51V1vxS7uNPFTXVs3dbuPxrfhXz8AhQAGtx9RNnVuFCfv_upNaS16GXpkCLWHpaPZ5yiJDMndOeKpjYdCNB_ap2LlnQ3BtQDzjj-TYzymxJXnu0mSQ9prjQ/s808/Neutron-Capture-Therapy_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Spinoff neutral beam source technology for cancer treatment (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="808" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhop6oE6dF4Ru5pQHPkvfHh0ESy9i19Bbm2Ya-9LYxvu28Ij4uBneOooOM1tMb9ts2I24F51V1vxS7uNPFTXVs3dbuPxrfhXz8AhQAGtx9RNnVuFCfv_upNaS16GXpkCLWHpaPZ5yiJDMndOeKpjYdCNB_ap2LlnQ3BtQDzjj-TYzymxJXnu0mSQ9prjQ/w640-h400/Neutron-Capture-Therapy_web.jpg" title="Spinoff neutral beam source technology for cancer treatment (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spinoff neutral beam source technology for cancer treatment (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Huge electrical power storage systems are required to drive the FRC machine. Here we see that even though the research laboratory is only supplied with 2 MW from the city utility, TAE has installed energy storage to store and then deliver power for the FRC fusion requirements of 750 MW.</p><p>This huge requirement for energy storage was what excited me about possibly working with TAE some 10 years ago when I was doing research and development on systems like that to be used in electromagnetically launching aircraft, without the use of steam catapult. In that case the requirements were something like 100 megajoules of energy storage to be released in 2-3 seconds to launch the aircraft. So, for a 2 MW electric utility it might take 50 seconds to store 100 megajoules of energy. So the storage requirements for "Norman", which operates in 40 millisecond pulses, are huge too.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtQamk6qNK7LrKSxHYwsahzpWOl72Yc_YLG38EiGApHELWrRxVkNh3acQSj-F-tl06TZjZg5eTnhDkXvuNRJgddaJ1OCTqjoIgCDp0usadcQy6TxOxxwEDlfQnGf3kuC-uxs2IWGx_CP9y0XGPMOER4ECshXVHZM5tvzLwZI_xIrnMu2kuKLlMcOOHQ/s760/Pulsed-Power-Needs_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pulsed power FRC requirements required gigantic energy storage (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="760" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtQamk6qNK7LrKSxHYwsahzpWOl72Yc_YLG38EiGApHELWrRxVkNh3acQSj-F-tl06TZjZg5eTnhDkXvuNRJgddaJ1OCTqjoIgCDp0usadcQy6TxOxxwEDlfQnGf3kuC-uxs2IWGx_CP9y0XGPMOER4ECshXVHZM5tvzLwZI_xIrnMu2kuKLlMcOOHQ/w640-h440/Pulsed-Power-Needs_web.jpg" title="Pulsed power FRC requirements required gigantic energy storage (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulsed power FRC requirements required gigantic energy storage (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>So, after TAE developed these huge energy storage technologies they recognized they could be spun off as a separate marketable technology and help finance the ongoing fusion research.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQLzm4q_PVoFyTMy-WuAGdSd1hf7MkFsm2De6Z6jZgmE7_2sHdtm6KOD0qeB9sKIi8RIdlsg5DnsRurq8g2WuZtAJ2sp58z62eHy6zJP-H5S0FdtR1GQDQbyfZwp9ulttIoN5EcFz2fvvkau3pPWB49MQ3FaugPrGTxq6a6uArn5K2eeX3PE2fc3TfA/s750/Energy-Storage_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Spinoff energy storage products from TAE FRC development (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="750" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQLzm4q_PVoFyTMy-WuAGdSd1hf7MkFsm2De6Z6jZgmE7_2sHdtm6KOD0qeB9sKIi8RIdlsg5DnsRurq8g2WuZtAJ2sp58z62eHy6zJP-H5S0FdtR1GQDQbyfZwp9ulttIoN5EcFz2fvvkau3pPWB49MQ3FaugPrGTxq6a6uArn5K2eeX3PE2fc3TfA/w640-h384/Energy-Storage_web.jpg" title="Spinoff energy storage products from TAE FRC development (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spinoff energy storage products from TAE FRC development (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Finally, Smirnov concluded the presentation with an image of some of the TAE team members and one of the FRC machine prototypes, affectionally called "Norman" in reference and gratitude of one of the initial founders of TAE, Professor Norman Rostoker, UCI, who passed away in 2015.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVGlC9LD6amVhrLns85HG3hfuBUdLyy-HxyPsQTvPRfyruMmDy-_ZS6gfmV_me2oGj-CgCuOfeXEdeAL138UBUnlkRpZ_QHVs8RG7O6nbqR5tmW_6PteNjS2b6Gsh5WXicWtKbRnlOb4k54C1jSWdF1jKlx0YIi3NSPJq_xIijwuOxPYnFvYZ_VPyFw/s720/Thank-you-from-Norman_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="FRC machine, Norman, and some TAE team members (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVGlC9LD6amVhrLns85HG3hfuBUdLyy-HxyPsQTvPRfyruMmDy-_ZS6gfmV_me2oGj-CgCuOfeXEdeAL138UBUnlkRpZ_QHVs8RG7O6nbqR5tmW_6PteNjS2b6Gsh5WXicWtKbRnlOb4k54C1jSWdF1jKlx0YIi3NSPJq_xIijwuOxPYnFvYZ_VPyFw/w640-h480/Thank-you-from-Norman_web.jpg" title="FRC machine, Norman, and some TAE team members (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FRC machine, Norman, and some TAE team members (Source: A. Smirnov presentation at CSULB)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The presentation was very informative and we appreciate being able to attend. Thank you, Artem Smirnov, TAE and CSULB!</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; 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font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br />Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-29823805061290020902023-03-29T12:21:00.000-07:002023-03-29T12:21:55.392-07:00Some more on the five planet alignment; Looking for Mars; Lunar X and Lunar Y?<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory,</p><p>Well last evening we missed two of planets in alignment, but did go out to take a look at Mars.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span></span><p></p><p>Trying to capture Jupiter and Mercury was too difficult for this lazy astronomer wannabe due to their setting just a bit after the setting of the sun. We would have had to driven to a location with clear view down close to the horizon. Check out this simulated view from the Popular Science article at popsci.com.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6R4IM4YQG0UGqoOHavY_DxXqramz0GbUPZfyV2Xdqya4fDUjgDtroIXhTGjJo-KhfuLAO8x6Xh2jWD6QwBbLy2omh9d8niuf7sicbBySlNMcrzP2-sTf8iBIogt0_Sq9EIpqUMdaesYjC6Rhu2kzT_cdng5FH2ePqO03S60FLpV7Qt1IYo0AXcl1YnQ/s500/PopSci_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Viewing possible for Jupiter and Mercury just after sundown (Source: popsci.com)" border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="500" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6R4IM4YQG0UGqoOHavY_DxXqramz0GbUPZfyV2Xdqya4fDUjgDtroIXhTGjJo-KhfuLAO8x6Xh2jWD6QwBbLy2omh9d8niuf7sicbBySlNMcrzP2-sTf8iBIogt0_Sq9EIpqUMdaesYjC6Rhu2kzT_cdng5FH2ePqO03S60FLpV7Qt1IYo0AXcl1YnQ/w640-h598/PopSci_web.jpg" title="Viewing possible for Jupiter and Mercury just after sundown (Source: popsci.com)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viewing possible for Jupiter and Mercury just after sundown (Source: popsci.com)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>If you want our previous attempt to see the other two planets, Venus and Uranus, check out our previous blog post of March 28, 2023. But, now we did go out with flimsy tripod and DSLR and took a look at Mars, which was high in the sky. This image is with DSLR, 300mm and 1 second exposure. This longer than needed exposure made possible the identification of some background stars for astrometry purposes.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWJSbgYq_APz8Gj0wVQhORw0T-KvDYe8lXRHFPwh0Dz0EBaP7d3qwhYOZllv9SQgKWLeS5ZEZ96BV3mtDG01ucToLUxOddlYvDbRSDYKPhrBqIQgbN90dcpkx_IEB1uMOD8zoiwTkLG9jP4jjiAj__IEnt1ZUEsgHMwY1_xI2eyklG62hFWLcTE5PZQ/s360/Mars_IMG5786_300mm_ISO800_-1-seconds_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="View of Mars in this DSLR, 300mm, 1 second exposure (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="360" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWJSbgYq_APz8Gj0wVQhORw0T-KvDYe8lXRHFPwh0Dz0EBaP7d3qwhYOZllv9SQgKWLeS5ZEZ96BV3mtDG01ucToLUxOddlYvDbRSDYKPhrBqIQgbN90dcpkx_IEB1uMOD8zoiwTkLG9jP4jjiAj__IEnt1ZUEsgHMwY1_xI2eyklG62hFWLcTE5PZQ/w640-h500/Mars_IMG5786_300mm_ISO800_-1-seconds_web.jpg" title="View of Mars in this DSLR, 300mm, 1 second exposure (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Mars in this DSLR, 300mm, 1 second exposure (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>At the same time it was convenient to use the Moon to focus the camera. This image is again DSLR, 300mm, 1/250 second exposure.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XSJMSWf56pWANhCNKzc-MMy2sUJcxaEps1di3PJyHswh7UhyvfP5-hAUUmpU5ArEeVzXZhGIv4Gw68CZFOfJLOBhRHuMzDcAltvuJf6EpaAGvoLkZQ3o3yW3KLE4HfJeK7_dwHrsF0rTXDdTryn7Gc1AyP1ZfNL4Q2C3A9kT_MC8eRNfVuo1lWo9SQ/s1000/Moon_IMG5785_300mm_ISO800_-1-of-250-seconds_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Moon image taken with DSLR, 300mm, 1/250 second (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="913" data-original-width="1000" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XSJMSWf56pWANhCNKzc-MMy2sUJcxaEps1di3PJyHswh7UhyvfP5-hAUUmpU5ArEeVzXZhGIv4Gw68CZFOfJLOBhRHuMzDcAltvuJf6EpaAGvoLkZQ3o3yW3KLE4HfJeK7_dwHrsF0rTXDdTryn7Gc1AyP1ZfNL4Q2C3A9kT_MC8eRNfVuo1lWo9SQ/w640-h584/Moon_IMG5785_300mm_ISO800_-1-of-250-seconds_web.jpg" title="Moon image taken with DSLR, 300mm, 1/250 second (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moon image taken with DSLR, 300mm, 1/250 second (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Now just a short time after coming back inside the observatory we received an email for a local OCA Ron, who took a photo of the Moon and wondered if by chance he had captured also the "famous" Lunar X?</p><p>Check out OCA Ron's image below.</p><p>_________________________________________________________________________________</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB67b4QfD-rOAal1uitEfxXLhaj0GO-sv12qktoxdaBKBvYepeoAGtD2vJA7g7IuwxV5F1jJMWV9prjsPANSseh7gAENSWuI85nBHAIMlwkZut49FbOxfIjhTLiHQRH7udrgf_YKUmOi5nHteCZ4J-Bl3QAlTOJPqm4simFRYK2idZCjPl1j1tMS8__Q/s600/Ron's-X_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The "famous" Lunar X (Source: OCA Ron)" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB67b4QfD-rOAal1uitEfxXLhaj0GO-sv12qktoxdaBKBvYepeoAGtD2vJA7g7IuwxV5F1jJMWV9prjsPANSseh7gAENSWuI85nBHAIMlwkZut49FbOxfIjhTLiHQRH7udrgf_YKUmOi5nHteCZ4J-Bl3QAlTOJPqm4simFRYK2idZCjPl1j1tMS8__Q/w640-h640/Ron's-X_web.jpg" title="The "famous" Lunar X (Source: OCA Ron)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "famous" Lunar X (Source: OCA Ron)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>When I received this email, I wondered what is the "Lunar X" and was it possible that I had captured the same feature in my lunar image.<br /></p><p>Hey, sure enough, just take a look at the previous lunar image in a larger cropped view of the lunar terminator and yep, there does indeed appear to be an "X" as shown by the white line.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWxDdKiQzdyVn36YvKEGFqjd-j96biPhV_mWglAYdwnOYGDRLGhHbNr6t4qqdKqc56yihcm49c1YrS2n6U9yIJvJq5WHb-eiwTN3v3mypK68ipoiQvbzMqt2l08j8VjLjD9u16uZprrNJegiVD7_RpAefm4IaqEkc5ts2xl_AOSkY8zO0qB7p-Dd9YQ/s600/Moon_IMG5785_300mm_ISO800_-1-of-250-seconds_web2_anno_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lunar X shows up in this enlarged image of the moon (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWxDdKiQzdyVn36YvKEGFqjd-j96biPhV_mWglAYdwnOYGDRLGhHbNr6t4qqdKqc56yihcm49c1YrS2n6U9yIJvJq5WHb-eiwTN3v3mypK68ipoiQvbzMqt2l08j8VjLjD9u16uZprrNJegiVD7_RpAefm4IaqEkc5ts2xl_AOSkY8zO0qB7p-Dd9YQ/w640-h442/Moon_IMG5785_300mm_ISO800_-1-of-250-seconds_web2_anno_web.jpg" title="Lunar X shows up in this enlarged image of the moon (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunar X shows up in this enlarged image of the moon (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>So what is this "Lunar X?" A quick internet search shows this article on EarthSky.org, which explains that the X is an optical illusion by sunlight falling on the rims/ridges between the lunar craters. Pretty neat, had not heard about Lunar X before. Thanks to OCA Ron for bringing the effect to our attention.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnkSxDZJk2k-N8yOhbOliIl4xH-CrCufGMoFeDBamc2R2VjIajBaMA6TPJHSMEXqh7voqZg7OXXS5RgnOc7igj55fcgGW9Gguk0grYFhGJgPSkdc1aLvcPQop_2uJdp-dCryIFjmSc3PsIq9DZ0aHoSleaiRrH1BLjHCqZ3eLc7nD7jFqzxD6MaenZg/s817/Lunar-X-and-Y_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="What are Lunar X and Lunar Y (Source: EarthSky.org)" border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="675" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnkSxDZJk2k-N8yOhbOliIl4xH-CrCufGMoFeDBamc2R2VjIajBaMA6TPJHSMEXqh7voqZg7OXXS5RgnOc7igj55fcgGW9Gguk0grYFhGJgPSkdc1aLvcPQop_2uJdp-dCryIFjmSc3PsIq9DZ0aHoSleaiRrH1BLjHCqZ3eLc7nD7jFqzxD6MaenZg/w528-h640/Lunar-X-and-Y_web.jpg" title="What are Lunar X and Lunar Y (Source: EarthSky.org)" width="528" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What are Lunar X and Lunar Y (Source: EarthSky.org)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; 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font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-43709049646203299022023-03-28T12:30:00.002-07:002023-03-28T14:34:14.746-07:00Looking for Uranus with a DSLR in city lights; Upcoming rare planetary alignment; New PrimeScan 3D dental imaging; Gender Neutrality?<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory</p><p>Well with the upcoming 5 planet alignment coming up later, we wanted to do some DSLR imaging practice of capturing Uranus, which is is very close now to bright Venus.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>At this time time, Uranus can be found in the night sky just a couple of degrees away from bright Venus. So, all the lazy astronomer has to do is carry out your DSLR on flimsy tripod and place Venus at the bottom of the camera frame and you should also capture dim, magnitude 5.8 Uranus. Here is a GoSkyWatch screen capture with the details.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOgr2T8s_jyIxvsGiPMNhVfeV5HCJ6whk9o5-sN32bMGNlyZ7gxskFefl7XP_NEtlUNiorbbRMaGmCjE2mvqcz6r1x-yPeks6kwT5k9oxAtwvVrPkKCVbAx_Ldhqkpqg48SJTMiNVkKkWHw_pEGiLvmn8Qdr43CU_X58Ra5mJI0ujUR2t6JdQQ-xNhw/s730/Go-Sky-Watch_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="GoSkyWatch shows RA, Dec and Mag for Uranus (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="581" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOgr2T8s_jyIxvsGiPMNhVfeV5HCJ6whk9o5-sN32bMGNlyZ7gxskFefl7XP_NEtlUNiorbbRMaGmCjE2mvqcz6r1x-yPeks6kwT5k9oxAtwvVrPkKCVbAx_Ldhqkpqg48SJTMiNVkKkWHw_pEGiLvmn8Qdr43CU_X58Ra5mJI0ujUR2t6JdQQ-xNhw/w510-h640/Go-Sky-Watch_web.jpg" title="GoSkyWatch shows RA, Dec and Mag for Uranus (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="510" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GoSkyWatch shows RA, Dec and Mag for Uranus (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>I selected a 4 second exposure setting with 135mm lens setting. So you can see Venus at the bottom of the frame and Uranus should be right about in the middle of the frame. Uranus is way too dim to see here, especially in city lights viewing conditions.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfMn5KaRUZDAYw2J_qy3664sEKyouFlHC4lIfGSWrXb3D8VAWBgzlh3swOj6Ujf_ROHcNLTGxg5tjQHh6CAMn-BNIzW7qMjcyIf5eSj9w11fHxfN4qBKu358MxXPPgq9Z38MMYmsCEiaaRQzBk6sDjJgfrJFZeFJvkxGiECwTfZ00qtqowBkLCAz3xg/s750/Venus-and-Uranus_IMG5782_135mm_ISO800_-4-seconds_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Using bright Venus to place Uranus about in the middle of the frame (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfMn5KaRUZDAYw2J_qy3664sEKyouFlHC4lIfGSWrXb3D8VAWBgzlh3swOj6Ujf_ROHcNLTGxg5tjQHh6CAMn-BNIzW7qMjcyIf5eSj9w11fHxfN4qBKu358MxXPPgq9Z38MMYmsCEiaaRQzBk6sDjJgfrJFZeFJvkxGiECwTfZ00qtqowBkLCAz3xg/w640-h426/Venus-and-Uranus_IMG5782_135mm_ISO800_-4-seconds_web.jpg" title="Using bright Venus to place Uranus about in the middle of the frame (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using bright Venus to place Uranus about in the middle of the frame (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We can double check to see if the lens setting is wide enough to capture Uranus by submitting the image to Astrometry.net and compare the RA and Dec of the image center with the RA and Dec as provided by GoSkyWatch. Hmm, yep we should be able to see something of Uranus right in the center of the frame!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEs_KjQKwjayoTsbxDcvNOHgHvxdK0XdYo1Z45qShwZAzUroAV-aXxOqQRjZKU1cwoidHUc-Z8rWzA6xeBj-dJxTKVLoU6FhtBLCRdi7yWDiho6y8v64B7DjvZm3kmQYu-IWwLO0B5q6Y02HP_p7ZBE_evuCybTDhndrlFReSqCf8aHG7LIFoGaOFf_w/s720/IMG_5782_Venus-and-Uranus_Astrometry_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Astrometry.net shows center of frame RA and Dec (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="720" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEs_KjQKwjayoTsbxDcvNOHgHvxdK0XdYo1Z45qShwZAzUroAV-aXxOqQRjZKU1cwoidHUc-Z8rWzA6xeBj-dJxTKVLoU6FhtBLCRdi7yWDiho6y8v64B7DjvZm3kmQYu-IWwLO0B5q6Y02HP_p7ZBE_evuCybTDhndrlFReSqCf8aHG7LIFoGaOFf_w/w640-h370/IMG_5782_Venus-and-Uranus_Astrometry_web.jpg" title="Astrometry.net shows center of frame RA and Dec (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Astrometry.net shows center of frame RA and Dec (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The camera image does have a few dim stars and we can compare these observed stars with those that show up in star catalogs, such as in this screenshot from Sky Safari Pro. I found Sky Safari Pro provided slightly dimmer stars than in GoSkyWatch.</p><p>So, when I look at the background stars, I see 4 stars off to the right that sort of can be combined as parallelogram and to the left of Uranus I can see 3 stars almost in a vertical line.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia55x9rfY-echQtPeg-owCZxbbNrYMSOkFBAt9iXYjmSPEvXt3IjgTDbTZJoSaN6vJhgbpWHQLIOw0sUe8GW14ooJUFHyWZ6ifQR8WGLDBRqmjBiA7l0hv5oydiNEpJ7LldYxR3B01gK6y2nmjIe6HqqHXExTLy6xFYe3m3Y8S_vMRmpxqUvNC5zoQOA/s600/Sky-Safari-Pro_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sky Safari Pro shows background stars around Uranus (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="600" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia55x9rfY-echQtPeg-owCZxbbNrYMSOkFBAt9iXYjmSPEvXt3IjgTDbTZJoSaN6vJhgbpWHQLIOw0sUe8GW14ooJUFHyWZ6ifQR8WGLDBRqmjBiA7l0hv5oydiNEpJ7LldYxR3B01gK6y2nmjIe6HqqHXExTLy6xFYe3m3Y8S_vMRmpxqUvNC5zoQOA/w640-h402/Sky-Safari-Pro_web.jpg" title="Sky Safari Pro shows background stars around Uranus (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sky Safari Pro shows background stars around Uranus (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>So, it seems we can find a very dim object, let's just say it is Uranus, in the camera image. Uranus is spotted just to the left of the added horizontal line. Ok, let's call this a success. Now if other non-lazy astronomers were to break out their bigger scopes with longer focal length, we might be able to see more of the planet itself.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXoR4kPy-Wx7p7es2_vQuDupKD7P1DN4wU-HZiEstREhNdJMHJez9ASqhcV_qIbTVj0GdGYjOmJ8cZX4o-G_jt03RSw1IY25N0kEU0wgkQ930-Ks7p0DIuM1FJ6fYo_swHc__k9vcpIEv2P8VbKsmrl1XzDc2dvNXojoZ0W6GFhWmh6b0C-vaGpS6eg/s750/Venus-and-Uranus_IMG5782_135mm_ISO800_-4-seconds_anno_web3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="DSLR, 135mm, 4 second exposure with Uranus at left of line (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXoR4kPy-Wx7p7es2_vQuDupKD7P1DN4wU-HZiEstREhNdJMHJez9ASqhcV_qIbTVj0GdGYjOmJ8cZX4o-G_jt03RSw1IY25N0kEU0wgkQ930-Ks7p0DIuM1FJ6fYo_swHc__k9vcpIEv2P8VbKsmrl1XzDc2dvNXojoZ0W6GFhWmh6b0C-vaGpS6eg/w640-h426/Venus-and-Uranus_IMG5782_135mm_ISO800_-4-seconds_anno_web3.jpg" title="DSLR, 135mm, 4 second exposure with Uranus at left of line (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DSLR, 135mm, 4 second exposure with Uranus at left of line (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>So, be sure to do outside tonight and see if you can spot the 5 planets in alignment. It might be cloudy here, but good luck for the rest of you.