Wisconsin will be marking National Trails Day on Saturday, June 6, with a number of activities, including a celebration of Wisconsin’s national recognition for its first rail to trail project. Last September the Elroy-Sparta State Trail was inducted into the Rails-to-Trails Hall of Fame.
The 32-mile Elroy-Sparta State Trail is one of the first rail-to-trail conversions in the nation. A major asset to the Wisconsin State Trails System, the pathway follows an out-of-service Chicago & Northwestern Railway bed and passes through three rock tunnels, each handcrafted by rail workers in the early 1900s.
“The Elroy Sparta State Trail is really a crown jewel in our extensive system of rail-trails here in Wisconsin,” said Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank. “It is the trail that started it all and made us a national leader in rail-trails.”
The Friends of the Elroy Sparta State Trail will celebrate this honor with a special showing of the “Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail—The Old Railroad Trail” filmed in 1967. This 15 minute video will be shown on Saturday, June 6, at 1 p.m. at the Kendall Depot.
The Elroy-Sparta State Trail is a multi-use path shared by bicyclists, walkers, joggers, and snowmobiles. Riding on the trail is free on June 6 and 7 in honor of National Trails Day and State Park Open House Day June 7.
Other National Trails Day activities include free bicycle checkups and an organized ride on the Military Ridge State Trail and a fun run and walk on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail at the Lodi segment. A list of other National Trails Day activities are planned at other Wisconsin state trails and parks is available on the DNR Web site.
source....
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
A Fine Day For An ATV Ride
I was out in the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge today, preparing for the Castle Rock Family ATV Club scavenger hunt on June 20th. Here's a few pictures:
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
After the Rapture: Orlando man will deliver messages to those left behind
There are those who believe in the Rapture prophesied in the Bible. And there is Joshua Witter, avowed atheist.
They need each other.
At least some people think so -- those willing to pay Witter to be their post-apocalyptic postman, delivering cards and letters to their non-believing friends, relatives and neighbors who will be left behind when the Day of Reckoning arrives.
About 70 people have paid the Orlando man about $5 apiece to get their messages to those doomed to face the plagues, pestilence and darkness of Armageddon.
As sure as the True Believers are they will escape this earth when the Rapture arrives, Witter is just as certain he will be left behind to deliver their mail. He has committed blasphemy to make sure.
"Anyway you look at it, I'm screwed. It's too late for me," said Witter, a 24-year-old computer software engineer who wears long sideburns and hip black-framed glasses.
Witter started his website -- postrapturepost.com -- as a joke, a satiric jab at those who see things like the swine flu, economic collapse and the election of a liberal president as sure signs the end is near.
But then he started receiving orders for his merchandise. Since 2005, Witter said he has sold more than 200 items, most of them T-shirts and coffee mugs, and many of those (he admits) to friends and fellow atheists.
Among the best sellers are the line of I-Told-You-So cards, which sell for $8. Some of those who ordered the cards -- Witter suspects they are not true Christians -- are willing to pay extra to have them sent early as Christmas cards.
Witter doesn't have a stack of cards or letters with Post-Rapture messages in a dresser drawer or safety deposit box. All the messages are stored in his computers, encrypted to protect their privacy and backed up by a fail-safe system. His website might be all in jest, but when it comes to his paying customers, Witter is a responsible entrepreneur. He doesn't share the contents of the messages with his friends over beers or mock those who take this whole end-of-the-world business more seriously than he does.
He concedes that delivering on his promise to hand-deliver the cards and letters entrusted to him may be difficult. Witter has read all the books of the popular "Left Behind" series, so he knows what to expect. Covered with boils, he will have to fight his way through perpetual darkness, clouds of insects, and meteors falling from the sky to deliver the mail.
"Your hope lies with me. I am your mailman," he vows. "I'll do my best come Hell or high water to deliver those letters."
On the other hand, should the Rapture not arrive in his lifetime, he gets to keep the money, which he promises to use to subsidize his sinful lifestyle.
And don't even think about asking him to forward a message from the future for free.
"I turn people away who ask for free letters," he said. "I'm not a charity."
source....
They need each other.
At least some people think so -- those willing to pay Witter to be their post-apocalyptic postman, delivering cards and letters to their non-believing friends, relatives and neighbors who will be left behind when the Day of Reckoning arrives.
About 70 people have paid the Orlando man about $5 apiece to get their messages to those doomed to face the plagues, pestilence and darkness of Armageddon.
As sure as the True Believers are they will escape this earth when the Rapture arrives, Witter is just as certain he will be left behind to deliver their mail. He has committed blasphemy to make sure.
"Anyway you look at it, I'm screwed. It's too late for me," said Witter, a 24-year-old computer software engineer who wears long sideburns and hip black-framed glasses.
Witter started his website -- postrapturepost.com -- as a joke, a satiric jab at those who see things like the swine flu, economic collapse and the election of a liberal president as sure signs the end is near.
But then he started receiving orders for his merchandise. Since 2005, Witter said he has sold more than 200 items, most of them T-shirts and coffee mugs, and many of those (he admits) to friends and fellow atheists.
Among the best sellers are the line of I-Told-You-So cards, which sell for $8. Some of those who ordered the cards -- Witter suspects they are not true Christians -- are willing to pay extra to have them sent early as Christmas cards.
Witter doesn't have a stack of cards or letters with Post-Rapture messages in a dresser drawer or safety deposit box. All the messages are stored in his computers, encrypted to protect their privacy and backed up by a fail-safe system. His website might be all in jest, but when it comes to his paying customers, Witter is a responsible entrepreneur. He doesn't share the contents of the messages with his friends over beers or mock those who take this whole end-of-the-world business more seriously than he does.
He concedes that delivering on his promise to hand-deliver the cards and letters entrusted to him may be difficult. Witter has read all the books of the popular "Left Behind" series, so he knows what to expect. Covered with boils, he will have to fight his way through perpetual darkness, clouds of insects, and meteors falling from the sky to deliver the mail.
"Your hope lies with me. I am your mailman," he vows. "I'll do my best come Hell or high water to deliver those letters."
On the other hand, should the Rapture not arrive in his lifetime, he gets to keep the money, which he promises to use to subsidize his sinful lifestyle.
And don't even think about asking him to forward a message from the future for free.
"I turn people away who ask for free letters," he said. "I'm not a charity."
source....
Friday, May 29, 2009
My Spanish Web Site
Hey, check it out. My Spanish web site is now up and running: translation
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
BEWARE THE MARS HOAX
On August 27, 2009, Mars will come so close to Earth, the red planet will be as big as a full Moon in the night sky.
If you believe that, you've just fallen for the Mars Hoax. It's a viral email filled with misinformation that has many readers circling August 27th on their calendars. Don't bother. If you really want to see Mars as large as a full Moon, you'll need a rocketship.
source....
If you believe that, you've just fallen for the Mars Hoax. It's a viral email filled with misinformation that has many readers circling August 27th on their calendars. Don't bother. If you really want to see Mars as large as a full Moon, you'll need a rocketship.
source....
Thursday, May 28, 2009
TORNADO PICTURE AT OIL RIG (HOAX)
Thanks to Rich F. for bringing this hoax to my attention!
When I saw the date of April 2, 2009 that sent up a red flag. I had seen this e-mail a few times before, at least a year ago and maybe 2 or 3 years ago. Definitely longer ago than one month. So, I started searching the hoax buster sites.
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
source....
"THIS IS A PRETTY AWESOME PICTURE...CAN YOU IMAGINE THE LOOK ON THE PHOTOGRAPHERS FACE WHEN HE WENT SNAP....
When the lightning flashes, this is NOT what you want to see.
THIS IS A PICTURE THAT SOMEONE TOOK WHO WORKS ON AN OIL RIG. HE WAS GOING TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THE LIGHTNING AND WAS UNAWARE OF THE TORNADO UNTIL THE LIGHTNING ILLUMINATED IT.
This is a one-in-a-million photo...............
*********************************
Taken Thursday night, April 2, 2009.
Lariat Sandridge Energy South of Ft Stockton , TX"
When I saw the date of April 2, 2009 that sent up a red flag. I had seen this e-mail a few times before, at least a year ago and maybe 2 or 3 years ago. Definitely longer ago than one month. So, I started searching the hoax buster sites.
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
"Texas Oil Rig Twister
Dramatic image circulating via email purportedly captures a massive nighttime tornado illuminated by lightning not far from an oil rig near Ft. Stockton, Texas.
Description: Emailed image / Hoax
Circulating since: April 2008 (this version)
Status: Fake
Email example contributed by Ray H., May 7, 2008:
Fwd: Oil Rig Picture - TX - Apr.3.2008 TEXAS TORNADO
When the lightning flashes, this is not what you want to see. Taken Thursday night, April 3, 2008.
