outdoor activities..Meteor Showers.

[westerby]

I left mine in Thailand because the night sky is obviously clearer but the focus is buggered on it at present. I need to find a shop to repair it.

Does anyone know of a good optical shop?

[Loki]

nice skies this moring, but extremely overcast before heading to town earlier. hopefully it will clear up mid week. Haven't noticed any shops locally. bkk had some nice stuff on display, I remember, but forget where.....as not really in the market.

[Loki]

Clear skies again, though that moon is full. Quite bright on the western horizon as sun coming up on the east. pretty cool from the sala, at sunrise. Now to figure out where its least bright overnight, maybe catch some stargazing...

[Loki]

ISS visible early evening Dec 30, 31, has seen before, for a minute or so, and easy with naked eye, 6 mins is a long time.



If you happen to be closer to another city:
http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/sighting ... rbjUPTNqRI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Matter of fact it's tracking in the area and think I'll take a peek. NE sky, might see it.

http://www.isstracker.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Loki]

those who enjoy howling at the moon, it gets closest every 28 days, and happens to be a full moon this weekend, so will appear larger............howl away.


http://rt.com/usa/172172-super-moon-per ... ign=chrome" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mac]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4xNF9uh8SA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Loki]

Hope for clear skies next week, or you'll just feel a breeze.



Don’t miss last total lunar eclipse on October 8

The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand ( NARIT) has invited Thai people to watch the last total lunar eclipse of this year on October 8, saying the next such eclipse will be in April next year.

The NARIT said the eclipse will develop between 15:15 pm to 20:33 pm and the period of total eclipse will last from 17:25 pm – 18:24 pm.

The total lunar eclipse will be visible across Thailand.

Live broadcasts will be held at Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Chacheongsao.

In addition, observers can see the eclipse on the website if the institute.

It said after this eclipse, the next total lunar eclipse is forecast for April 4, 2015.

[Loki]

Prasat Phanom Rung temple miracle draws thousands to watch

The three-day event when the sunset could be visible through all 15 gates of the ancient Khmer temple in Buriram province started yesterday with thousands arriving to watch this phenomenon.

Astrologers have calculated the sunset this year will be visible through all 15 gates during March 6-8, and October 6-8 at 17.45-18.15 hours.

But unfortunately yesterday the horizon was obscured by clouds and the many visitors were disappointed.

The sunset could not be visible through all the 15 doorways of the temple.

But authorities said they expected the phenomenon will be visible today and tomorrow when the sky opens.

Watching the miracles coincided with the festival of the historic temple which was declared the period for ‘The Sacred Month of Prasat Phanom Rung’.

A Brahmin ritual was performed and for the first time this year Prasat Phanom Rung temple had two annual celebrations.

The first sunset phenomenon drew thousands of visitors to watch the sunset coming through all the 15 gates on March 6.

All visitors were impressed by the phemenon and they watched until 6.10 pm when the sun was seen through all 15 gates for five minutes.

Visitors believed that the sun rays that shone pass the Sivalung (lingam), or the Hindu phallic symbol of creative power, located in the middle of the temple will bring fortunes and lucks to those who watched the sunset.

Buriram tourism authorities expected thousands to return this afternoon to watch if clouds pose no obstacle for the watch.
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on a good day, from past events







أكبر الله

[Loki]

Orionids meteor shower lights the night sky

Stargazers are in for a weeklong celestial display of shooting stars as the Earth passes through a stream of dusty debris from Halley's Comet.

Weather permitting, NASA promises an out of this world experience with the shower producing 20 meteors per hour.

“Earth is passing through a stream of debris from Halley's Comet, the source of the Orionids,” says Bill Cooke of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office. “Bits of comet dust hitting the atmosphere should give us a couple dozen of meteors per hour.”

The best time to witness the ancient comet is just before sunrise on Tuesday, so set your alarm to just before dawn and just go outside and look up. For those wanting to stay in bed the Orionid meteor shower will be available via Ustream.

“The Orionid meteor shower is not the strongest, but it is one of the most beautiful showers of the year,” notes Cooke, as other constellations in the night sky will offer a sparkling backdrop stage for the show. But NASA warns, that the shooting starts are incredibly fast.



“Be prepared for speed,” Cooke says. “Meteoroids from Halley’s Comet strike Earth's atmosphere traveling 148,000 mph.”

Comets are dusty snowballs which orbit the Sun leaving in their wake a trail of solid debris. With their speed comes the possibility for them to explode upon hitting the Earth’s atmosphere, occasionally creating fireballs or twisting themselves in complex shapes that linger for minutes.

“Such filaments of 'meteor smoke' twisted by upper atmospheric winds into convoluted shapes can be even prettier than the meteors themselves,” NASA says.

The Orionid meteor shower is visible annually when our planet flies through the dust field of Halley's Comet, which creates two different meteor showers on Earth every year. In May the ancient comet produces Eta Aquarids meteor display while in October it produces the Orionids.

Halley’s Comet was discovered by Edmond Halley in 1705 but it has long been documented as early back as 240BC. Halley's Comet itself returns to Earth's vicinity about every 75 years, making it possible for a human to see it twice in their lifetime. The last time it was here was in 1986, and it is expected to return in 2061.

http://rt.com/news/197660-comet-halley- ... ign=chrome" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Loki]

100 shooting stars per minute: Night skies to stage Perseid shower peak Wednesday

http://www.rt.com/news/311944-perseid-m ... ign=chrome" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;