</p><p>Well, it is not all about looking up here at the observatory, sometimes a trip to the dentist reveals some interesting new 3D imaging technology. Here we see the 3D scan of some of my teeth and fit for a new crown. This scan was achieved by moving the camera wand around in my mouth and the computer software builds a 3D model and image. Pretty neat!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xkxN53CUTPNVI198P4ykA2mNgC4BbyHvt9TTlvHX_dypUqULKC9MN0s_sRXExCLUB3nk0tYUvasriicjvVQ43E-Uf1edHpGd6_lyc886J-SyDLQENL2TSkU_6qRWic9PTir52cV9m55SiYn4AXsR0jSSLqRrzUVLe0KPZjN6cZDpxrBgSDNrUidUww/s700/PrimeScan_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="PrimeScan dental technology for 3D imaging of teeth (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xkxN53CUTPNVI198P4ykA2mNgC4BbyHvt9TTlvHX_dypUqULKC9MN0s_sRXExCLUB3nk0tYUvasriicjvVQ43E-Uf1edHpGd6_lyc886J-SyDLQENL2TSkU_6qRWic9PTir52cV9m55SiYn4AXsR0jSSLqRrzUVLe0KPZjN6cZDpxrBgSDNrUidUww/w640-h480/PrimeScan_web.jpg" title="PrimeScan dental technology for 3D imaging of teeth (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PrimeScan dental technology for 3D imaging of teeth (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Finally, while still under the influence of the Novocaine and earlier Bloody Mary's, and after all this talk of Uranus, my juvenile brain, found this "funny" cartoon in the email in-basket.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmsMxDIEzd6qHg3GfTFHYYCYMNY4YKfrYtiZHKQRglcM1Tgjj-k-YAIx4f9aYXCOFeC1zZT4VJo0wUZuMkIv7Fh4pByPGwUjDFWttJQSBBsWVSPvBDfPVZ6n8lQvu91sBWG3z5RFbFJUmt8SNjVQt_HXnlKITswXK4UwgAeoqCW5uLx607lXpDVTGYQ/s540/Gender-Neutral_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Primates on achieving language gender neutrality (Source: Post on Retalk, submitted by a blog reader)" border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="540" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmsMxDIEzd6qHg3GfTFHYYCYMNY4YKfrYtiZHKQRglcM1Tgjj-k-YAIx4f9aYXCOFeC1zZT4VJo0wUZuMkIv7Fh4pByPGwUjDFWttJQSBBsWVSPvBDfPVZ6n8lQvu91sBWG3z5RFbFJUmt8SNjVQt_HXnlKITswXK4UwgAeoqCW5uLx607lXpDVTGYQ/w640-h582/Gender-Neutral_web.jpg" title="Primates on achieving language gender neutrality (Source: Post on Retalk, submitted by a blog reader)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Primates on achieving language gender neutrality (Source: Post on Retalk, submitted by a blog reader)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Resident Astronomer George</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; 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font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">If you are interested in things astronomical or in astrophysics and cosmology</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-58574714360783321542023-03-03T12:21:00.001-08:002023-03-03T12:25:58.918-08:00Local Snow; Are Black Holes and Dark Energy Cosmologically Coupled? Other Girlfriends and Physics; MEPAG meeting and results from Spirit; Evolution of Humans and cutting Fruitcakes; Good News???<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory</p><p>Well this week we have had a lot of local rain and a lot of snow in nearby mountains, so keep your scopes inside.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span></span><p></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOkrvLaOcvHeSwG2ADcDbgGMvfAYCThC6o1yX7kMjSws4pCbfM_vuabkdujHgADiUoYV-2VvqJj49EWARVdSqLYsIq5b3BkuOSd3w1rAGk4cXMjAZ1It1DQlPkg1JO5vooRHgtWDvOJN2D2B4mtppr0xX6Vvzyq5LA9idBS_B3ss5hvtWd3vGcEA6RA/s640/Snow_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Local view of snow on low mountains (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOkrvLaOcvHeSwG2ADcDbgGMvfAYCThC6o1yX7kMjSws4pCbfM_vuabkdujHgADiUoYV-2VvqJj49EWARVdSqLYsIq5b3BkuOSd3w1rAGk4cXMjAZ1It1DQlPkg1JO5vooRHgtWDvOJN2D2B4mtppr0xX6Vvzyq5LA9idBS_B3ss5hvtWd3vGcEA6RA/w640-h480/Snow_web.jpg" title="Local view of snow on low mountains (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local view of snow on low mountains (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>In the meantime, we have a whole hodgepodge of other astronomical and cosmological events to discuss. First up is this remarkable conjecture that the dark energy, responsible for the acceleration of the expansion of the universe, is coming from black holes.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVOaHeGVNG-ibMOZyl7kt8Qcdwh4xDYmSdA9GM2zKli6bRl4VVm4ALfEqRFx_P-j4oYRYjw1PlHd0WKfLTJq7e3Mj0qbKMKo_AvOacJV6IFmO9PSM_uYWxifZd7B0iBY4lFfJq27fSpiwo-90Fw2RLeFTb3JLh41iufZyANSdTKqJtfEYL2xLKuWmLg/s750/Dr-Becky-with-BH-Coupling-article_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Evidence for Black Holes being Dark Energy? (Source: Dr. Becky)" border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="750" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVOaHeGVNG-ibMOZyl7kt8Qcdwh4xDYmSdA9GM2zKli6bRl4VVm4ALfEqRFx_P-j4oYRYjw1PlHd0WKfLTJq7e3Mj0qbKMKo_AvOacJV6IFmO9PSM_uYWxifZd7B0iBY4lFfJq27fSpiwo-90Fw2RLeFTb3JLh41iufZyANSdTKqJtfEYL2xLKuWmLg/w640-h416/Dr-Becky-with-BH-Coupling-article_web.jpg" title="Evidence for Black Holes being Dark Energy? (Source: Dr. Becky)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evidence for Black Holes being Dark Energy? (Source: Dr. Becky)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Whoa, how would this idea even work? The offered evidence comes from observation of galaxies and finding that models of how the black holes became so massive fits very well with the dark energy conjecture. Dr. Becky appreciates the conjecture, but as an expert on merging of black holes in galaxies, she says there are still too many unknowns to accept the proposed conjecture as the final answer. <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The referenced YouTube video has many of the original arXiV papers so you can go over all the evidence yourself.. </span>Also modern GR experts, such as Robert Wald, say they can't make any sense of the idea. So, we are left wondering what the final answer will be.</p><p>Other internet girlfriends, like Ellie in Space, are shown here playing with a flame thrower in front of the The Boring Company sign at their facility in Austin, TX. I guess it might turn out that if your girlfriend knows how to operate a flamethrower, that your behavior might be a little more considerate. The rest of the story, about where Tesla employees will live as more and more operations are built up in the Austin area, and how she same to be holding a flame thrower is found in the referenced YouTube video.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIuPKNp6TA-2x_hBE18D1cy9e_pgWtrnNvqOIFTEkDmSmFFmNRkH1toTlbXWoVRmiZeX6ODpESAwxZU3f0y9ZQfzoXlIhVuWDrfQBZQgYNBo6aIAgwJLGSr8eh2Dq1BYi2HKQ1S4PWYvjesBFM82VtwBfR1iLiaf_G_dwNefVzLhvBOnQRIom1kWGgA/s630/Ellie-with-a-flame-thrower_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Playing with a flame thrower (Source: Ellie in Space)" border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="630" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIuPKNp6TA-2x_hBE18D1cy9e_pgWtrnNvqOIFTEkDmSmFFmNRkH1toTlbXWoVRmiZeX6ODpESAwxZU3f0y9ZQfzoXlIhVuWDrfQBZQgYNBo6aIAgwJLGSr8eh2Dq1BYi2HKQ1S4PWYvjesBFM82VtwBfR1iLiaf_G_dwNefVzLhvBOnQRIom1kWGgA/w640-h446/Ellie-with-a-flame-thrower_web.jpg" title="Playing with a flame thrower (Source: Ellie in Space)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with a flame thrower (Source: Ellie in Space)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>So as much as I would like to meet up with Ellie in Space in Austin or maybe even in Boca Chica, TX, this is not a good time for travelling right now. Even attending the AlienCon 2023 in Pasadena seems too much in that it seems to deal more with getting an autograph or photo with one of your favorite alien story authors. For me , I would rather have a more scientific discussion about alien life and how we might find it. But, I too have fallen for getting my photo taken with expert astrophysicist, Dr. Janna Levin, at one of the local Science Salon meetups in April 2016.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Oh7Utv0mj0SJgD5oUj51RhD5e4nU_7zmaBVTrtJ2amOCJ3HVYs7hdlmPJVWV8uF86eJ7tDHjWZx1gJG-JBhrlVEoO4zvb66znPn5wCvURmjnAsBY_fQ2hvw0nW82DmGdUJYNeQN7mAKum_h5NWMd0V9ieMqQdG2s-LUUN4hMHV0iKFHEdB0gSNuvRg/s700/Janna-and-Me_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Resident Astronomer meets up with Janna Levin at Science Salon, April 2016 (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="700" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Oh7Utv0mj0SJgD5oUj51RhD5e4nU_7zmaBVTrtJ2amOCJ3HVYs7hdlmPJVWV8uF86eJ7tDHjWZx1gJG-JBhrlVEoO4zvb66znPn5wCvURmjnAsBY_fQ2hvw0nW82DmGdUJYNeQN7mAKum_h5NWMd0V9ieMqQdG2s-LUUN4hMHV0iKFHEdB0gSNuvRg/w640-h416/Janna-and-Me_web.jpg" title="Resident Astronomer meets up with Janna Levin at Science Salon, April 2016 (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resident Astronomer meets up with Janna Levin at Science Salon, April 2016 (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>In other space related news, we attended one day of the online MEPAG meeting. If you have any interest in Mars, then following activities of the MEPAG, which represents the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group, would be of major interest to you. Here is a slide from their presentations which outlines the four major goals of the organization.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Pn1_yjhbC6mPSP4p_UhsZ-fJx9EgCzsHHzwa9djEx-ti_jWcX6Em-thYHPTjViWVToa57XU8k2G-IW4rmHyinTsFmBVaC_dVzSF-5UN3Kw-JlX8pfDoR677dk7e3rvUf-bx79EHraYcRQzTOWm0m3mFAnhEs6QUaKKnSnQIXWdB0ujtG4VoeT8Y1Cg/s800/MEPAG_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The four major goals of the MEPAG (Source: MEPAG)" border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="800" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Pn1_yjhbC6mPSP4p_UhsZ-fJx9EgCzsHHzwa9djEx-ti_jWcX6Em-thYHPTjViWVToa57XU8k2G-IW4rmHyinTsFmBVaC_dVzSF-5UN3Kw-JlX8pfDoR677dk7e3rvUf-bx79EHraYcRQzTOWm0m3mFAnhEs6QUaKKnSnQIXWdB0ujtG4VoeT8Y1Cg/w640-h456/MEPAG_web.jpg" title="The four major goals of the MEPAG (Source: MEPAG)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The four major goals of the MEPAG (Source: MEPAG)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I really liked one of the summary presentation about what the Mars lander, InSight, had discovered about Mars. A lot more detail about the internal structure of Mars, in this presentation by Bruce Banerdt, is shown here in comparison to the Earth and the Moon. Even though one of Insight's major tools to measure the geothermal heat flux from the planet failed early in the life of the probe, much was still learned.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXiMuvsS2AMOdEgcYqObbFi8Cco-VdDygG8ialesew1i0zyqoDG5_I5a16XNJP5Fj8nkQzBGyCi4PfTwdvwJFIvrbw7dOAJmhnQZa9JM2xQhk7hMTpiSmLFsjBVyAauDKxTJX53D0hckZcRXVCrEi1YjlymdRBD6r-guAGcn-vhj6hmQSVS4JP3hSRg/s850/InSight-MEPAG-findings_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Some of the latest Mars internal structure findings from Insight (Source: Bruce Banerdt)" border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="850" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXiMuvsS2AMOdEgcYqObbFi8Cco-VdDygG8ialesew1i0zyqoDG5_I5a16XNJP5Fj8nkQzBGyCi4PfTwdvwJFIvrbw7dOAJmhnQZa9JM2xQhk7hMTpiSmLFsjBVyAauDKxTJX53D0hckZcRXVCrEi1YjlymdRBD6r-guAGcn-vhj6hmQSVS4JP3hSRg/w640-h394/InSight-MEPAG-findings_web.jpg" title="Some of the latest Mars internal structure findings from Insight (Source: Bruce Banerdt)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the latest Mars internal structure findings from Insight (Source: Bruce Banerdt)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Bruce went on to describe the final date of operation when Insight batter voltage finally collapsed.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXyu2SiIc6hOwK9P2Jk54-Q6f2RKsvBAUp3AWSKKiY7rXsok7Wwcie0W2slaGwp7nUMSQ9mRSPY1kCs3HvweSLpu8759wc2CERrRxMsJpOcxB3p4BCeaG4I-_Ucmk29dGwI6WULp6xOrMw9hijBY8vBqrJw9f4ibnrhdd26yD15eHc0epkND5oh8z4A/s900/Insight-DBR_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The last days of Insight as the battery voltage collapses (Source: Bruce Banerdt)" border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="900" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXyu2SiIc6hOwK9P2Jk54-Q6f2RKsvBAUp3AWSKKiY7rXsok7Wwcie0W2slaGwp7nUMSQ9mRSPY1kCs3HvweSLpu8759wc2CERrRxMsJpOcxB3p4BCeaG4I-_Ucmk29dGwI6WULp6xOrMw9hijBY8vBqrJw9f4ibnrhdd26yD15eHc0epkND5oh8z4A/w640-h422/Insight-DBR_web.jpg" title="The last days of Insight as the battery voltage collapses (Source: Bruce Banerdt)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last days of Insight as the battery voltage collapses (Source: Bruce Banerdt)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The collapsing battery voltage problem was monitored over many Martian days and changes in the battery demand by limiting the power draw for Insight operations and observations were done to try to extend battery life, but none could keep up with the decrease in power from the increasingly dust covered solar panels. Here we see one of the last "selfies" of Insight taken and we can see the dust covering the solar panels.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJW7zyksemjUxO36B1AvbekLH-rNv1jMyfZbNIUkYZ3y0PVtHmsyWBD9u6kEfO9X-bMWgMP7-RsEvqPbN3Cgq0XG8Vnrlr6i9IfSFe5NmWdgx4GdZ4UCYssWiBy6zIla9xAYIqmNgbdBvK5v5HJXhZmQ14-sNLHy5KErKMhTsNBrDTu2LLRThznQFpgQ/s700/Insight-with-Dust_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="InSight and its dust covered solar arrays (Source: Bruce Banerdt)" border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="700" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJW7zyksemjUxO36B1AvbekLH-rNv1jMyfZbNIUkYZ3y0PVtHmsyWBD9u6kEfO9X-bMWgMP7-RsEvqPbN3Cgq0XG8Vnrlr6i9IfSFe5NmWdgx4GdZ4UCYssWiBy6zIla9xAYIqmNgbdBvK5v5HJXhZmQ14-sNLHy5KErKMhTsNBrDTu2LLRThznQFpgQ/w640-h392/Insight-with-Dust_web.jpg" title="InSight and its dust covered solar arrays (Source: Bruce Banerdt)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">InSight and its dust covered solar arrays (Source: Bruce Banerdt)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>For comparison purposes here is an earlier selfie showing the bright and shinny solar arrays.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqPotlgY5rro0ssMZaz4fMziOS5PgMSqsnx5P2DQkQo7U8wDLLuW_8ZL6Qt8RUFrXulYo8nwZQWzPKWOetcLd6JS_sdgvQvnSSZqOsx2DgWoG2teTXw3PowtRJMIUUoAIK-4mXSeyEza0WDrGfJ8ShkYrR2rV0M9CzLxpARVt6ag3_83Lb3WTAMfS3A/s850/Insight-without-dust_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Earlier dust free view of InSight solar arrays (Source: Bruce Banerdt)" border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="850" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqPotlgY5rro0ssMZaz4fMziOS5PgMSqsnx5P2DQkQo7U8wDLLuW_8ZL6Qt8RUFrXulYo8nwZQWzPKWOetcLd6JS_sdgvQvnSSZqOsx2DgWoG2teTXw3PowtRJMIUUoAIK-4mXSeyEza0WDrGfJ8ShkYrR2rV0M9CzLxpARVt6ag3_83Lb3WTAMfS3A/w640-h400/Insight-without-dust_web.jpg" title="Earlier dust free view of InSight solar arrays (Source: Bruce Banerdt)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earlier dust free view of InSight solar arrays (Source: Bruce Banerdt)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>While we follow up on the possibility of detecting ancient life on Mars, we also reviewed a presentation by Adam Rutherford, on "Human Origins", which presented some of the most recent findings from genetic analysis from humans around the world. Here, in this screenshot, we see the latest genetic findings of the diverse history of human beings on Earth. It is interesting to see how the human origins from several million years ago had split into several lineages, only three of which are still found on the Earth today. It was especially interesting to see how interbreeding between early Neanderthals and lineages alive today created a mixture of human genes. Yes, my own personal DNA analysis confirms I have somewhere around 2% of the old Neanderthal genomes. Dr. Rutherford further explained that the three remaining lineages today are not really separate races just lineages that appear because of mostly geographical isolation. Check out the whole video for more details.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv2rY9R-14E4vPMwpujdEgC0Lx-nn-edf3w_tllNdG6q3TwAnlqcu7ZEXAh0VSHDgWOo78TiWSHxyFkES4wuY6OtX2yEtBIew7b_J_u9n0y8l9HDJtFg482vRxUSOVPjohLov8kWE4gR9enZQqsyw1m02q7LQJ9Cs8ue4O-2UUcar1edL8cg-zwS0aw/s800/Human-Origins_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Human Origins by Adam Rutherford at Darwin College (Source: Adam Rutherford)" border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="800" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv2rY9R-14E4vPMwpujdEgC0Lx-nn-edf3w_tllNdG6q3TwAnlqcu7ZEXAh0VSHDgWOo78TiWSHxyFkES4wuY6OtX2yEtBIew7b_J_u9n0y8l9HDJtFg482vRxUSOVPjohLov8kWE4gR9enZQqsyw1m02q7LQJ9Cs8ue4O-2UUcar1edL8cg-zwS0aw/w640-h348/Human-Origins_web.jpg" title="Human Origins by Adam Rutherford at Darwin College (Source: Adam Rutherford)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Human Origins by Adam Rutherford at Darwin College (Source: Adam Rutherford)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>During the presentation, Rutherford mentioned one of the early pioneers in eugenics, the early version of genetic analysis, was Francis Galton. He told an anecdote about Galton, where the topic of how to cut a fruit cake and still maintain the maximum freshness, was being evaluated. I looked up the original reference from December 20, 1906 in Nature magazine. Here we see what Galton proposed as the best way to cut a fruit cake and maintain freshness for the remaining portions. Hmm, the approach seems very good!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Yus2SwkLtK8L8rFK7GnsUtMg_xKTq9Badl3QQ8O6T1Z748w8-brGdPXFtutZQcfkBV_j_4mTjqIIzWj1dOm1EeM32wLi_xg1LC8_UpThaNhTMp9C1xTfsac_6JzH-aCSWg0K5ft7IFaOV8PvMa4lqZlX6UoJSgooNU97L10ckmANfQFMdNANlFPqLg/s842/F-Galton-on-cake-cutting_Dec-20-1906-Nature_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Francis Galton describes how to cut a fruit cake (Source: Nature, Dec 20, 1906)" border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Yus2SwkLtK8L8rFK7GnsUtMg_xKTq9Badl3QQ8O6T1Z748w8-brGdPXFtutZQcfkBV_j_4mTjqIIzWj1dOm1EeM32wLi_xg1LC8_UpThaNhTMp9C1xTfsac_6JzH-aCSWg0K5ft7IFaOV8PvMa4lqZlX6UoJSgooNU97L10ckmANfQFMdNANlFPqLg/w486-h640/F-Galton-on-cake-cutting_Dec-20-1906-Nature_web.jpg" title="Francis Galton describes how to cut a fruit cake (Source: Nature, Dec 20, 1906)" width="486" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Francis Galton describes how to cut a fruit cake (Source: Nature, Dec 20, 1906)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Finally, it is hard to remain out of touch with ongoing world events like the war in Ukraine and other other spots around the world and to wonder about the state of the world. In this cartoon, by SkeletonClaw, we see how one worried soul is discussing during his counseling session, his fears and getting the "good news" from his advisor</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJEN4GMt8bH4qwKXG0J3NLVJO01G2pSCmqeoI688TBGrshSDDAmJ6SW4Ym9ALEaHBCo6VaXWO6j3zhXcnbEUYWp3c3sxIBTW1BFELXkotGkSAYJqOPMlonvMDp3l7CEpk4JDqKCo8g_m1nP9mKStk_xpJy4YVRzxwv75Ke33FmSfW2BfCQBuuqbkJGg/s495/Good-News_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hmm, not clear if this is good news? (Source: SkeletonClaw.com)" border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="495" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJEN4GMt8bH4qwKXG0J3NLVJO01G2pSCmqeoI688TBGrshSDDAmJ6SW4Ym9ALEaHBCo6VaXWO6j3zhXcnbEUYWp3c3sxIBTW1BFELXkotGkSAYJqOPMlonvMDp3l7CEpk4JDqKCo8g_m1nP9mKStk_xpJy4YVRzxwv75Ke33FmSfW2BfCQBuuqbkJGg/w640-h478/Good-News_web.jpg" title="Hmm, not clear if this is good news? (Source: SkeletonClaw.com)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmm, not clear if this is good news? (Source: SkeletonClaw.com)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Resident Astronomer George</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; 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font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-85100058663319942112023-02-14T13:23:00.007-08:002023-02-16T17:02:20.141-08:00Moonbow from Julian?; Rainbow Physics; ChatGPT on Moonbows; What if AI goes rouge and other tangential jokes and source of UFOs?