Lariat # 2 – Sandridge Energy
South of Ft Stockton , TX
Analysis: The above image was manipulated to combine two different photos, one of an oil rig (origin unknown), the other of a nighttime waterspout illuminated by a lightning stroke over Lake Okeechobee, Florida, taken by amateur photographer Fred Smith on June 15, 1993.
The latter has circulated for several years along with various false descriptions, including one claiming the twister was photographed near The Villages, Florida in 2007, and another claiming the picture was taken in Sedalia, Missouri in March 2006. Most recently it was incorrectly identified as a tornado that touched down in Pisgah, Alabama in February 2008.
Where will it (not) strike next?"
source....
Beehive star cluster
As night falls, look to the right of the Moon by about the width of three fingers held at arm's length for the Beehive star cluster, which is in the constellation Cancer. It looks like a hazy patch of light. Binoculars reveal many individual stars.
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
ISS Tonight
28 May -1.5 20:44:28 WNW 42
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Leave young wildlife in the wild
Young animals rarely abandoned; sick animals may be able to transmit disease
MADISON – White-tailed deer fawns are starting to be seen in Wisconsin, and state wildlife officials and conservation wardens are starting to be inundated with calls from people who are concerned about an “abandoned” fawn.
“Fawns left alone in the woods are not abandoned,” says Keith Warnke, deer and bear ecologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. “When fawns are born they have very little scent to them, and does intentionally leave them alone as a way of protecting them from predators. The mother is almost always nearby and keeping an eye on the fawn. She returns to the fawn to nurse when she feels it is safe. The best thing people can do if they come across a fawn in the woods is to go away and leave it alone.”
State wildlife and health officials say the same is true for almost all young wildlife seen in the wild. Most wildlife species will leave their young unattended for periods of time so they can go feed or find food to bring back.
“Closely approaching or contacting wild animals presents a risk of injury to humans and the animal. For that reason, the best and safest policy for people and animals is to leave them alone,” Warnke said.
People should avoid contact with all wild animals, but especially those acting abnormally, whether they appear sick or unusually friendly. While unlikely, it is possible for sick wild animals to transmit some illnesses, including rabies, to humans.
State wildlife health officials say skunks and bats are the most likely species to carry rabies in Wisconsin, although dogs, cats, raccoons, foxes and even livestock have been infected. People should keep rabies vaccinations up-to-date for dogs, cats, and ferrets.
If a person is bitten by a bat, woodchuck, skunk, raccoon, fox or coyote, all of which can carry rabies, it's important to safely capture or kill the animal without injuring the brain. Brain tissue can be analyzed to determine whether or not the animal had rabies. Most domestic animals can simply be observed by a veterinarian and do not need to be tested in order to rule out rabies. Treatment for a rabies exposure can prevent the disease if initiated before symptoms occur.
source....
MADISON – White-tailed deer fawns are starting to be seen in Wisconsin, and state wildlife officials and conservation wardens are starting to be inundated with calls from people who are concerned about an “abandoned” fawn.
“Fawns left alone in the woods are not abandoned,” says Keith Warnke, deer and bear ecologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. “When fawns are born they have very little scent to them, and does intentionally leave them alone as a way of protecting them from predators. The mother is almost always nearby and keeping an eye on the fawn. She returns to the fawn to nurse when she feels it is safe. The best thing people can do if they come across a fawn in the woods is to go away and leave it alone.”
State wildlife and health officials say the same is true for almost all young wildlife seen in the wild. Most wildlife species will leave their young unattended for periods of time so they can go feed or find food to bring back.
“Closely approaching or contacting wild animals presents a risk of injury to humans and the animal. For that reason, the best and safest policy for people and animals is to leave them alone,” Warnke said.
People should avoid contact with all wild animals, but especially those acting abnormally, whether they appear sick or unusually friendly. While unlikely, it is possible for sick wild animals to transmit some illnesses, including rabies, to humans.
State wildlife health officials say skunks and bats are the most likely species to carry rabies in Wisconsin, although dogs, cats, raccoons, foxes and even livestock have been infected. People should keep rabies vaccinations up-to-date for dogs, cats, and ferrets.
If a person is bitten by a bat, woodchuck, skunk, raccoon, fox or coyote, all of which can carry rabies, it's important to safely capture or kill the animal without injuring the brain. Brain tissue can be analyzed to determine whether or not the animal had rabies. Most domestic animals can simply be observed by a veterinarian and do not need to be tested in order to rule out rabies. Treatment for a rabies exposure can prevent the disease if initiated before symptoms occur.
source....
Consumers Warned Of Auto Warranty Calls
Wisconsin’s Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be wary of phone calls telling you your auto warranty is about to expire.
Almost 4,000 consumers around the country have filed complaints over the calls.
"It's coming from and independent third party trying to profit from the scares and problems we have in the manufacturing sector," said Ran Hoth with the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection said it has these concerns about the calls:
# Some appear to come from the auto manufacturer. In most cases, they don't. They are from a completely separate company.
# The callers are violating Wisconsin's No Call list.
# Most imply that your factory warranty is about to expire. Actually, these companies have no idea when your warranty expires or even if you have a warranty. Some consumers, out of fear, sign up for the service contract when they have plenty of time and mileage left on their factory warranty.
source....
Almost 4,000 consumers around the country have filed complaints over the calls.
"It's coming from and independent third party trying to profit from the scares and problems we have in the manufacturing sector," said Ran Hoth with the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection said it has these concerns about the calls:
# Some appear to come from the auto manufacturer. In most cases, they don't. They are from a completely separate company.
# The callers are violating Wisconsin's No Call list.
# Most imply that your factory warranty is about to expire. Actually, these companies have no idea when your warranty expires or even if you have a warranty. Some consumers, out of fear, sign up for the service contract when they have plenty of time and mileage left on their factory warranty.
source....
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Only In Adams!
Only in Adams can you get an advertisement in the mail for a Memorial Day Weekend sale at the Adams Pamida - the day AFTER Memorial Day! Ha ha ha ha ha! It's ok though, because they mostly just have crap and never have anything in stock from the sales ad anyway.
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
ISS Tonight
26 May -1.7 21:28:43 WNW 46
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
Group Aims To Build Spaceport In Sheboygan
Sheboygan. The final frontier.
The Wisconsin Aerospace Authority is working to bring a spaceport to the eastern Wisconsin city. The facility would be a gateway for space travel or, in other words, an airport for rockets.
A to-do list released Friday calls for a suborbital launch before the end of next year.
It also calls for securing state and local approval for the spaceport and starting approval talks with the Federal Aviation Administration, all within the next five years.
The authority's plan also includes more down-to-earth efforts, such as seeking private funding and looking into tax incentives to attract aerospace industries to Wisconsin.
source....
The Wisconsin Aerospace Authority is working to bring a spaceport to the eastern Wisconsin city. The facility would be a gateway for space travel or, in other words, an airport for rockets.
A to-do list released Friday calls for a suborbital launch before the end of next year.
It also calls for securing state and local approval for the spaceport and starting approval talks with the Federal Aviation Administration, all within the next five years.
The authority's plan also includes more down-to-earth efforts, such as seeking private funding and looking into tax incentives to attract aerospace industries to Wisconsin.
source....
Monday, May 25, 2009
Elroy - Sparta Bicycle Trail Ride, Norwalk
We had a nice bike ride yesterday. JR, Karen, Ashley, Zach, and I rode from Norwalk through Tunnel #3 and back. A LOT of other people out riding. It would have been closer to stop in Elroy and unload, but Zach had never been to the bike trail before. It's always fun to break a new trail rider in with the BIG tunnel!
Riding up to Tunnel #3.
At the entrance of Tunnel #3. I thought this picture was interesting because of the longer exposure you can see the bugs' trails. They're the squiggly lines. Funny to see their paths and how far they flew during the time the shutter was open.
Inside Tunnel #3. It's way darker than it looks in this long exposure photo.
JR was in a hurry to get to this ice cream shop, even though he isn't supposed to eat sugar!
Here's JR eating the forbidden sugar.
And after JR got done eating the sugar - he fell down! I'm not kidding, he fell right over, camera went flying, basket flew off his bike, and all the stuff dumped out. How it happened, we don't really know. At least the poor guy didn't get hurt, then it wouldn't have been FUNNY!
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
ISS Tonight
25 May -1.9 21:03:08 NW 57
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
The Milky Way
The Milky Way is low above the horizon on May evenings, sweeping from southeast to northeast. It looks like a patchy band of faint clouds. Although it is the combined light of millions of stars, it is so faint that artificial lighting blots out the view.
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
Traces Of Cocaine Found In Air Of 2 Cities
Air pollution has long been a fact of life in Spanish cities, but scientists now say it is not just smog that chokes people as they walk to work or stroll through the park. A new study has found the air in Madrid and Barcelona is also laced with at least five drugs -- most prominently cocaine.
