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Posts Made By: Maurice Clark

August 31, 2005 05:32 PM Forum: Politics

US poverty rate continues to rise

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi all,

Interesting responses to my posting. Where in my post did I indicate that I was "gloating" over the report? And where did I "throw stones". All I did was mention a news story and say that this was not a very encouraging statistic. Somehow it seems like certain people have interpreted this as an attack on the USA. Very strange imagination some people have. And very thin skins.

Now, if there has been some poor reporting in the story, then by all means shoot it down and post the correct figures. However be that as it may, the fact that there are so many living in poverty, surely is not an encouraging statistic. And surely it is something to be concerned about, regardless of one's political persuasion.

I also notice that some persons have a look at the problems in Oz. Of course that are some social problems in Oz. But what is the relevance? Or are you really saying that because some other country has some problems, the USA does not need to bother about any problems it has?

Regards,

Maurice

August 31, 2005 05:40 PM Forum: Politics

Bush: Release Strategic Oil Now!

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi all,

Actually I just read on the news that it has been decided to release some of the oil reserve. However I have also read on the news that 8 refinaries are out of action. I don't know how many there are in the USA, however that many out of action could be a problem for supplies, even if there is plenty oil crude oil available.

Cheers,

Maurice

September 8, 2005 10:35 PM Forum: Politics

Funny!

Posted By Maurice Clark
LOL!!!!!!

A very good laugh Jim. Thanks for posting it!!

Cheers,

Maurice

September 9, 2005 01:00 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Finding NGC7293 Helix Nebula?

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi Judson,

The light pollution is almost certainly your problem. The Helix is very large and has a low surface brightness. For this reason it is often more easily visible in binoculars than a scope. From a darker location it is actually quite easy. For example, from Oz, I have always found it a fairly easy naked eye object.

Persevere and try the OIII filter. Also, expect it to appear quite large. Many first-time observers do not realise just how big it really is.

Regards,

Maurice

September 16, 2005 01:05 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Astro trip to the south

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi Inge,

I hope you have a great time on your observing trip. There are a huge number of interesting objects in that part of the sky. for example, globulars 6362, 6388, 6441; open clusters, 6067, 6124, 6231, also possibly 3114, 3766, 3532, and the Jewel Box; galaxies 4945, M83 (It is amazing how much better this looks high in the sky, 5128 (a must see) lots of faint "challenge" galaxies near the Centaurus-Hydra border, and later in the night, many nice galaxies in the Grus region such as 7552, 7582 and IC 5332. Also, don't forget planetary nebulae such as Shapley 1, the Bug nebula, 6164/6165, IC 5148, and early in the evening 3132, and 3918 (The Blue Planetary). Also another possibility is one of my favourites, Heinze 2-37.

You can see photos of these and many more on my website: http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/~mclark/astropg.htm

Cheers,

Maurice

September 19, 2005 06:04 PM Forum: Politics

Good News for Bush!

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi Tom,

As they say... the devil is in the details. From having a look at the details of this "agreement", it appears that they have left until later all of the tricky bits, like inspections, verifications, light water reactors.... etc.

Don't rejoyce too early. There is a long way to go on this one yet.

Regards,

Maurice

September 23, 2005 01:39 PM Forum: Politics

Thoughts on the GWB Return to the Moon...

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi all,



The question or manned vs unmanned space exploration has been debated ever since Mercury. No-one has ever come up with a definitive answer. The best I have read was that by Chris Kraft. "It is not a case of one or the other... we need both".

The Apollo missions gave us a huge increase in our understanding of the Moon. Far more than could have been done roboticly. However, despite all of the comments re "its been done before" etc, we still have only a rudimentry understanding of the Moon. That will only come when we send more scientists there. Also, radio astronomers would love a radio telescope on the Moon. The gain in resolution from coupling it with scopes on the Earth would be phenomenal.

So the public would get boored with Moon missions..... so what? How much coverage do you see for shuttle missions, for Cassini, for the rovers, for Stardust..... etc? Lets face it, most of the general public have no interest and no idea about space exploration.

Finally, a comment about the cost. It is expected to cost about $8 billion per year to return to the Moon. It anyone wants to scream about how expensive that is, then what about military spending, which spends that much in less than 1 day? Are you really saying that it is OK to spend unbelievable amounts to blow people up, but not a relatively small amount to restore national pride, to promote science and engineering, to do something that will greatly benefit the economy?



Cheers,

Maurice

September 28, 2005 01:48 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Hyperion images returned

Posted By Maurice Clark
Another image from closer in!

September 29, 2005 06:57 PM Forum: Politics

Re: how about that Tom DeLay?

Posted By Maurice Clark
the Senate would probably shrink to 25 or less. The house would probably drop to 50.

And the country would cheer!!!! 8O 8)

October 10, 2005 08:25 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Red Sox Out, Yankees dangling

Posted By Maurice Clark
Hi Ed,

I have not seen many people wearing red sox for over 30 years, so I would say they are definitely out.

As far as the yanks dangling, with your dollar troubles and trade imballance, that does not surprise me!

Cheers,

Maurice

grin

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