<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory</p><p>This week we were reminded of the Moonbow phenomena and will comment and look into the physics and then finish up with fun with some jokes.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>Some associates in Julian, CA, post a photo of the Moon and Halo or a Moonbow.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdy4CerJSMdqFayDsskhPqpGQZkN5cZ4vEIM7QmnNX8wFxXrH4dtNZUFuq-JxFydkzccC51wYzO1ucXFytqg8r6u6oSu5C2MAeT1b7eP5pmFb6I5NLhCIi2JD0ddjRVaXzlIx6LFEwDMqTqSFClyGUSeqQO5flV3zoVCSpQQ9Aep2h5Is0g__nQe2sUQ/s417/Moonbow-Image-from-Julian_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Moonbows? from Julian, CA (Source: Julian Dark Sky Network)" border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdy4CerJSMdqFayDsskhPqpGQZkN5cZ4vEIM7QmnNX8wFxXrH4dtNZUFuq-JxFydkzccC51wYzO1ucXFytqg8r6u6oSu5C2MAeT1b7eP5pmFb6I5NLhCIi2JD0ddjRVaXzlIx6LFEwDMqTqSFClyGUSeqQO5flV3zoVCSpQQ9Aep2h5Is0g__nQe2sUQ/w552-h640/Moonbow-Image-from-Julian_web.jpg" title="Moonbows? from Julian, CA (Source: Julian Dark Sky Network)" width="552" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moonbows? from Julian, CA (Source: Julian Dark Sky Network)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Very neat! Thanks to Yvonne and Doug for their efforts to look after the dark skies that we all still want and hope to enjoy more often!</p><p>Those photos triggered a question about how and why moonbows form? You probably remember some explanation about reflection ad refraction from water droplets that the moonlight shines through, exactly the same as when sunlight shines through water droplets to form a rainbow. One sight that surfaced during a google search for the physics of rainbows, from which some of the following slides are extracted, is: <a href="https://ektalks.blogspot.com/2016/10/rainbows-all-you-need-to-know-about.html">https://ektalks.blogspot.com/2016/10/rainbows-all-you-need-to-know-about.html</a></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYEfhLECg3KmrlA3xu1n5baN0_QTOB14EbxYAmziYXt5D0fIr_U9oSxCj44xi_wq-REpufeBPo_8_r22D-vtm2QM2fXJ1IWm011tt1r6tqlPABcytpHnhIdWRJs1_xPn-om0eBjh7Yzg8y6bhjrq3uaHJWfIVG2KhRo7nhivUuHbjTNWei-F-oyB4dA/s720/Moonbow-physics-1_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Viewing angle and illumination angle for rainbow formation (Source: ektalks.blotspot.com)" border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="720" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYEfhLECg3KmrlA3xu1n5baN0_QTOB14EbxYAmziYXt5D0fIr_U9oSxCj44xi_wq-REpufeBPo_8_r22D-vtm2QM2fXJ1IWm011tt1r6tqlPABcytpHnhIdWRJs1_xPn-om0eBjh7Yzg8y6bhjrq3uaHJWfIVG2KhRo7nhivUuHbjTNWei-F-oyB4dA/w640-h394/Moonbow-physics-1_web.jpg" title="Viewing angle and illumination angle for rainbow formation (Source: ektalks.blotspot.com)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viewing angle and illumination angle for rainbow formation (Source: ektalks.blotspot.com)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Here we see the viewing and illuminating conditions necessary to see the complete circular viewing of the moonbow.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1A7-pi-mI-u17KlTBkzqkeeSZzuElV4CcYHuxOmCdeyRyPTDPHOqvbFM0NgDnLaQlW1-D1GKwlwHBk38URWzLINQjwnDSvMkSFXwbcibNzUIw_VlafUuabtOXMmOv2L8dbeGq-Q16dq_DFrHwOq-zM1M0mxpIC9TAbm9XcB2GRtLo0PcvorYFLIjeA/s720/Moonbow-physics-2_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="720" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1A7-pi-mI-u17KlTBkzqkeeSZzuElV4CcYHuxOmCdeyRyPTDPHOqvbFM0NgDnLaQlW1-D1GKwlwHBk38URWzLINQjwnDSvMkSFXwbcibNzUIw_VlafUuabtOXMmOv2L8dbeGq-Q16dq_DFrHwOq-zM1M0mxpIC9TAbm9XcB2GRtLo0PcvorYFLIjeA/w640-h342/Moonbow-physics-2_web.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viewing angle and illumination angle for rainbow formation (Source: ektalks.blotspot.com)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div>Of course we have to look at reflection and refraction of spherical water droplets to finish off the physics.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YZbIM62KJmLXTGqFknQRrIuhc_ouXXSwe4c4srokRUO1WWTZ5OViVF_L12eF6vCytNllJ_fcjMCSrOteaig2dBiwXt5OoU7GlsFNURhkFA-rtz-VGkVZPZs2jJDGf7klb4Znyf4iFdvljQ-haseNk1K7mWdGWHmBrQPSAg5nDyUeSXsftOvYaVje0A/s720/Moonbow-physics-4_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Reflection and Refraction from spherical water droplets (Source: ektalks.blotspot.com)" border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="720" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YZbIM62KJmLXTGqFknQRrIuhc_ouXXSwe4c4srokRUO1WWTZ5OViVF_L12eF6vCytNllJ_fcjMCSrOteaig2dBiwXt5OoU7GlsFNURhkFA-rtz-VGkVZPZs2jJDGf7klb4Znyf4iFdvljQ-haseNk1K7mWdGWHmBrQPSAg5nDyUeSXsftOvYaVje0A/w640-h534/Moonbow-physics-4_web.jpg" title="Reflection and Refraction from spherical water droplets (Source: ektalks.blotspot.com)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflection and Refraction from spherical water droplets (Source: ektalks.blotspot.com)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Ok, if you are still interested in more of the details check out the referenced website. In the meantime, I followed up my interest in conversations with ChatGPT. As described in previous posts, ChatGPT can be sort of a study buddy to help you find answers to questions, even though, like the rest of us, it too can be spectacularly wrong. So, let's use this as another example of trying to evaluate how well ChatGPT answers questions about astronomical topics. Here is my two question conversation with ChatGPT.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYiWv8qRMF-KGS4TCCKPM4r-bOp1CFE8eZmowmP-8UI5Fj0ZhJ7BbX0jxMgzT_lNeBfoQkSFyOnYZGwNsVnLM0Yc8PO3-6QPLDjq6as234xG_xk8Q7Z5zAtfSd-gc1TxObkXMk9aF8EHg-pHwnDoxBFIE8L49wv2rT9VLQUlL8w7bz_3ZQ-ZALNLGxw/s630/Moonbow-Chat_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Conversation with ChatGPT about Moonbows and angular size of images (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="630" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYiWv8qRMF-KGS4TCCKPM4r-bOp1CFE8eZmowmP-8UI5Fj0ZhJ7BbX0jxMgzT_lNeBfoQkSFyOnYZGwNsVnLM0Yc8PO3-6QPLDjq6as234xG_xk8Q7Z5zAtfSd-gc1TxObkXMk9aF8EHg-pHwnDoxBFIE8L49wv2rT9VLQUlL8w7bz_3ZQ-ZALNLGxw/w640-h590/Moonbow-Chat_web.jpg" title="Conversation with ChatGPT about Moonbows and angular size of images (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNF6SHtLQUNHArzuvCGaG36e68SGDRBEHfz1qPvrLH4kLxpb_w3vlrxKS6xHCgpAjr1LGF57UHlKBGnsJ19CxCAYmgMb4hrSVW4A-X3Cx_XIHRu2G73c4TVTEai0RxDo-TZoOW7pDXCl648dbE7sOQtG43CxaOyXyW93kNITnUph4Ae9KnqXZwi0UZDQ/s600/Moonbow-Chat2_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Conversation with ChatGPT about Moonbows and angular size of images (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNF6SHtLQUNHArzuvCGaG36e68SGDRBEHfz1qPvrLH4kLxpb_w3vlrxKS6xHCgpAjr1LGF57UHlKBGnsJ19CxCAYmgMb4hrSVW4A-X3Cx_XIHRu2G73c4TVTEai0RxDo-TZoOW7pDXCl648dbE7sOQtG43CxaOyXyW93kNITnUph4Ae9KnqXZwi0UZDQ/w640-h430/Moonbow-Chat2_web.jpg" title="Conversation with ChatGPT about Moonbows and angular size of images (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conversation with ChatGPT about Moonbows and angular size of images (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>What surprised me in the conversation was how ChatGPT was how the angular size of the moonbow could be between 1 and 5 degrees depending on the conditions. I had misremembered the 42 degree number as the angular diameter, but it seems ChatGPT offered a different number. Hmm, well lets just use Photoshop and measure the size of the moonbows in the Julian photo. My rough eyeball measurement showed the Moon with diameter of 9 pixels, the first moonbow of 46 pixels, and the second outer moonbow at 127 pixels. The moon angular size is about 1/2 degree, so we find the first ring is about 46/18 = 2.5 degrees and the 2nd ring is about 127/18 = 7 degrees in diameter. Hmm, I guess that is maybe close enough.</p><p>At the same time, there can sometimes, maybe more often, be halos around the moon, but these, if I remember correctly, are 22 degrees in radius. The measured angular size, based on the estimated size of the lunar image, is much smaller than this. Could the diameter of the moon in the photo actually be much smaller and just appears as large as it does because of over exposure?</p><p>Ok, its finally time to finish up and have some fun with some recent jokes found online. First is this photo of Sam Alton, CEO of OpenAI, where he is depicted as carrying "the nuclear codes football" that in this case will save humanity from the case where GPT goes rogue.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdC9Bxx0WDeXE71u1vUjCgRsoMP0iwoCNFLFXrG5RQFrwZQG-zmud7u07xDzvAWjagNzeSp1QgcOTexNy7e_1WPGqBaxEdV4Cf6nGwtcZWq22W_sOEbiKiYUpI5mPxbN9ZVF2SDMZFbKWfDoQpWTuwS1c9baTnfbZKkoL9EGF15GI9ee9ly_UquJbjTQ/s360/Sam-Altman-Joke_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sam Altman, carrying the "nuclear codes football" (Source: BioBootloader)" border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="360" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdC9Bxx0WDeXE71u1vUjCgRsoMP0iwoCNFLFXrG5RQFrwZQG-zmud7u07xDzvAWjagNzeSp1QgcOTexNy7e_1WPGqBaxEdV4Cf6nGwtcZWq22W_sOEbiKiYUpI5mPxbN9ZVF2SDMZFbKWfDoQpWTuwS1c9baTnfbZKkoL9EGF15GI9ee9ly_UquJbjTQ/w640-h532/Sam-Altman-Joke_web.jpg" title="Sam Altman, carrying the "nuclear codes football" (Source: BioBootloader)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam Altman, carrying the "nuclear codes football" (Source: BioBootloader)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We also received a note from Dave, OCA and Math Whiz, about this trigonometric sin, cos and tan functions. Thanks for the note, Dave!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82bO4JcZED0EYbcyhJDYWpK_EGJwmLsuOK48Kv2rbvYihipckM6rSvBtNeYmbrDPfP-KNlLpotuyo7dIolAfPc2VS024sT_rJa6VEOyA63raeszdSfoAUxrMX4EMoeg2VNYnnt8oQZO7iDEPBmseFRlB-_HaVqq6VpkCeUWAoGV2HhrDreeK0LEIYPQ/s360/Joke_tan_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Don't squeeze too much out of this trigonometry joke (Source: Twitter, as forwarded by OCA Dave)" border="0" data-original-height="217" data-original-width="360" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82bO4JcZED0EYbcyhJDYWpK_EGJwmLsuOK48Kv2rbvYihipckM6rSvBtNeYmbrDPfP-KNlLpotuyo7dIolAfPc2VS024sT_rJa6VEOyA63raeszdSfoAUxrMX4EMoeg2VNYnnt8oQZO7iDEPBmseFRlB-_HaVqq6VpkCeUWAoGV2HhrDreeK0LEIYPQ/w640-h386/Joke_tan_web.jpg" title="Don't squeeze too much out of this trigonometry joke (Source: Twitter, as forwarded by OCA Dave)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't squeeze too much out of this trigonometry joke (Source: Twitter, as forwarded by OCA Dave)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Finally, after years of jokes about Elon and how he must be some sort of alien because he works so hard and has been so innovative. Given that starting position and what with all of the news of flying objects being shot down out of the skies, here he pokes some fun at himself and the recent spate of, shall we say, balloons and other UFOs.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kuijTI6PZFD7gCB7hk8vJB2odyDLWorc4M5CqkI6CNiY027rr8qFGIFMd07gypYwf45OJ0H2BCp0w-gCyWo5h9k3kmOHihlLtoLAnhIitHRIT7e1W_wFZ_qlyaGNgfByUkZpOhA-OrE5qlsiU-qJ-xacz6j2AiEj7SoFaT0pmw1tDaVq_XcTlwMvMA/s360/Elons-Joke_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="360" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kuijTI6PZFD7gCB7hk8vJB2odyDLWorc4M5CqkI6CNiY027rr8qFGIFMd07gypYwf45OJ0H2BCp0w-gCyWo5h9k3kmOHihlLtoLAnhIitHRIT7e1W_wFZ_qlyaGNgfByUkZpOhA-OrE5qlsiU-qJ-xacz6j2AiEj7SoFaT0pmw1tDaVq_XcTlwMvMA/w640-h312/Elons-Joke_web.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Resident Astronomer George</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; 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font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">If you are interested in things astronomical or in astrophysics and cosmology</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-31754395746599102552023-02-08T20:58:00.003-08:002023-02-08T21:04:57.114-08:00Sadly, we report on the passing of Astronomer Assistant Willow; We will miss you, Willow!<p> Sad Greetings from Palmia Observatory,</p><p>Astronomer Assistant Willow has been part of the observatory staff for about 17 years and passed away today.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThH2d1GeF9EXi6BoqugH_Xev6sZRek-1sRT8x69f1NsSjtaZQaCOpPORvMX83_KFRa1xGrhzDif8hY1D9yJ-Y8d0OJoT1jBqNFId-Kp-L1RLbRav5mpm7b5OYZSU2zWEvfPv79eXOFT84gxEg0nFtnfvMCWMNco9YMOg4bJYUIkMHpiXJrVk2G7KP1Q/s479/Willow_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Astronomer Assistant Willow (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThH2d1GeF9EXi6BoqugH_Xev6sZRek-1sRT8x69f1NsSjtaZQaCOpPORvMX83_KFRa1xGrhzDif8hY1D9yJ-Y8d0OJoT1jBqNFId-Kp-L1RLbRav5mpm7b5OYZSU2zWEvfPv79eXOFT84gxEg0nFtnfvMCWMNco9YMOg4bJYUIkMHpiXJrVk2G7KP1Q/w482-h640/Willow_web.jpg" title="Astronomer Assistant Willow (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="482" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Astronomer Assistant Willow (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Willow was a dedicated assistant to the observatory staff and greeted all of us as we performed our duties and observations. No matter how the day went, Willow was always of good cheer and always greeted us with affection. While she rejected everyone of Astronomer Assistant Ruby's attempts to get her to play, she did allow Ruby to sleep on the same couch with her.</p><p>Here she displays her playful nature as we turn her over and rub her tummy.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AmCcOhYdEKgVK0Ly3BzmTVmnRSuwla-uU9Tss1O55nIqiOGd5-tC3TrrPYLVE9__i0G8iFi_hu-oQG4ZJyG8iLZ-0QfD_AcIt09ydLA2T6XRBb4g9BfPY3iKxZM_Bw1pTy7nM3_8vhaQDNq0dgVfj09UOG_rh-AxSW5LT9HWSnMZuVzRvP9KBcjBww/s480/Willow-1_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Astronomer Assistant Willow enjoys a tummy rub (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AmCcOhYdEKgVK0Ly3BzmTVmnRSuwla-uU9Tss1O55nIqiOGd5-tC3TrrPYLVE9__i0G8iFi_hu-oQG4ZJyG8iLZ-0QfD_AcIt09ydLA2T6XRBb4g9BfPY3iKxZM_Bw1pTy7nM3_8vhaQDNq0dgVfj09UOG_rh-AxSW5LT9HWSnMZuVzRvP9KBcjBww/w480-h640/Willow-1_web.jpg" title="Astronomer Assistant Willow enjoys a tummy rub (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Astronomer Assistant Willow enjoys a tummy rub (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Willow had been sick and would not eat for over a week. She was not just tired of her food but suffered from some malady, maybe kidney failure. We waited for her to get better, but she refused to eat anything and drank water only reluctantly. We finally decided after an examination and discussion with the vet that she would have to be put down.</p><p>Here Resident Astronomer Peggy says her final goodbye to Willow at the veterinary hospital.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKhtsuVRGP2Q8yw7p1_7PMmnX_l_--yPXw8yn280mJFjfB7Qt6dwhSW0wnzGPzFf1WaflSu5pks2e1iVmoaSDoIXv1ltxxKudlqwPV0XnqCTkDq3AxRxzD8YA75HMxIz2SzEhLbGLBmZy67W1NINpuCh_ZTvemS8TdXYRY6mcqCBWmP-OSqOD-UMT0g/s480/Saying-goodbye-to-Willow_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Resident Astronomer Peggy says her final goodbye to Willow (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKhtsuVRGP2Q8yw7p1_7PMmnX_l_--yPXw8yn280mJFjfB7Qt6dwhSW0wnzGPzFf1WaflSu5pks2e1iVmoaSDoIXv1ltxxKudlqwPV0XnqCTkDq3AxRxzD8YA75HMxIz2SzEhLbGLBmZy67W1NINpuCh_ZTvemS8TdXYRY6mcqCBWmP-OSqOD-UMT0g/w480-h640/Saying-goodbye-to-Willow_web.jpg" title="Resident Astronomer Peggy says her final goodbye to Willow (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resident Astronomer Peggy says her final goodbye to Willow (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>We had just recently, a couple of months ago, commissioned a Ukrainian artist, Victoria, to make a 3-dimensional portrait of Willow. Based on photographs of Willow, the portrait is made of colored felt and her long tail hangs out of the picture frame. At least we have this 3-D portrait to remember Willow.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXc1Z17qIf_DTG-J38uIdVCJhXHbLg4nP2n9xoGR5evdXJxKUOGDv41BpxqKEKr8FRbqAJDhjDNu_uVBKMECTtzaU1reSeo-hUVt8KJ6IW3NwD7iY0TZ1fQQUPz44GXF3tsYJ5_rQcOm3RUkJMPW_UnTTYHnhuftWjKNx5naEnzMjgISjbHaG3DgqlxQ/s657/Willow-Portrait_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="3-dimension portrait of Willow (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXc1Z17qIf_DTG-J38uIdVCJhXHbLg4nP2n9xoGR5evdXJxKUOGDv41BpxqKEKr8FRbqAJDhjDNu_uVBKMECTtzaU1reSeo-hUVt8KJ6IW3NwD7iY0TZ1fQQUPz44GXF3tsYJ5_rQcOm3RUkJMPW_UnTTYHnhuftWjKNx5naEnzMjgISjbHaG3DgqlxQ/w468-h640/Willow-Portrait_web.jpg" title="3-dimension portrait of Willow (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="468" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3-dimension portrait of Willow (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>We will miss you Willow!</p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Resident Astronomer George</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; 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font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-49984630147181495262023-02-05T08:52:00.002-08:002023-02-05T09:29:28.233-08:00Some more OCA city lights images of the comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF); Has the Earth's core stopped spinning; Sabine says NO!; Neil Turok poses gravitational entropy as source of flatness, not inflation<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory</p><p>Well, this lazy astronomer had to go out in early evening in city lights viewing and try to capture the comet again.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>Attempting to see the comet in the early evening, around 8:00pm, was a little easier in that there were more almost visible stars to help navigate to where the comet should be located. In this DSLR, 30 second image with 300mm telephoto lens, you can just barely start to see more of the comet glow.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDfteFPfDfYi9mqRwJI9-zxoM0yB0Hr41zJmRn2WBK-ypdrJ__0IOwKJuNCseKXpRrcHB9GxXuMjiqWrBC-AoKcS9HNpDjKeQ2cjVoS8g0PW7mG5_ybJq5OGOYWWZ7zCzE7LwIfpozL69Cs86TvancHO8fNzrDTKqUxZXVaAhMF1aGHCC69QzrVFHbA/s1050/Comet-ZTF_IMG5773_300mm_ISO800_30-seconds_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="City lights view of comet, 30 seconds, no tracking, 300mm DSLR (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1050" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDfteFPfDfYi9mqRwJI9-zxoM0yB0Hr41zJmRn2WBK-ypdrJ__0IOwKJuNCseKXpRrcHB9GxXuMjiqWrBC-AoKcS9HNpDjKeQ2cjVoS8g0PW7mG5_ybJq5OGOYWWZ7zCzE7LwIfpozL69Cs86TvancHO8fNzrDTKqUxZXVaAhMF1aGHCC69QzrVFHbA/w640-h426/Comet-ZTF_IMG5773_300mm_ISO800_30-seconds_web.jpg" title="City lights view of comet, 30 seconds, no tracking, 300mm DSLR (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City lights view of comet, 30 seconds, no tracking, 300mm DSLR (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>But even in this cropped and expanded view of the above image, you really can't see much detail. You also start to see the limitations of using a DSLR on flimsy tripod, without tracking capability, how star trails start to be more visible and the comet image is also stretch due to Earth rotation.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmWJbXJmyEEEo6JnmwZY5rbvJZdeOEt5rCGNchPleaYaebsDKzmW8CNSOwenrwvzYUAFKJ4xrpKwsyj9X-29_nigpx09XgU2QVKeZWVUIfuS095TUIn_PWgPsR2v1_2zPIW0EXCBevMrT4iAzYnDBeOmH77lNze9YRsZnUytrBFzXUFoErbAignwlSQ/s900/Comet-ZTF_IMG5773_300mm_ISO800_30-seconds_cropped_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cropped image of comet, 30 seconds, no tracking, 300mm DSLR (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="900" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmWJbXJmyEEEo6JnmwZY5rbvJZdeOEt5rCGNchPleaYaebsDKzmW8CNSOwenrwvzYUAFKJ4xrpKwsyj9X-29_nigpx09XgU2QVKeZWVUIfuS095TUIn_PWgPsR2v1_2zPIW0EXCBevMrT4iAzYnDBeOmH77lNze9YRsZnUytrBFzXUFoErbAignwlSQ/w640-h558/Comet-ZTF_IMG5773_300mm_ISO800_30-seconds_cropped_web.jpg" title="Cropped image of comet, 30 seconds, no tracking, 300mm DSLR (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cropped image of comet, 30 seconds, no tracking, 300mm DSLR (Source: Palmia Observatory)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>But other OCAstronomers try viewing in city lights but add tracking and stacking and are able to get much better detail and resolution. Check out this image prepared by OCA Alan Long from Long Beach viewing site. He combined 41 15-second sub-images to get this final result.