The Superior Council of Scientific Investigations, a government institute, said on its Web site Thursday that in addition to cocaine, they found trace amounts of amphetamines, opiates, cannabinoids and lysergic acid -- a relative of LSD -- in two air-quality control stations, one in each cities.
But it said there was no reason for alarm.
"Not even if we lived for a thousand years would we consume the equivalent of a dose of cocaine by breathing this air," scientist Miren Lopez de Alda said in a statement.
The scientific group stressed that "in no case should these levels be considered representative of the air in the two cities." It said the tests were done in areas where drugs were likely to be consumed.
In Madrid, the test site was close to a ruined building believed to be frequented by drug dealers. And in both Madrid and Barcelona, the studies were carried out close to universities.
The group said the study showed higher concentrations of the components on weekends, suggesting that drug consumption was up in these periods.
The research found cocaine in concentrations ranging between 29 and 850 picogram per cubic meter of air. A picogram is one-trillionth of a gram.
Mar Viana, another researcher who worked on the project, said the levels were far higher than those found in similar studies in Europe. She said one study in Rome and Taranto in 2007 revealed cocaine levels of 100 picograms per cubic meter.
According to the U.S. State Department, Spain is Europe's largest consumer of cocaine and hashish. It is also a major transit point for narcotics shipments from South and Central America as well as Africa.
The scientists detected the drug by placing quartz microfiber filters in the air-testing stations. They said the method was new and could help in measuring drug use in towns and cities in a fast and anonymous way.
The group said the findings would be published in the U.S. journal Analytical Chemistry.
source....
The Superior Council of Scientific Investigations, a government institute, said on its Web site Thursday that in addition to cocaine, they found trace amounts of amphetamines, opiates, cannabinoids and lysergic acid -- a relative of LSD -- in two air-quality control stations, one in each cities.
But it said there was no reason for alarm.
"Not even if we lived for a thousand years would we consume the equivalent of a dose of cocaine by breathing this air," scientist Miren Lopez de Alda said in a statement.
The scientific group stressed that "in no case should these levels be considered representative of the air in the two cities." It said the tests were done in areas where drugs were likely to be consumed.
In Madrid, the test site was close to a ruined building believed to be frequented by drug dealers. And in both Madrid and Barcelona, the studies were carried out close to universities.
The group said the study showed higher concentrations of the components on weekends, suggesting that drug consumption was up in these periods.
The research found cocaine in concentrations ranging between 29 and 850 picogram per cubic meter of air. A picogram is one-trillionth of a gram.
Mar Viana, another researcher who worked on the project, said the levels were far higher than those found in similar studies in Europe. She said one study in Rome and Taranto in 2007 revealed cocaine levels of 100 picograms per cubic meter.
According to the U.S. State Department, Spain is Europe's largest consumer of cocaine and hashish. It is also a major transit point for narcotics shipments from South and Central America as well as Africa.
The scientists detected the drug by placing quartz microfiber filters in the air-testing stations. They said the method was new and could help in measuring drug use in towns and cities in a fast and anonymous way.
The group said the findings would be published in the U.S. journal Analytical Chemistry.
source....
Sunday, May 24, 2009
2 UFOs crash land in Kazakhstan
Two luminous balls have fallen from the sky into a field near a village in Kazakhstan. The Local Emergency Ministry is studying the objects, believed to be UFOs.
Residents of Razdolnoye village in Western Kazakhstan saw the UFOs at night.
“This was around three o’clock in the morning,” eyewitness Vladimir Bychkov told Interfax news agency Thursday.
“I was near my tractor, and heard guys shouting: ‘look, there are flying balls!’ They were big balls, and they had sparks falling off them – yellow, red, and green,” Bychkov said.
The balls were reported to have fallen on agricultural lands.
“We were afraid to approach them at first, but after they fell and cooled down, we came up to them and tried kicking them,” another eyewitness, Viktor Dyakov, said.
He said the balls were made from a "weird" material.
“We tried beating them with a chisel, but they didn’t give in, didn’t crease, only gave off sparks.”
According to Dyakov, the balls are silvery in color and around 60 cm in diameter. They also have a small hole on one side.
Emergency Ministry experts did not immediately give any comments.
source....
Residents of Razdolnoye village in Western Kazakhstan saw the UFOs at night.
“This was around three o’clock in the morning,” eyewitness Vladimir Bychkov told Interfax news agency Thursday.
“I was near my tractor, and heard guys shouting: ‘look, there are flying balls!’ They were big balls, and they had sparks falling off them – yellow, red, and green,” Bychkov said.
The balls were reported to have fallen on agricultural lands.
“We were afraid to approach them at first, but after they fell and cooled down, we came up to them and tried kicking them,” another eyewitness, Viktor Dyakov, said.
He said the balls were made from a "weird" material.
“We tried beating them with a chisel, but they didn’t give in, didn’t crease, only gave off sparks.”
According to Dyakov, the balls are silvery in color and around 60 cm in diameter. They also have a small hole on one side.
Emergency Ministry experts did not immediately give any comments.
source....
ISS Tonight
24 May -2.0 22:12:56 WNW 51
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Millston to Hatfield ATV Ride
JR, Melissa, Jeff, and I had a nice 90 mile ATV ride today. There were a lot of other people riding. It rained just enough to keep the dust down in the morning, but after noon the sun came out and by the end of the day it was getting dusty again. One or two nice mud holes in the trail up by Hatfield, but mostly it has been turned into a road. Even the last couple of holes are scheduled to be filled in and replaced by a road made for ATVs. Goodbye fun.
This is why you go slow and easy through the holes in the trail. Those that feel the need to skim over the top of them at high speed sometimes end up in an accident.
And they laughed at my new skull cap that I was wearing. At least I kept my shirt on!
There she is. Ran perfectly all day and followed the big boys everywhere they went.
Is somebody missing a whisk broom? I think I found it.
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
ISS Tonight
23 May -1.8 21:47:21 NW 53
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
Arcturus
Arcturus, the brightest star of Bootes, the herdsman, is high in the southeast at nightfall and due south around midnight. It is one of the brightest stars in the night sky, and shines with a yellow-orange color.
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
Friday, May 22, 2009
Time To Renew Your Membership!
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
Swine Flu Not an Accident From a Lab, W.H.O. Says
The swine flu virus did not result from a laboratory accident, the World Health Organization said Thursday, working to debunk rumors started by an Australian virologist and circulated by news outlets all over the world.
“We took this very seriously,” Dr. Keiji Fukuda, the agency’s deputy director general, said of the virologist’s assertion. “But the evidence suggests that this is a naturally occurring virus, not a laboratory-derived virus.”
In a telephone news conference, Dr. Fukuda also expressed support for drug companies’ making a generic version of the antiviral drug Tamiflu. Many poor countries have no stockpiles of the drug.
Almost 6,500 confirmed cases of the new H1N1 flu have been reported from 33 countries, and 65 people have died, the W.H.O. said. About 4,300 confirmed and probable cases, with 3 deaths, were reported in the United States.
A woman in Arizona who was suffering from lung disease died last week from complications of swine flu, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health said late Thursday, Reuters reported.
The virus rumor was started by Adrian J. Gibbs, a retired plant virologist from the Australian National University, who previously published work in the journal Science questioning the idea, now accepted, that the 1918 pandemic started as a bird flu.
Dr. Gibbs, who had studied the gene sequences of the swine flu virus posted on public data banks, argued that it must have been grown in eggs, the medium used in vaccine laboratories. He reached that conclusion, he said, because the new virus was not closely related to known ones and because it had more of the amino acid lysine and more mutations than typical strains of swine flu.
His theory was reported by Bloomberg News on Tuesday. Even though scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were skeptical and some prominent virologists openly derisive, news outlets have repeated and magnified the theory, adding speculation about bioterrorism that even Dr. Gibbs repudiated. He was also interviewed Thursday on the ABC News program “Good Morning America.”
Dr. Fukuda said a W.H.O. panel of experts had concluded that “the hypothesis does not really stand up to scrutiny.” The lysine residues and mutation rates were typical, he said, and many swine flus seem unrelated because not enough pigs are tested each year.
But he added that he doubted that the rumor would prove damaging, and he said he would not want genetic sequences kept off public databases.
“This is healthy,” he said. “This is much better than dealing with rumors where you don’t know where the mistake comes from and can’t correct it.”
Persistent false rumors, like those that AIDS is not caused by a virus or that polio vaccine sterilizes Muslim girls, have devastated efforts to control other diseases.
Scientists have yet to pinpoint the origin of the swine flu virus, the earliest cases of which were found in Veracruz, Mexico. It contains genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia, as well as avian and human genes.
Late Thursday, Smithfield Foods reported that the Mexican health authorities had not found the new virus in herds at its huge hog-fattening operations in Veracruz, which some have blamed for the outbreak. But it was not clear what test was used; only blood tests for antibodies would show whether pigs had the virus in February, when the human outbreak is thought to have begun.
