Mythocentric

Another vote from me to add to Jock's Jeff! I've got a few things in mind by way of expansion like eyepieces, etc. The main concern at the moment is whether the adaptor's  I have will connect my camera to it but the good people at FLO are looking into it for me. I'm quite intrigued by that LED finder myself and I can't wait to see how it works. The technological advances are amazing since my last 'proper' astronomical telescope, a 4 inch reflector complete with wooden tripod which used to 'walk' around by itself in anything above a light breeze! It's a pity I can't drive up onto the moors above Darwen to observe like I did then. A perfect spot with minimal light pollution, not to mention a bl**dy good pub a couple of miles down the road for post-observational refreshments! The landlord, Tony, had a pet badger which he'd raised from a cub and which used to wander around the pub. Quite amazing to pet an animal which would normally be clawing your hands to shreds for getting too near!

One question. What's a Barlow? I don't want to buy one only to look through it and see some twonk from a boyband singing the sort of song which should have never seen the light of day! Light pollution is one thing, but brain pollution is a whole other ballgame!

Regards

Bill

Yes, Bill - those equatorial features look very strange. It'll be interesting to see them at high resolution. At least they are able to follow their preferred route through the Pluto system, so the twin shadow occultations by Pluto and Charon should be informative.

 

Did you order the SLT 130? From First Light Optics?

 

My new machine is still sat in the living room until the Bunker is clean enough to receive it. It weighs a ton, so I don't want to move it around more often than necessary!! Moon pics continue via the old machine!

 

Jeff

I did indeed Jeff! First rate people and lovely to deal with, so my thanks for your recommendation. One advantage of the SLT 130 is it should be light enough for me to transport back and forth. In fact I've allocated one of my fishing trolley's to carry it. Or alternatively, for our own sweet Sara, who's practically threatening to move in, to pull it! Hee Hee! Actually I have a surprise in store for her in that I've decided to give her my spotting scope and a tripod together with a copy of the 'Stargazer's Handbook' so that should keep her (and mum) occupied while I play with it myself! The only downside is the mid-range weather forecasts at the moment are for heavy clouds and rain! (Expletive deleted!)

NewHorizon's is essential viewing for me now and I'm looking forward's to the next few weeks with relish! The continuous new revelations are, for me, reviving the same excitement I felt during the Apollo missions. It's a marvellous achievement and it can only get better. Even Wimbledon's faded into the background and for a dedicated tennis follower that's going some!

Regards

Bill

Most interesting! I've just ordered my telescope and our SARA'S bouncing up and down with excitement! I hope she's going to let ME play with it sometimes!

Regards

Bill

Footnote: Latest images from NewHorizons show a series of equally-spaced dark spots along the equator. Humm! I wonder how long it will be before some gobsh*te claims that they are portholes and that Pluto is actually the mothership for all those mysterious UFO thingies! Must remember to pop into Ladbrokes tomorrow and see what the odd's are!

She sounds like a wonderful lady John. I'm sure everyone here along with myself can only admire her remarkable strength of will and wish her and your family the very best!

Regards

Bill

I thought the moon was made of cheese.

I wouldn't be surprised Mark. This is the Asylum where anything can happen after all! Only last week Andrew was wondering where the mice had got to! :scratchhead:

Regards

Bill

Some great shots of the moon Jeff. My favourites are those of 23rd and 25th. As it gets closer to full moon you lose the shadows because the sun is behind us and to me that flattens the image too much. A full moon may me more magical, but to me a crescent moon is darker, almost sinister, more mysterious and appears far more ancient.

Mind you! Even a full moon can hold the occasional surprise...............

Regards

Bill

Update: But don't get too excited.....!!

 

Having done a bit more "decorative" work over the weekend (the n-th coat of paint on the accessible ceiling/skirtings), I've finally fitted some carpet tiles. Only 5 square metres so far - I need to rearrange a washing machine, 2 fridges etc before I can get to the next bit. 

 

But at least I've done SOMETHING.

 

Ok, you can all turn down your pacemakers after that bit of excitement!

 

Jeff

Cue Pink Floyd, 'Signs of Life'........................

Regards

Bill

Bill,

Appears that it would have been worth filming as it has just been reported that it blew up after take off, immolation get all the supplies expected on the ISS! Luckily it was unmanned!! There is a statement on the NASA site and footage on BBC news 24.

Kind regards,

Jock.

Hi Jock!

