Jimmy Westlake:
"There are few sights in nature more beautiful than the starry summer sky. When the sun goes down and the summer stars come out, three of the first ones you see, high in the northeastern sky, will be the trio of bright stars that forms the corners of an unmistakable asterism called the Summer Triangle. Although it’s called the Summer Triangle, it first becomes visible in the early evening during late spring and hangs on in our evening sky until early winter.
Asterisms are dot-to-dot drawings in the sky that are widely known but are not counted among the 88 official constellations. The Big Dipper is another well-known example of an asterism. In many cases, asterisms like the Summer Triangle are easier to recognize than the official star patterns.
The brightest star in the Summer Triangle and the first to rise is Vega, named for “the plunging vulture.”
At a distance of only 25 light years, Vega is among the closest stars to our solar system. Vega became a real “movie star” in 1997 when the late astronomer Carl Sagan chose it as the source of the first extraterrestrial radio signal detected by astronomers on Earth in his fictional book and movie “Contact.” In real life, Vega was one of the first stars discovered to have a ring of planetary material surrounding it, possibly a family of planets in the process of formation....
(Read more? Click title)
Showing posts with label astrophotography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label astrophotography. Show all posts
May 29, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Jimmy Westlake: Don’t miss rare transit of Venus"
Jimmy Westlake:
"“By far the noblest (sight) astronomy affords.”
That’s how Sir Edmund Halley of Halley’s Comet fame described one of nature’s rarest astronomical events — a transit of the planet Venus across the face of the sun. You won’t want to miss the only chance in your lifetime to see this noble sight on June 5.
In centuries past, transits of both Venus and Mercury were important events because astronomers could use the timings to estimate the sizes of these planets and their distances from Earth. Nowadays, these sizes and distances are well established. Modern astronomers search for the transits of undiscovered planets in front of other distant stars. Studying transits in our own solar system helps them know what to look for when observing distant suns.
In effect, a transit is a miniature version of an annular eclipse of the sun, with Venus rather than the moon crossing the sun’s face. Even more rare than the once-every-76-year passages of Mr. Halley’s comet, transits of Venus occur in pairs separated by more than a century. The two transits in each pair are eight years apart. There were no transits of Venus in the 20th century, with the previous pair happening in 1874 and 1882....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"“By far the noblest (sight) astronomy affords.”
That’s how Sir Edmund Halley of Halley’s Comet fame described one of nature’s rarest astronomical events — a transit of the planet Venus across the face of the sun. You won’t want to miss the only chance in your lifetime to see this noble sight on June 5.
In centuries past, transits of both Venus and Mercury were important events because astronomers could use the timings to estimate the sizes of these planets and their distances from Earth. Nowadays, these sizes and distances are well established. Modern astronomers search for the transits of undiscovered planets in front of other distant stars. Studying transits in our own solar system helps them know what to look for when observing distant suns.
In effect, a transit is a miniature version of an annular eclipse of the sun, with Venus rather than the moon crossing the sun’s face. Even more rare than the once-every-76-year passages of Mr. Halley’s comet, transits of Venus occur in pairs separated by more than a century. The two transits in each pair are eight years apart. There were no transits of Venus in the 20th century, with the previous pair happening in 1874 and 1882....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
May 21, 2012
SandBoxBlogs; Summit County Citizens Voice "Colorado: 2012 Solar Eclipse photos"
All credit Daniel McVey via Summit Voice (Click title):
May 8, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Jimmy Westlake: ‘Super moon’ or super hype?"
Could our favorite astronomer, Jimmy Westlake have missed the real point??
That the stir amongst the folks over the 'supermoon' was because of its beauty?
That they can't remember a previous 'supermoon' that looked so close to the earth?
He's entitled to a miss just like anyone else. Today's morning photo is Westlake's not so pretty but the most interesting shot of last weekend's 'supermoon'.
Jimmy Westlake:
"I can’t help but chuckle a little when the news media pick up on a rather mundane celestial event and blow it way out of proportion. Such was the case with this past weekend’s so-called “super moon.” I heard one TV talking head announce that the moon would look 60 percent larger than normal in our sky. Let me see if
I can help set the record straight.
Of course, we have a full moon once every month, so nothing is unusual about that. Occasionally, two full moons will fall into one calendar month, and this non-event is dubbed by some as a “blue moon.” Unusual?
Yes, but nothing to get all that excited about. And because of the moon’s non-circular orbit around the Earth, it swings in to its perigee, or closest point to Earth, once per month, then swings out to its apogee, or farthest point from Earth, also every month. Happens every month, so nothing unusual about that, either....." (Read more? Click title)
Photo Credit: Jimmy Westlake
That the stir amongst the folks over the 'supermoon' was because of its beauty?
That they can't remember a previous 'supermoon' that looked so close to the earth?
He's entitled to a miss just like anyone else. Today's morning photo is Westlake's not so pretty but the most interesting shot of last weekend's 'supermoon'.