As for the use of oseltamivir, the generic form of Tamiflu, the W.H.O. has certified only one drug — Antiflu, made by the Indian company Cipla in both pill and liquid forms — as equivalent to brand-name Tamiflu.
Dr. Yusuf K. Hamied, Cipla’s chairman, said he would sell large amounts to Mexico and was in discussion with countries in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
The move could prompt patent lawsuits by Gilead Sciences and Roche, which developed and sell Tamiflu, so Cipla will sell only to countries indemnifying them against such suits, the company said.
Roche has offered 6.5 million doses of Tamiflu to the World Health Organization and 1 million doses to Mexico.
Dr. Hamied, reluctant to buy supplies for orders that might not materialize, said that poor countries should stockpile shikimic acid, the oseltamivir precursor, then pay Cipla or other generic companies to make the drug as needed.
The swine flu may cause the W.H.O. to cut short its nine-day annual conference of world health ministers so they can get home to fight the disease, Reuters reported.
source....
“We took this very seriously,” Dr. Keiji Fukuda, the agency’s deputy director general, said of the virologist’s assertion. “But the evidence suggests that this is a naturally occurring virus, not a laboratory-derived virus.”
In a telephone news conference, Dr. Fukuda also expressed support for drug companies’ making a generic version of the antiviral drug Tamiflu. Many poor countries have no stockpiles of the drug.
Almost 6,500 confirmed cases of the new H1N1 flu have been reported from 33 countries, and 65 people have died, the W.H.O. said. About 4,300 confirmed and probable cases, with 3 deaths, were reported in the United States.
A woman in Arizona who was suffering from lung disease died last week from complications of swine flu, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health said late Thursday, Reuters reported.
The virus rumor was started by Adrian J. Gibbs, a retired plant virologist from the Australian National University, who previously published work in the journal Science questioning the idea, now accepted, that the 1918 pandemic started as a bird flu.
Dr. Gibbs, who had studied the gene sequences of the swine flu virus posted on public data banks, argued that it must have been grown in eggs, the medium used in vaccine laboratories. He reached that conclusion, he said, because the new virus was not closely related to known ones and because it had more of the amino acid lysine and more mutations than typical strains of swine flu.
His theory was reported by Bloomberg News on Tuesday. Even though scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were skeptical and some prominent virologists openly derisive, news outlets have repeated and magnified the theory, adding speculation about bioterrorism that even Dr. Gibbs repudiated. He was also interviewed Thursday on the ABC News program “Good Morning America.”
Dr. Fukuda said a W.H.O. panel of experts had concluded that “the hypothesis does not really stand up to scrutiny.” The lysine residues and mutation rates were typical, he said, and many swine flus seem unrelated because not enough pigs are tested each year.
But he added that he doubted that the rumor would prove damaging, and he said he would not want genetic sequences kept off public databases.
“This is healthy,” he said. “This is much better than dealing with rumors where you don’t know where the mistake comes from and can’t correct it.”
Persistent false rumors, like those that AIDS is not caused by a virus or that polio vaccine sterilizes Muslim girls, have devastated efforts to control other diseases.
Scientists have yet to pinpoint the origin of the swine flu virus, the earliest cases of which were found in Veracruz, Mexico. It contains genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia, as well as avian and human genes.
Late Thursday, Smithfield Foods reported that the Mexican health authorities had not found the new virus in herds at its huge hog-fattening operations in Veracruz, which some have blamed for the outbreak. But it was not clear what test was used; only blood tests for antibodies would show whether pigs had the virus in February, when the human outbreak is thought to have begun.
As for the use of oseltamivir, the generic form of Tamiflu, the W.H.O. has certified only one drug — Antiflu, made by the Indian company Cipla in both pill and liquid forms — as equivalent to brand-name Tamiflu.
Dr. Yusuf K. Hamied, Cipla’s chairman, said he would sell large amounts to Mexico and was in discussion with countries in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
The move could prompt patent lawsuits by Gilead Sciences and Roche, which developed and sell Tamiflu, so Cipla will sell only to countries indemnifying them against such suits, the company said.
Roche has offered 6.5 million doses of Tamiflu to the World Health Organization and 1 million doses to Mexico.
Dr. Hamied, reluctant to buy supplies for orders that might not materialize, said that poor countries should stockpile shikimic acid, the oseltamivir precursor, then pay Cipla or other generic companies to make the drug as needed.
The swine flu may cause the W.H.O. to cut short its nine-day annual conference of world health ministers so they can get home to fight the disease, Reuters reported.
source....
ISS Tonight
22 May -1.2 22:56:53 WNW 38
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
Thursday, May 21, 2009
News From The Observatory
Just before midnight the irrigation system sneaked up on my side of the field and I had to make a run for it!
The bright star Vega.
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
‘Universe in the Park’ kicks off at three parks Memorial Day Weekend
First of 38 star-gazing opportunities at Wisconsin State Parks this summer
MADISON – Visitors to three Wisconsin State Parks this Memorial Day weekend will have expanded opportunities to view the celestial sky as the University of Wisconsin - Madison Department of Astronomy kicks off its “Universe in the Park” program for 2009. The program is scheduled to run 38 times this summer at state parks across the state.
Universe in the Park [www.astro.wisc.edu/uitp] began in 1996 as a way of introducing the general public to astronomy outside under dark skies, according to Prof. Eric M. Wilcots, who coordinates the program.
The programs typically begin just after sunset with a 20 to 30 minute talk and slide show about astronomy. Each particular topic for a session is left up to the speaker, but usually includes a broad overview of astronomy as well as recent astronomical news. At the conclusion of the talk, if the sky is clear, volunteers set up a telescope and provide park visitors the opportunity to view whatever astronomical objects are available.
A question-and-answer period takes place around the telescopes. The sessions run as long as there are people interested in looking through the telescope. During the height of the summer, Wilcots says, the sessions can attract audiences of 70 to 80 people.
Visitors can show up for the slide show and question-and-answer period even if it is cloudy and the sky cannot be viewed through the telescope. The sessions are held if it is raining only if there is a shelter available.
Universe in the Park events themselves are free, but visitors to Wisconsin State Parks and Forest must have a daily or annual vehicle admission sticker.
Universe in the Park programs will be held this Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 23 at Blue Mound State Park and on Sunday, May 24 at Governor Dodge and Lake Kegonsa state parks. The complete schedule of programs is available on the Universe in the Park Web site [www.astro.wisc.edu/uitp/schedule.html].
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Wisconsin State Parks – - (608) 266-2181
source....
MADISON – Visitors to three Wisconsin State Parks this Memorial Day weekend will have expanded opportunities to view the celestial sky as the University of Wisconsin - Madison Department of Astronomy kicks off its “Universe in the Park” program for 2009. The program is scheduled to run 38 times this summer at state parks across the state.
Universe in the Park [www.astro.wisc.edu/uitp] began in 1996 as a way of introducing the general public to astronomy outside under dark skies, according to Prof. Eric M. Wilcots, who coordinates the program.
The programs typically begin just after sunset with a 20 to 30 minute talk and slide show about astronomy. Each particular topic for a session is left up to the speaker, but usually includes a broad overview of astronomy as well as recent astronomical news. At the conclusion of the talk, if the sky is clear, volunteers set up a telescope and provide park visitors the opportunity to view whatever astronomical objects are available.
A question-and-answer period takes place around the telescopes. The sessions run as long as there are people interested in looking through the telescope. During the height of the summer, Wilcots says, the sessions can attract audiences of 70 to 80 people.
Visitors can show up for the slide show and question-and-answer period even if it is cloudy and the sky cannot be viewed through the telescope. The sessions are held if it is raining only if there is a shelter available.
Universe in the Park events themselves are free, but visitors to Wisconsin State Parks and Forest must have a daily or annual vehicle admission sticker.
Universe in the Park programs will be held this Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 23 at Blue Mound State Park and on Sunday, May 24 at Governor Dodge and Lake Kegonsa state parks. The complete schedule of programs is available on the Universe in the Park Web site [www.astro.wisc.edu/uitp/schedule.html].
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Wisconsin State Parks – - (608) 266-2181
source....
ISS Tonight
21 May -1.6 22:31:03 NW 49
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A Warm One!
The news said Minneapolis hit 97°F yesterday. I had 87°F. Already 81°F here this morning before 10:00 AM!
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
A Few More Recent Pictures
As of today, my Canon PowerShot SX100 IS camera is on picture #11080. At 10000 the counter resets and starts over. That's a lot of pictures (not counting my other cameras). Here's another sampling of some recent ones:
Irrigating the crops.
I can't speak for the other turkeys, but that thing ain't foolin' me!
It ain't foolin' her either!
We've been having a lot of cool sunsets lately.
Out for a walk in the woods.
This is image #11080. Cutting firewood.
The morning Moon, from the last couple of days. Too bad the sun sets so late now. It's 10:00 PM at least before it gets good and dark. Shortens the observatory time A LOT!