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-TaS9JkkDlKVDAQhYHGCRM9LdT1T2kwN6_Y0VynhV2ugSFVyTjKmQk5P-VlC6mnPjo_YK0rhBSpkc40ZzCqBcwynLcBdOYnY4a5zR9B2iRRlMDHtolB1J4nNrtp68hs3bd28XBEoQbpo-TO-jpxZa5NzucVkWgO6tBWYMFvGUL4nwZBiLMdjLlKwlw/s1350/Comet-by-Alan_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="City lights imaging of comet with stacking and tracking (Source: OCA Alan Lang)" border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1350" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-TaS9JkkDlKVDAQhYHGCRM9LdT1T2kwN6_Y0VynhV2ugSFVyTjKmQk5P-VlC6mnPjo_YK0rhBSpkc40ZzCqBcwynLcBdOYnY4a5zR9B2iRRlMDHtolB1J4nNrtp68hs3bd28XBEoQbpo-TO-jpxZa5NzucVkWgO6tBWYMFvGUL4nwZBiLMdjLlKwlw/w640-h466/Comet-by-Alan_web.jpg" title="City lights imaging of comet with stacking and tracking (Source: OCA Alan Lang)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City lights imaging of comet with stacking and tracking (Source: OCA Alan Lang)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Because the motion of the comet is fast enough, it will appear to move against the background stars, unlike photographing deep sky objects like other galaxies. So this image can stack multiple images together to reduce noise, it is also necessary to compensate for the motion of the comet against the stellar background. Modern astronomical software used by amateur astronomers can easily accomplish all of this. Other local OCA members have produced great images taken from dark sky sites, but ere we see what can be done in city lights locations. Thanks for sharing, Alan!</p><p>In other science news there was a news flash about how the Earth's core had stopped spinning. WHAT? Anyway a quick Google search verified that there were a lot of YouTube headlines outlining the tragic event that the Earth's core had stopped. Check out the top four search results.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_io7s11TGWFpSKfG2-Eaa9KznAWf9dsQm6LKIYTfNpYEKUk3TmVM-woVQ4Uk5BVSgZ1EAm8-dDFTF9jaC8WgoAvTHADO6iiQLDs2hkcfTULIMgNIedY1Fdaf6A7HyqEVXKLW9DGhVvOUy6JjpSoS5FIxzDiemn4vWLTAawjjAr4UwtJXXZ4IC3eXr9A/s701/Core-Stopped_Sabine_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Top Google search results for Earth's core stopped turning (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="630" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_io7s11TGWFpSKfG2-Eaa9KznAWf9dsQm6LKIYTfNpYEKUk3TmVM-woVQ4Uk5BVSgZ1EAm8-dDFTF9jaC8WgoAvTHADO6iiQLDs2hkcfTULIMgNIedY1Fdaf6A7HyqEVXKLW9DGhVvOUy6JjpSoS5FIxzDiemn4vWLTAawjjAr4UwtJXXZ4IC3eXr9A/w576-h640/Core-Stopped_Sabine_web.jpg" title="Top Google search results for Earth's core stopped turning (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="576" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Google search results for Earth's core stopped turning (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Hey, wait just a minute there in that search result number three by one of our favorite physicists to follow on YouTube, goes against the grain and says "NO, The Earth's Core didn't stop spinning." She goes on to explain that what really is happening is that more precise measurements of the rotation rate of the Earth's core changes ever so slightly over an observational period of many years. And a review of the law of conservation of momentum if the core slows down a bit, then some other part of the Earth must speed up a bit so that momentum is conserved. Now over the course of billions of years, as planets cool down and the velocity of the inner Earth changes we might indeed see "terrifying" effects as the magnetic field shuts down.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eRkE8F_xalLNVIROrTZx04Up_6p-Elbr7Mk-WEOiF1mlZyjHddDTLmqkQffTSnp0n541_Ouvsmjc456sk5gevD2u2RdgLbyX-hLg8v71ehEDw0J90fXszFETACwZ921LVEp6FtxFj4TA--OfjDfn7xUbBFIFLRjPQd5cBewC7tAfpULK__48QSl3Zw/s720/Sabine_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Well, Sabine helps us understand that the core has not stopped! (Source: Sabine Hossenfelder)" border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="720" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eRkE8F_xalLNVIROrTZx04Up_6p-Elbr7Mk-WEOiF1mlZyjHddDTLmqkQffTSnp0n541_Ouvsmjc456sk5gevD2u2RdgLbyX-hLg8v71ehEDw0J90fXszFETACwZ921LVEp6FtxFj4TA--OfjDfn7xUbBFIFLRjPQd5cBewC7tAfpULK__48QSl3Zw/w640-h360/Sabine_web.jpg" title="Well, Sabine helps us understand that the core has not stopped! (Source: Sabine Hossenfelder)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well, Sabine helps us understand that the core has not stopped! (Source: Sabine Hossenfelder)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>I tried to review the original scientific paper, but although I subscribe to Nature, the paper was published in a special part of Nature called Nature Geoscience, so it was behind a pay wall that I did not have access to. It was also encouraging that just a little more searching revealed that other internet sites provided more correct details compared to some of the "click bait" and "false news" of the other sites.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibV4Kia3Xbh7nx6dHEhN8S60yhANQAO8u21UGpdPXuO5kpmO6vSDh8K2sQcfPxd5HHAlga1V5RicqdEQEg7gBTvDFdXaV9ARJLIB-SWjxNOX3NlcYNoZrqNo0Zj0NbBk87Xr9YxkJhxXfbilG3TT0J-rJ4MDLLBnq5KGJyznnYh5vomSm6GvrsDd28Gw/s691/No-the-core-hasnt-stopped_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A little more Google searching finds at least another "NO" (Source: verifythis.com)" border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="630" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibV4Kia3Xbh7nx6dHEhN8S60yhANQAO8u21UGpdPXuO5kpmO6vSDh8K2sQcfPxd5HHAlga1V5RicqdEQEg7gBTvDFdXaV9ARJLIB-SWjxNOX3NlcYNoZrqNo0Zj0NbBk87Xr9YxkJhxXfbilG3TT0J-rJ4MDLLBnq5KGJyznnYh5vomSm6GvrsDd28Gw/w584-h640/No-the-core-hasnt-stopped_web.jpg" title="A little more Google searching finds at least another "NO" (Source: verifythis.com)" width="584" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little more Google searching finds at least another "NO" (Source: verifythis.com)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Finally, to come back to some more real physics, or maybe at least important and speculative physics, we read about Neil Turok's new theory, described New Scientist, Jan 28 - Feb 3, 2023, to explain the flatness of the current universe, usually attributed to inflation, can instead be better explained by good old fashioned thermodynamics and gravitational entropy.</p><p>Wow, that is pretty neat if it works out. The theory of inflation has often been thought of a "just so" story, that fits the data very well, but is never quite explained as to how inflation starts and how it stops.</p><p>Now you can go to the arXiV and read Neil's original papers or maybe more easier on the brain just listen in on some his YouTube lecture presentations. This lecture at Canadian Quantum Research Center is pretty informative, at least for the armchair cosmologies, and can be found at: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fij8NqdFtMI">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fij8NqdFtMI</a></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNnCplU_N2E5wGMbzpFGhiyYq_lyXIQQp8dwMQgWnfWyK5e5modcaYQ9ysv6VmdjZlLjxQrBzw66CSGmqVM-93Rvs73GArx2d5WEDK1vzuaa8kirqU-auGsrvcUFiapYx2ssha55rY7zprI8J7jEULvVP21UkpJK9l72mT1guY3Cf8oEjQgMkckXD0w/s800/Gravitational-Entropy_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Neil Turok explains gravitational entropy as source of flatness (Source: Neil Turok, CQRC)" border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNnCplU_N2E5wGMbzpFGhiyYq_lyXIQQp8dwMQgWnfWyK5e5modcaYQ9ysv6VmdjZlLjxQrBzw66CSGmqVM-93Rvs73GArx2d5WEDK1vzuaa8kirqU-auGsrvcUFiapYx2ssha55rY7zprI8J7jEULvVP21UkpJK9l72mT1guY3Cf8oEjQgMkckXD0w/w640-h300/Gravitational-Entropy_web.jpg" title="Neil Turok explains gravitational entropy as source of flatness (Source: Neil Turok, CQRC)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neil Turok explains gravitational entropy as source of flatness (Source: Neil Turok, CQRC)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Let me know what you think about this conjecture. In this slide, Neil introduces the usual equations at the start of introducing gravitational entropy and black hole thermodynamics.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDi9cU6TplbRLebFIRUNBLqzVPhtFVT7DkZaZhDVnp_NiY_QhOG19qvFXJYyVyUfTxvLfRT60-YR_3Bv1sstDrqHiA646rcczv2ssWnD8xZtgyaHtsbfzUeW8cCSiZbB8bp1ugw3GrfV0qQFxH0xhApPWE6jHtW6m-_IGuNzuAmtpO8qRFQR1B7MosFw/s720/Neil-Turok-Slide_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Neil Turok explains just using thermodynamics as source of flatness (Source: Neil Turok, CQRC)" border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="720" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDi9cU6TplbRLebFIRUNBLqzVPhtFVT7DkZaZhDVnp_NiY_QhOG19qvFXJYyVyUfTxvLfRT60-YR_3Bv1sstDrqHiA646rcczv2ssWnD8xZtgyaHtsbfzUeW8cCSiZbB8bp1ugw3GrfV0qQFxH0xhApPWE6jHtW6m-_IGuNzuAmtpO8qRFQR1B7MosFw/w640-h360/Neil-Turok-Slide_web.jpg" title="Neil Turok explains just using thermodynamics as source of flatness (Source: Neil Turok, CQRC)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neil Turok explains just using thermodynamics as source of flatness (Source: Neil Turok, CQRC)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>For me, I have been trying for some time now to just work through how to calculate the entropy of a star and look into how the entropy of a black hole is calculated.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hmm, I'm still working on that, even as I get all twisted up just thinking about it!</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUlvK6YWYGxl5mP6RfpeuV8aUoqSakoRSfAkpArJPUGU8acrH5u8IYt2a_aciXCvftU5v6LO7mw2gcZepvR10N4fkzLhNhkeR6LijN5fN-_pUh6wAKIz5VPoFBTZq6wipecHw51zBoK6SxDsXK4qFG6U7z8JfxZilAn0tXZYCdHFMJJ2XFTnAudcW_g/s362/Twisted-me_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Resident Astronomer George trying to understand gravitational entropy (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUlvK6YWYGxl5mP6RfpeuV8aUoqSakoRSfAkpArJPUGU8acrH5u8IYt2a_aciXCvftU5v6LO7mw2gcZepvR10N4fkzLhNhkeR6LijN5fN-_pUh6wAKIz5VPoFBTZq6wipecHw51zBoK6SxDsXK4qFG6U7z8JfxZilAn0tXZYCdHFMJJ2XFTnAudcW_g/w636-h640/Twisted-me_web.jpg" title="Resident Astronomer George trying to understand gravitational entropy (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="636" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resident Astronomer George trying to understand gravitational entropy (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Resident Astronomer George</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; 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font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-59518816016882328462023-01-23T19:54:00.004-08:002023-01-23T19:54:35.751-08:00First attempt to capture Comet ZTF (C/2022 E3); Impressive size reduction in auto transponders; New Tesla Model Y; Some comments on AAS241 meeting; Drawing with your drink! <p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory,</p><p>Well, we will report on our first attempt to capture Comet ZTF (C/2022 E3), which is predicted to reach magnitude 6.2 and then review some observatory news and finally comment again on AAS41 meeting.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>A quick check on the comet's location using GoSkyWatch shows pretty good opportunities for early morning. The comet is rising in the sky overnight and we should have many opportunities before the sun comes up, if those darn clouds and rain stay out of the way.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sBt3iDlTuz3v7J4FeBggV3YbPH8FtZBFyrKHw9Rjkg-kYiQWsNdKz-7AU6v9VO3WyT3WXynfNl1mQH8664eB2yFNW9ELDU8WiXRMm675BsZIkKlvym5X3gLtBGIrcSI_vpxYNSu1JfN8lj4wblcC0Lz3jXadxxN7OUiLzsRDWZpwUWH4K0QL_1097Q/s694/Comet-ZTF_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="GoSkyWatch app predicts viewing angles for comet ZTF(C2022 E3) (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sBt3iDlTuz3v7J4FeBggV3YbPH8FtZBFyrKHw9Rjkg-kYiQWsNdKz-7AU6v9VO3WyT3WXynfNl1mQH8664eB2yFNW9ELDU8WiXRMm675BsZIkKlvym5X3gLtBGIrcSI_vpxYNSu1JfN8lj4wblcC0Lz3jXadxxN7OUiLzsRDWZpwUWH4K0QL_1097Q/w442-h640/Comet-ZTF_web.jpg" title="GoSkyWatch app predicts viewing angles for comet ZTF(C2022 E3) (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="442" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GoSkyWatch app predicts viewing angles for comet ZTF(C2022 E3) (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>So, the night sky has been so cloudy lately, but Sunday morning was much better viewing, and this lazy astronomer set out, just before 5:00 am, with his flimsy tripod and DSLR in an attempt to capture the comet. Well, without a computer controlled tripod and no close by visible guide starts to zero in on the comet, the search was sort of hit and miss and take another long exposure and again after some slight adjustment, mostly in elevation. I sort of triangulated between Vega, which had about the same azimuth and Antares, which had about the right elevation and used a wide angle 34-55mm focal length setting to minimize the hunt and seek number of images that that to be taken.</p><p>One of my early images had what looked like a comet with a tail, but the astrometry was not right, The photo below had what appeared to be a bright little smudge of light and a tail and also had the right astrometry. If I had seen the little smudge while in the field I could have lengthened the shutter time and tried to get more detail, but that was not to be.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuL-YcYtN6qbhImde6VXQSfIYm3YXEYPxJ89O5oT49181XRieZww7vxwiZPPsge3FrVCh4kXQk6jZVSrBTnleeV_7SngmWBTTMfOXz5kJhgKm0_HfaYoZeJzaG2rsU86t6PCQ2krRw1L6mqL4ZskwWsEBgaWtnw4N1jfUdfp_ruQHX3Q8hB86fGPoVg/s750/Comet_IMG5755_34mm_ISO800_30-seconds_web3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Possible ZTF Comet (image, high center), DSLR, 34mm, 30 seconds (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuL-YcYtN6qbhImde6VXQSfIYm3YXEYPxJ89O5oT49181XRieZww7vxwiZPPsge3FrVCh4kXQk6jZVSrBTnleeV_7SngmWBTTMfOXz5kJhgKm0_HfaYoZeJzaG2rsU86t6PCQ2krRw1L6mqL4ZskwWsEBgaWtnw4N1jfUdfp_ruQHX3Q8hB86fGPoVg/w640-h426/Comet_IMG5755_34mm_ISO800_30-seconds_web3.jpg" title="Possible ZTF Comet (image, high center), DSLR, 34mm, 30 seconds (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possible ZTF Comet (image, high center), DSLR, 34mm, 30 seconds (Source: Palmia Observatory)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I sort of see a comet like object in the upper middle of the image. The good news is that the astrometry for the image shows should contain the comet. The center of the image matches the right ascension for the comet and the declination is off by about 6 degrees.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoUi8dc0UoATXOynl-e_utRCWystuPVhe_raVWH4NKjUhWZeUKVfk_E8XgFYHj-cOECavWA4klpmQ8uX0EMr4JO83j8OmGlsKkFdW_Ex3-ycYY923cQoiBl4XZV328mmSMe4Y4nO8dpx56Zfj_2Xde7CRAbn74ywjpAeo5aPx14RY7xeFVUpy_Z0_PA/s648/Image-5755-Astrometry_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Astrometry.net shows previous image center close to Comet ZTF (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="648" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoUi8dc0UoATXOynl-e_utRCWystuPVhe_raVWH4NKjUhWZeUKVfk_E8XgFYHj-cOECavWA4klpmQ8uX0EMr4JO83j8OmGlsKkFdW_Ex3-ycYY923cQoiBl4XZV328mmSMe4Y4nO8dpx56Zfj_2Xde7CRAbn74ywjpAeo5aPx14RY7xeFVUpy_Z0_PA/w640-h310/Image-5755-Astrometry_web.jpg" title="Astrometry.net shows previous image center close to Comet ZTF (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Astrometry.net shows previous image center close to Comet ZTF (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Sadly, I didn't try to change lenses and get a little more focal length and resolution on the target and I might have found out the first image was not right. Might be able to try getting a better image of the comet in a couple of days.</p><p>In other news, we had to switch out a toll road transponder with a newer version. The older version was not working very well and when we received our new Tesla Model Y, it was time to upgrade. Note how the new transponder on the left in the image below is just contained all in a a flexible sort of circuit board and has a self adhesive backing that can is used to mount the transponder on the automobile windshield. This tiny size is pretty impressive compared to the older model, on the right side, that probably contains a printed circuit board with various chips and components soldered on to it.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjpb1PyK4P1l1VkcB_GwaWgG0-KNVPAR_T_nQZcmiOe13VrhHamwg_2PU5vvvAaL9RngkQbGjHxMFeghDmk_bdU3PaTRzysVysPXG-vb4HreJu71szCZSkDsqY7pGoVViUxfLjcyp5B_kURhl6XZKVCvTc0EblsFAO8W7S8CGV1SiI1Rd5IKUPlNZpA/s630/Transponders_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Wow, new transponder technology really shrinks system size (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="630" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjpb1PyK4P1l1VkcB_GwaWgG0-KNVPAR_T_nQZcmiOe13VrhHamwg_2PU5vvvAaL9RngkQbGjHxMFeghDmk_bdU3PaTRzysVysPXG-vb4HreJu71szCZSkDsqY7pGoVViUxfLjcyp5B_kURhl6XZKVCvTc0EblsFAO8W7S8CGV1SiI1Rd5IKUPlNZpA/w640-h480/Transponders_web.jpg" title="Wow, new transponder technology really shrinks system size (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wow, new transponder technology really shrinks system size (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>So here you can just barely see the new transponder on the driver's side windshield.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAcQ7sxDp5y10Jzfjnj9uK73k_NdT4FtGSQ139nCb1gCI30OGxrVC85OaPhNO8aNj9CnJdxaMcnhJxWJOcTVencPz9QCC0_rwYwdeVUQHHfUca2nHeg01YPu-Dm4tC7RQ7CHyFA5iNXtb_oCpDqSZqSYwn9PYp86UXrF9c7r2qpCc0Dtv4uhoIszp0A/s566/T-and-Me_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="New transponder for new Tesla Model Y (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAcQ7sxDp5y10Jzfjnj9uK73k_NdT4FtGSQ139nCb1gCI30OGxrVC85OaPhNO8aNj9CnJdxaMcnhJxWJOcTVencPz9QCC0_rwYwdeVUQHHfUca2nHeg01YPu-Dm4tC7RQ7CHyFA5iNXtb_oCpDqSZqSYwn9PYp86UXrF9c7r2qpCc0Dtv4uhoIszp0A/w542-h640/T-and-Me_web.jpg" title="New transponder for new Tesla Model Y (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="542" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New transponder for new Tesla Model Y (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Some people have asked why we got a new Tesla and if we had done a lot of research and evaluated how much it supports moving away from burning fossil fuel, etc., and all I could say is no, I just sort of assumed that it was a good deal for the environment and I liked the performance of the car and had always been impressed with the inventiveness and innovation of Elon in his other SpaceX endeavors too. As far as helping the environment, I recently learned that the car probably will reach a net reduction in total CO2 reduction improvement in about 2 years. Over this time period the reduction of CO2 will cover all of the CO2 produced during the manufacture of the car. The payback period changes a little bit depending on the amount of green electricity used to charge the car.</p><p>I remember back about 11 years ago, I sort of decided that when the time comes to get a new car, that I would get an all electric car. This desire originated at that time by working on various hybrid electric propulsion systems for ships. One case study at that time was this article in the Naval Engineers Journal. The study evaluated the benefits, costs and feasibility of adding hybrid drive capability to existing ships and how in the future it could be possible to build "the All Electric Ship."