MeteorWatch 2010

I didn't make a typo (for once) but am referring to the MeteorWatch project that is being held tonight through Saturday in conjunction with the Perseid meteor shower. Obviously, they want you to go out and watch the Perseid meteor shower which peaks Thursday night/Friday morning. They also want you to put your observations on Twitter using the #meteorwatch hash tag. Include your zip and your observations show up on a world map. Full instructions are on the Meteorwatch web site.

Although the Perseids peak the night of the 12th/13th, the debris stream that leads to this meteor shower is fairly broad leading to a good number of meteor a few days before and after. The best time to observe is after midnight...generally the later the better (up to the point when morning twilight begins). The Moon was new on August 10th and sets shortly after the Sun, so you don't compete with moonlight.

The best way to observe meteors is to get to a dark site, away from city lights as much as possible, lay back and look up to the northeast. Technically, you should look toward Perseus, but if you don't know how to find it, northeast is close enough. Scan the sky as meteors can pop up anywhere. Some will be bright, others dim. If you are lucky, you get a fireball. If you are really lucky, you might get one that leaves a smoke trail!

I will be trying some photography of the shower. Got a new timer remote for my camera so I am hoping for some clear skies.

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophyscist Blog.

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my darling dragonflies! How are you? Is it hot enough for you? It’s too hot for me. How hot is it? It’s so hot that I saw two trees fighting over a dog. It’s so hot, I saw a chicken lay a fried egg. It’s so hot, I saw an Amish man buying an air conditioner. Oh dear, I “borrowed” those from the internet, but it is hot enough that I’m considering some runs, or leisurely strolls, through the Dr. Laurel Clark Memorial Fountain. They don’t have an age limit, do they? Or any other restrictions? I’d wear my inflatable butterfly wings for safety.

The listless economy continues to impact my business. I am constantly trying to think up new ideas, or new angles on my existing products, to increase my cash flow. One notion I had was inspired by those “free” credit score ads. I see them all the time on TV. They always claim to have free credit score information available, but you really have to enroll in, and pay for, some credit protection or other service in order to get your “free” score. Well, I was thinking of doing the same thing, except also offering a look at your future credit score. That way you’ll know now whether this is your personal best time to refinance your home or buy a new car, or if you should wait.

Another area I see a lot of growth in is online dating services. I think I could tap a healthy portion of that market if I were to offer potential partners a glimpse into the future of their relationships before they do anything that they will later regret. eHarmony® may offer “29 Dimensions® of Compatibility,” but eZoltar® would offer the 30th: "What kind of a bum is he going to turn out to be?" Oh my.

With the persistent price rise in the gold market, there has been a huge upswing in gold buyers and gold buying events nationwide. It is fast-growing and often unregulated. I’ve been thinking this might be a good time to dust off the old alchemy kits that I have in storage and sell them to people looking to turn base metals into gold. You want lead abatement done right? Just give the crews these kits and watch them transform lead paint chips into gold flake right before your eyes. That dangerous old plumbing will become worth more than copper. And just imagine, golden gutters for everybody!

Finally, I am considering outsourcing my operations. I have remained loyal to Racine and Racine’s workforce since I first started in business, but I have to look at all of my options if Zoltar® is to remain viable in the current economy. Perhaps if someone in India could take my calls for me, then I could concentrate on the more lucrative private sessions that I offer my wealthier customers. If I can save 2 cents here and 3 cents there on some of my potions by having them made in China (where a lot of the ingredients come from, anyway), it might be the way to go. I don’t know. What do you think? Do any of the Irregulars have suggestions for my business? Please, don’t be shy and speak up in the comments below.

That’s it for this week, my friends. I so enjoy spending time with you. Thank you for reading my blog. I consider my time with the JT Irregulars to be a little island of tranquility in the weekly hurricane that is my life.

For up-to-the-minute forecasts (weather and otherwise), please contact: madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com.

Stay in the shade and keep your cool, Irregulars. It’s so hot that the cows are giving evaporated milk. It’s so hot that the birds have to use potholders to pull worms out of the ground. And here’s my favorite: it’s so hot that it will make you return things that you never stole. Anisoptera!