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
CANON U.S.A. LAUNCHES NEW EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OFFERING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES FOR CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE EOS USERS
Canon Live Learning Inspires Attendees to Develop Their Personal Creative Vision
Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced the launch of Canon Live Learning, a new on-site education program targeted towards photographers who currently use or are interested in Canon's popular line of EOS photographic products. Canon Live Learning (CLL) will offer high-quality classes and workshops conducted by a number of the industry's leading professional photographers, Canon's Explorers of Light. CLL attendees will learn how to get the most out of their gear while also having the opportunity to try out Canon's latest line of EOS products.
"Through the Canon Live Learning program we are hoping to empower and inspire our customers to further enhance their skills and passion for the art of imaging," said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. "Canon Live Learning adds value to the experience of owning and using Canon photographic products."
CLL will consist of two distinct educational opportunities: EOS Essentials and EOS Extras. EOS Essentials is a two-day weekend program which will start on Saturday with a mini-conference for participants to learn about a variety of topics, followed by optional hands-on workshops. On Sunday, participants will be organized in smaller groups and take part in workshops conducted by a Canon Explorer of Light professional photographer. The EOS Extras program is a series of exciting, two-day hands-on workshops with a Canon Explorer of Light. Participants will go on location in order to learn about photographic techniques and try Canon's latest EOS equipment. Potential participants can go online to learn more about each program and register at this Web page:
www.usa.canon.com/canonlivelearning
EOS Essentials
The Canon Live Learning EOS Essentials program is ideal for photographers who are interested in learning how to get the most out of their EOS and other photography equipment. During the first day of the program, four topics will be covered, at approximately 90 minutes per topic. Canon Explorers of Light, local professional photographers and Canon instructors will present each topic through an inspirational blend of on-screen content and live demonstrations. After each presentation, questions and answers will be encouraged to further discussion and elicit new ideas. Topics in 2009 will include: "Creative Lighting with Speedlites," "HD Video with EOS DSLRs," "Landscape/Nature Photography," and "Maximizing Your EOS."
The optional second day of the EOS Essentials program will offer a choice between two different hands-on workshops, each with an attending Explorer of Light photographer and other professional instructors. These workshops will be interactive and limited to 16 participants each. Participants will also be able to try out Canon's latest line of EOS products during these workshops. Workshop topics will vary according to the location, and are posted on the Canon Live Learning Web site.
In 2009, the Canon EOS Essentials program will be held in the following cities:
New York, N.Y. May 30th – May 31st
Chicago, Ill. June 13th – June 14th
Los Angeles, Calif. June 20th – June 21st
San Francisco, Calif. July 18th – July 19th
Boston, Mass. TBD
Seattle, Wash TBD
Atlanta, Ga. TBD
Dallas, TX TBD
Confirmed Canon Explorers of Light who are scheduled to deliver at least one program are: Vincent Laforet, Bruce Dorn, Bob Davis, George Lepp, Darrell Gulin, Adam Jones and Jennifer Wu. Various local professional photographers, such as Carol Dragon, Richard Koci Hernandez and Paul Kennedy, are also scheduled to participate. Canon U.S.A. instructors will include Brian Matsumoto, Carl Peer and James Rose.
All EOS Essentials presentations will be shown using Canon REALiS multimedia projectors for superb image quality, and each location will feature an equipment demonstration area where participants will be able to handle and try a wide range of Canon imaging products, including EOS cameras, EF lenses and Canon imagePROGRAF and PIXMA Pro photo printers.
EOS Extras
In addition to the EOS Essentials program, Canon Live Learning is offering EOS Extras where participants will have the opportunity to take part in a weekend of instruction on location at an interesting site with a Canon Explorer of Light. In this program, participants will get even more extensive hands-on experience and come away with an increased knowledge and understanding of their Canon EOS equipment. Participants will have the opportunity to use additional EOS equipment as well. The first EOS Extras weekend program is scheduled for June 6th through June 7th in Aspen, Colorado with Explorer of Light Tyler Stableford. Additional destinations will be announced in the coming weeks.
Explorers of Light
The Explorers of Light concept came out of Canon USA in the mid 1990's as a broad-ranging initiative for photographic education and inspiration. Today, the group is comprised of more than 60 of the most influential photographers in the world, each a master of their own creative specialty. The Explorers share their photographic passions and technical expertise with eager audiences of photo professionals, hobbyists and enthusiasts in a variety of personal appearances, seminars and gallery showings throughout the United States. Examples of the Explorers' work may be found online at the Explorers of Light Gallery as well as numerous museums, galleries and publications. Explorers of Light use Canon EOS photographic equipment. For more information, please visit the Canon Digital Learning Center:
www.usa.canon.com/dlc
source....
Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced the launch of Canon Live Learning, a new on-site education program targeted towards photographers who currently use or are interested in Canon's popular line of EOS photographic products. Canon Live Learning (CLL) will offer high-quality classes and workshops conducted by a number of the industry's leading professional photographers, Canon's Explorers of Light. CLL attendees will learn how to get the most out of their gear while also having the opportunity to try out Canon's latest line of EOS products.
"Through the Canon Live Learning program we are hoping to empower and inspire our customers to further enhance their skills and passion for the art of imaging," said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. "Canon Live Learning adds value to the experience of owning and using Canon photographic products."
CLL will consist of two distinct educational opportunities: EOS Essentials and EOS Extras. EOS Essentials is a two-day weekend program which will start on Saturday with a mini-conference for participants to learn about a variety of topics, followed by optional hands-on workshops. On Sunday, participants will be organized in smaller groups and take part in workshops conducted by a Canon Explorer of Light professional photographer. The EOS Extras program is a series of exciting, two-day hands-on workshops with a Canon Explorer of Light. Participants will go on location in order to learn about photographic techniques and try Canon's latest EOS equipment. Potential participants can go online to learn more about each program and register at this Web page:
www.usa.canon.com/canonlivelearning
EOS Essentials
The Canon Live Learning EOS Essentials program is ideal for photographers who are interested in learning how to get the most out of their EOS and other photography equipment. During the first day of the program, four topics will be covered, at approximately 90 minutes per topic. Canon Explorers of Light, local professional photographers and Canon instructors will present each topic through an inspirational blend of on-screen content and live demonstrations. After each presentation, questions and answers will be encouraged to further discussion and elicit new ideas. Topics in 2009 will include: "Creative Lighting with Speedlites," "HD Video with EOS DSLRs," "Landscape/Nature Photography," and "Maximizing Your EOS."
The optional second day of the EOS Essentials program will offer a choice between two different hands-on workshops, each with an attending Explorer of Light photographer and other professional instructors. These workshops will be interactive and limited to 16 participants each. Participants will also be able to try out Canon's latest line of EOS products during these workshops. Workshop topics will vary according to the location, and are posted on the Canon Live Learning Web site.
In 2009, the Canon EOS Essentials program will be held in the following cities:
New York, N.Y. May 30th – May 31st
Chicago, Ill. June 13th – June 14th
Los Angeles, Calif. June 20th – June 21st
San Francisco, Calif. July 18th – July 19th
Boston, Mass. TBD
Seattle, Wash TBD
Atlanta, Ga. TBD
Dallas, TX TBD
Confirmed Canon Explorers of Light who are scheduled to deliver at least one program are: Vincent Laforet, Bruce Dorn, Bob Davis, George Lepp, Darrell Gulin, Adam Jones and Jennifer Wu. Various local professional photographers, such as Carol Dragon, Richard Koci Hernandez and Paul Kennedy, are also scheduled to participate. Canon U.S.A. instructors will include Brian Matsumoto, Carl Peer and James Rose.
All EOS Essentials presentations will be shown using Canon REALiS multimedia projectors for superb image quality, and each location will feature an equipment demonstration area where participants will be able to handle and try a wide range of Canon imaging products, including EOS cameras, EF lenses and Canon imagePROGRAF and PIXMA Pro photo printers.
EOS Extras
In addition to the EOS Essentials program, Canon Live Learning is offering EOS Extras where participants will have the opportunity to take part in a weekend of instruction on location at an interesting site with a Canon Explorer of Light. In this program, participants will get even more extensive hands-on experience and come away with an increased knowledge and understanding of their Canon EOS equipment. Participants will have the opportunity to use additional EOS equipment as well. The first EOS Extras weekend program is scheduled for June 6th through June 7th in Aspen, Colorado with Explorer of Light Tyler Stableford. Additional destinations will be announced in the coming weeks.
Explorers of Light
The Explorers of Light concept came out of Canon USA in the mid 1990's as a broad-ranging initiative for photographic education and inspiration. Today, the group is comprised of more than 60 of the most influential photographers in the world, each a master of their own creative specialty. The Explorers share their photographic passions and technical expertise with eager audiences of photo professionals, hobbyists and enthusiasts in a variety of personal appearances, seminars and gallery showings throughout the United States. Examples of the Explorers' work may be found online at the Explorers of Light Gallery as well as numerous museums, galleries and publications. Explorers of Light use Canon EOS photographic equipment. For more information, please visit the Canon Digital Learning Center:
www.usa.canon.com/dlc
source....
