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I am starting a thread for any interested in the weather and some astronomy topics.
I have been following a few sites out there that have been creditable and thought some of you may find interesting as well.
I am going to start with a youtube channel that had a heads up forecast involving some potential tornadic activity developing this week.
Another site that has been of interest is Earth Sky if you have a chance browse around and see what you think. Stelliarium, will be another source some may enjoy.
Anyway here we go. I am really curious what all of you with the interest have found helpful
Before I take that big dirt nap, I intend to see the northern lights. As often as I have been to the U.P. of Michigan I had hoped to have already checked that off my bucket list.
Last summer we took a family vacation to the Badlands. The park rangers put on an astronomy show every night. One surprising fact they shared, due to all the light pollution less than 10% of Americans have seen the Milky Way. I’m proud to report this family has!!
It’s visible from many portions of Arizona. Lots of dark sky areas here.
About 5 years ago we took a family vacation out west. Flew to Vegas, rented a car and spent 8 days driving all over. Visited the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Meteor crater, Kingman, needles California, all while spending as much time on Route 66. One of the highlights for me was the Extraterrestrial Highway and Rachel Nevada. I took a selfie outside the gates of Area 51. For some reason my wife nd kids refused to get out of the car. I’m guessing the guys with machine guns played no small part in their decision!! Area 51
How many in readerland read The Peanuts cartoon knew Snoopy has a brother named spike? The family on the extraterrestrial highway.
once it got dark we set up the lawn chairs and just watched the sky. We kinda hoped we might see something “unusual”, the view was great
Yes, I remember Spike lived in a cactus, and threw something, like maybe his outgoing mail, in the end of it which flipped up, before heading to Snoopy. That's about 35 years ago I am trying to remember, so mileage may vary.
Speaking of brothers, I christened our two golf carts at work, one of them governed and one WFO, as Speedy Gozales and Slowpoke Rodriguez.
I've been a National Weather Service spotter for almost twenty years. Thankfully the worst extreme weather events I've ever had to report were the 6/29/2012 derecho storm that tore thru here late that day, and Hurricane Michael in October 2018. Those two were enough for a lifetime.
We have a state park an hour away that's one of the best dark-sky spots on the East Coast. An astronomy group out of Chapel Hill NC hosts star parties there several times a year. https://chaosastro.org/
UNC-CH also has the Morehead Planetarium but, as is so often the case with universities in expansion mode, construction around it has made it tough to get to.
The local school system had its own planetarium too, until a pair of knotheads got themselves elected as county supervisors and cut its funding in an effort to dismantle it. Classic case of "we don't like it so nobody else can have it either".
It was demolished in 2018 to make way for a new regional jail which, as a contract facility, is a moneymaker for that county.
I've been a National Weather Service spotter for almost twenty years. Thankfully the worst extreme weather events I've ever had to report were the 6/29/2012 derecho storm that tore thru here late that day, and Hurricane Michael in October 2018. Those two were enough for a lifetime.
We have a state park an hour away that's one of the best dark-sky spots on the East Coast. An astronomy group out of Chapel Hill NC hosts star parties there several times a year. https://chaosastro.org/
The local school system had its own planetarium too, until a pair of knotheads got themselves elected as county supervisors and cut its funding in an effort to dismantle it. .
That Derecho was crazy and unexpected not on anyones "radar"
The new telescopes have viewing times that can be had. James Web and the Elder Hubble have some neat live tabs one can click into for an eye on what some researchers are booking time for. Check it out
Shame some schools did not realize the opportunity for inspiration for the new young curious science aptitude and chose to dismantle the equipment and program, They may have thought...
At least we have have a hell of a Football Team and The Basketball Jocks rule the revenue stream
An old teacher once asked "why dont you pursue your science curiosity?" Back in the day my response... Theres no money in it for the local hiring companies....... What if?
Thanks for the link to the state park, on the list for a future visit
Pfftth. (Steinbeck fans will get the reference.😎
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The three Ford pickups I've owned have all been named Rocinante. Rocinante I was a 72 Sport Custom. The recently destroyed 93 was II. The 08 is Rocinante III.
Pfftth. (Steinbeck fans will get the reference.😎
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The three Ford pickups I've owned have all been named Rocinante. Rocinante I was a 72 Sport Custom. The recently destroyed 93 was II. The 08 is Rocinante III.
Funny this topic came up!!
Im a member of the GM squarebody forum. A few weeks ago someone started a thread “does your truck have a nick name” so I had to reply.
I just bought Rocienti from my dad last week. It’s been in the family since 1985. While the god awful running boards and topper are long gone, the memories and “battle scars” are still there, along with the nickname.
I can never get copy and paste to work on the forum. Gotta do it the “primative” way.
Interesting I was not aware this has been going on. I am hoping the eggs are all not in one basket for communications nowadays and impacted all together at one time.
There's some really cool information on the NOAA home page, including a graphic of the aurora over the duration of the event. Looks like northern Europe will see the most activity, but dang look at the US.