Open Blog - Wednesday

Butterflies are self propelled flowers. ~R.H. Heinlein

Planet Picture of the Day

You know the drill by now...Venus, Mars and Saturn. Keep looking!

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.

Ramadan Laughs

I am never quite sure what the appropriate Ramadan greeting is but it starts today. Happy Ramadan (or please tell me if there is a better greeting) to all who choose to observe.

I was listening to the podcast of On the Media today. They did several stories on Muslim issues in connection with Ramadan. The most entertaining one was on a Dubai based sitcom called Tash Ma Tash which they loosely translate as "No Big Deal". It has been on for 17 seasons but only airs during Ramadan. Bit of an unusual schedule, but I guess no stranger than our annual parade of Rudolph, Frosty and It's a Wonderful Life every year.

The show has caused controversy as it takes on the education system, what if women took more than one husband, and even a show themed on Bonanza. I gotta say, hearing this piece made me want to see it. There are some Youtube videos but haven't found any in English (or German...I might get the gist of it in German).

So Happy Ramadan...and enjoy the new season of Tash Ma Tash.

Do Conservatives Believe in GPS?

I don't get too political here...it's mostly astronomy and science. Sometimes, however, crazy politics turns up in the place you least expect.

There is a website called Conservapedia (I am not linking to them because, well, I don't have to). It is the Conservative version of the universe without always a sound grasp of reality. Now I expect them to rag on the traditional hot button topics such as stem cell research, evolution and global warming.

Today it came to my attention that they have also included Einstein's Theory of relativity as an example of liberal science! To which I can only say, WTF? I have read all 24 of the "counterexamples" which Conservapedia claim disprove relativity. Whoever wrote this list obviously have never taken a single course in relativity or astronomy. Don't let the "footnotes" fool you. I have followed a couple of them to the cited papers and the papers don't support what they say at all (such as their objection to the Pulsar PSRB1913+16. I read the paper and the graph clearly shows NO divergence from general relativity outside the experimental uncertainties).

Many of their "arguments" are philosophical assertions that have no basis in science. Anyone with an undergraduate degree in physics should be able to explain how a photon has momentum but not mass, something that is beyond the comprehension of Conservapedia (leading me to believe they have less than an undergraduate education in physics). We have been measuring anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background for 20 years now with COBE, WMAP and now Planck, news that seems to have yet to reach Conservapedia.

They even try to deny the role relativity plays in GPS systems. They cite something from the "Time Service Department, US Navy" which as near as I can tell, doesn't exist (maybe they mean the U.S. Naval Observatory). Typing their claim into google yields hits that lead to (surprise!) Conservapedia! Claiming a non-existent agency said something is hardly proof (and the USNO did not say it either!) It is easy to find details on the GPS use of relativity.

I believe I have found where this comes from, a paper titled, "GPS AND RELATIVITY: AN ENGINEERING OVERVIEW" by .Henry F. Fliegel and Raymond S. DiEsposti.

First, the original quote in context.

"The Operational Control System (OCS) of the Global Positioning System (GPS) does not
include the rigorous transformations between coordinate systems that Einstein's general theory
of relativity would seem to require - transformations to and from the individual space vehicles
(SVs), the Monitor Stations (MSs), and the users on the surface of the rotating earth, and the
geocentric Earth Centered Inertial System (ECI) in which the SV orbits are calculated. There
is a very good reason for the omission: the effects of relativity, where they are different from
the effects predicted by classical mechanics and electromagnetic theory, are too small to matter
- less than one centimeter, for users on or near the earth."

If I may further quote from the paper,

"If two observers determine what intuitively we call the same quantity - the distance between two points, or the time interval between two events - they will measure different lengths and times, if (1) they are moving with respect to each other, (2) one is higher or lower than another in a gravitational field, or (3) one is accelerating with respect to the other. Users of GPS encounter all three effects, and should correct their measurements accordingly, by formulas which we now explain."

Allow me to translate...there are lots of relativity effects GPS must take into account...but there is ONE really small correction due to a coordinate system change that is too small to matter.