Jimmy Westlake:
"I can’t help but chuckle a little when the news media pick up on a rather mundane celestial event and blow it way out of proportion. Such was the case with this past weekend’s so-called “super moon.” I heard one TV talking head announce that the moon would look 60 percent larger than normal in our sky. Let me see if
I can help set the record straight.
Of course, we have a full moon once every month, so nothing is unusual about that. Occasionally, two full moons will fall into one calendar month, and this non-event is dubbed by some as a “blue moon.” Unusual?
Yes, but nothing to get all that excited about. And because of the moon’s non-circular orbit around the Earth, it swings in to its perigee, or closest point to Earth, once per month, then swings out to its apogee, or farthest point from Earth, also every month. Happens every month, so nothing unusual about that, either....." (Read more? Click title)
Photo Credit: Jimmy Westlake
May 1, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Jimmy Westlake: May’s magnificent ring eclipse"
Jimmy Westlake, all credit for story and photo:
"Get ready, because here it comes.
Not since May 10, 1994, has a central eclipse of the sun been seen from the 48 contiguous United States. It has been a long eclipse drought, but come May 20, folks living in the southwestern U.S. will have a ringside seat for a spectacular annular eclipse of the sun. This eclipse is an annular, or ring eclipse, because the moon will be a little too far from Earth in its elliptical orbit to completely cover the sun. Instead, a thin annulus — or ring — of sunlight will surround the moon when it is centered on the solar disk...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Get ready, because here it comes.
Not since May 10, 1994, has a central eclipse of the sun been seen from the 48 contiguous United States. It has been a long eclipse drought, but come May 20, folks living in the southwestern U.S. will have a ringside seat for a spectacular annular eclipse of the sun. This eclipse is an annular, or ring eclipse, because the moon will be a little too far from Earth in its elliptical orbit to completely cover the sun. Instead, a thin annulus — or ring — of sunlight will surround the moon when it is centered on the solar disk...."
(Read more? Click title)
April 24, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today " Jimmy Westlake: The Crow and the Cup"
"There’s a single Greek legend that links all three of these constellations together. In it, Corvus is the beloved pet bird of the sun god Apollo, whose day job was driving the fiery chariot of the sun across the sky. One hot summer day, Apollo grew very thirsty and sent his beautiful white-feathered bird Corvus to fetch a drink of water from a nearby well. The bird flew off with the best of intentions, carrying Apollo’s cup, but along the way to the well, Corvus was distracted by a fig tree and stopped to eat his fill of the sweet fruit. Realizing that he had tarried too long and that his master would be angry, Corvus concocted an alibi. He scooped up a scrawny little water snake in his beak, and flew back to Apollo with the empty cup, explaining that the water snake had prevented him from reaching the well. Apollo was furious at this feeble lie and cursed the bird so severely that his white feathers turned jet black. He then tossed all three — the Crow the Cup and the Water Snake — into the sky and transformed them into stars. There, Corvus the Crow suffers eternal thirst as Hydra the Water Snake prevents him from drinking any water from the Crater the Cup.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Jimmy Westlake teaches astronomy and physics at Colorado Mountain College’s Alpine Campus. Check out his website at http://www.jwestlake.com./..." (Read more? Click title)
April 11, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Jimmy Westlake: Bootes, the Bear Watcher"
All credits: Jimmy Westlake
Click title to read what our fav astronomy and physics professsor at CMC's Alpine Campus and to say on the visible constellations this week. Click his credit link to go to his amazing website for more.
Click title to read what our fav astronomy and physics professsor at CMC's Alpine Campus and to say on the visible constellations this week. Click his credit link to go to his amazing website for more.
April 3, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Jimmy Westlake: Look into infinity and beyond"
What does a guy like Jimmy Westlake dream of?
Stars? Planets? Or the mysteries of infinity and beyond?
Be sure to click title, read the entire article and marvel at his amazing astrophotography talent.
Jimmy Westlake:
"Steamboat Springs — In space, there is no up or down, no top or bottom. On Earth, gravity defines our “down” as toward the center of the Earth and our “up” as the direction opposite that, but these have no meaning once you are away from the Earth’s influence.
So, when considering our pancake-shaped Milky Way galaxy, the terms “top” and “bottom” are completely arbitrary. If we choose the “top” of our galaxy to be the side toward which the Earth’s north pole happens to point, then spring is the time of year when we are able to look right up out of the “top” of the Milky Way and into the depths of intergalactic space. At about midnight in mid-April, or 10 p.m. in mid-May, the hazy band of the Milky Way temporarily encircles us along the horizon such that when we lay on our backs and stare straight up, we are gazing into infinity...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Stars? Planets? Or the mysteries of infinity and beyond?
Be sure to click title, read the entire article and marvel at his amazing astrophotography talent.
Jimmy Westlake:
"Steamboat Springs — In space, there is no up or down, no top or bottom. On Earth, gravity defines our “down” as toward the center of the Earth and our “up” as the direction opposite that, but these have no meaning once you are away from the Earth’s influence.
