At the beginning of our walk yesterday, the bright, red star Betelgeuse, as well as the three stars of Orion’s “belt,” could be seen shining in the early twilight. Soon, the whole outline of Orion the hunter, will be easily visible hovering above the trees in the early twilight. However, Betelgeuse is nearing the endContinue reading “Regarding Betelgeuse”
Author Archives: eskildoodle1
Spanish Moss-cicles
It hangs from live oak trees here in Florida like icicles cling to winter rooflines in Minnesota but, of course, it is not frozen. It also is not moss, but rather a plant that absorbs its moisture and nutrients out of the air, and it is not parasitic to the tree. The plant does harborContinue reading “Spanish Moss-cicles”
Baa, Baa Black Jeep
Why does this make me feel better that my Jeep is red? Any ideas, Karen? #jeep #blackjeep #blacksheep
Sucker Hole
Yesterday my three solar telescopes waited for a promising “sucker hole” in the clouds to let me to do my daily observation and imaging of the Sun. For more than an hour, the opening in the sky lay tantalizingly close to the hot, cloud-muted Sun, but eventually closed, rather than opening. Overhead and to theContinue reading “Sucker Hole”
Cat Food
While visiting family, I was looking for food for the cat, but could not locate where it was kept. So, hoping that she would show me where it was, I asked my young granddaughter, “What to you feed the cat?” She promptly replied, “That’s easy, grandpa, cat food!” After a good laugh, she pointed outContinue reading “Cat Food”
Rising Reflections
A beam from the rising sun once again poked through a window on the north side of the house and painted its reflection onto the wall for a brief moment. Slowly, the sun has been heading south since the solstice, and soon its playful fingers will no longer be able reach through this window toContinue reading “Rising Reflections”
Morning Thunder
This morning we noticed threatening clouds in the distance with an occasional flash of lightning veiled behind the clouds. We walked anyway with eyes to the western horizon, warily watching the orange billows slowly enlarging as they approached. Then thunder could be heard gradually growing louder and louder, and streamers of rain could be seenContinue reading “Morning Thunder”
Sun Pox
The Sun goes through sunspot cycles about every 11 years. At minimum no spots at all can be seen most days, but now we are leading up to a maximum in the cycle, which will probably peak next year. Several large groups of spots, known as active regions, were visible, and this is normal forContinue reading “Sun Pox”
Heading South
Clouds and hot temperatures persuaded me not to get out the telescope and observe the Moon and planets last night. Somewhere in the western sky Mercury, Venus, and Mars lurked in the evening glow, shrouded by clouds. The Moon’s path is now angling toward the south, tracing the route that the Sun will shortly followContinue reading “Heading South”
Oswald on the Banjolele
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is tuned up and ready to perform. If you don’t believe me, see: https://youtu.be/ZfJR5Ep8sdQ We be jamin’! #banjolele #oswaldtheluckyrabbit