</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdae6PhMjsVY-ripiPKfrit_8dwA0sh466YfEmnRj6n0v0hwKuM1UOMYgLGiA_1cXwJLMuvmTc-TD7j7FS274bWEFoRkZZDWFLWpJsMmZI-xe1SjoFGxop3xxVhn9tOxpSm7iZKPL2TFo7aRU5F6nBmhfhBUU1bic1QLuH-d5xVKOlevhCvE1NHY4TQ/s715/CG47_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Resident Astronomer's interest in electric drive technology from 11 years ago (Source: Wiley.com)" border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdae6PhMjsVY-ripiPKfrit_8dwA0sh466YfEmnRj6n0v0hwKuM1UOMYgLGiA_1cXwJLMuvmTc-TD7j7FS274bWEFoRkZZDWFLWpJsMmZI-xe1SjoFGxop3xxVhn9tOxpSm7iZKPL2TFo7aRU5F6nBmhfhBUU1bic1QLuH-d5xVKOlevhCvE1NHY4TQ/w394-h640/CG47_web.jpg" title="Resident Astronomer's interest in electric drive technology from 11 years ago (Source: Wiley.com)" width="394" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resident Astronomer's interest in electric drive technology from 11 years ago (Source: Wiley.com)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Ok, now let's return to providing a few comments on the recent AAS241 meeting. I attended several of the online plenary sessions and was very impressed by John Mather, JWST Senior Project Scientist, and his discussion of some of the findings and future steps being planned to further understanding of the universe. In one of his slides, he mentioned how JWST can collect multiple spectra at one time and how the redshift observed for many galaxies has now been pushed out to Z > 10.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtehCwsCCdlyL1CrX-osjhr7is5ZoFly2DoyHLKdgtaPZr_cbRIglcWfNmHyTWKj4NXT7NlBBj-1b3Xj9d2iCIX7f9Xnq0pAuB60fntgCdC9j17JQZlMENZNM31C7n8hQUoazMcrYG51SbOnbz45Kvs9GomESzhQnxaarTxtVEJ8J8vdX-22QSHtmFMQ/s800/JWST-Spectra_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Some preliminary JWST spectra results for z > 10 (Source: John Mather, AAS241)" border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtehCwsCCdlyL1CrX-osjhr7is5ZoFly2DoyHLKdgtaPZr_cbRIglcWfNmHyTWKj4NXT7NlBBj-1b3Xj9d2iCIX7f9Xnq0pAuB60fntgCdC9j17JQZlMENZNM31C7n8hQUoazMcrYG51SbOnbz45Kvs9GomESzhQnxaarTxtVEJ8J8vdX-22QSHtmFMQ/w640-h426/JWST-Spectra_web.jpg" title="Some preliminary JWST spectra results for z > 10 (Source: John Mather, AAS241)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some preliminary JWST spectra results for z > 10 (Source: John Mather, AAS241)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Another finding is that with JWST we can find a star lensed by every cluster. This provides more opportunities to measure the mass of those clusters.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyN6b5YkWldXcmyBfJwFeAg3X9qQ2hOK_8DEZhb1-DcBOqyXIY6vqfBUYNPpKa7rZQsHijxbHkNIrnrl4M0btSzanX1MCsZ5vFa8fLGt8DBAxO8JStA3V84EHoQdhWdBaYoxe-2egud6DmFd93TYsq45snm1y88ZWpVVRazFh7wuVFs2DIN71MGFKkzQ/s700/Star-lensed-by-cluster_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="JWST finds stars imaged by gravitational lens for every cluster (Source: John Mather, AAS241)" border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="700" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyN6b5YkWldXcmyBfJwFeAg3X9qQ2hOK_8DEZhb1-DcBOqyXIY6vqfBUYNPpKa7rZQsHijxbHkNIrnrl4M0btSzanX1MCsZ5vFa8fLGt8DBAxO8JStA3V84EHoQdhWdBaYoxe-2egud6DmFd93TYsq45snm1y88ZWpVVRazFh7wuVFs2DIN71MGFKkzQ/w640-h424/Star-lensed-by-cluster_web.jpg" title="JWST finds stars imaged by gravitational lens for every cluster (Source: John Mather, AAS241)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JWST finds stars imaged by gravitational lens for every cluster (Source: John Mather, AAS241)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>As a consequence of being able o look further back in time, JWST was able to identify some of the oldest galaxies and how their age indicates that they formed much more quickly after the big bang than was currently expected by most galactic formation models. Hmm, sounds like some more tension and a chance to update galaxy formation models.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6by_YtX8yr1yGnBW04dbl84VIfs9kAtajJSXanf6PX4Wd3_6zPGC6pixBJ9MAmpONHbcBQHsxeyUda1kPNWMOZqUC8qEKyb6z6px3WnEvEkNdcFmECICWK7oNvLxO8naGECjjWq8g-nBH5ZFhYK1FAv9XlexudHxZX7XD7-gNWlHsdgJfylnbiJmt9w/s630/Too-Many-Too-Big-Too-mature-Too-soon_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="JWST finds many old galaxies seem to form much earlier than expected (Source: John Mather, AAS241)" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="630" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6by_YtX8yr1yGnBW04dbl84VIfs9kAtajJSXanf6PX4Wd3_6zPGC6pixBJ9MAmpONHbcBQHsxeyUda1kPNWMOZqUC8qEKyb6z6px3WnEvEkNdcFmECICWK7oNvLxO8naGECjjWq8g-nBH5ZFhYK1FAv9XlexudHxZX7XD7-gNWlHsdgJfylnbiJmt9w/w640-h426/Too-Many-Too-Big-Too-mature-Too-soon_web.jpg" title="JWST finds many old galaxies seem to form much earlier than expected (Source: John Mather, AAS241)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JWST finds many old galaxies seem to form much earlier than expected (Source: John Mather, AAS241)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>JWST is a magnificent tool that adds to the growing knowledge about the structure of the universe. Mather hints that many more Nobel prizes will come from observations made with the JWST. Check out the earlier group of Noble prize winners for astrophysics theories from just his last decade.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpeA-lsBRGnplO8yYmMhnx_ut6qZU9kWeL3FJRg_MfL4Dserm42cIa0FwEKqnc3bj7zFcKtjuTFIMTQzHfFzOEw7UYDjVSJHNV9tJpidMgX__0rNrqQLu37MuOvS9fvnZQOgROlgKlPnrIDvLL3MWYLJWuoPshrzSu96xhrPGLWP9l1K3Qqcmnym8Og/s600/Nobel-Prizes_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Recent Nobel prize winners for discoveries in astrophysics (Source: John Mather, AAS241)" border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpeA-lsBRGnplO8yYmMhnx_ut6qZU9kWeL3FJRg_MfL4Dserm42cIa0FwEKqnc3bj7zFcKtjuTFIMTQzHfFzOEw7UYDjVSJHNV9tJpidMgX__0rNrqQLu37MuOvS9fvnZQOgROlgKlPnrIDvLL3MWYLJWuoPshrzSu96xhrPGLWP9l1K3Qqcmnym8Og/w640-h480/Nobel-Prizes_web.jpg" title="Recent Nobel prize winners for discoveries in astrophysics (Source: John Mather, AAS241)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recent Nobel prize winners for discoveries in astrophysics (Source: John Mather, AAS241)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4tA_-EKibMkz5zfShiXArgSigqiYffMc57rktuc2gg6bwVLRX57ikuTLtGbWiYUvHgGEkCpr_OKUE8kb3mVdpBoV7fp6G3U-3kgsDWs_Bwn6cGcgzmOI7rKDzMV95LyRLilRY-hYVzzeDGmsOb0n8CtIBuJivCInUnewsQUARASolY-4b3bs48JL1A/s600/John-Mather-Summary_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="JWST will make impressive findings, but new observatories will solve even more difficult questions and problems (Source: John Mather, AAS241)" border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4tA_-EKibMkz5zfShiXArgSigqiYffMc57rktuc2gg6bwVLRX57ikuTLtGbWiYUvHgGEkCpr_OKUE8kb3mVdpBoV7fp6G3U-3kgsDWs_Bwn6cGcgzmOI7rKDzMV95LyRLilRY-hYVzzeDGmsOb0n8CtIBuJivCInUnewsQUARASolY-4b3bs48JL1A/w640-h480/John-Mather-Summary_web.jpg" title="JWST will make impressive findings, but new observatories will solve even more difficult questions and problems (Source: John Mather, AAS241)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JWST will make impressive findings, but new observatories will solve even more difficult questions and problems (Source: John Mather, AAS241)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Hmm, Mather recommends that we work on impossibly difficult problems. Hmm, for me now I have hard enough time just remembering new physics seems to call for forgetting some old physics. In the meantime, I'll just sip on my martini and try my hand at completing the blank half of the bar coaster! On review, I guess I just relied on some sense of symmetry in trying to complete the open half!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkWxS4-k7ZWFo-gRjAJ0Zx7h26A7-LeFhgUWgOCab-2Yd0D2o_p5vcx-VhjJHq5PaVbW1Ud0aKEb6aRn3NiEFtE57Jv9Hstna83zt5uPiaZ7OHto9tSsAReaMjemJE53FH1CWmFjGHctOVgBUF3WthjyWsnio_CA-95TQFeKPn8Q60tyqP4iVUlM6uQ/s621/Bar-Coaster-Art_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="When physics gets you down, sip a martini and try your hand at drawing on the bar coaster (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="495" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkWxS4-k7ZWFo-gRjAJ0Zx7h26A7-LeFhgUWgOCab-2Yd0D2o_p5vcx-VhjJHq5PaVbW1Ud0aKEb6aRn3NiEFtE57Jv9Hstna83zt5uPiaZ7OHto9tSsAReaMjemJE53FH1CWmFjGHctOVgBUF3WthjyWsnio_CA-95TQFeKPn8Q60tyqP4iVUlM6uQ/w510-h640/Bar-Coaster-Art_web.jpg" title="When physics gets you down, sip a martini and try your hand at drawing on the bar coaster (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="510" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When physics gets you down, sip a martini and try your hand at drawing on the bar coaster (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Resident Astronomer George</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Be sure to check out over 500 other blog posts on similar topics</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">If you are interested in things astronomical or in astrophysics and cosmology</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-55994343502682860052023-01-16T13:14:00.002-08:002023-01-16T13:16:35.784-08:00My Dr. Plague Mask ready to go! Some observations from the online version of the AAS241 meeting; George Efstathlou reviews 50+ years of cosmological exploration<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory,</p><p>Well here we are and the American Astronomical Society (AAS241) meeting is over in Seattle and we can report on a couple of key findings.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>So, to attend the meeting in person, you were required to comply with AAS mandatory mask mandate, even though most scientific advice is that it is not necessary. I couldn't attend in person anyway this year due to other conditions at the observatory, but here you see me in my "doctor plague" mask thanks to my friends at Amazon.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFtygr4kf-vdWH0FB8zJGvXdqF4PbUp2A5eq4keA8RMos4VqpwDY-fa0lS_kp-SdTKpz25VfzFjOk30pBciVPgq5IaVeoNZYUMmZvezBSVnXpKoiFJOyjLSMQTOdpQPxtfuMHYiJ-epg3t2G0Vf1aV64DWoF2waKfYDL6X8hai2m_g8LdsCXFNZLBRA/s621/Doc-Plague-Mask_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hmm, I wonder if my "Doctor Plague" mask would work at AAS241? (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFtygr4kf-vdWH0FB8zJGvXdqF4PbUp2A5eq4keA8RMos4VqpwDY-fa0lS_kp-SdTKpz25VfzFjOk30pBciVPgq5IaVeoNZYUMmZvezBSVnXpKoiFJOyjLSMQTOdpQPxtfuMHYiJ-epg3t2G0Vf1aV64DWoF2waKfYDL6X8hai2m_g8LdsCXFNZLBRA/w556-h640/Doc-Plague-Mask_web.jpg" title="Hmm, I wonder if my "Doctor Plague" mask would work at AAS241? (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="556" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmm, I wonder if my "Doctor Plague" mask would work at AAS241? (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>But, for now, we can report on one of online plenary session discussion that seemed very applicable. Here we here from George Efstathiou, British astrophysicist at Cambridge, on his 50+ year journey exploring the nature of cosmology. In this press release from 1990 we learn about the uncertainty of explanations based just on cold dark matter and the consideration of a cosmological constant.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rVjr9LA7dOzFEoyrrwcPFcWk2XfbRuCfGVFO_Ku1AzGj9hEOueXWrWV3JflRsCaTZa6KhdRzpk9OQdAZcFxaLByigyrVIbEqcSGgPmEKN4awFxEtbsLAwpuMmgy3AA2ncGwRAFl7gQ36cDwkAGNZQVCKf4Vc2Q6s1FGbnMoaWUkXxDmddH3QluAYAw/s560/Newpaper-article-and-author-name_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Astronomer George Efstathiou and 1990 dark matter press release (Source: G. Efstathlou, AAS241)" border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="560" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rVjr9LA7dOzFEoyrrwcPFcWk2XfbRuCfGVFO_Ku1AzGj9hEOueXWrWV3JflRsCaTZa6KhdRzpk9OQdAZcFxaLByigyrVIbEqcSGgPmEKN4awFxEtbsLAwpuMmgy3AA2ncGwRAFl7gQ36cDwkAGNZQVCKf4Vc2Q6s1FGbnMoaWUkXxDmddH3QluAYAw/w640-h476/Newpaper-article-and-author-name_web.jpg" title="Astronomer George Efstathiou and 1990 dark matter press release (Source: G. Efstathlou, AAS241)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Astronomer George Efstathiou and 1990 dark matter press release (Source: G. Efstathiou, AAS241)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Efstathiou reviewed 50 years of exploration results and how no paradigm shifts have occurred in the last 25 years. He listed these shifts and his age at which they occurred so we see that an astronomer could have spent a lifetime looking for more data.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDuhSPuHIOjt9kx5f4Ha2k0ivRKA5xghqtm4src81rY2HC6wfKmbiAw2O0LA4HP6Nx13XMRd4OFjZrD8t91LrCZjott3yeembeg-TANcsu4YW8V6RsxHX7KHb76K0lwZRT1xOcJlxShPe-kPIeYr882L6NYKKwyw7C27IhKCt8hs2lIpMAQUUzX4O1g/s600/Paradigm-Shifts_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Astronomer George Efstathiou and historical paradigm shift review (Source: G. Efstathiou, AAS241)" border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="600" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDuhSPuHIOjt9kx5f4Ha2k0ivRKA5xghqtm4src81rY2HC6wfKmbiAw2O0LA4HP6Nx13XMRd4OFjZrD8t91LrCZjott3yeembeg-TANcsu4YW8V6RsxHX7KHb76K0lwZRT1xOcJlxShPe-kPIeYr882L6NYKKwyw7C27IhKCt8hs2lIpMAQUUzX4O1g/w640-h502/Paradigm-Shifts_web.jpg" title="Astronomer George Efstathiou and historical paradigm shift review (Source: G. Efstathiou, AAS241)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Astronomer George Efstathiou and historical paradigm shift review (Source: G. Efstathiou, AAS241)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>And yet, we have a standard model of cosmology. As physicist wannabes we go through the solutions of general relativity make calculations assuming current estimates of dark matter and dark energy and yet have no positive idea about what those components are. Also inflation seems to fit the observational evidence very well, but no one has a sufficient description of how inflation starts and how it ends.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUTM9ecRb9_WrBjSLD7MJ_TRX_4aSzLb7GgpeD0W793iByUqD0RCI-7IpAQHpe7z2Ckqtv6CH9n2jh0vsEouETQ1DLESOxnl0JkrV-kQgfB3Ck5DtdXDAK12YhTylapY_qwmnWISH2XxpPYqCjb0w_X2rAJhCJcua6nPKUOPflqPajbIubKzPeN-66g/s750/Standard-Model-of-Cosmology_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Yes, we have a standard model of cosmology, but look what's missing (Source: G. Efstathiou, AAS241)" border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="750" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUTM9ecRb9_WrBjSLD7MJ_TRX_4aSzLb7GgpeD0W793iByUqD0RCI-7IpAQHpe7z2Ckqtv6CH9n2jh0vsEouETQ1DLESOxnl0JkrV-kQgfB3Ck5DtdXDAK12YhTylapY_qwmnWISH2XxpPYqCjb0w_X2rAJhCJcua6nPKUOPflqPajbIubKzPeN-66g/w640-h476/Standard-Model-of-Cosmology_web.jpg" title="Yes, we have a standard model of cosmology, but look what's missing (Source: G. Efstathiou, AAS241)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, we have a standard model of cosmology, but look what's missing (Source: G. Efstathiou, AAS241)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Efstathiou presented some current research areas from which the data to support a paradigm shift might come from. He didn't specifically mention MOND, that is modified gravity, but if better evidence comes forward there it could represent a paradigm shift. MOND is often credited with making actual predictions while the CDM method is more about just fitting the data. We expect as LIGO resumes full time operation more data about gravitational mergers will occur. More data collected from JWST on gravitational lensing with very old galaxies is also becoming available, and we will likely comment about some of the latest JWST findings in a future blog post.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLluyP4VP3TgAhiLyXGxRG6h2MBCyvl-50ldMOm1MCKD5UKVV5oh2eYfIuoFp9tUhiBWhqfBdfpidsBhS4jugiLw0ebNPwOVfy4HMTFvXW5Qmc3jK-qFNru7B7U8Oy6VzO4sIFENfof4cUWeCZrghbUJE2-quvllnyW7a6r2TK4HGuOZASLzncfcM0w/s560/What-is-the-next-shift_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Where the next paradigm shift is likely to come from (Source: G. Efstathiou, AAS241)" border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="560" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLluyP4VP3TgAhiLyXGxRG6h2MBCyvl-50ldMOm1MCKD5UKVV5oh2eYfIuoFp9tUhiBWhqfBdfpidsBhS4jugiLw0ebNPwOVfy4HMTFvXW5Qmc3jK-qFNru7B7U8Oy6VzO4sIFENfof4cUWeCZrghbUJE2-quvllnyW7a6r2TK4HGuOZASLzncfcM0w/w640-h470/What-is-the-next-shift_web.jpg" title="Where the next paradigm shift is likely to come from (Source: G. Efstathiou, AAS241)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where the next paradigm shift is likely to come from (Source: G. Efstathiou, AAS241)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We can't leave out the current tension between estimates of the Hubble constant and how these measurements don't agree, which leaves room for a paradigm shift. Many of us were hoping that the measurements based on the tip of red giant stars would resolved the issue, but instead it just settled in a Hubble constant value right in between the value set by the CMB estimate and the value determined by supernova distance estimates.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96yM2MZCNZL__p1fOk4zh38GYI8b8M1UvymhW2johAzpEW20htTbDDAw_OYAhx86CgQDgJco3261RgSnU7zXqSEjdDYU0nN7mS_u33zjK7f7itCRgz59tgTjtWkL4sSsvLGApVUizzLSxqhxGbzBGIS5Q-QL1ol_nle8NerthP6sko-PC94iapGBAgg/s800/Tension_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Resolving the Hubble tension might result a paradigm shift (Source: G. Efstathiou, AAS241)" border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="800" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96yM2MZCNZL__p1fOk4zh38GYI8b8M1UvymhW2johAzpEW20htTbDDAw_OYAhx86CgQDgJco3261RgSnU7zXqSEjdDYU0nN7mS_u33zjK7f7itCRgz59tgTjtWkL4sSsvLGApVUizzLSxqhxGbzBGIS5Q-QL1ol_nle8NerthP6sko-PC94iapGBAgg/w640-h472/Tension_web.jpg" title="Resolving the Hubble tension might result a paradigm shift (Source: G. Efstathiou, AAS241)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resolving the Hubble tension might result a paradigm shift (Source: G. Efstathiou, AAS241)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>So, that is a brief summary of one of the plenary sessions at AAS241. It was really neat to just recall and go over all of those earlier observations which helped define the standard model of cosmology. We attended another plenary session that we might review in out next blog post.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Resident Astronomer George</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Be sure to check out over 500 other blog posts on similar topics</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">If you are interested in things astronomical or in astrophysics and cosmology</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-25706614923541728472023-01-10T23:15:00.003-08:002023-01-11T07:14:49.685-08:00Machine Learning in Astronomy; One example exploring the Artificial Intelligence ChatGPT with a simple conversation about philosopher Paul Feyerabend<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory</p><p>The use of artificial intelligence systems and machine learning is being applied to many astronomical observations. These techniques are especially valuable for large datasets and many papers report good success while a few identify some of its spectacular failures also. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>One pretty good textbook that describes some of the successful applications to astronomy is this one, although the 2012 edition is a bit dated.