So, when considering our pancake-shaped Milky Way galaxy, the terms “top” and “bottom” are completely arbitrary. If we choose the “top” of our galaxy to be the side toward which the Earth’s north pole happens to point, then spring is the time of year when we are able to look right up out of the “top” of the Milky Way and into the depths of intergalactic space. At about midnight in mid-April, or 10 p.m. in mid-May, the hazy band of the Milky Way temporarily encircles us along the horizon such that when we lay on our backs and stare straight up, we are gazing into infinity...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
March 27, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Jimmy Westlake: My favorite stars: Mizar, Alcor"
Professor Jimmy Westlake is ranked in the top four of 'SandBox Nanny's' most fav Colorado columnists and contributors.
He weaves tales of intrigue, suspense, war, love, anger and the fury of the Gods and Fates every Tuesday.
And his astrophotography skills? Amazing
Up and over on Steamboat Today.
Jimmy Westlake:
"In 1650, when astronomers first aimed their telescopes at the famed Horse and Rider, they were astonished to discover that the Horse itself appeared double. Almost any small telescope will reveal the twin stars of Mizar, called Mizar A and B. Modern astronomers have used sophisticated techniques to discover that each of Mizar’s twin components is again double. This amazing quintuple star system is located about 80 light-years from Earth.
My favorite story concerning the star Alcor comes from Viking mythology, where we find that the constellation of Orion the Hunter was called Orwandil the Giant, and the bright star Rigel represented the giant’s foot. Once, when Orwandil was crying like a baby because his toe was frostbitten, the god Thor grew tired of his whining and snapped off the frozen toe. He then threw it into the northern sky where we can see it today shining right beside Mizar as our little star Alcor...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
He weaves tales of intrigue, suspense, war, love, anger and the fury of the Gods and Fates every Tuesday.
And his astrophotography skills? Amazing
Up and over on Steamboat Today.
Jimmy Westlake:
"In 1650, when astronomers first aimed their telescopes at the famed Horse and Rider, they were astonished to discover that the Horse itself appeared double. Almost any small telescope will reveal the twin stars of Mizar, called Mizar A and B. Modern astronomers have used sophisticated techniques to discover that each of Mizar’s twin components is again double. This amazing quintuple star system is located about 80 light-years from Earth.
My favorite story concerning the star Alcor comes from Viking mythology, where we find that the constellation of Orion the Hunter was called Orwandil the Giant, and the bright star Rigel represented the giant’s foot. Once, when Orwandil was crying like a baby because his toe was frostbitten, the god Thor grew tired of his whining and snapped off the frozen toe. He then threw it into the northern sky where we can see it today shining right beside Mizar as our little star Alcor...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
March 13, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today/Jimmy Westlake "My Favorite Stars: La Superba"
Jimmy Westlake:
"Note: Throughout the next year, I will share with you in this column some of my favorite stars — stars that you, too, can observe and perhaps add to your list of favorites. They are presented in no particular order other than when they are best observed.
Have you ever seen a red star? No, I mean a really red star. Tucked in under the handle of the Big Dipper is one of the reddest stars in the sky, named La Superba.
With a name like that, it had better be pretty impressive, and it is. La Superba is the brightest carbon star in the sky. With a surface temperature of only 3,500 degrees F, it also is one of the “coolest” naked eye stars and, for a star, cool means red...." (Read more? Click title.)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Note: Throughout the next year, I will share with you in this column some of my favorite stars — stars that you, too, can observe and perhaps add to your list of favorites. They are presented in no particular order other than when they are best observed.
Have you ever seen a red star? No, I mean a really red star. Tucked in under the handle of the Big Dipper is one of the reddest stars in the sky, named La Superba.
With a name like that, it had better be pretty impressive, and it is. La Superba is the brightest carbon star in the sky. With a surface temperature of only 3,500 degrees F, it also is one of the “coolest” naked eye stars and, for a star, cool means red...." (Read more? Click title.)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
October 26, 2011
SandBox Comments: Steamboat Today/Jimmy Westlake "Fall offers glimpses of galaxies"
Professor Jimmy Westlake:
"One of my favorite times of year for sky-watching is early fall, when the nights are clear and cool but not yet frigid. On moonless autumn evenings, one almost can see to infinity. In fact, the fall sky offers the opportunity to see the two most distant objects visible to the unaided human eye...."
"Well...", SandBox Nanny says that her fav time of year is....
When Jimmy Westlake announces it's time for his Cosmic Calendar sale.....
(Want to see terrific photos of the stars? Click the link above. Read more? Click title)
"One of my favorite times of year for sky-watching is early fall, when the nights are clear and cool but not yet frigid. On moonless autumn evenings, one almost can see to infinity. In fact, the fall sky offers the opportunity to see the two most distant objects visible to the unaided human eye...."
"Well...", SandBox Nanny says that her fav time of year is....
When Jimmy Westlake announces it's time for his Cosmic Calendar sale.....
(Want to see terrific photos of the stars? Click the link above. Read more? Click title)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)