New toy

[rokytnji]

Found me a free New Toy to play with.

WIKISKY.ORG

[oz]

Thanks for the link... lots of very nice photos there!

I used to be very much into amateur astronomy, but it's been a few years now. I have five nice telescopes (3" aperture to 18"), but all are collecting dust, unfortunately.

[rokytnji]

Yeah, I got a cheap scope from Big lots. I break it out for the Lunar eclipses. I live within driving distance of the Mcdonald Observatory. Like to go up there on the bike when it's warm.

McDonald Observatory - Visitor information, teacher workshops, public programs - Fort Davis, Texas

[oz]

Yes, I used to go to the Texas Star Party at the Prude Ranch in Fort Davis each and every year, and of course always went to the McDonald Observatory. I was fortunate enough on a few occasions to get personalized tours of the facility. I even applied for a job there once, but didn't get it.

I've done the motorcycle thing there, as well. Quite nice it is, too.

[questio verum]

Small world! I too, used to ride over to that part of the state every once in a while. Marfa, Alpine, Ft Davis, the observatory, the springs at Balmorhea. It's all a nice ride. BMW and some others use that area and the hill country for some of their press rides. It's peaceful once you get away from the interstate. Or at least it used to be. And a good spot for star-gazing. It's obvious why they placed the observatory there. (These Georgian coastal skies unfortunately, are usually obscured.) Have you ever been to the crater between Odessa and Monahans? Imagine being around when that thing was created!

I checked out your link, Roky. My focus gravitated immediately to the "To Survive in the Universe" link. I try not to obsess too much on the subject, but I can't help myself. It is one of the few things that can flat out take my breath away. It's hard not to come away a little humbled after confronting the immensity and violence of what's out there.

I've been focused recently on stellar nurseries, the life cycle of stars, and the posited role of black holes in the universe. (That is, when I'm not obsessing on the various permutations of inflation theory.) It all staggers the imagination. I'm embarrassed to admit that i don't have my own telescope right now, but most of what interests me is beyond standard telescope range anyway. So I spend a lot of time at the NASA and Hubble sites, buried in books, and surfing various physics and cosmology sites. Fortunately, my brother lets me borrow his telescope when I want to see something local.

Lunar eclipses are a local phenomenon that I think are pretty cool. There's just something special about watching our shadow creep across the barren lunar surface. If we ever populate the moon, I hope we don't obscure the view by generating an opaque atmosphere. It's our one and only moon, and I think it's surface should always remain visible. Did you know, btw.. that 2009 has been deemed International Year of Astronomy by The Planetary Society? If you want, you can learn more at their website. There is also a section describing their 'solar sail' project. Cool stuff.

qv

[rokytnji]

Have you ever been to the crater between Odessa and Monahans

Meteor crater, The Dunes Museum, Roy Orbisons Birthplace and museum, You Name it, I ride there.

Edit: and thanks for that Link quest.

[rokytnji]

I've been focused recently on stellar nurseries, the life cycle of stars, and the posited role of black holes in the universe. (That is, when I'm not obsessing on the various permutations of inflation theory.)

I guess I've got OCD on this stuff ever since I opened my first SCI FI book when I was 7 and went on a reading jag after that. I watch the SCI channel alot. Weird for a Guy like me I guess. I read your threads to, you know. I always wanted my own Space Scooter.

Edit: another new toy Stellarium

[oz]

Meteor crater, The Dunes Museum, Roy Orbisons Birthplace and museum, You Name it, I ride there.

I grew up in Wink, just a few blocks from Orbison's home. Hey, just curious... is the Kermit sink hole still around, or did they cover it up?

[rokytnji]

is the Kermit sink hole still around, or did they cover it up?

Got me on that one Ozar. Didn't know Kermit had a sinkhole. Been Living in Pecos just a year and a few months. Moved here from my ranch in Esperanza , TX which I still own. Got a homeless retired Viet Nam Vet living there now to watch the place for me since it's a 1/4 mile from the Rio Grande. I am still getting used to this area. Almost bought a place in Wink but I got a bigger and cheaper place in Pecos, and the wife wanted to live close to Wally World and Grocery Store after I made her put up with the wilderness in Esperanza.

[oz]

Here are some images of the two sink holes that can be found in Winkler County:

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tx...X/DSCF0003.JPG

Winkler County, Texas - Wink Sink October 2003

If you should go to check them out, don't get too close because the edges break off, fall into the hole, and you can't get out.