Sunday, March 28, 2010

Seeing Mercury in the evening sky

Mercury makes its way into the evening sky, visible shortly after sunset for the next few weeks. The fleet-footed planet never strays far from the Sun from our point of view, so we get glimpses of Mercury in the evening, then the morning before sunrise, and again in the evening several times a year. Right now Mercury is going to be easy to find because it will move near Venus this week. Venus is the bright evening "star" in the west, shining through the glow of dusk, and Mercury, although dimmer, will be fairly easy to spot now that you know where to look.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Full Moon Fever

It's time for the first full moon of Spring, rising up to dominate the sky Monday evening. The first full moon following the Vernal Equinox (the moment when Spring arrived on March 20th) marks the arrival of Passover and Easter week, holidays that are based on lunar calendars. The Moon passes near Saturn on its trek across the eastern sky in the early evening on the 28th and 29th, and then onward toward the bright star Spica on the 30th. The Moon is full at exactly 7:25 pm pacific time on Monday 29th.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Winter Triangle

One of the highlights of the winter sky is the Winter Triangle. This shape is a nearly perfect equilateral triangle that shines in the southern sky over the next few months. It includes three of the most brilliant stars in the sky, and it is called an "asterism" because it is not a single constellation, but a combination of stars from three different constellations.

The first and brightest star is Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. Sirius is close to the Solar Systems (8 light years) and has a slight blue coloration. Sirius is in the constellation Canis Major, the big dog that accompanies Orion. To the upper right is Betelgeuse, a red supergiant star in Orion that is a distinctive orange color. Betelgeuse is so big that if it was our Sun, it would envelop Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars! And the third star of the triangle is Procyon, in the constellation Canis Minor, the small dog that accompanies Orion. Procyon is actually a double-star system with a faint partner star.

Inside the Winter Triangle you can find numerous clusters of stars. I spent some time looking here a few nights ago and was able to see quite a few of these clusters, even in San Francisco. My backyard has a dark western horizon so by looking through binoculars later in the evening I was able to see quite a bit in and around the asterism. Try this for yourself sometime soon.

KFOG Podcast - Mar 16, 2010

Friday, March 12, 2010

Get Involved: Chart the Skies, Hear a Lecture, Attend a Star Party

There are many ways to take your interest in astronomy up a notch. Here are a few things that are sure to enhance your interest and knowledge of the skies.

Globe at Night: I am a big fan of this annual project, one that combines astronomy with awareness of light pollution and is also a global participation project. Go outside tonight and look up at Orion, then report what you see at the Globe at Night website. It only will take a few minutes but it will change how you see the sky at night. I am certain about this one.

Lecture: Each month the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers hold their meeting at the Randall Museum in San Francisco. The meetings are open to the public and feature a speaker on a topic of interest in astronomy. This month the meeting takes place on March 17th and features Andrew Pohorille from NASA Ames Research Center for a presentation on "The Origins of Life in the Universe."

California Academy of Sciences Nightlife: Every Thursday the Cal Academy stays open late for a fun, festive evening with music, drinks and science. When the skies are clear you can stargaze and look up close at the universe through telescopes on the Living Roof. And this week, on Thursday March 18, I'll again be a guest at NightLife giving a talk about the Night Sky and laser-guided star tours on the roof. I hope to see you there. (note: must be at least 21 years of age)

Star Parties: The San Francisco Amateur Astronomers host monthly star parties at Lands End in San Francisco, weather permitting. The next on is on Sunday March 21st. And on April 17th the Mount Tamalpais lecture series and star parties return. These are an excellent combination with lectures at the Mountain Theater and star gazing in a dark setting atop Mt. Tam. You won't be disappointed -- even when it is foggy in San Francisco it is generally clear and dark on Mt. Tam.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

The Moon and the Ecliptic

Continuing from the last post, here's a snapshot of the Moon continuing on its journey across the morning sky, a series of guideposts to the Ecliptic. The view is what you would see around 5:30 am each morning here in San Francisco.

Friday, March 5, 2010

2010 Oscar Predictions

Without any to-do:BEST PICTUREWill win: The Hurt Locker Could win: Avatar Should win: Inglourious Basterds Should have been in the mix: Bright Star BEST ACTOR Will win: Jeff Bridges, Crazy HeartCould win: no contestShould win: Jeff Bridges, Crazy HeartShould have been in the mix: Patton Oswalt, Big FanBEST ACTRESSWill win: Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side Could win: Meryl Streep, Julie and

2010 Oscar Predictions

Without any to-do:BEST PICTUREWill win: The Hurt Locker Could win: Avatar Should win: Inglourious Basterds Should have been in the mix: Bright Star BEST ACTOR Will win: Jeff Bridges, Crazy HeartCould win: no contestShould win: Jeff Bridges, Crazy HeartShould have been in the mix: Patton Oswalt, Big FanBEST ACTRESSWill win: Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side Could win: Meryl Streep, Julie and

New and Improved Plus Size Fashions..

Developing a fashionable plus size wardrobe doesn't must be an issue. Will no longer could it be just a dull and boring section for larger sized women, however retailers and department stores are assembling a fashionable ensemble.

