Image of the day

Captured by
Arthur Hogan

Heart and Soul Nebulas

About Astromart

My Account

New to Astromart?

Register an account...

Need Help?

Posts Made By: Darian Rachal

July 2, 2007 01:02 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Spaceweather.com photo from Iran

Posted By Darian Rachal
I know I may be stating the obvious, but it is nice to know that people in Iran do normal things like set up telescopes, and appreciate the beauty of an evening sky. http://www.spaceweather.com

To listen to 'news' reports, one would almost think their total preoccupation is with destroying the West.

July 26, 2007 06:52 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Venus in evening sky

Posted By Darian Rachal
It seems like I ran across a link recently showing Venus in the evening sky and it's decreasing % illumination, and it's increasing diameter, with each passing day.
I can't seem to locate the article or link.

I have a spot with a low W. horizon and I'd like to do a little project and see how long I can follow it. Does anyone have a link to a map showing this.

Thanks,

August 2, 2007 03:09 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Waning gibbous moon

Posted By Darian Rachal
This observation of mine might belong more in the Religion Forum wink , but I'll post it here nevertheless.

For many years I have noticed that there is something about seeing a waning gibbous moon, in the blue, morning western sky, that leaves me with a very pleasant feeling; almost a sense of peace or well-being.

Does it affect anyone else in such a manner, or is this just a personal thing with me?

I hadn't seen this phase of the moon in quite some time, and when I saw it this morning the same sensation occurred. :S

August 14, 2007 05:54 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Most Difficult Book Read?

Posted By Darian Rachal
Back in the early '80s, I bought a paperback edition of Darwin's The Origin of Species determined to read and understand it, as best I could, no matter how long it took.

I believe it took me two or three months to finish it, because I could only read relatively short passages and had to reread paragraphs several times to make sure I was understanding what he was saying.

Anyway, the whole point of this is, I'm am curious about what it the most difficult book you have read and understood? Maybe an odd question, but it just came to mind. wink

August 18, 2007 11:03 AM Forum: N.A.S.A.

Space Station Size?

Posted By Darian Rachal
I see these nice shots of the space station that people get through scopes, but just how large is it in the sky in seconds of arc?

I was just thinking about taking a look at it through my scope, and was wondering about what magnification to use?

October 23, 2007 10:31 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Scratches on Brushed Metal

Posted By Darian Rachal
A friend bought one of those nice refrigerators with the brushed metal finish, but got some scratches on the front when bringing it in the house.

Can a Dremel with some sort of polishing agent, or any other device be used to remove the scratches? Just thought I'd ask here because of the knowledgeable people.

Thanks for any suggestions.

December 25, 2007 03:42 PM Forum: ASTRONOMY

Re: Staying Warm in 30 degree weather?

Posted By Darian Rachal
Gary, I used to nibble on one of the large(8 oz.) Hershey bars when observing in cold weather. Along with the proper clothing that seemed to help me.

February 9, 2008 01:25 AM Forum: Meade

Series 5000 127mm(triplet) apo?

Posted By Darian Rachal
I noticed on the Meade website that these are still shown, along with the 80mm. But it's my understanding that the 127mm is not going to be made. I'm sure this decision occurred some time back and I just missed it. But what was the problem? It looked like a pretty good buy.

March 12, 2008 05:24 AM Forum: Refractors

Orion 120mm ED refractor

Posted By Darian Rachal
FWIW, I noticed the OTA has been marked down to $1600.00 until March 17th.

March 13, 2008 01:55 PM Forum: Religion

Names in the New Testament?

Posted By Darian Rachal
I was giving some thought to the name of the Gospel writers; Mathew, Mark, Luke and John, as well as Jesus' mother, Mary.

These do not sound like middle-eastern names of 2000 years ago. I think these are more English sounding names. Surely, the men that wrote the Gospels, since they were middle-eastern Jews, would have names common to that area.

What got me thinking about this was, I attended a 'Stations of the Cross' service, and one of the stations has Veronica wiping the face of Jesus. Surely no woman living in Israel 2000 years ago had that name. smile

Anyway, this is one of my rare "contributions" to this Forum, which I generally stay away from. wink

Funding Member

Sponsors


View all sponsors

Search