I could go through and do the same analysis for all the claims, but that would be a waste of my time (and who would want to read the resulting document?)

Einstein's theories of Special and General Relativity have passed some of the most rigorous tests in any field of science. There are still puzzles to be worked out, but Conservapedia is zero for 24 in understanding them.

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.

Four college Qs

1. Did you attend any college or Technical schools?

2. What was your degree(s)?

3. Are you now or were employed in a field related to your degree?

4. How did you pay for it?

They're Moving Closer!

Yep, my photos of the three planets tonight. Caught a couple of short breaks in the clouds. Venus is the brightest on the bottom, Saturn is above Venus on the right and Mars is on the left. It's getting really nice. Thursday night the Moon joins the party although it will be low in the sky. Friday the Moon will be just to the left of the trio. I'll keep trying to get more pics as it gets closer and the monsoons here allow.

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.

Open Blog - Monday

Sorry, late again . . .

Green Flash Sequence

I got out for sunset tonight and got a nice green flash sequence. The Sun was setting behind a mountain. Look at the right side of the Sun as it sets in the following sequence.

Unfortunately, I got distracted a few minutes later at sunset and missed the potential last green flash (bugs started biting pretty fierce at just the wrong moment).

Again, you can see this from anywhere...half the battle is just showing up and looking.

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.

SUNDAY GRIN

An old man goes into a drugstore to buy some Viagra.

'Can I have 6 tablets, cut in quarters?', he asked.

'I can cut them for you', said the pharmacist. 'But a quarter tablet will not give you a full erection.'

'I am 96,' said the old man, 'I don't want a full erection. I just want it sticking out far enough so I don't pee on my slippers!'


When Love fades.........

Last night I was sitting on the sofa watching TV when I heard my wife's lovely voice from the kitchen.

"What would you like for dinner, my Love. . . Chicken, beef or lamb?"

I said, "Thank you, I'll have chicken."

She replied "You're having soup, asshole. I was talking to the cat."

"Sweet, sweet, sweet O Pan!
Piercing sweet by the river!
Blinding sweet O great god Pan!
The sun on the hill forgot to die
And the lilies revived and the dragonfly
Came back to dream on the river."

Elizabeth Barrett Browning
A Musical Instrument

Angry Mother Deer Attackes Cat and Dog

Mothernature at it's best...kinda disturbing for some to watch!

HP Rewards CEO for Lying with $28 Million

If you or I fudged documents and helped a contractor get money for work they didn't perform, we would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. CEOs get golden parachutes.

This is a big part of what is wrong with the USA today: different standards for different people.

I've always bought and recommended HP products. Never again.

A Couple of Good Reads

It's well known that I am a big fan of Science Friday. Last week's show had interviews with two authors that intrigued me.

The first interview was with Jeff Potter, author of the soon to be released Cooking for Geeks: Real Science, Great Hacks and Good Food. There is a Cooking for Geeks website where you can learn things like how to make ice cream in 30 seconds.

Be sure to check out the blog for all the latest geek cooking tips.

The second interview is with Danica McKellar and covers the next book in her series of math books for girls, Hot X: Algebra Exposed. McKellar first gained fame as Winnie on the Wonder Years before earning a degree in math and appearing on the West Wing. She keeps chugging along and I am already trying to avoid coming up with semi-crude names for the inevitable Calculus Books (can anyone say Calculus Coed? That's one of the milder things that crossed my mind!)

They are both entertaining interviews. If you'll excuse me, I am hungry!

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.

Max Headroom Comes to DVD (FINALLY!)

One of those cult classic television shows from the '80s is finally making its debut on DVD: Max Headroom. I have been waiting for this one for a long time.

I remember watching it in the spring of '87 in college. It came on in the fall of '87 on Friday nights, but was low rated (competing against Miami Vice which I hated). It was cancelled but they aired the remaining episodes in the spring opposite the Cosby show which led to me and some of my friend staking out a dorm television and refusing to change the channel to the outrage of Cosby show fans who had to walk all of 100 feet to the next dorm.