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXNeAy14SMHzYRQlDkjc_aA2N4QjrZVFDqf70elslY8t2g6q2XqBhukREpWv8B3UgqkfUv7fMP6Oq19e0DXfRmB4Z3Vl1hrcjNQbPrTM1uoTO3FPoqZXenb5f1E2D4e-5YQQHqzbx0ubZ2dkuo1WALTiu0mWKF41UNUSTgHi0vvTpfq9WMvBHi3aMMg/s690/Machine-Learning-in-Astronomy_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Advances in Machine Learning and Data Mining in Astronomy" border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXNeAy14SMHzYRQlDkjc_aA2N4QjrZVFDqf70elslY8t2g6q2XqBhukREpWv8B3UgqkfUv7fMP6Oq19e0DXfRmB4Z3Vl1hrcjNQbPrTM1uoTO3FPoqZXenb5f1E2D4e-5YQQHqzbx0ubZ2dkuo1WALTiu0mWKF41UNUSTgHi0vvTpfq9WMvBHi3aMMg/w446-h640/Machine-Learning-in-Astronomy_web.jpg" title="Advances in Machine Learning and Data Mining in Astronomy" width="446" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Advances in Machine Learning and Data Mining in Astronomy</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>If you like to watch YouTube videos more than slog through a technical writeup, then this lecture presentation at Institute for Advanced Study in 2021, on "Deep Learning insights into Cosmological Structure Formation." Check it out at: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaA5FdztsN4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaA5FdztsN4</a></p><p>For now, let us just consider a recent conversation that I conducted with one of the freely available AI programs called ChatGPT. This system has been trained on billions of lines of text and operates in a format that interacts as if it is a real person having a conversation. In this case, as a test based on just outright curiosity, I asked three questions regarding the philosopher Paul Feyerabend. I am currently reading Feyerabend's "Philosophy of Nature" and having some difficulty making my way through the text and thought that some questions to ChatGPT might be illuminating.</p><p>I especially liked when I pushed back and said that Feyerabend had written a book on the topic and ChatGPT responded and apologized and offered some more refined comments.</p><p>Anyway, we know that Chat GPT just responds to questions based on its learned correlation between words and sentences and does not really have or experience any real understanding of the topic. I cannot, yet really judge as to the validity of any of the philosophical and historical points express by ChatGPT. Here is the screenshot of the three question conversion:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgih0NJG6EYK0xy0ajsF1c5lsEJi6atxny7VBASpWUUrQGcop2lbB5TTPNjykxpBEyXCOvzNBoLMHHpL1Omn4hwWz3ESvNuzQ4rirL3E2z7AHomI1jnUPhbwWixm-TRPhLlvLyJ4kTTZMpW1Yf1w22gFGKhnM5nSjCNvkEuKUORftj63v4mTeNEcm82Fw/s2964/Feyerabend-according-to-ChatGPT-1_Norm.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The conversation with ChatGPT regarding philosopher Paul Feyerabend (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="2964" data-original-width="1725" height="1092" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgih0NJG6EYK0xy0ajsF1c5lsEJi6atxny7VBASpWUUrQGcop2lbB5TTPNjykxpBEyXCOvzNBoLMHHpL1Omn4hwWz3ESvNuzQ4rirL3E2z7AHomI1jnUPhbwWixm-TRPhLlvLyJ4kTTZMpW1Yf1w22gFGKhnM5nSjCNvkEuKUORftj63v4mTeNEcm82Fw/w636-h1092/Feyerabend-according-to-ChatGPT-1_Norm.jpg" title="The conversation with ChatGPT regarding philosopher Paul Feyerabend (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="636" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The conversation with ChatGPT regarding philosopher Paul Feyerabend (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><p>That was one of my early attempts at looking into ChatGPT as part of one of my home work assignments in one of my Philosophy Meetups. If you want to check out a more astrophysics oriented test of ChatGPT check out this video of a college instructor who give the final exam in an introductory astrophysics class. It is interesting to find that the AI did just slightly worse than the average live student. So check it out and by the way see how of the questions you get right. That Youtube video is at: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0cmmKPklp4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0cmmKPklp4</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Resident Astronomer George</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Be sure to check out over 500 other blog posts on similar topics</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">If you are interested in things astronomical or in astrophysics and cosmology</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-72760769727876109632023-01-08T16:59:00.009-08:002023-01-09T23:32:22.642-08:00Greetings and Happy New Year 2023; AAS241 starting live; Some Equations, models and more models; Don't blame the Moon; Using ChatGPT on physics exams; What goes in the Tesla front trunk?<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory</p><p>Well its been a while since we last posted. It has just been a trying time of year, but let's mention a few items hopefully of interest to the physicist wannabes.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><br /></p><p>First up is that the winter AAS meeting, AAS241, is being held in Seattle, WA and as a hybrid meeting online. As a physicist wannabe or armchair cosmologist you can easily meet the requirements to sign up as an amateur affiliate member of AAS and get bid discounts on meeting fees. So check out the details and sign up and we will see you online.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFi6aXgGeTARjFAmH943PoVqMjdyCK7zs7gI4xgvl1yZOIrmoKActnWjfVDpAJzcKPCzbRrBvRWjSyM4ElFmpwBrnvGrqzIUthAOhfEY6IZGNMAYkZtixL4ST4x3DlqKX3SV1hEaajXIrAvKUUjNGdj-7hzR8U1R_5wNNUUBrDGobWTIpVtUgki4jOA/s640/AAS241_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Upcoming AAS241Meeting" border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="640" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFi6aXgGeTARjFAmH943PoVqMjdyCK7zs7gI4xgvl1yZOIrmoKActnWjfVDpAJzcKPCzbRrBvRWjSyM4ElFmpwBrnvGrqzIUthAOhfEY6IZGNMAYkZtixL4ST4x3DlqKX3SV1hEaajXIrAvKUUjNGdj-7hzR8U1R_5wNNUUBrDGobWTIpVtUgki4jOA/w640-h570/AAS241_web.jpg" title="Upcoming AAS241 Meeting" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AAS241 Meeting in Seattle, WA (Source: www.aas.org)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I wanted to attend the live version but can't really be travelling right now and besides the AAS has decided to impose a mask mandate on all attendees. Hmm, the whole country and CDC recommendations don't go that far and it is not great to sit through a live meeting and just see masks.</p><p>The last AAS meeting I attended was back in January 2020 when AAS235 held live in Hawaii (just as the world was starting to identify the oncoming pandemic). Even Resident Astronomer Peggy attended the first plenary session, but every time after that she stayed back at the hotel and I would walk back from the convention center for a Mai Tai and lunch and then play hooky the rest of the afternoon</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV24nop4QfPrxBetEsO6NU81vAQq82NiLjDLdYTZkY7SMamGZt7_YxmebXscrD6-TzFQaKWN3sNraL8kmdLZi6hPMeEQ4_CjD8T5u-uKv8UejvnLqczx1GoTIs9WJjw-o8AipWTtijs8vIJ7luHYAxBcZQdEwocu31l5xcI6-j0bopcefrOdgkhQqNQ/s500/RA-Peggy-at-the-first-talk_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Resident Astronomer Peggy at the AAS235 meeting (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="375" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV24nop4QfPrxBetEsO6NU81vAQq82NiLjDLdYTZkY7SMamGZt7_YxmebXscrD6-TzFQaKWN3sNraL8kmdLZi6hPMeEQ4_CjD8T5u-uKv8UejvnLqczx1GoTIs9WJjw-o8AipWTtijs8vIJ7luHYAxBcZQdEwocu31l5xcI6-j0bopcefrOdgkhQqNQ/w480-h640/RA-Peggy-at-the-first-talk_web.jpg" title="Resident Astronomer Peggy at the AAS235 meeting (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resident Astronomer Peggy at the AAS235 meeting in January 2020 (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>While we wait to attend the AAS241 online, we received in the mail a 3D art portrait of Astronomer Assistant Willow. The art is made of colored felt to match the hair and sticks out from the portrait frame 1-2 inches. We found an artist online at etsy.com who requested a copy of photos of Willow to judge her physique and coloring. Pretty neat; Looking good Willow!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-oqybt3cEp9lKMiNe_sqRKXcLfZca6e2xx4OlKwm8iUDXwFBFdkiNU13EUIoA-Ir3nnNywWeXry9kebEz5WDQmzrr-_mb_4oPQ083JugvPxX-3xWB7O7TAvOhfEj2928Z-5Woav6XxpFRV-HQZdc_2PT-NGigyLJfxumFaarD4O1DYMlc1hngl7Png/s523/Willow-in-3D_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="3D art (Wakuneko) portrait of Astronomer Assistant Willow (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-oqybt3cEp9lKMiNe_sqRKXcLfZca6e2xx4OlKwm8iUDXwFBFdkiNU13EUIoA-Ir3nnNywWeXry9kebEz5WDQmzrr-_mb_4oPQ083JugvPxX-3xWB7O7TAvOhfEj2928Z-5Woav6XxpFRV-HQZdc_2PT-NGigyLJfxumFaarD4O1DYMlc1hngl7Png/w636-h640/Willow-in-3D_web.jpg" title="3D art (Wakuneko) portrait of Astronomer Assistant Willow (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="636" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3D art (Wakuneko) portrait of Astronomer Assistant Willow (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>In other astronomical observing news, not any observing that we conducted ourselves, but this very quick ISS transit of the moon, captured by John Kraus, using a video camera. Pretty neat; thanks for that John!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpSyR6uD1u178pvYtrJCjwSm8wLfhuTWQCxBT3lgDQWeBxzJdwTeFzFh1gSPBnBdFRji8-gdV9yLdsOVXJ48VqR5XMTc4zBF0pT_UsTuxlNc1oZylCHN6iy_KPUWWkq5AAzFhQOak-HPSjYTkeBI9eEijwSWMdWoL-c-3p3Mpa0Z0U2t3xCTl0ZYehQ/s720/ISS-Transit_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="ISS Transit of the Moon (Source: John Kraus, Linkedin)" border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpSyR6uD1u178pvYtrJCjwSm8wLfhuTWQCxBT3lgDQWeBxzJdwTeFzFh1gSPBnBdFRji8-gdV9yLdsOVXJ48VqR5XMTc4zBF0pT_UsTuxlNc1oZylCHN6iy_KPUWWkq5AAzFhQOak-HPSjYTkeBI9eEijwSWMdWoL-c-3p3Mpa0Z0U2t3xCTl0ZYehQ/w640-h480/ISS-Transit_web.jpg" title="ISS Transit of the Moon (Source: John Kraus, Linkedin)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ISS Transit of the Moon (Source: John Kraus, Linkedin)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>As long as we are talking about the moon, this Facebook post by Alan, indicates that the moon is not happy about us talking about the moon and blaming it for all of our problems. Hmm, yes good point; let's stop blaming the moon for our problems. Thanks Alan!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQkQNU6JsT2bhKh0OsP0LNe8BgznV5kDWaPcV67wmv-5Byg8e1WvfPU2ldWsUh02q6RGQZzKdjZablkYyUJoKl5fjTv3I80io9A5okd7l0l055DzQMR0ZqdqfXZ-MK08LWRcKnKvpLjn0f6Q2o-XschMB0YBdQhhM6W2W0r7hrRT-jRJXkoRSUT7ZSA/s675/Moon-Complains_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Full Moon Sick of getting the Blame (Source: Alan Nizawa, Facebook)" border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="675" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQkQNU6JsT2bhKh0OsP0LNe8BgznV5kDWaPcV67wmv-5Byg8e1WvfPU2ldWsUh02q6RGQZzKdjZablkYyUJoKl5fjTv3I80io9A5okd7l0l055DzQMR0ZqdqfXZ-MK08LWRcKnKvpLjn0f6Q2o-XschMB0YBdQhhM6W2W0r7hrRT-jRJXkoRSUT7ZSA/w640-h598/Moon-Complains_web.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full Moon Sick of getting the Blame (Source: Alan Nizawa, Facebook)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Ok, now that we can't blame the moon, let's try to get back into physics by considering this lecture by Neil Turok. I knew that I was already in trouble when he started with this slide</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzwuc7g6fbZgfM2qNMNWiPeFy3h9n3PMZ_CGZts2YG0FG6-7WM2bV6MXLWsPlp5gZGtIZGqsSWq1Ny2zPdqrX2Ayo_oSZPWfroUq1zYR6BgUK45HgqLz_2UOyRr3sWkaFb8knstRfHXLMuIaAQZhf32LM-mNcY5MhkNgpFvZU0H-2qbu0qzKF4nCQrA/s750/All-known-physics_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="All known physics as one equation (Source: Neil Turok)" border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="750" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzwuc7g6fbZgfM2qNMNWiPeFy3h9n3PMZ_CGZts2YG0FG6-7WM2bV6MXLWsPlp5gZGtIZGqsSWq1Ny2zPdqrX2Ayo_oSZPWfroUq1zYR6BgUK45HgqLz_2UOyRr3sWkaFb8knstRfHXLMuIaAQZhf32LM-mNcY5MhkNgpFvZU0H-2qbu0qzKF4nCQrA/w640-h480/All-known-physics_web.jpg" title="All known physics as one equation (Source: Neil Turok)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All known physics as one equation (Source: Neil Turok)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Ok, alright, all you physicist wannabes, now is your chance to go through some real equations from general relativity. Semiconductor Physicist John asked how to derive the metric in spacetime as outlined by general relativity. Well, I really don't know exactly how to do that myself, but in reviewing the equations in Sean Carroll's "Spacetime and Geometry", I see that one might go through this series of calculations. You can maybe start with some generalized proper distance as shown in Equation 5.5, which represents the metric and then go through the required calculations that show how the metric fits into curved space. If you differentiate the metric, as shown in Equation 3.1, you can get the connection Christoffel Symbols, when when differentiated gives us the Riemann Tensor of Equation 3.4. The Riemann tensor can be contracted to give us the Ricci tensor, Equation 3.144, and the Ricci scalar of Equation 3.146. Now we can plug these results into equation 1.5 and include the effects of mass and energy as described in Stress Energy Tensor T, and solve for the curving of spacetime.</p><p>Whew, so something like that, although I have no experience or real idea how all of that is going to work. Oh well, that is why we are still just physicist wannabes! Good luck, John, let me know how to actually do it!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisxS4Wq60TtdREEfhriNqDeze9DPwBm9IplFncfBAio4AUgYbChyTmRcWLJwfMUBYu7_rAX2s7Lf2Z-lHIE7UkAJmmrl5PPrYXkwotUoSl0dzYwA1qOw0GnB29TPv2GDYvvE0kCN_OG9XIK9qlDAmuvZbfpkL2UlgRZyQ_PBR80AM2lipF_XSrQ3s0g/s852/Equations_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="ome equations needed to calculate the GR metric (Source: abstracted from Sean Carroll's "Spacetime and Geometry)" border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="837" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisxS4Wq60TtdREEfhriNqDeze9DPwBm9IplFncfBAio4AUgYbChyTmRcWLJwfMUBYu7_rAX2s7Lf2Z-lHIE7UkAJmmrl5PPrYXkwotUoSl0dzYwA1qOw0GnB29TPv2GDYvvE0kCN_OG9XIK9qlDAmuvZbfpkL2UlgRZyQ_PBR80AM2lipF_XSrQ3s0g/w628-h640/Equations_web.jpg" title="ome equations needed to calculate the GR metric (Source: abstracted from Sean Carroll's "Spacetime and Geometry)" width="628" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some equations needed to calculate the GR metric (Source: abstracted from Sean Carroll's "Spacetime and Geometry)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Wow, I get tired out just looking at those equations. It might be easier to use some of the trail applications of artificial intelligence. Look at this example of asking a physics type question of ChatGPT. The question is where does nonlinearity come from if the fundamental equation of quantum mechanics, Schrodinger's Equation, is a linear equation? Well here is the response. Hmm, might not quite be what we were looking for but what would you expect. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JNmPdvwINw47mF1694hCvZbQCdEcUchgapMvXxTMHSyW6XGDVkx5tcvVHVq7r5Y_Grau7xpIKGBTK4_kRV2drXMYOmuK-qxttezshSb7XqOPDzdSkfJ2qCSXST_UKFKJGMhnAnMfnzSeEeZCC3LwvrBcn7qsvmBGWk2mpRBVpMts5VxC9bGNe_5UeA/s720/ChatGPT_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="ChatGPT responds to a question asked about physics (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="720" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JNmPdvwINw47mF1694hCvZbQCdEcUchgapMvXxTMHSyW6XGDVkx5tcvVHVq7r5Y_Grau7xpIKGBTK4_kRV2drXMYOmuK-qxttezshSb7XqOPDzdSkfJ2qCSXST_UKFKJGMhnAnMfnzSeEeZCC3LwvrBcn7qsvmBGWk2mpRBVpMts5VxC9bGNe_5UeA/w640-h446/ChatGPT_web.jpg" title="ChatGPT responds to a question asked about physics (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ChatGPT responds to a question asked about physics (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Ok, ok, you can tryout ChatGPT yourselves just by signing up for the free access online, ChatGPT has been trained on millions of sentences and understandings typical correlation between word positions, etc. without really having any real understanding.</p><p>If you want to see a more detailed question and answer example, check out how one physics instructor gave his introductory astrophysics class final exam to ChatGPT. Spoiler Alert: It passed, but just a bit less than the average student grade. Check out the video at: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0cmmKPklp4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0cmmKPklp4</a></p><p>Ok, let's turn from taking astrophysics exams and consider this new 3D printed model of the Starship Launch Mount and Tower being developed in Boca Chica, TX. The model arrived in the observatory mail and was quickly assembled because the 3D printed pieces just easily snap together. If you have your own 3D printer you can do it yourself or just buy the fabricated version for $79 from online at Stardesk, Clausing Design LLC. The Mechazilla arms move up and down and the model makes "smoke" with the built-in humidifier. We are still waiting on when the orbital launch attempt will be made and in the meantime we just get to imagine what happens.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxKxZPbDPpPCHLbOFjP6x6NrtRt11mYzHwbcqlypVmQqsb42X6jsPdRRMcSloUm7Hn15t9_kc1pTmtahQEHj0I0aBOHs1TkcCl_QPKvzNiEIDA-qYw6dsup7982g3DgIew3Suzl7pddaZsVheRAGBT1nuAHSl0MSleGa2z9Ynr1QclrQp3nN6n3nKTg/s691/Starship-Launch-Model_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="3D printed model of Starship Launch Mount and Tower (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="498" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxKxZPbDPpPCHLbOFjP6x6NrtRt11mYzHwbcqlypVmQqsb42X6jsPdRRMcSloUm7Hn15t9_kc1pTmtahQEHj0I0aBOHs1TkcCl_QPKvzNiEIDA-qYw6dsup7982g3DgIew3Suzl7pddaZsVheRAGBT1nuAHSl0MSleGa2z9Ynr1QclrQp3nN6n3nKTg/w462-h640/Starship-Launch-Model_web.jpg" title="3D printed model of Starship Launch Mount and Tower (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="462" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3D printed model of Starship Launch Mount and Tower (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We have been following for sometime now the reusable rocket development by SpaceX. Now several other innovative companies are bring out their own designs for reusable designs including designs that are 3D printed. This interesting concept, by Stoke Space, combines the reentry engines in such a way that they provide an active heat shield. Not quite sure how this works but you can see that the retro rockets are arranged around the outer perimeter and provide landing thrust as well as active heat shielding. Pretty neat!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwwfQIXmRstIN8nB-MfbAdrJjXers9rNfgbDg-94VLy9NjOMBISymum42RusL2B1UznncjUoxGJWct5qnHy13I1vG7VKubCluZbKcGHx-mUkdQw84beqU1eb3XGqzxnfhIFSBno8e2apzPlA-QL9gwY1If4yrVFQZQqqyCyL-QYPMZRxQqm-bV0p0Tg/s600/Stoke-Space_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Stoke Space concept of reusable design with active heat shield and engines (Source: Marcus House)" border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwwfQIXmRstIN8nB-MfbAdrJjXers9rNfgbDg-94VLy9NjOMBISymum42RusL2B1UznncjUoxGJWct5qnHy13I1vG7VKubCluZbKcGHx-mUkdQw84beqU1eb3XGqzxnfhIFSBno8e2apzPlA-QL9gwY1If4yrVFQZQqqyCyL-QYPMZRxQqm-bV0p0Tg/w640-h452/Stoke-Space_web.jpg" title="Stoke Space concept of reusable design with active heat shield and engines (Source: Marcus House)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stoke Space concept of reusable design with active heat shield and engines (Source: Marcus House)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>In other space news, Sports Illustrated conducted a model shoot in a Zero-G aircraft. Here we see model, Kate Upton, twists and turns in the zero-g environment. Looking good, Kate!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKh6EPEXayYboUDAmXvmb2vLJPnvFE2sDbvoAP5laiOGUrtH9HZFq8pK6YG9JVG_CN61vz-oElet9Soj9WNGTwU2Ty_YEDPRGhawFCsROHtBH-I7C-mKLPtGoScWpHUFD8tv-2xAIaBNUsAcpHDinbA5BMqsaDpu82uLH5Ue2KJnKI4P45EBI9-YthQ/s589/Zero-G-Model_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Kate Upton poses in Zero-G aircraft flight (Source: Sports Illustrated)" border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="560" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKh6EPEXayYboUDAmXvmb2vLJPnvFE2sDbvoAP5laiOGUrtH9HZFq8pK6YG9JVG_CN61vz-oElet9Soj9WNGTwU2Ty_YEDPRGhawFCsROHtBH-I7C-mKLPtGoScWpHUFD8tv-2xAIaBNUsAcpHDinbA5BMqsaDpu82uLH5Ue2KJnKI4P45EBI9-YthQ/w608-h640/Zero-G-Model_web.jpg" title="Kate Upton poses in Zero-G aircraft flight (Source: Sports Illustrated)" width="608" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate Upton poses in Zero-G aircraft flight (Source: Sports Illustrated)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Wow, I don't remember anyone wearing a bikini on our Zero-G flight. Here you see a photo of Scott G. and me, all in our flight suits, no bikinis, experiencing zero-g way back in October 2021. It was a lot of fun but it was over with so quick that by the time you sort of got used to being weightless the flight was over.