When going in towards the store to purchase an advantage size suit, whether it has been slacks or perhaps a skirt, ensure that you properly fit it using a basic color. Dark colors such as, black, brown, or grey or navy blue shall no longer be seen for the reason that complimentary colors for larger physiques. Just do it-- mix different colors and match all of them with different knits, blouses, or shells. Changing increase accessories will help you to transition smoothly from your work suit to evening wear.

An excellent fitting set of pants will say everything. Jeans are available in all sizes and are not only found designed for tiny frames. While using
right shoes and top, you are able to take your outfit out nearly all place. And you should, do not hesitate to experiment with fashion.

Choose your accessories well. Your accessories can change a dress to enable you to use it from your office, to dinner, and even to your wedding reception. Compliment your dress also when using the right style of shoes.

Shoes might be much fun for the woman, regardless of what size she wears. Always have one or more basic couple of shoes having a neutral color you are able to wear for any occasion; one heel in addition to one flat pair is suggested. After you have your standard set of two shoes, just go enjoy yourself experimenting with platforms, sandals, and sling backs.

This is a modern and plus size women are now the center of attention with regards to new and improved fashions.


Amazing Accessories on a Budget

Watches

Should you be someone who feels that your watch can be your most important accessory, you will end up content with recognize the multitude of cheap designer watches available. You need to simply know where to appear. While getting a discount on the designer watch is extremely difficult within the stores, the internet has a variety of websites where it is possible to purchase a cheap designer watch.

You can find sites that sell prior years' fashions for a cheap price; some sell them at the flat rate, while some sell them within an auction forum. Another option would be to shop sites that sell replicas of designer watches. These resemble the designer counterpart so closely that not many could identify the subtle differences. This wrist watch is really a quality timepiece, however the price is
vastly lower.


Fragrances

Like watches, cheap discount fragrances are readily available online plus any discount fragrance shop. Just about the most easily available options to purchase cheap discount perfumes would be to buy the testers after they are used. These testers most often have a lot of the fragrance still in the bottle, and also the only difference from buying it fresh is always that it doesn't are available in a box. When you decide to buy cheap discount fragrances this way, you could possibly shop at a discount perfumes shop, otherwise you may order online from other possible available websites.

Other ways to buy cheap discount fragrances is as simple as purchasing imitations with the original designer scent. There are sites available that will help identify the scent you might be seeking to be able to possess the scent you want without having to pay the purchase price. The perfume is really a quality product, but without the designer name into it.


Women's Clothing Fashion Tips For Tall Women

If you're a taller than average woman it can often be a frustrating experience when you're looking to find the styles of clothing that fit your body structure. When you are looking at women's clothing it shouldn't certainly be a guessing game or even a gamble. You'll be wasting some huge cash on clothes that don't fit your height or figure. You should know exactly the level of women's clothing that suits the body structure and which kind of clothing to stay away from. Underneath are some tips for taller women just for them to fill their wardrobes when using the proper varieties of women's clothing.

Tall women should avoid wearing Women's clothing which have bright and wild prints. Wear a different coloured top than what you wear below. Wearing two different colours above and below will assist separation your height. Stay with outfits which have both light and dark colours. Whenever possible, stay away from monochromatic women's clothing. Tall women look attractive and appealing with wide belts given it makes their torso appear shorter. A wide belt could be the perfect accessory with a simple a-line dress, a skirt, as well as trousers. Belts help define the waist on the tall figured woman so
she doesn't appear to be one big endless mass. When looking for the best set of trousers try to find people that have cuffs within the bottom. Cuffs at the bottom of your respective pants will help make you appear shorter than you really are.

Wear dresses and skirts that end at your shins. Usually do not make use of dresses that end at your ankles because they are going to accentuate your height. Other ideal clothing that end below the knee are capris.


What Items Are Considered Fashion Accessories And Why Are There So Many..?

Did you get attempting to upgrade your gear just as your appearance of what you wear? If you're then you simply must start looking and contemplating what your lifestyle is and discover that kind of brand that you want and stay with it for awhile.
As you are looking at fashion and accessories you will discover that there's a diverse various several types of accessories. Fashion accessories, like clothing, shoes and the like are available in different shapes sizes and much more. You can find clothes and also other fashions made just for that kind of person it could be found from kids to bigger adults.

Just about the most desirable varieties of fashion accessories represents jewelry. The way it was stated above fashion accessories are for those types and ages of people and genders. For kids and teenagers and older people they like necklaces bracelets which
such with charms and colors. Men usually like necklaces with large charms or nice watches, while women have a tendency to like rings with stones the ones from diamonds, bracelets, anklets and much more.
More varieties of fashion accessories include handbags or purses. Most teen girls and some women prefer to carry all there stuff in one of these simple. A purse is definitely used to carry their stuff construct y need along and handbags are just larger over a purse which enable it to hold more. Handbags and purses are available in a variety of styles, shapes and sizes that's the reason many girls and teenage girls and older women have a variety of those.

With purses and handbags traveling bags are actually popular as well. Travel bags are type of similar to a handbag but they are designed for you. A travel bag could even possess a smaller handbag inside to be used to bring about the plane along with you.