I've just watched the footage and will be logging onto the NASA site shortly to watch the press conference, though I doubt if there will be much in the way of information at this stage. According to the telemetry the explosion occurred just over 2 minutes after launch in the Max-Q phase (the period when the vehicle is at it's most stressed). SpaceX are expecting the next supply mission to launch on schedule early July but the NASA site has a Soyuz supply launch listed during the same period.

Regards

Bill

Fun and games on YouTube where a number of people have uploaded identical videos of the failed SpaceX launch this afternoon and are now sniping at each other for stealing their copyright material! Strangely enough none of them have yet mentioned the fact that NASA are responsible for filming the launch! The one exception is a chap who is chastising them all for arguing over ownership and ignoring the loss of poor, innocent lives! Any volunteers willing to explain the meaning of the word 'unmanned' to him?

Regards

Bill

PS: Still can't see the Man in the Moon Jeff!

Although I never progressed beyond CSE English, I also prefer the language to be spoken properly.

 

The two things that I cringe at are the word 'like' being used where it isn't required and when sentences are started with the word 'so'. Using the word so to start a sentence becomes frustrating especially when I hear it on the news being used by reporters and academics.

Guilty as charged in post #1049! The thing is I have no objection to everyday colloquial English and certainly don't expect everyone to speak Queen's English as was once a requirement for a front job at the BBC. Just make an effort! The BA's came about because English and Literature were required studies as part of my time at RCA. As a kid I was broad Lanky and can still 'talk like th'ewd-timer's wit best on'um' usually to amuse (and frequently baffle) my granddaughters. What I do object to are those buzzwords like 'phot' (pauses for quick cringe) which seem to be a result of texting, as Peter mentions, and are often used to make the user appear 'trendy'. The Americans used to refer to them as 'now-people', a derogatory term intended to throw their misuse of the language back at them! Confession time! When I text anyone I always spell it out in full so I guess that makes me just another grumpy old misfit!

Regards

Bill

PS: If you are going to mangle the language by abbreviating 'photograph' to 'phot' why not spell it 'fot'? That saves typing a whole letter guys!

PPS: I wish I hadn't thought of that now because my granddaughter Sara will be visiting soon and she always likes to take a look at my latest fotografs while she's here! Dammit!

Yes, Bill. These are the immigrants who've moved from Barrow to Morecambe!!

 

Jeff

An interesting thought Jeff. As an immigrant myself (from Blackburn) I was pleasantly surprised that I could converse with the natives without difficulty. However, it probably explains why I've never dared to venture further north than Hest Bank since I arrived! Shades of Stranger in a Strange Land?

Regards

Bill

There is a report in existence, from sometime in the 70's I think, from sociologists who detected a growing gap between the generations in language skills. It went as far as predicting the development of two English languages. One being that used by the 'educated (?)' older section of the population, the other being a debased form used by the 'general masses'. When I go into town I pass through an estate which has a small park where all the local kids congregate and I sometimes fear that that prediction has come true when I hear what amounts to a bunch of 'Vicky Pollard's' in conversation with a mix of patois (based on Jamaican slang) and buzzwords. I get this horrible feeling that if someone spoke to me I'd need a translator to find out what they were asking. Still, it would make for good practice if and when the human race should make contact with an alien species and I must admit, it is funny when 4-year-old Lucy sticks her bum out and does her Bart Simpson impression and invites you to "bite my shorts!"

Regards

Bill

Afternoon all,

Just watched a programme about China's 'Maglev' from the 'Impossible Engineering' series on 'Yesterday', which I recorded during the week. An amazing train, built by German engineers but using British inventions, and capable of regular speeds of 431km/hr (268mph) with a record of 501km/hr (311mph)! All made possible initially by Michael Faraday's discovery of electro-magnetic induction then, much later, an incredible piece of lateral thinking by Professor Eric Laithwaite (aka the 'Father of the Maglev'!) who surmised that if you unrolled a stator and rotor, converting them to linear format, you could make what he called his 'magnetic river'. Sadly he didn't live to see the mechanical and control problems, which beset his prototypes, overcome in this age of super-computers. For those of you who haven't seen it, it runs between Shanghai and its airport, although there is talk of extending all the way to Beijing. The carbon footprint is very low compared to any conventional train as there is no on-board propulsion system, and unlike conventional OHLE trains, only the actual part of the track it is using is electrified as it passes over it. Another plus is longevity as a total lack of friction means no wearing parts! An awesome piece of engineering, well worth googling if you are at all interested!

Kind regards,

Jock.

A superb example of engineering Jock but sadly a fine example of western ingenuity being brought to fruition by others. One thing I admire about the Japanese and to a similar extent the Chinese is the difference in attitude between west and east where we have the western attitude to new ideas on one hand of 'could we do it and how much will it cost?' to the east's attitude of 'Right. Whats the best way to go about it?'