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLv0VAIl-wgL4gOWDET8A_BdDCWyeNz7-a2GLkVpldilBksACR7_K3ZCYbSDUY97Ic3teRZawRZJK27HDlfKZgD7U2KKozKxEB-Pkho5-YCkKf76McaK9ASxmiktYK-12BQ5SqnbDeL19osgfqctyOTQ5X2AcnBs8_o2cQ47T_mMUjSs8aUNhK1wbJUg/s657/Zero-G_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Resident Astronomer George and Scott G. on Zero-g flight, October 2021 (Source: Palma Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLv0VAIl-wgL4gOWDET8A_BdDCWyeNz7-a2GLkVpldilBksACR7_K3ZCYbSDUY97Ic3teRZawRZJK27HDlfKZgD7U2KKozKxEB-Pkho5-YCkKf76McaK9ASxmiktYK-12BQ5SqnbDeL19osgfqctyOTQ5X2AcnBs8_o2cQ47T_mMUjSs8aUNhK1wbJUg/w526-h640/Zero-G_web.jpg" title="Resident Astronomer George and Scott G. on Zero-g flight, October 2021 (Source: Palma Observatory)" width="526" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resident Astronomer George and Scott G. on Zero-g flight, October 20'21 (Source: Palma Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Finally, as we transition into 2023, I wondered what we should put in the front trunk of our new Tesla Model Y. Well, here we see Ellie in Space coming out of the front trunk with her dog. Ellie says she doesn't have a Tesla yet, but hopes to get one soon. Ellie reports on news on Tesla and SpaceX so be sure to sign up for her YouTube channel for all the latest news.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifh4Dk0ylFeGCW6hN8SsbOdYzvUEgL0rMeZOw_4AQN6Rbn8qPvZIJemfvhi0wNryLTHf2W6J8FCrQUHs7LOV61TGYimZy77j3kzN2xUEH5jAyKavzGrN7-C-8aYj5ACR5G9fWtsodFaDFOFeOvi0_vETwSs5WYkBsytGbtuyW_ZOv-Olu50TIUUCbtCA/s567/What-is-in-your-Tesla_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ellie in Space coming out of the Tesla front trunk (Source: Ellie in Space)" border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="525" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifh4Dk0ylFeGCW6hN8SsbOdYzvUEgL0rMeZOw_4AQN6Rbn8qPvZIJemfvhi0wNryLTHf2W6J8FCrQUHs7LOV61TGYimZy77j3kzN2xUEH5jAyKavzGrN7-C-8aYj5ACR5G9fWtsodFaDFOFeOvi0_vETwSs5WYkBsytGbtuyW_ZOv-Olu50TIUUCbtCA/w592-h640/What-is-in-your-Tesla_web.jpg" title="Ellie in Space coming out of the Tesla front trunk (Source: Ellie in Space)" width="592" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellie in Space coming out of the Tesla front trunk (Source: Ellie in Space)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Resident Astronomer George</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; 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font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Be sure to check out over 500 other blog posts on similar topics</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">If you are interested in things astronomical or in astrophysics and cosmology</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>Palmia Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13957706254677336173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529166426926330598.post-10790898742617329052022-10-10T18:46:00.001-07:002022-10-11T09:11:27.477-07:00Another glimpse at renewable energy; Looking at Moon and Jupiter; Neil Turok explains how flatness in the universe might be caused by gravity, not inflation<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory</p><p>Well it has been a while since the last post, so lets just get started.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>I had to put back on my old "engineering hat" and walk around the exhibit hall at the 2022 Renewable Energy Conference at the Anaheim Convention Center. It was a lot of fun, and I mostly looked up vendors that offered small chocolate treats for stopping by their booths. It was neat to see all the vendors making balance of plant equipment for wind and solar power systems. After walking the hall for several hours I was ready to go. Hmm, I guess I mostly just want to wear my "physicist wannabe hat."</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaCSM1RTnx-rRgJPPdncs6ahlMr7hLTiXySMENgCVbHxaPcYMeksYEOdYtWnXjOqXE2ymQqaT2OGORoS3C5JR8KNIUtgrvaYcLiWzcADB9zGUSswb90pROFeGISwiedpBfRbiBaRyEAcuyMfNXRvd4S2QvGBGxTj-f5X2fQUeNZN7eg2WMREEbMStHQ/s576/RE+_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Trying on the old "engineering hat" at Anaheim Convention Center (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaCSM1RTnx-rRgJPPdncs6ahlMr7hLTiXySMENgCVbHxaPcYMeksYEOdYtWnXjOqXE2ymQqaT2OGORoS3C5JR8KNIUtgrvaYcLiWzcADB9zGUSswb90pROFeGISwiedpBfRbiBaRyEAcuyMfNXRvd4S2QvGBGxTj-f5X2fQUeNZN7eg2WMREEbMStHQ/w534-h640/RE+_web.jpg" title="Trying on the old "engineering hat" at Anaheim Convention Center (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="534" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying on the old "engineering hat" at Anaheim Convention Center (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>But, while out on a walk with Astronomer Assistant Ruby, on a recent night, the near conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter caught my attention. I have not been out with a camera for night sky observing for some months now. Here is the moon photo taken with DSLR on flimsy tripod. Jupiter was maybe something like 10 degrees away from the Moon.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-K36Jj3Mgh03V4qkpHInD8TqVasQJ-jscYUtHc_JzwBkEYY-EkeBSpikqudfbyBfcHIgyehWKN612GtiWU53XiV8wvt3oSvcTJbFGWjoPE2alPuTLpuVT1ejgbIRY93pY1hxdWjilcjVBjFrZHF7jTebQHq6d0O8Yt0DPnI6p3TltwfSEFHE5LlgE0w/s1500/Moon_IMG5730_300mm_ISO400_1-of-1600-seconds_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Near full moon with Jupiter close by, DSLR, 300mm, 1/1600 second (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="1378" data-original-width="1500" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-K36Jj3Mgh03V4qkpHInD8TqVasQJ-jscYUtHc_JzwBkEYY-EkeBSpikqudfbyBfcHIgyehWKN612GtiWU53XiV8wvt3oSvcTJbFGWjoPE2alPuTLpuVT1ejgbIRY93pY1hxdWjilcjVBjFrZHF7jTebQHq6d0O8Yt0DPnI6p3TltwfSEFHE5LlgE0w/w640-h588/Moon_IMG5730_300mm_ISO400_1-of-1600-seconds_web.jpg" title="Near full moon with Jupiter close by, DSLR, 300mm, 1/1600 second (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near full moon with Jupiter close by, DSLR, 300mm, 1/1600 second (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>A quick peek at Jupiter with 300mm DSLR shows some visible moons. This image seems not as clear as what I remember seeing and photographing in the past. Maybe because then I was using the heavier 600mm lens.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1tYSibpW36fWTJcrBqcQPkdbRksmhUZ_93AADk9EqunN8yyAwlb_cZjSjWCpSFTMRDc2pkF6Ow6maS8WqqtLLVmDlGwDdMLWakqOuZIiWPAtYPcT8Di-3Kc4ogLMuxkBvHoVUhF7sIgmgtik4iC-8Nm0CqGtMXY4QghOsGZQatyYkExDUBeT2oJT_g/s750/Jupiter_IMG5728_300mm_ISO400_1-of-8-seconds_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Looking for Jupiter's moons, DSLR, 300mm, 1/8 second (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="750" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1tYSibpW36fWTJcrBqcQPkdbRksmhUZ_93AADk9EqunN8yyAwlb_cZjSjWCpSFTMRDc2pkF6Ow6maS8WqqtLLVmDlGwDdMLWakqOuZIiWPAtYPcT8Di-3Kc4ogLMuxkBvHoVUhF7sIgmgtik4iC-8Nm0CqGtMXY4QghOsGZQatyYkExDUBeT2oJT_g/w640-h534/Jupiter_IMG5728_300mm_ISO400_1-of-8-seconds_web.jpg" title="Looking for Jupiter's moons, DSLR, 300mm, 1/8 second (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking for Jupiter's moons, DSLR, 300mm, 1/8 second (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Now for all of you physicist wannabes, I found this video conversation on Brian Keating's podcast with Neil Turok of special interest. Turok discusses some part of his latest conjecture that the flatness of the observed universe is best explained by examining the effects of gravity and entropy, rather than some "mysterious" inflation process. You can check out the whole 2 hour video conversation at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt5cFLN65fI</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tjoIy42XPp4rcNE3_7zJm9tRZ_5ayRYUe6UziRSV2HPLOGkoyw45t2vHczTaXU3lxUjBGmm7h8D6DJT52qxqaXMBY1WwjWc2lWvX6PbD7fD1WgxAzRIwPyMjjimHY51nu4tKpRqsRrJhDxefIvB45V2gzgo9M_6kfIURt_qT85aouh0Eusp4PoPZtQ/s850/Neil-and-Brian_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Discussion with Neil Turok on simplified model of why the universe is flat (Source: Brian Keating)" border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="850" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tjoIy42XPp4rcNE3_7zJm9tRZ_5ayRYUe6UziRSV2HPLOGkoyw45t2vHczTaXU3lxUjBGmm7h8D6DJT52qxqaXMBY1WwjWc2lWvX6PbD7fD1WgxAzRIwPyMjjimHY51nu4tKpRqsRrJhDxefIvB45V2gzgo9M_6kfIURt_qT85aouh0Eusp4PoPZtQ/w640-h496/Neil-and-Brian_web.jpg" title="Discussion with Neil Turok on simplified model of why the universe is flat (Source: Brian Keating)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Discussion with Neil Turok on simplified model of why the universe is flat (Source: Brian Keating)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>If you look at the current understanding of the nature of the cosmos, large scale behavior is governed by known laws of physics with just four adjustable parameters. This makes it very simple, but which we normally think of it as very complicated, but at a smoothed view it is very simple.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUatweqDL6UcCtNXqE-u7WIVvfZ23bq61msjAtYfZCQiO8fppx2vY419F60-q1gp07-FMcbazpYr_xOnTl_ULhTqhqHVmfDAm2m3gWlFn_Rr_9dkjr7vNl2yn6StjjlQSm5uubjWwyuFyb6nmcqEOBt6ATGaivHXhXJVuv8OnhAQ475cchb7TRi5DXQ/s800/Neil-and-the-Universe_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The universe described with just 5 parameters (Source: Neil Turok)" border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="800" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUatweqDL6UcCtNXqE-u7WIVvfZ23bq61msjAtYfZCQiO8fppx2vY419F60-q1gp07-FMcbazpYr_xOnTl_ULhTqhqHVmfDAm2m3gWlFn_Rr_9dkjr7vNl2yn6StjjlQSm5uubjWwyuFyb6nmcqEOBt6ATGaivHXhXJVuv8OnhAQ475cchb7TRi5DXQ/w640-h378/Neil-and-the-Universe_web.jpg" title="The universe described with just 5 parameters (Source: Neil Turok)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The universe described with just 5 parameters (Source: Neil Turok)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Neil and Brian then talked about the simplicity of the Higgs mechanism in that it was initially published in a short two page paper. It seems that it was indeed a simple idea that was not noticed by many other physicists.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiHJHdyd9jMhQwxOtqRMEHe8sgihW_NczBU_B97H10qdsFMOqiW0ybZE-UUyvz_u1uPkNWOK4HCmsO_RuXXp0bGssD2k7WM_0cH0xeUbFjcb5bdtb7LjQ6fLvXIgrgR-w2kU_1QSzFGa1bG3n24GnHuyxO4iXJl77UYY7NNfWQVnD7YNyJ2A6j0T8Aw/s765/Higgs-Paper_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The original Higgs paper is two pages of "simplicity" (Source: Brian Keating)" border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="765" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiHJHdyd9jMhQwxOtqRMEHe8sgihW_NczBU_B97H10qdsFMOqiW0ybZE-UUyvz_u1uPkNWOK4HCmsO_RuXXp0bGssD2k7WM_0cH0xeUbFjcb5bdtb7LjQ6fLvXIgrgR-w2kU_1QSzFGa1bG3n24GnHuyxO4iXJl77UYY7NNfWQVnD7YNyJ2A6j0T8Aw/w640-h440/Higgs-Paper_web.jpg" title="The original Higgs paper is two pages of "simplicity" (Source: Brian Keating)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original Higgs paper is two pages of "simplicity" (Source: Brian Keating)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>The fundamental laws of physics can also be summarized in a "simple" equation. Check out Turok's summary equation below. We have seen similar equation types before but there are a lot of questions about how all of the components actually work. The exponential term seems to represent a bunch of calculations that represent a phase angle, so we will get a bunch of interactions that result in constructive and destructive interference. The net result is something like the least action principle. Nonetheless, I can't even begin to see how to work all of this out, even for the simpler case of just considering the electromagnetic portion, symbolized by "F."</p><p>Anybody out there have an easy example that works through this equation?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_3tlWdWyqgc7Xz9BzFifN8tlL1SmxDUGClcemkJNp4hPH4djTqxELv_8Kq5t1qeokd-wg6-V4NUNx3ASdjqk_zBKRhH9aFvR7k3i3qtYRWVrEl7CrqyVYsatTlfYN2WcMjmtq9kNxl-Rt60tLcAkmc0-M1TA04uoLHCRW-iF0RFpjGnec31ieNHbYw/s750/Neil-and-the-Equation_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="One "simple" equation for all of physics (except dark ...) (Source: Neil Turok)" border="0" data-original-height="347" data-original-width="750" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_3tlWdWyqgc7Xz9BzFifN8tlL1SmxDUGClcemkJNp4hPH4djTqxELv_8Kq5t1qeokd-wg6-V4NUNx3ASdjqk_zBKRhH9aFvR7k3i3qtYRWVrEl7CrqyVYsatTlfYN2WcMjmtq9kNxl-Rt60tLcAkmc0-M1TA04uoLHCRW-iF0RFpjGnec31ieNHbYw/w640-h296/Neil-and-the-Equation_web.jpg" title="One "simple" equation for all of physics (except dark ...) (Source: Neil Turok)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One "simple" equation for all of physics (except dark matter/energy) (Source: Neil Turok)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Turok brings up this simple equation in order to try to make a simple interpretation of the evolution of the universe from the big bang. He explores the concept of the "perfect mirror", sort of like the mirror method of calculating electric fields or calculating mirror images, without having to do all the messy calculations. In that case we just posit an imaginary charge, of opposite charge, on the other side of the "mirror" and this allows the calculations to go forward with less effort and yet get the correct answer much easier.</p><p>Here Turok poses much of the same thing with a perfect mirror with the big bang sort of right in the middle. He argues that the simple approach of the perfect CPT (Charge-Parity-Time Symmetry) represents an ideal way of conceptualizing what happened at the big bang. The proposed CPT symmetry is a new way of calculating the gravitational entropy</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivw2zQk5-5fc5JjOUQTWle6YnHoO3wHHfF0Za3IddIvt-UYXoOOLKsNo_L1WlCKpgpP8k26074Vcjw565D1cERuZCwq9RCSNX3rbqzcQxtRmrOB-mM652F-c36hK3KU7-QGrwtDzRhFQf_sySEIY5gOEADBWy877ORw5BEQcawkfzw9_DTyNH-1nsZHA/s650/Neil-and-the-perfect-mirror_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="New conjecture that sees the big bang as a perfect CPT mirror (Source: Neil Turok)" border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="650" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivw2zQk5-5fc5JjOUQTWle6YnHoO3wHHfF0Za3IddIvt-UYXoOOLKsNo_L1WlCKpgpP8k26074Vcjw565D1cERuZCwq9RCSNX3rbqzcQxtRmrOB-mM652F-c36hK3KU7-QGrwtDzRhFQf_sySEIY5gOEADBWy877ORw5BEQcawkfzw9_DTyNH-1nsZHA/w640-h408/Neil-and-the-perfect-mirror_web.jpg" title="New conjecture that sees the big bang as a perfect CPT mirror (Source: Neil Turok)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New conjecture that sees the big bang as a perfect CPT mirror (Source: Neil Turok)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I don't understand how this conjecture is going to work, but we will remain ready to read the upcoming paper. Turok goes on to the conjecture about creating a universe that is flat without introducing the concept of inflation. His example is of the Earth, where gravity can create an impression of "flatness" in a local small area around your location, even though the who Earth is round and not flat.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHyUHrzZ2fLZQiy6UTBxzMAucIOZ1-E780-0AVbIb2_-QwEfD1q29sW5HOypj-u_sLSMkpBtatNfR7f8zmd4bkkN_VcL_BSHstV2TBgPbHjGiCyXcK6qR347ysqisyiwVO5J7-6BOD7gJmWLfvz-MHgK4SzjuuwcafkaDq47eOMJ7QXJHGyypLUplHQ/s700/Neil-An-explanation-for-flatness_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Analogy showing how gravity on large scales causes flatness (Source: Neil Turok)" border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="700" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHyUHrzZ2fLZQiy6UTBxzMAucIOZ1-E780-0AVbIb2_-QwEfD1q29sW5HOypj-u_sLSMkpBtatNfR7f8zmd4bkkN_VcL_BSHstV2TBgPbHjGiCyXcK6qR347ysqisyiwVO5J7-6BOD7gJmWLfvz-MHgK4SzjuuwcafkaDq47eOMJ7QXJHGyypLUplHQ/w640-h284/Neil-An-explanation-for-flatness_web.jpg" title="Analogy showing how gravity on large scales causes flatness (Source: Neil Turok)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Analogy showing how gravity on large scales causes flatness (Source: Neil Turok)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Now if you extend this analogy to the whole universe and do some technical calculations about gravity and entropy, first introduced by Hawking, then you can calculate how the flatness of the universe can be guaranteed just by gravity alone with no need to introduce the concept of inflation.</p><p>I remember some years back, I was seated next to Dr. Virginia Trimble, UCI, at a dinner meeting and I asked her why the theory of inflation had not yet won a Nobel prize. I forget her exact answer, but it was something like the theory sort of fit the facts of observation but there were too many loose ends and baggage that went unexplained.</p><p>For the details of the calculation, check out the arXiV:2201.07209.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVLPR6DBv_E8cCY6furNfmnAkc_HbdZ58SeuxO74fJnaj_LCUBITAhVAd-VWU8YQ9W2snvGHTh2ZH0owNI8wbRRs5iMWHSmAmhCAwzUBFjxscQbY4j-SVdSZ9QF0KybLO8KxYkQ7SxASeJZm7B9PAfQYUTvZE7XAXmCCHvsRkBKdFgTFqDDthl8HhPw/s750/Neil-and-Gravitational-Entropy-and-Flatness_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Calculating how gravity alone can cause universal flatness (Source: Neil Turok, arXiV:2201.07209)" border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="750" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVLPR6DBv_E8cCY6furNfmnAkc_HbdZ58SeuxO74fJnaj_LCUBITAhVAd-VWU8YQ9W2snvGHTh2ZH0owNI8wbRRs5iMWHSmAmhCAwzUBFjxscQbY4j-SVdSZ9QF0KybLO8KxYkQ7SxASeJZm7B9PAfQYUTvZE7XAXmCCHvsRkBKdFgTFqDDthl8HhPw/w640-h312/Neil-and-Gravitational-Entropy-and-Flatness_web.jpg" title="Calculating how gravity alone can cause universal flatness (Source: Neil Turok, arXiV:2201.07209)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calculating how gravity alone can cause universal flatness (Source: Neil Turok, arXiV:2201.07209)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>So, I really like this idea that gravity and entropy, both of which we have some understanding, can operate at large galactic scales to make the universe flat, without bring some new "inflation" particle or field into the discussion. Turok admits to having been wrong in the past, but maybe this time he has hit on a simpler explanation for the flatness of the universe. Interestingly, he pointed out that the variation in the CMB is about 1 part in 10,000, which is close to the fine structure constant squared.</p><p>Finally, after some preliminary exploration of this neat idea, let's just finish up with a photo of two new observatory occupants. Here our new black cat is surveying the environment while sitting on top of a Halloween pumpkin. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Q9qACqBazWkeV71vn0mR4I_7A6HQYtlj3DsIInEoXVV745k_AOYu-ofc4WF8NOsgLfPhRnaOt5Ux0lToYBTodKBxX7rg1uewJuO6mGVTJ0-eZ_nxa_uMUw3CyN8bDWRmgBK5JjSQIcf6NwSiv6qMQw-hR_HgQMgIdQSwIx2y3Y4ztSchlehDyIhN7Q/s496/Black-Cat_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Black cat rides a Halloween pumpkin outside of the observatory (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="420" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Q9qACqBazWkeV71vn0mR4I_7A6HQYtlj3DsIInEoXVV745k_AOYu-ofc4WF8NOsgLfPhRnaOt5Ux0lToYBTodKBxX7rg1uewJuO6mGVTJ0-eZ_nxa_uMUw3CyN8bDWRmgBK5JjSQIcf6NwSiv6qMQw-hR_HgQMgIdQSwIx2y3Y4ztSchlehDyIhN7Q/w542-h640/Black-Cat_web.jpg" title="Black cat rides a Halloween pumpkin outside of the observatory (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="542" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black cat rides a Halloween pumpkin outside of the observatory (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">Resident Astronomer George</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: quot; 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font-size: 13.33px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Check out this blog at <a href="http://www.palmiaobservatory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.palmiaobservatory.com</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Sign up for email alerts at:<a href="mailto:Palmiaobservatory+subscribe@groups.io" style="background-color: white; 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MEPAG 2022; May Planetary Alignment; Hooray, Sgr* Black Hole Image! May Lunar Eclipse; AbSciCon2022; Ukraine; Why?<p> Greetings from Palmia Observatory</p><p>Well, here we are already in May, and even though we have lots of conferences and observations to go over, my Ipad reminded me of several images from the past, so let's first begin with a sample of those.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>First up, is a view of Resident Astronomer Peggy and I, in front of one of the radio antennas that make up the Goldstone Tracking Station in Fort Irwin, CA. We enjoyed this reminder from the past and look forward to visiting other observatories and sites in the future</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItvRJ8Cg5Tq9zJbjU_9aEa0KazfiFVNpjruMpJPeiHVTlbTGCOeSt0lNnx7jWiFzwgJZjXD5_3yjvJhQL6DPOa-04Gl1sOw1Sg8rXbWeH485UQD08awBV4zuhtfydVrhQ9x-FqvbmNE7WtMcBh6cdl7NXv9mnrNIHQ32nerPo46fCp2fuIpOalaf2ow/s693/At-Fort-Irwin_Oct2015_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Blast from the Past (2015), Goldstone Tracking Station (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="592" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItvRJ8Cg5Tq9zJbjU_9aEa0KazfiFVNpjruMpJPeiHVTlbTGCOeSt0lNnx7jWiFzwgJZjXD5_3yjvJhQL6DPOa-04Gl1sOw1Sg8rXbWeH485UQD08awBV4zuhtfydVrhQ9x-FqvbmNE7WtMcBh6cdl7NXv9mnrNIHQ32nerPo46fCp2fuIpOalaf2ow/w546-h640/At-Fort-Irwin_Oct2015_web.jpg" title="Blast from the Past (2015), Goldstone Tracking Station (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="546" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blast from the Past (2015), Goldstone Tracking Station (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Another picture from the past was when Janna Levin, astrophysicist, author of "Black Hole Blues..." was at a book signing event in Altadena, CA. We had a presentation followed by discussion and wine and of course, signing of her new book. As a physicist wannabe, it is always nice to meet and real physicist.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfPtVmpsknJ0uT9QiVbd_DsIUk8X-OV0a2eUsdNvQr46xkKBS1SLBIo3PwGP6kZaO3D08_uwoMSOGgge9iOKq3Irq_dRKEf9ZaDdrjQVoA6S0fhlmC9pOXeHbC6daQoAkB0Oc9s21RlqDNdnC8xtwGXliU9vqeXF7wlUSGyWuSz3UI-GNhSz39irqQA/s700/Janna_april102016_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Janna Levin signs her book, "Black Hole Blues", 2016 (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="700" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfPtVmpsknJ0uT9QiVbd_DsIUk8X-OV0a2eUsdNvQr46xkKBS1SLBIo3PwGP6kZaO3D08_uwoMSOGgge9iOKq3Irq_dRKEf9ZaDdrjQVoA6S0fhlmC9pOXeHbC6daQoAkB0Oc9s21RlqDNdnC8xtwGXliU9vqeXF7wlUSGyWuSz3UI-GNhSz39irqQA/w640-h416/Janna_april102016_web.jpg" title="Janna Levin signs her book, "Black Hole Blues", 2016 (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janna Levin signs her book, "Black Hole Blues", 2016 (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>A final blast from the past photo reminder was this photo taken during a 2016 OCA star party at Black Star Canyon. Here the Resident Astronomer and "Mad about Mars, Eric" show off their setups. Wow, it is sad, just to think that it has been over 2 years now that we have gone without any big group star gazing events.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbUoL_mKvfaZtoi9HPeadcvgw8k4JjL-bpRJf7Y9430369dF91SX5qz1X-Zba089hNHUTSu6r3YWpbmULIfXvfOFLPC9mbVjN3O4nRkxmWXcweK5nsmzv3MTuB65LxTlUstJ-4KNPxtr1LlC_1G2TUiON-AShgxhgj1utpEknzIVtVGh8tAnjRM3XwA/s640/Mad-About-Mars_Sept2016_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Black Star Canyon observing (2016) with "Mad about Mars, Eric" (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="640" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbUoL_mKvfaZtoi9HPeadcvgw8k4JjL-bpRJf7Y9430369dF91SX5qz1X-Zba089hNHUTSu6r3YWpbmULIfXvfOFLPC9mbVjN3O4nRkxmWXcweK5nsmzv3MTuB65LxTlUstJ-4KNPxtr1LlC_1G2TUiON-AShgxhgj1utpEknzIVtVGh8tAnjRM3XwA/w640-h418/Mad-About-Mars_Sept2016_web.jpg" title="Black Star Canyon observing (2016) with "Mad about Mars, Eric" (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Star Canyon observing (2016) with "Mad about Mars, Eric" (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Ok, that is enough Blast from the Past, now on to the just past, May,2-4, 2022, Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) meeting, held in Denver, but attended by us here online. The research activities of MEPAG are outlined in this screenshot of one of the presentation slides.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFq0tLHh8YTNdg9mpAtb8NarNS9jpEPlBSf6JDKP-apHGEj6nL_RfJ0BZyimChfxFV25huqo0v9g14xoIDIjWyMhww83vzranLidqkLWYsFxYTyNw7L_sgmvEVTVcGRVFRnG-GeX-k4ovk1Grdw8-9V90w0SY6bVZ1ttJNO9og4u8qADwN0G_zQgDYA/s630/Mepag_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="MEPAG Meeting May 2-4, 2022 (Source: MEPAG 2022)" border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="630" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFq0tLHh8YTNdg9mpAtb8NarNS9jpEPlBSf6JDKP-apHGEj6nL_RfJ0BZyimChfxFV25huqo0v9g14xoIDIjWyMhww83vzranLidqkLWYsFxYTyNw7L_sgmvEVTVcGRVFRnG-GeX-k4ovk1Grdw8-9V90w0SY6bVZ1ttJNO9og4u8qADwN0G_zQgDYA/w640-h360/Mepag_web.jpg" title="MEPAG Meeting May 2-4, 2022 (Source: MEPAG 2022)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MEPAG Meeting May 2-4, 2022 (Source: MEPAG 2022)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Another slide shows the priority science questions addressed by MEPAG.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83sZlWhAQDVAQHi5xsgRa7zdlBfEmW2N03BmtAd-7JzKQlPCok2F3RH4A_hBdSK8L7NYfOifaYVAvorrdkynCGdcGzgMdw9dIgw1rqbiYL2cfuwN7nbazl2U1ds895uEHEIvPInRTphXU0P__1DVm2d-voP4RWNnD5YHP8Ik6e00FSVMARezJrvAxhQ/s800/Mepag-Priority-Science-Questions_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="MEPAG Priority Science Questions (Source: MEPAG 2022)" border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83sZlWhAQDVAQHi5xsgRa7zdlBfEmW2N03BmtAd-7JzKQlPCok2F3RH4A_hBdSK8L7NYfOifaYVAvorrdkynCGdcGzgMdw9dIgw1rqbiYL2cfuwN7nbazl2U1ds895uEHEIvPInRTphXU0P__1DVm2d-voP4RWNnD5YHP8Ik6e00FSVMARezJrvAxhQ/w640-h360/Mepag-Priority-Science-Questions_web.jpg" title="MEPAG Priority Science Questions (Source: MEPAG 2022)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MEPAG Priority Science Questions (Source: MEPAG 2022)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The month of May also brought us a grand alignment of planets for astroimagers. In this city lights viewing image, you can see, Venus, at the lower left, then Jupiter, Mars and Saturn, at upper right. Still exhibiting lazy astronomer syndrome, I set up the flimsy tripod pretty close to a streetlight, which pretty much blasted out the lower left side of the image.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDROhjRnHef2mTVtnmWRdoktBuiDzf_q-qpi7TATZlb_t_2p1kf-x7JxWafhNy8avAeIL4iKI9GZMeB7mzDPV3a1-cQlUQoCunhroI3iSuVoePIDAwjGzLu8J40-WGR5m8W6YcjF7iNCPg-F7ndx72CrndvyOL8vR3BfK8KPt2ajm2tgb5gcCiE2jQHg/s700/May-9-Alignment_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Planetary alignment with Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn, DSLR 18mm, 4 sec (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="700" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDROhjRnHef2mTVtnmWRdoktBuiDzf_q-qpi7TATZlb_t_2p1kf-x7JxWafhNy8avAeIL4iKI9GZMeB7mzDPV3a1-cQlUQoCunhroI3iSuVoePIDAwjGzLu8J40-WGR5m8W6YcjF7iNCPg-F7ndx72CrndvyOL8vR3BfK8KPt2ajm2tgb5gcCiE2jQHg/w640-h330/May-9-Alignment_web.jpg" title="Planetary alignment with Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn, DSLR 18mm, 4 sec (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planetary alignment with Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn, DSLR 18mm, 4 sec (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>The other big news of the week was disclosed at the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) where the first image of the black hole, Sgr*, a the center of the Milky Way was obtained. Sgr* is less than 1/1000 as big as the black hole in M87. Sgr* is also about 1000 times closer to us. But the small size of Sgr* means that the hot swirling gas that is accreting onto the black hole is moving very fast, close to the speed of light, and complicates getting a good image of the black hole. So, the image, which is observed at radio frequencies and displayed in false color, shows how the imaging algorithm blurs out any detail. Note the size comparison of the black hole event horizon for the two black holes.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5_9N2tsE_Dfl_j0EN_Zw4EGwjtEhdEl7QsBxsBLrJoCfmQZJ9v9sBOFuRcyccClIlPOYZNxmr4f7L2A9ekFDGgyNqzhMQ1gAFmfoLszGpYNwtzwLN_99iBVSIST_O7v1QR0_GeBKIMvZ7T865CqPQCAoeyTGlSfsImFVcu6S7IBsQAafwNVed7fVlg/s800/Sgr-star_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hooray, image of Sgr* Black Hole & M87 comparison (Source: EHT Collaboration Press Conference)" border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="800" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5_9N2tsE_Dfl_j0EN_Zw4EGwjtEhdEl7QsBxsBLrJoCfmQZJ9v9sBOFuRcyccClIlPOYZNxmr4f7L2A9ekFDGgyNqzhMQ1gAFmfoLszGpYNwtzwLN_99iBVSIST_O7v1QR0_GeBKIMvZ7T865CqPQCAoeyTGlSfsImFVcu6S7IBsQAafwNVed7fVlg/w640-h344/Sgr-star_web.jpg" title="Hooray, image of Sgr* Black Hole & M87 comparison (Source: EHT Collaboration Press Conference)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hooray, image of Sgr* Black Hole & M87 comparison (Source: EHT Collaboration Press Conference)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We were also treated to a lunar eclipse on May 15-16, 2022. This was an excellent chance to drag out the flimsy tripod and do some nighttime observing and photography. This photo was taken during the total eclipse period.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSeP_10Eb5yNedesWov9KEJG3SBz6wAr9D9lWqJ2IHrcF86eZ2M6yCM7F3i4yp34to4HZQcZlPe74POMAhyHHaKb7-Ta1kiIAfB33AKHJqt_w_ulKwI7nrE2ogez3Nk1oHoywZJwVZPgrc89We-xlNw2-m11f06FMJXdQc8UkhxuLRETFb2_DaGZ0sw/s825/Lunar-Eclipse_IMG5680_200mm_ISO400_2-seconds_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Total Lunar Eclipse, DSLR 300mm, 2 seconds (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="825" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSeP_10Eb5yNedesWov9KEJG3SBz6wAr9D9lWqJ2IHrcF86eZ2M6yCM7F3i4yp34to4HZQcZlPe74POMAhyHHaKb7-Ta1kiIAfB33AKHJqt_w_ulKwI7nrE2ogez3Nk1oHoywZJwVZPgrc89We-xlNw2-m11f06FMJXdQc8UkhxuLRETFb2_DaGZ0sw/w640-h640/Lunar-Eclipse_IMG5680_200mm_ISO400_2-seconds_web.jpg" title="Total Lunar Eclipse, DSLR 300mm, 2 seconds (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Total Lunar Eclipse, DSLR 300mm, 2 seconds (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>While we were outside waiting for the eclipse to end, we noticed several opportunities when an aircraft flew close to the moon in the sky. So, during on close encounter, I switched from 300mm telephoto lens setting to 75mm, and was able to capture the aircraft navigation lights at the bottom left side of this image.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSuTFSjOyPvPzROj1sg_YwFu8B5Bk33Bkww0jI7IX3wjiHu_-LHiMg3KnvgQHWso_hKaFb82ci_5dL9zHiGNBJFrvfeOfTcUlALgNei_1bIO9vlnt25j3xtQD4gHlM1W5lCRESzt6Cj0rwfXCqoIGashFhlTiKeMdqfH0rg6Y9zSHyu8PFLJ_VTJoAw/s1500/Lunar-Eclipse-with-Airplane_IMG5695_75mm_ISO400_2-seconds_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Total Lunar Eclipse & Airplane, DSLR 75mm, 2 seconds (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1500" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSuTFSjOyPvPzROj1sg_YwFu8B5Bk33Bkww0jI7IX3wjiHu_-LHiMg3KnvgQHWso_hKaFb82ci_5dL9zHiGNBJFrvfeOfTcUlALgNei_1bIO9vlnt25j3xtQD4gHlM1W5lCRESzt6Cj0rwfXCqoIGashFhlTiKeMdqfH0rg6Y9zSHyu8PFLJ_VTJoAw/w640-h492/Lunar-Eclipse-with-Airplane_IMG5695_75mm_ISO400_2-seconds_web.jpg" title="Total Lunar Eclipse & Airplane, DSLR 75mm, 2 seconds (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Total Lunar Eclipse & Airplane, DSLR 75mm, 2 seconds (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>As the eclipse was ending, you could see one edge of the moon become brighter and brighter. Here you can see, how with the same 2 second exposure setting, part of the moon is becoming completely saturated.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9HN7AYhREE_hnV3HBN1VWBNw-eUHwt9OsmK2bGRY1GRPN7-Vk-ygehxezNhFQMSG7IMEmcnaoRZbHF3r1HBoaFiwjO6q02TjS_RunAjsLihECznWrj64CmxE6lQ1BW6svI6HPVxAyjaXCnpuyh6eoPsucODYrG-KqlAtMzciCyTmZE9EHQleOPzqbw/s1200/Lunar-Eclipse_IMG5696_300mm_ISO400_2-seconds_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Exiting Lunar Eclipse, DSLR 300mm, 2 seconds (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="1200" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9HN7AYhREE_hnV3HBN1VWBNw-eUHwt9OsmK2bGRY1GRPN7-Vk-ygehxezNhFQMSG7IMEmcnaoRZbHF3r1HBoaFiwjO6q02TjS_RunAjsLihECznWrj64CmxE6lQ1BW6svI6HPVxAyjaXCnpuyh6eoPsucODYrG-KqlAtMzciCyTmZE9EHQleOPzqbw/w640-h572/Lunar-Eclipse_IMG5696_300mm_ISO400_2-seconds_web.jpg" title="Exiting Lunar Eclipse, DSLR 300mm, 2 seconds (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exiting Lunar Eclipse, DSLR 300mm, 2 seconds (Source: Palmia Observatory)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Then as more and more of the moon comes out of the eclipse, we see it is difficult with the 2 second exposure setting to see any detail on the portion of the moon that is not eclipsed.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgNSgVX4zqhiGy_kPTUBQXEKqNLkJcEEVeXDXgeaCpGBjTafQCrX1usxuPZ02usTufoqiTnF6wYIV9DfKSwra5IcgOeMYcsRoVEvc8sd_fv5ZxB5-pig1Bgl0lslON-9INGniKWPMHXd4UumlNdRlExjncvPibN-KkmGLGBJvnlJBwrHuPi-vwNa5NQ/s1050/Lunar-Eclipse_IMG5707_300mm_ISO400_1-of-4-seconds_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Exiting Lunar Eclipse, DSLR 300mm, 1/4 seconds (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="964" data-original-width="1050" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgNSgVX4zqhiGy_kPTUBQXEKqNLkJcEEVeXDXgeaCpGBjTafQCrX1usxuPZ02usTufoqiTnF6wYIV9DfKSwra5IcgOeMYcsRoVEvc8sd_fv5ZxB5-pig1Bgl0lslON-9INGniKWPMHXd4UumlNdRlExjncvPibN-KkmGLGBJvnlJBwrHuPi-vwNa5NQ/w640-h588/Lunar-Eclipse_IMG5707_300mm_ISO400_1-of-4-seconds_web.jpg" title="Exiting Lunar Eclipse, DSLR 300mm, 1/4 seconds (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exiting Lunar Eclipse, DSLR 300mm, 1/4 seconds (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>But, when the exposure setting is changed from 2 seconds to 1/250 seconds, we can now start to see some of the lunar detail, Hooray; it was fun to get outside and look up!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIT6m2rYXQMiABFupE2JE9SOosUaYk1WOycA-e35szkW1gGZ21UMlmR_LqW_9RSyKnoAghOXHpFN8TBNWiNGDpyyeQKhIBv9CCUjuKVqENy2Hb2jXlW0JF-og96YzLMj_LxjWGuoSSHUmWPA8qWH-LH85kjoXfaBRmn-A9eZgJBFQlATZrHIv8y4sgFg/s1561/Lunar-Eclipse_IMG5709_300mm_ISO400_1-of-250-seconds_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Exiting Lunar Eclipse, DSLR 300mm, 1/250 seconds (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="1561" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIT6m2rYXQMiABFupE2JE9SOosUaYk1WOycA-e35szkW1gGZ21UMlmR_LqW_9RSyKnoAghOXHpFN8TBNWiNGDpyyeQKhIBv9CCUjuKVqENy2Hb2jXlW0JF-og96YzLMj_LxjWGuoSSHUmWPA8qWH-LH85kjoXfaBRmn-A9eZgJBFQlATZrHIv8y4sgFg/w614-h640/Lunar-Eclipse_IMG5709_300mm_ISO400_1-of-250-seconds_web.jpg" title="Exiting Lunar Eclipse, DSLR 300mm, 1/250 seconds (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="614" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exiting Lunar Eclipse, DSLR 300mm, 1/250 seconds (Source: Palmia Observatory)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>For the rest of this week we will be attending the online version of the AbSciCon2022, held in Atlanta, GA. This astrobiology conference has a subtitle: From Stars to Cells. It would have been nice to attend in person, but the conference seems to be a little too technical for me and also didn't want to be doing any additional travelling so close to our upcoming river cruise from Paris to Prague. Anyway, we might make some comments about the conference during our next blog posting.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhac3e0APKviNwXUT0rj608HRsf2l1z6-efm0oEf--NdlPkuG_yE-_3EmbQayufkcPDXHUcDSpzdjyHFBUVTtzp6hlPr3Vu0ucdU7nouFW8pYi0DMpdDSspCBBUI8dZo9u0DiO5g5N6ER9_ZbBmjcqdUyonqdfy0CYi3lcIBi4P_AIKQYmKh02DiY6y2w/s600/AbSciCon2022_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="AbSciCon2022" Origins, Worlds and Life (Source: AbSciCon2022)" border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhac3e0APKviNwXUT0rj608HRsf2l1z6-efm0oEf--NdlPkuG_yE-_3EmbQayufkcPDXHUcDSpzdjyHFBUVTtzp6hlPr3Vu0ucdU7nouFW8pYi0DMpdDSspCBBUI8dZo9u0DiO5g5N6ER9_ZbBmjcqdUyonqdfy0CYi3lcIBi4P_AIKQYmKh02DiY6y2w/w640-h432/AbSciCon2022_web.jpg" title="AbSciCon2022" Origins, Worlds and Life (Source: AbSciCon2022)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AbSciCon2022" Origins, Worlds and Life (Source: AbSciCon2022)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Finally, we have watched the unfolding events of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and wanted to finish up this blog post with some comments about that. This photo image shows just one example of the ongoing destruction of the country. It is so sad to learn of all the pain, suffering and death of so many innocent people.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8exzYO9vcdMVYgjB5QGzsy7mCRju_sGaplD3Ijy3X-bLRAU2Npur-v7eB6dgF0AnB8K8yQXnmHYB20l-ScZ4r9P4wNq_BMXy-tNdlq4ikbde-8eOGVgjiPMBWtjzJqN99ohqvXmPPUdjm-m1AYY8d1PxZ6GrAPEeZ2pT79wz2PM-t-tL5W724zl3ug/s600/Ukraine_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Heavy damage in Ukraine (Source: Reuters)" border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="600" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8exzYO9vcdMVYgjB5QGzsy7mCRju_sGaplD3Ijy3X-bLRAU2Npur-v7eB6dgF0AnB8K8yQXnmHYB20l-ScZ4r9P4wNq_BMXy-tNdlq4ikbde-8eOGVgjiPMBWtjzJqN99ohqvXmPPUdjm-m1AYY8d1PxZ6GrAPEeZ2pT79wz2PM-t-tL5W724zl3ug/w640-h518/Ukraine_web.jpg" title="Heavy damage in Ukraine (Source: Reuters)" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heavy damage in Ukraine (Source: Reuters)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>So, as part of an upcoming Philosophy Meetup group, I have been preparing a two-minute summary of some philosophical comments and questions. I present the current summary, here, not associated with astronomy, not as some kind of final expert opinion, but just a written homework essay, written for discussion: </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qLaaE1VWV61RLAG9Gq3jrLzu4RJGdwss7UNwzNeNXDaAdvRC_DzjgLLkyhtnZmxCSZ_jc5bVuoDkvlXMN7icxXKEj9bp1dx61z_eDMentcN3pi5iyYsJ3M3hawfPX0pNhDs1YT_J-b6m8WOg9S1YPdP7ziBVxNjXQ8GUSZIm_hhFUGWDdAz8b9kRIQ/s623/Thoughts-about-Ukraine2_web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Philosophy Meetup Homework Essay about Ukraine (Source: Palmia Observatory)" border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qLaaE1VWV61RLAG9Gq3jrLzu4RJGdwss7UNwzNeNXDaAdvRC_DzjgLLkyhtnZmxCSZ_jc5bVuoDkvlXMN7icxXKEj9bp1dx61z_eDMentcN3pi5iyYsJ3M3hawfPX0pNhDs1YT_J-b6m8WOg9S1YPdP7ziBVxNjXQ8GUSZIm_hhFUGWDdAz8b9kRIQ/w616-h640/Thoughts-about-Ukraine2_web.jpg" title="Philosophy Meetup Homework Essay about Ukraine (Source: Palmia Observatory)" width="616" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philosophy Meetup Homework Essay about Ukraine (Source: Palmia Observatory)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: quot;">Until next time,</span><br /></p><div style="font-family: quot; 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