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Michael Scherman

Lagoon and Triffid Celestron C6 Hyperstar4

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Posts Made By: Alan French

December 25, 2010 05:07 PM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Charming Hummingbird

Posted By Alan French
Costa Rica with a Canon SX10 IS.

Happy holidays and a wonderful Isaac Newton's birthday!

Clear skies, Alan

February 15, 2011 03:01 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

With Proper Filter, Sunspot AR1158 Naked Eye Visib

Posted By Alan French
I can see sunspot AR1158 through my shade 14 welder's glass by eye. It is not as easy as some naked eye sunspots I've seen, but is visible. It should be visible through any proper, safe visual solar filter (Baader, Solar Skreen, etc.).

As you all know, never look directly at the Sun or use any filter that is not designed for safe solar viewing or you are not absolutely sure is safe. Shade 14 welder's glass filters can be picked up quite inexpensively at any welder's supply store.

Clear skies, Alan

February 18, 2011 03:56 AM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

Extreme Storms and Floods Linked to Climate Change

Posted By Alan French
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/01/110116-climate-change-greenhouse-gas-floods-storms-water/

March 18, 2011 10:37 PM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

Earthquakes

Posted By Alan French
Although not related to global warming, but earthquakes have been mentioned here and are interesting.

You can get a nice map of "earthquakes for the last 7 days" at
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/

Lots of links on the page to get historical information.

A couple of weeks ago the map was generally showing about 200 earthquakes. It recently reached almost 700. Over the time I've paid the page a daily visit, the number has fluctuated considerably.

Clear skies, Alan

May 27, 2011 07:05 PM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

Idiot in Office

Posted By Alan French
Whether you believe in Global Warming or not, I can't imagine you'd want ignorant idiots like Dana Rohrabacher looking into it...
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/republicans-climate-solution-clearcut-the-rain-forest/

Clear skies, Alan

June 21, 2011 12:36 PM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

Cryosat Mission

Posted By Alan French
A valuable new tool...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13829785

Clear skies, Alan

June 21, 2011 09:09 PM Forum: After Dark

Light Pollution: A Hopeful Sign

Posted By Alan French
On our way home for our public star parties, I've been quite pleased to see a nice trend among businesses. Quite a few are now turning all their lights off after closing, including those in the parking lot. A new Sunoco station near here - which is really too brightly lit when open - is almost completely dark after closing, as is the Dunkin Donuts next door.

I'm sure it's saving them energy, but it probably also increases security. Tough to do much if you can't see, and flashlights attract attention.

Clear skies, Alan

June 24, 2011 01:05 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Optional Accessory or Due Diligence?

Posted By Alan French
You're out under the clear, starry sky. Do you ever feel exposed and worry about being abducted?

If so, here's a handy accessory to end your worry and eliminate the admittedly small chance you'll be abducted. grin

http://www.stopabductions.com/

Clear skies, Alan


July 27, 2011 12:08 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Evolutionary Variation in Dim Light Abilities?

Posted By Alan French
A fascinating article with some implications for amateur astronomers.

"Humans living at high latitude have bigger eyes and bigger brains to cope with poor light during long winters and cloudy days, UK scientists have said."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14279729

Clear skies, Alan

August 2, 2011 05:19 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Naked Eye Sunspot

Posted By Alan French
As you probably know, there are plenty of sunspots visible through a telescope equipped with a proper, safe solar filter. One of the larger spots is visible to the eye when looking through my shade 14 welder's glass. So, if you have a safe filter, take a look by eye.

Clear skies, Alan

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