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
ISS Tonight
19 May -0.7 23:14:17 NW 36
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
GM Eliminating About 1,100 Dealer Franchises
A day after Chrysler LLC moved to eliminate nearly 800 dealerships, General Motors Corp. on Friday told about 1,100 U.S. dealers their franchises will be terminated late next year.
The cuts are part of a larger GM plan to slash 2,600 of its 6,200 dealerships as the automaker tries to restructure to become profitable again. The moves likely will cause the loss of thousands of jobs across the nation. Governments will lose thousands of dollars in tax revenue as dealerships are forced to close.
Both Chrysler and GM say they are cutting dealers because they have too many outlets that are too close to each other, and the competition drives down prices. But as the ranks of dealers thin and competition decreases, that likely will mean higher prices for car and truck buyers.
As GM and Chrysler lost market share to Japanese and other overseas brands, the automakers, as well as Ford Motor Co., ended up with too many dealerships. Many are barely getting by and can't afford to upgrade their facilities or hire the best personnel to compete with the Japanese, who have far fewer dealerships.
With fewer dealers, consumers won't see as much competition, said Aaron Bragman, an automotive industry analyst with the consulting firm IHS Global Insight.
"No longer will people be able to shop between three or four dealers within 15 minutes of each other for the best cutthroat price," he said.
GM knows it will lose sales in the short-term, but over the long haul, fewer dealers will mean higher per-vehicle profits, Bragman said.
"As the dealers go, so goes the company in terms of financial health," he said.
In the 1980s, GM, Chrysler and Ford controlled more than 75 percent of U.S. sales, but that dropped to 48 percent last year. GM alone held nearly 51 percent of the market in 1962, but only 22 percent last year.
Bragman said GM likely will go into bankruptcy protection on June 1, but it's starting to negotiate deals ahead of the filing to speed up the Chapter 11 process.
"GM has been ... acting as if they are negotiating a prepackaged bankruptcy," he said.
source....
The cuts are part of a larger GM plan to slash 2,600 of its 6,200 dealerships as the automaker tries to restructure to become profitable again. The moves likely will cause the loss of thousands of jobs across the nation. Governments will lose thousands of dollars in tax revenue as dealerships are forced to close.
Both Chrysler and GM say they are cutting dealers because they have too many outlets that are too close to each other, and the competition drives down prices. But as the ranks of dealers thin and competition decreases, that likely will mean higher prices for car and truck buyers.
As GM and Chrysler lost market share to Japanese and other overseas brands, the automakers, as well as Ford Motor Co., ended up with too many dealerships. Many are barely getting by and can't afford to upgrade their facilities or hire the best personnel to compete with the Japanese, who have far fewer dealerships.
With fewer dealers, consumers won't see as much competition, said Aaron Bragman, an automotive industry analyst with the consulting firm IHS Global Insight.
"No longer will people be able to shop between three or four dealers within 15 minutes of each other for the best cutthroat price," he said.
GM knows it will lose sales in the short-term, but over the long haul, fewer dealers will mean higher per-vehicle profits, Bragman said.
"As the dealers go, so goes the company in terms of financial health," he said.
In the 1980s, GM, Chrysler and Ford controlled more than 75 percent of U.S. sales, but that dropped to 48 percent last year. GM alone held nearly 51 percent of the market in 1962, but only 22 percent last year.
Bragman said GM likely will go into bankruptcy protection on June 1, but it's starting to negotiate deals ahead of the filing to speed up the Chapter 11 process.
"GM has been ... acting as if they are negotiating a prepackaged bankruptcy," he said.
source....
Monday, May 18, 2009
Chrysler Seeks To Close 18 Dealerships In Wisconsin
Chrysler LLC wants to close 18 Wisconsin dealerships as part of a nationwide move to eliminate 789 dealerships.
Five of the targeted dealerships being sent contract termination letters are in the Milwaukee area and three are in Madison. The rest are spread throughout the state.
The letters say the dealerships must stop selling cars by June 9. However, Chryslers will still be sold and serviced in Madison.
Two of Don Miller's three Madison-area Chrysler facilities are slated to close. They are Chrysler Jeep on Wayne Terrace and Dodge East on East Washington Avenue, WISC-TV reported. The third Madison dealership is Russ Darrow's.
The dealers can appeal the decision announced by Chrysler in a bankruptcy filing Monday in New York. The company said sales are too slow to justify keeping all the dealers open.
But at least two of the dealerships might be able to keep operating by making some changes.
The owner of Don Miller in Madison said Chrysler's regional office has told him his two Madison dealerships can merge with Russ Darrow's Chrysler-Jeep dealership on the West Side.
David Miller said Chrysler will consolidate what are four existing stores into two, with one on the East Side and one on the West Side. Each will sell Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles under one roof.
Miller said that the move will cause some job cuts in Madison but that he doesn't know how many.
Miller said he currently has 75 to 100 employees at three locations.
As for inventory, Miller said it'll be absorbed between the new dealerships.
But other state dealerships won't be so lucky, according to the Wisconsin Automobile & Truck Dealers Association.
Legal counsel Chris Snyder said bankruptcy laws override state franchise protections, so Chrysler doesn't have to buy back new cars or anything else, not even the Chrysler signs.
"It's a dark day for these businesses, the individual businesses, because they're a viable business," Snyder said. "They're making their payroll. They're doing everything that they need to stay in business. And they're getting the rug pulled out from underneath them by the manufacturer."
Snyder said the Wisconsin Automobile & Truck Dealers Association plans to meet with all the dealers on the list to discuss their options.
The trade group estimated a dealership has about 30 workers, so job losses could total more than 400 in Wisconsin alone.
But some, like WISC-TV auto expert Matt Joseph, said Chrysler isn't even making vehicles right now and the cuts are overdue.
Joseph predicted that even more of the 3,200 dealerships nationwide will be slashed.
As for warranty work, the trade group said the government has pledged to honor all warranties, but consumers might have to drive farther to find a dealer to do the work, depending on where they live.
Along with the Milwaukee and Madison dealers, others affected in Wisconsin are in Eau Claire, Menomonee Falls, Lomira, St. Croix Falls, Frederic, Oshkosh, New London, Ellsworth, St. Nazianz, Kaukauna and Plymouth.
source....
Five of the targeted dealerships being sent contract termination letters are in the Milwaukee area and three are in Madison. The rest are spread throughout the state.
The letters say the dealerships must stop selling cars by June 9. However, Chryslers will still be sold and serviced in Madison.
Two of Don Miller's three Madison-area Chrysler facilities are slated to close. They are Chrysler Jeep on Wayne Terrace and Dodge East on East Washington Avenue, WISC-TV reported. The third Madison dealership is Russ Darrow's.
The dealers can appeal the decision announced by Chrysler in a bankruptcy filing Monday in New York. The company said sales are too slow to justify keeping all the dealers open.
But at least two of the dealerships might be able to keep operating by making some changes.
The owner of Don Miller in Madison said Chrysler's regional office has told him his two Madison dealerships can merge with Russ Darrow's Chrysler-Jeep dealership on the West Side.
David Miller said Chrysler will consolidate what are four existing stores into two, with one on the East Side and one on the West Side. Each will sell Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles under one roof.
Miller said that the move will cause some job cuts in Madison but that he doesn't know how many.
Miller said he currently has 75 to 100 employees at three locations.
As for inventory, Miller said it'll be absorbed between the new dealerships.
But other state dealerships won't be so lucky, according to the Wisconsin Automobile & Truck Dealers Association.
Legal counsel Chris Snyder said bankruptcy laws override state franchise protections, so Chrysler doesn't have to buy back new cars or anything else, not even the Chrysler signs.
"It's a dark day for these businesses, the individual businesses, because they're a viable business," Snyder said. "They're making their payroll. They're doing everything that they need to stay in business. And they're getting the rug pulled out from underneath them by the manufacturer."
Snyder said the Wisconsin Automobile & Truck Dealers Association plans to meet with all the dealers on the list to discuss their options.
The trade group estimated a dealership has about 30 workers, so job losses could total more than 400 in Wisconsin alone.
But some, like WISC-TV auto expert Matt Joseph, said Chrysler isn't even making vehicles right now and the cuts are overdue.
Joseph predicted that even more of the 3,200 dealerships nationwide will be slashed.
As for warranty work, the trade group said the government has pledged to honor all warranties, but consumers might have to drive farther to find a dealer to do the work, depending on where they live.
Along with the Milwaukee and Madison dealers, others affected in Wisconsin are in Eau Claire, Menomonee Falls, Lomira, St. Croix Falls, Frederic, Oshkosh, New London, Ellsworth, St. Nazianz, Kaukauna and Plymouth.
source....