I believe one fine example is Britain's (i.e. read government!) promise (probably unrealistic) to reduce carbon emissions to 0% by 2025, which is being achieved largely by moving production to China. China, on the other hand, one of the worlds most heavily industrialised nations is actually doing something about it with projects like the Maglev!

Regards

Bill

Grumpy old sod time! Having BA's in English and English Literature and a great love of literature and the English language in general I hate 'buzzwords'! Recently the most cringe worthy (to me) is the growing use of 'Phot'. We all know what a photograph is, and we all know that the common abbreviation is photo, but why abbreviate an abbreviation, especially when it turns up as a 'phot'? Is the standard of literacy falling as is claimed in some quarters or are we just plain lazy? So, whats your favourite cringe-maker and why!

Regards

Bill

Jumbo Bratwurst?

Regards

Bill

Thanks Polly, but I wouldn't say I'm an expert. The moon photos I took the other day were the first I've done since 1983! Then, it was black and white film. At least now I can take a set of images and download/examine them within a few minutes.

 

I've already learned a few do's and don'ts with the new technique. One problem, completely out of my hands, is that when darkness falls at this time of year the Moon is in the southern zodiac constellations and tends to be low in the sky. 10-20 degrees altitude creates the potential for a lot of atmospheric distortion. In December, with the Moon in Taurus-Gemini, I can have an altitude of 40-60 degrees - so, hopefully (especially with experience gained) better results.

 

If you want to pick anything up, sky-wise at twilight/night, you'll need to use a camera that allows you at least a 30 second (preferably longer) exposure. I suspect your iphone is just taking snapshots.

 

Jeff

I think you just mentioned one of the things I'm not looking forward to Jeff. Astronomy works better in winter when the low temperatures help combat ground level heat distortion. I'm glad I hung on to my Survival suit from my all-night fishing sessions now. And to think I always assumed that when anyone mentioned how cold it was in the great optical telescope establishments I always thought it was because of the altitude! Actually that is something I've debated over because DSLR's do not like extreme temperatures as I've occasionally found out over the years!

That bright yellow Bantam reminds me of my good friend Paul back in our student days. Paul's favourite mode of transport was an old hard tail Velocette 500 which has been painted a somewhat stunning Blush Pink. He always claimed it was Post Office Red on acid! He was a common sight riding around town in his brown leather flying helmet and jacket. He was also given to designing the sort of chairs which the Spanish Inquisition would have been proud of. Strangely, he went on to become headmaster at one of the countries leading Grammar Schools! Strange days indeed!

Regards

Bill

Evening all,

Just catching up after another busy day which included my monthly oncology visit (went well - I'm on the chemo for a further period!).

Lovely lunar shots Jeff, I'm looking forward to your efforts 'further out' when you get the big new machine operational.

Bill, I regret that your pal was unlikely to have a registered AJS 7R, as the 'R' actually stands for racer - it was a thoroughbred racing machine, track ready out of the box, and had the nick-name "boy racer". My first event on one was at Brands in 1963, aged sixteen, and it cost only £300 new, although I'm rather sick when I see them changing hands for over £20K these days for a pristine one!

The reason most British bikes leaked oil back in the day was that most were designed with 'dry sump' engines and a separate oil tank - the pump in the tank had a non-return valve which consisted of a ball bearing seated on a taper by the pressure of a spring. This worked well enough until the oil got contaminated, and the ball was held off it's seat by even the tiniest speck of dirt. This allowed the fluid to leak back down into the crankcases which soon leaked out, especially overnight. All the British bikes lined up in my father's showroom had drip trays under them! The Sunbeam, as Bill said, didn't leak simply because it was a different design and the Japanese bikes were a revelation being wet-sump with computer machined mating surfaces that simply didn't leak!

Having spent a large proportion of my life on two wheels, I've sadly been grounded by the secondary bone tumours in my pelvis and thighs - they would simply put me in a wheel chair if I were to emulate Clive. Gutted of Clacton!!

Hope the rest of the week produces good stargazing weather for those interested,

Kind regards,

Jock.

I can assure you Jock that Vinnie's AJS was indeed a 7R. I was dating his sister Teresa at the time and first saw the bike at Rod Lovelock's, a keen club racer and original owner, who gave up his budding racing career on his marriage to open his shop. Vinnie purchased the bike and I watched and occasionally helped as Rod and Vinnie brought it up to road spec, losing very little in the way of performance in the process.

Regards

Bill

Hi Jeff and all!