In many ways, Max was ahead of its time. Remember that popular shows included the Cosby Show, Family Ties, Growing Pains and other gentle family friendly shows. Max Headroom was gritty, fast paced, cynical, biting, snarky and satirical, riffing on cultural trends that are still relevant today. The show's ominous tagline is "20 Minutes Into the Future."

The protagonist is investigative journalist Edison Carter and his computer generated alter ego Max Headroom. The world is dominated by the major network television players. Ratings are monitored by the second and it is illegal to turn off your television...and televisions are everywhere. Carter deals with shady characters known as Blanks, referring to the fact that they have managed to erase all computer records of their existence (i.e. they have no papers!) to expose the truth.

I watched the show again in the early 2000's on the now defunct Tech TV network. Although the effects and fashions look dated, the stories held up surprisingly well and foretold many trends we see today (including being surrounded by televisions in public we cannot turn off or escape from). The first episode deals with the newtork's attempt to stop channel surfing during commercials, closely mirroring modern advertisers attempts to figure out how to create a commercial that will generate interest even when we fast forward through it with out DVRs. Another episode dealt with a terrorist organization staging bombings on live television. Hacking, piracy, body banks that harvest organs, and designer babies are among other topics the show took on which are just as timely today as they were over 20 years ago.

It comes out officially on Tuesday...I have my pre-order in on Amazon already and am watching the mailbox!

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.

"Rally Car Nearly Kills Photographer"

Wow. And like a true photographer, his first instinct is to take a picture, then he runs to help. Personally, my pants would have been too full . . .

And where was the video camera perched, so close to the action, but unaffected?

Science For Monks

Arizona Public Media has a weekly show called Arizona Spotlight. This week's show is on program called Science For Monks. The show focused on the participation of U of Arizona astronomer Chris Impey in the program.

Unfortunately, Arizona Public Media's embed code does not play nicely with Wordpress, so you can watch it here.

Earlier this year, a friend of mine who works with Chris contacted me about this project. She was asking about observing targets for the Galileoscope because they were going to use Galileoscopes in the program this year. So now there are some monks in northern India with Galileoscopes. Unfortunately, the report was that it was too cloudy while he was there to do any observing with them. I hope they are being put to good use.

Anyway, it sounds like an interesting program. From everything I have heard, the Monks are an enthusiastic audience who really enjoy science.

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.

Are you Ready.........

Are you ready for some football!

It's an Irregular Party!
This the Commish Stu,

Ready to get your League started.

The invite are out,

New players would be nice

All my irregular friends

will feel the Mongrels Bite!

Check your emails everyone that played last year, and if you are new to our site, or didnt play last year and want to play some fantasy football with a bunch of goof balls that just do this for fun (Except KK, she gets fired up!) just comment below. Good luck to all!

Open Blog - Weekend Version

Good morning, sunshine.

"Basil Marceaux : The Next Governor of Tennessee"

I saw this video a couple of days ago and was going to post it, but then I thought that some people might think I was making fun of their political beliefs. Today, I saw on YouTube that Basil Marceaux was on Jimmy Kimmel Live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=livOU_WtQ9Q. As Jimmy says, he’s national news now, so I don’t mind posting this.

Here is Basil Marceaux’s website: http://basilmarceaux.com.

This is an official campaign video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnx-SqMYknI.

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my succulent succulents! How are you? Have you been having fun, fun, fun in the sun, sun, sun? (Except for Ms. kk, of course, who is too fair of complexion to withstand the onslaught of cosmic rays emanating from Sol.) Did you see the Northern Lights last night? I did. At the source. Oh my. They are a glorious shimmering and glimmering. All lit up, and everywhere to go.

Although the Great Recession has hit my business hard (like many others), I’ve been staying very active with all of the fun events in and around Racine this summer. Madame Zoltar is always on the go, go, go. I’ve also tried to increase the number of home visits I make to my wealthier clients. In such troubled economic times, the well-endowed sometimes need someone to lean on, someone to assure them that their futures hold hope. I try to be that someone. My hourly rates are quite reasonable when you consider that I offer a look into the unknown.