Hercules
The constellation Hercules is in good view by the time it gets dark, and soars high overhead during the night. Look for the Keystone -- four stars that form a lopsided square. Hercules is above the northeastern horizon as darkness falls.
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
Sunday, May 17, 2009
News From The Observatory
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
Frost In May
Here's the dates of frost in May for the last few years.
2001: none
2002: 3rd & 18th
2003: none
2004: 3rd & 5th
2005: 3rd & 4th
2006: 6th
2007: none
2008: 4th & 19th
2009: 17th
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
2001: none
2002: 3rd & 18th
2003: none
2004: 3rd & 5th
2005: 3rd & 4th
2006: 6th
2007: none
2008: 4th & 19th
2009: 17th
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
Art Bell: Radio's Master of the Unexplained Explains Himself
Nearly 20 years ago, Art Bell created the wildly popular radio program Coast to Coast AM, a wee-hour forum for weird science. We asked him why the show entertains, even encourages, the crazies.
Wired: You were hosting a political talk show before you jumped to the supernatural. What inspired the switch?
Bell: I was crushingly bored talking about politics 30 hours a week. So one day I said, "The hell with it," and I brought on John Lear, a very outspoken ufologist. The audience just went nuts! The phones lit up.
Wired: How did your bosses react?
Bell: They had heart attacks. But when the ratings came in, we were overwhelmingly number one. I was lucky because the show was on at night. There's a different breed of person awake at those hours. And the world is a quieter place, with less to distract us from esoteric thought. I think—no, I'm sure—Coast to Coast wouldn't work with a daytime audience.
Wired: Why are people so drawn to the paranormal?
Bell: The same reason we're drawn to God. The greatest question of all is whether our experience on this planet is "it" or whether there is something else. Things in the supernatural realm give support, strangely perhaps, to the things we take on faith. Like ghosts, for example—they underscore the possibility of an afterlife.
Wired: Do you believe in ghosts?
Bell: I've never seen one, so I'm skeptical. But I do believe in the paranormal, that there are things our brains just can't understand.
Wired: As you're listening to callers, how often do you think, "No f-ing way"?
Bell: Oh, all the time. But if you're into a really great tale, then it doesn't actually matter if it's true or not.
Wired: The funny thing about radio is that you never have to show any evidence.
Bell: That's right. That's why radio is "the theater of the mind."
source....
Wired: You were hosting a political talk show before you jumped to the supernatural. What inspired the switch?
Bell: I was crushingly bored talking about politics 30 hours a week. So one day I said, "The hell with it," and I brought on John Lear, a very outspoken ufologist. The audience just went nuts! The phones lit up.
Wired: How did your bosses react?
Bell: They had heart attacks. But when the ratings came in, we were overwhelmingly number one. I was lucky because the show was on at night. There's a different breed of person awake at those hours. And the world is a quieter place, with less to distract us from esoteric thought. I think—no, I'm sure—Coast to Coast wouldn't work with a daytime audience.
Wired: Why are people so drawn to the paranormal?
Bell: The same reason we're drawn to God. The greatest question of all is whether our experience on this planet is "it" or whether there is something else. Things in the supernatural realm give support, strangely perhaps, to the things we take on faith. Like ghosts, for example—they underscore the possibility of an afterlife.
Wired: Do you believe in ghosts?
Bell: I've never seen one, so I'm skeptical. But I do believe in the paranormal, that there are things our brains just can't understand.
Wired: As you're listening to callers, how often do you think, "No f-ing way"?
Bell: Oh, all the time. But if you're into a really great tale, then it doesn't actually matter if it's true or not.
Wired: The funny thing about radio is that you never have to show any evidence.
Bell: That's right. That's why radio is "the theater of the mind."
source....
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Think your life is bad? Archaeologists show us worse.
Amid swine flu, sinking economies and other sorrows of the modern world, losing track of when life was really tough can be easy. Lucky for us, we have archaeologists to put things in a little perspective.
Consider life on the high steppes of Central Asia, the Altai Mountains, around 500 B.C., in modern-day Mongolia. Back then, it was the home of the Pazyryk peoples, horse-riding nomads who lived next door to the not-so-friendly Scythians. In fact, the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, in The Histories, described the Scythians as warriors who tangled with tribes of Amazons, practiced human sacrifice, scalping and cannibalism of their enemies. A lot more aggravating than the neighbor who borrows your lawn mower, in other words.
Archaeologists know the Pazyryk from burial mounds, or tumuli, of larch wood covered with stones, "in which the bodies of Pazyryk warriors were buried with their horses and their weapons, such as battle-axes, daggers, swords, and bows and arrows," according to a study in the July Journal of Archaeological Science, which describes seven of these graves.
"These people led violent lives," says Xavier Jordana of Spain's Universitat Auto'noma de Barcelona, who led the two-year study effort. At the burial sites, which he describes as "typical," an international team uncovered the remains of 10 people in all, seven men, one woman and two children. Similar to past Pazyryk burials, a horse was buried with each individual, as well as a ceramic bowl, iron knife and back bone of a sheep or goat. "Small sheets of gold were also always found next to the skull," says the study. Weaponry included "pointed battle-axes with wooden handles, short daggers, both of bronze or iron, and trilobate arrowheads made of bone or bronze."
Also typical, "Seven individuals exhibited a total of 14 traumatic injuries," notes the study. Two of the men showed evidence of healed battle-axe wounds on their skulls. Five of the individuals, including the women and one child, were killed by axes or dagger wounds. One man was shot in the head with an arrow. "This is not a large sample," Jordana says. "But half of them died violently. That has to mean something."
Herodotus had described human sacrifice and warfare as common among nomads in his day, so Jordana and his colleagues analyzed the wounds they saw in an attempt to understand exactly how these people died. "Were they fighting battles or sacrificed," he asks. "Herodotus is known as the 'Father of History' but he is also called the 'Father of Liars,' so we wanted to see."
Raids, not warfare, marked the deaths of the people who died violently, concludes the study. "A lot of the trauma was to the back, and comes in all directions," Jordana says. "These were people caught in surprise attacks." Herodotus didn't lie about scalping however, judging from shallow cut marks on one middle-aged man's skull. Call it CSI: Mongolia. Similar evidence for scalping turned up in another "ice mummy" burial from the region, Jordana notes.
"These were burials of a warrior class of people," Jordana says, but they fit with the pattern of violent lives lived in the past. "They buried women and children with weapons. It's not clear (that) these were Amazons, but they led very hard lives, compared to today."
source....
Consider life on the high steppes of Central Asia, the Altai Mountains, around 500 B.C., in modern-day Mongolia. Back then, it was the home of the Pazyryk peoples, horse-riding nomads who lived next door to the not-so-friendly Scythians. In fact, the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, in The Histories, described the Scythians as warriors who tangled with tribes of Amazons, practiced human sacrifice, scalping and cannibalism of their enemies. A lot more aggravating than the neighbor who borrows your lawn mower, in other words.
Archaeologists know the Pazyryk from burial mounds, or tumuli, of larch wood covered with stones, "in which the bodies of Pazyryk warriors were buried with their horses and their weapons, such as battle-axes, daggers, swords, and bows and arrows," according to a study in the July Journal of Archaeological Science, which describes seven of these graves.
"These people led violent lives," says Xavier Jordana of Spain's Universitat Auto'noma de Barcelona, who led the two-year study effort. At the burial sites, which he describes as "typical," an international team uncovered the remains of 10 people in all, seven men, one woman and two children. Similar to past Pazyryk burials, a horse was buried with each individual, as well as a ceramic bowl, iron knife and back bone of a sheep or goat. "Small sheets of gold were also always found next to the skull," says the study. Weaponry included "pointed battle-axes with wooden handles, short daggers, both of bronze or iron, and trilobate arrowheads made of bone or bronze."
Also typical, "Seven individuals exhibited a total of 14 traumatic injuries," notes the study. Two of the men showed evidence of healed battle-axe wounds on their skulls. Five of the individuals, including the women and one child, were killed by axes or dagger wounds. One man was shot in the head with an arrow. "This is not a large sample," Jordana says. "But half of them died violently. That has to mean something."
Herodotus had described human sacrifice and warfare as common among nomads in his day, so Jordana and his colleagues analyzed the wounds they saw in an attempt to understand exactly how these people died. "Were they fighting battles or sacrificed," he asks. "Herodotus is known as the 'Father of History' but he is also called the 'Father of Liars,' so we wanted to see."
Raids, not warfare, marked the deaths of the people who died violently, concludes the study. "A lot of the trauma was to the back, and comes in all directions," Jordana says. "These were people caught in surprise attacks." Herodotus didn't lie about scalping however, judging from shallow cut marks on one middle-aged man's skull. Call it CSI: Mongolia. Similar evidence for scalping turned up in another "ice mummy" burial from the region, Jordana notes.