Still three or four weeks away from my own 'kaleidoscope' so here is a model. It's an artists impression of my ex mother-in-law making her last lunar transit a few days before the RAF shot her down in the vicinity of Pendle Hill. Enjoy!

Regards

Bill

EDIT: The stupid thing posted before I'd finished so here's the interesting bit! The moon is actually a 3D model, one of a number produced by NASA themselves over the years of which I have quite a few, including Hubble, Soyuz, Space Shuttle, etc. Sadly, they have now withdrawn the page as being out-dated (and just before I downloaded the ISS!) Perhaps they're going to release a new, updated moon with the terra-forming and hidden alien bases! Cue X-files!

OUCH   :scared:    

Ditto!

I can see now why you gave it all up for a life of railway modelling and the pursuit of sausages Clive!

Regards

Bill

Andy said he'd appreciated yesterday's photo of the cheese, but couldn't see the mice.

 

So here's another chance, Andy. Nipped out at 11.30 to find 95% clear sky and the 5% of clouds hovering near the Moon. Managed a few pics - this one has had zero processing, except for a resize to accommodate the Forum.

 

1/40 s at ISO 200, Moon at altitude 10 degrees, azimuth 247 degrees (WSW):

 

IMG_0115A.jpg

 

Jeff

Never mind the mice Jeff! Where's the Man in the Moon? I've been trying to make that out for years and I still haven't managed it!

Regards

Bill

The same guy, Vinnie, also owned an AJS 7R 350. Now that thing could shift (and handle!). It carried the numberplate RED 10 which gave him his nickname! I only ever rode it once but, boy, did it put my Tiger Cub out of the frame!

My own personal favourite during my short biker career was my Ducati 500. Lovely machine with the typical (for the time) flashy Italian paint job! Fast and responsive, if a little 'twitchy' at the back sometimes. Not that I ever pushed it that hard being rather fond of my skin. Sad to say, it met its demise when some clown, who worked for the local bike shop, Lovelock's  where I'd left it for tuning, decided to try a fancy, racing jump start on it, fell off and watched it collide at full throttle with a nearby wall. The damage would have cost more to repair than I paid for the bike in the first place so after a lot of haggling with his boss I ended up with a nice little Mini Cooper in it's place. I've never ridden two wheels since!

Regards

Bill

Speaking of five-barred gates a mate of mine, Vinnie, once owned a Harley-Davidson 'Electra-Glide'. Sounded brilliant and superb performance! Well in a straight line! Try cornering at anything faster than a brisk walking pace and it was 'Hello Hospital!'. Trying to make them handle like British bikes was the reason behind the 'choppers' and 'hogs' ethos which swept America back in the day. Interestingly at the same time British motorcycles were being pushed aside by their Japanese counterparts!

Regards

Bill

Went past this morning, and there is a "shop to let" notice on the side gate, so it appears that the shop has now closed - more's the pity as it was one of the good'uns without a shadow of a doubt.

Ooops! Sorry about that! I did say I'd find out and to be honest I forgot all about it! Richard did mention that there was a father and son thinking about buying the business but it looks like that's gone by the board.

Regards

Bill

No sweat Andrew! It is true about the Pennine's though. The weird stuff that goes on up there makes the mysterious Himalaya's look like something out of a Julie Andrews film! For instance, did you know that the bit between Yorkshire and Lancashire is the only place in the world where you will see that unique human genetic modification known as 'English Knee's'? It's what makes people in those parts really good at hill-walking because it means that they are bandy-legged AND knock-kneed all at the same time! Trouble is, it also makes them particularly susceptible to alien abduction because they can't run for toffee! (Unless they're heading downhill of course, which is why the aliens always land in the valleys and lurk!).

Now! Why did Jeff wake up with a smile on his face? I'm thinking a certain person driving across a lonely, desolate windswept moor. He stops at the crest of a hill and gets out of the car to take in the view. Not a soul in sight to disturb the peace, just the sound of the wind sighing across the grass and a curlew crying in the distance. He turns to get back into his car. Just then the lovely Julia steps out from behind a drystone wall wearing a low-cut leopard skin cagoule, army surplus shorts and a slinky face. They gaze deep into each others eyes ............................................................Right! That's enough of that. We'll have no smut on here thank you very much! :nono:

Regards

Bill

Morning Jeff! It's hard work crossing time zones isn't it? Especially when it involves crossing the Pennines! There's some strange things happen around them places you know, especially if you listen to the Goon Show's like 'In Search Of The Yorkshire Yeti'. Makes me shiver just to think about it!

Have a nice day!

Bill