My product line has suffered considerably, however. People simply aren’t going to plunk down $14.95 for a lucky amulet when they’re worried about paying their rent. Our sales are off a solid 40%, more in some areas, and President Obama earmarked no stimulus money for the psychic industry. I hate to let people go, but what can I do? It’s the domino effect. All of my products are made right here in Racine, using as many local suppliers as I can. I also hire local workers. Or, I should say, hired. What’s a small business owner to do?

Well, I don’t want to dwell on the negative, my dears, you know me: always a ray of sunshine. In that vein, and with well wishes for everyone who reads my blog, I herewith present the upbeat and vibrant “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” performed by The 5th Dimension:



Wow, that was trippy. It reminded me of simpler times and honorable minds.

That’s my blog for this week, my dears. I want to get back out into the sun and fun. Thank you each and every one for commiserating with me today. I love you, you know.

Send pictures of your summer vacation and dream destinations to: madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com.

Watch out for sunspots, my sun worshippers. Keep your sunny side up and your sunny attitudes shining. Don’t forget the sun block and sunglasses, too. Zenzizenzizenzic!

Open Blog - Wednesday

Beautiful music, sad lyrics.

Brett Favre to retire...... again, no really seriously this time, for real.... (I think)

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/99841644.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aU1yDEmP:QMDCinchO7DU

Brett Favre says he will retire.... again. What do you think?

What is your feelings on Brett Favre's possible retirement (Again)
	Yawn....
	Finally!
	Give him a year away, then retire his #
	Good, time to heal Packer Nation
	Brett Who?
	He's doing this again to miss training camp. He will still play for the Viqueens.
pollcode.com free polls

Question

Did you know the constipated mathematician worked it out with a pencil?

ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD!

http://r33b.net/

"Lindsay Lohan Released From Jail"

That was the top story on Google News today. It was posted above news about the oil well in the Gulf and President Obama’s remarks on Iraq.

This self-centered alcoholic/addict train wreck bimbo has been garnering headlines for months because she is publicly pooping the pants of her career. She is as addicted to attention as she is to any substance, so the press just gives her more and more of what she craves. She is obviously a sick, twisted puppy, but the media a-holes who keep pimping her personal meltdown to the rest of the world are sicker yet.

Bah!

More Planets...

Just wanted to post one more from San Diego to keep tracking the night to night movement. Took slightly shorter exposures tonight to reduce the sky glow.

Next photos could come from Boulder, Colorado and the ASP meeting.

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.

Open Blog - Monday

Rise and shine.

Round 2 - "WHEN DETROIT WAS IN ITS FULL GLORY"

This is the second round of Classic Cars.



This is the second group of Classic cars.

A Day at the Fair

It's midsummer now. I have been taking advantage of the weekend time to go and do things. This weekend I went to the Racine County Fair in Union Grove. Although it was hot and humid out, I had a great time doings things there like:

Seeing small animals,



Horses...



Cows...




Some old Case Tractors...




Rode on rides...




Ate some delicious cheese curds...




And saw a demolition derby...

Well, I spent a wad of money and got a a little sun burnt. The crowds were a little hectic at times. All in all, I had a great time. I drove home with a smile on my face....looking forward to next year's fair.

Is This Typical Police Behavior in Sweden, Why Not?

What a talented policeman.

Three Planets from San Diego

Yes, I know I was just up in Sonoma County a few days ago (and for those keeping score at home, I am going to Boulder for the ASP meeting on Monday as soon as I finish up here at the Optics and Photonics meeting). I got lucky and they upgraded me to a harbor view room with a balcony. Therefore, I didn't even have to leave my hotel room...just go out on the balcony and shoot tonight.

Unfortunately, I was dodging clouds as you can see. This is the best of the pics I got tonight (click to embiggen).

Notice a few nights ago that Saturn was almost directly above Mars. Now Saturn is now above and to the right of Mars.

You might notice some lights at the bottom of the picture. I took a zoomed in shot a little before this one..

That would be the USS Nimitz stationed across the bay.

Hoping for clear skies tomorrow night so I can try again.

Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.