"These were burials of a warrior class of people," Jordana says, but they fit with the pattern of violent lives lived in the past. "They buried women and children with weapons. It's not clear (that) these were Amazons, but they led very hard lives, compared to today."
source....
Friday, May 15, 2009
Black River State Forest Conditions
Conditions as of Wednesday, May 13, 2009:
ATV trails open for the season on May 15. A 2.2-mile portion of the trail from Highway 54 to Bartos road is undergoing rehabilitation this spring. During the week this section of trail will be closed as repairs are in progress. This section will be open on weekends, beginning this Friday (May 15) through Sunday night. This section will close again on Monday morning until Friday, May 22 at 4 p.m. While this section is closed we encourage people who want to ride up to Hatfield or to City Point to use our Clay School Road parking lot.
We ask people to ride with caution on this stretch during the weekends as they may encounter rough areas due to the construction. We hope to have this section completed by the middle of June and then work on the stretch just south of Highway 54.
This project will protect the long term sustainability of the trail system and lessen the frequency of trail closings due to large rainfall events.
source....
ATV trails open for the season on May 15. A 2.2-mile portion of the trail from Highway 54 to Bartos road is undergoing rehabilitation this spring. During the week this section of trail will be closed as repairs are in progress. This section will be open on weekends, beginning this Friday (May 15) through Sunday night. This section will close again on Monday morning until Friday, May 22 at 4 p.m. While this section is closed we encourage people who want to ride up to Hatfield or to City Point to use our Clay School Road parking lot.
We ask people to ride with caution on this stretch during the weekends as they may encounter rough areas due to the construction. We hope to have this section completed by the middle of June and then work on the stretch just south of Highway 54.
This project will protect the long term sustainability of the trail system and lessen the frequency of trail closings due to large rainfall events.
source....
Elroy-Sparta State Trail Conditions
Conditions as of Monday, May 4, 2009:
Grading and packing of the trail should be complete by the end of this week. Tunnel doors are open.
The Sparta Depot, Kendall Depot, Elroy Commons and the trail's campgrounds are all open.
Bikers age 16 and older must purchase a pass before riding the trail. State trail passes can be purchased at the Kendall Depot/Trail Headquarters; (608) 463-7109, the Sparta Depot; (888) 540-8434 and other vendors along the trail. A listing of pass vendors is posted in each town.
Trillium are in the bud stage. Other spring ephemerals in bloom include spring beauty, wood anemone, dutchman's britches and wild ginger. All wildflowers are protected on state land. Please leave them for others to enjoy.
source....
Grading and packing of the trail should be complete by the end of this week. Tunnel doors are open.
The Sparta Depot, Kendall Depot, Elroy Commons and the trail's campgrounds are all open.
Bikers age 16 and older must purchase a pass before riding the trail. State trail passes can be purchased at the Kendall Depot/Trail Headquarters; (608) 463-7109, the Sparta Depot; (888) 540-8434 and other vendors along the trail. A listing of pass vendors is posted in each town.
Trillium are in the bud stage. Other spring ephemerals in bloom include spring beauty, wood anemone, dutchman's britches and wild ginger. All wildflowers are protected on state land. Please leave them for others to enjoy.
source....
"400" State Trail Conditions
Conditions as of Monday, May 4, 2009:
The trail has been graded and packed. It is in good condition.
Spring ephemerals now blooming include spring beauty, dutchman's britches, trout lilly, and wild ginger. All wildflowers are protected on state land. Please leave them for others to enjoy.
Bikers age 16 and older must purchase a pass before riding the trail. State trail passes can be purchased at the Reedsburg Depot/Trail Headquarters; (800) 844-3507, Elroy Commons; (888) 606-2453 and other vendors along the trail. A listing of pass vendors is posted in each town.
The entire trail is closed to hunting.
source....
The trail has been graded and packed. It is in good condition.
Spring ephemerals now blooming include spring beauty, dutchman's britches, trout lilly, and wild ginger. All wildflowers are protected on state land. Please leave them for others to enjoy.
Bikers age 16 and older must purchase a pass before riding the trail. State trail passes can be purchased at the Reedsburg Depot/Trail Headquarters; (800) 844-3507, Elroy Commons; (888) 606-2453 and other vendors along the trail. A listing of pass vendors is posted in each town.
The entire trail is closed to hunting.
source....
Space News & Research
Coast to Coast AM
Date: Wednesday 05-06-09
Host: George Noory
Guests: Robert Zimmerman, Katherine Albrecht
Appearing during the first three hours, historian and journalist Robert Zimmerman discussed space politics and history, including recent developments at NASA, space tourism, and the Hubble Space Telescope, "the telescope that will not die." The Obama administration may soon propose a study to decide whether to go forward on the Moon/Mars missions proposed by NASA, he reported. Meanwhile, Congress will be voting on whether to extend the life of the Shuttle, even though the technology is old and needs to replaced, he commented.
Zimmerman said the sun has been quiet for an unusually long cycle, with no sunspot activity. Should this continue on for a longer period, we could be faced with global cooling or even a "Little Ice Age."
After long delays, a Hubble service mission is scheduled for this month. The space telescope is not in good shape, and will benefit from camera and equipment replacements and adjustments, he said. Zimmerman noted that one of the legacies of Hubble is how it combined robotic operations with occasional human maintenance. Such combinations of humans and robots will be used to colonize space, he added.
He also gave an update on Virgin Galactic's plan for suborbital space tourism, and noted that such infrastructure may eventually be used for faster flights, flying across the American continent in just one hour, for instance.
source....
Date: Wednesday 05-06-09
Host: George Noory
Guests: Robert Zimmerman, Katherine Albrecht
Appearing during the first three hours, historian and journalist Robert Zimmerman discussed space politics and history, including recent developments at NASA, space tourism, and the Hubble Space Telescope, "the telescope that will not die." The Obama administration may soon propose a study to decide whether to go forward on the Moon/Mars missions proposed by NASA, he reported. Meanwhile, Congress will be voting on whether to extend the life of the Shuttle, even though the technology is old and needs to replaced, he commented.
Zimmerman said the sun has been quiet for an unusually long cycle, with no sunspot activity. Should this continue on for a longer period, we could be faced with global cooling or even a "Little Ice Age."
After long delays, a Hubble service mission is scheduled for this month. The space telescope is not in good shape, and will benefit from camera and equipment replacements and adjustments, he said. Zimmerman noted that one of the legacies of Hubble is how it combined robotic operations with occasional human maintenance. Such combinations of humans and robots will be used to colonize space, he added.
He also gave an update on Virgin Galactic's plan for suborbital space tourism, and noted that such infrastructure may eventually be used for faster flights, flying across the American continent in just one hour, for instance.
source....
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Beautiful Cygnus, the swan
Beautiful Cygnus, the swan, returns to the evening sky this month. It rises in the northeast around 10 or 11 p.m. Its brightest star is Deneb, which marks the swan's tail. Its body stretches south from Deneb, through the glow of the Milky Way.
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
M87: Monster Galaxy in Virgo
There’s nothing subtle about the giant elliptical galaxy M87… no faint spiral structure or dust lanes to see at all. The excitement lies in contemplating the stupendous size of this monster galaxy and the scope of the violent physical processes going on in its core.
• You can find M87 in Virgo on a line between Vindemiatrix in Virgo and Denebola in Leo, about halfway between the two. At magnitude 8.6, it’s visible in a 3” or larger scope.
• This giant galaxy spans a diameter of 120,000 light years, about the same as the Milky Way. But M87 is a spheroid, not a flat spiral. So it contains far more stars… as many as 2.7 trillion solar masses by some estimates.
• M87 lies at the heart of the famous Coma-Virgo cluster of galaxies, a collection of some 2,000 galaxies about 60 million light years away.
•Aside from its immensity, M87 is known for a needle-like jet that’s blasted 5,000 light years into intergalactic space, presumably by a disturbance caused by a black hole in its core. The central black hole is monstrous… with an estimated mass of 2-3 billion suns!
• Keen observers under perfect seeing conditions can see the jet in large scopes. And I mean large, as in 20” to 30” aperture!
• M87 also boasts a spectacular collection of globular clusters, up to 15,000, compared to the Milky Way’s count of 200 or so.
• Radio astronomers see the center of M87 as a strong radio source called “Virgo A”. Again, the source of the radio waves is the violent activity in and around the core.
Astronomers measure the speed of M87’s jet to be 4-6 times the speed of light… an impossibility according to known physical laws. This measurement is an optical illusion caused by the orientation of the jet which moves towards us at close to light speed. So no physical laws are violated.
M87 is a wonderful object to show beginners with keen imaginations. At first, they are disappointed by the faint smudge in the eyepiece. But tell them they’re looking at TWO TRILLION stars at one time and they start to understand why it’s worth getting into stargazing.
source....
• You can find M87 in Virgo on a line between Vindemiatrix in Virgo and Denebola in Leo, about halfway between the two. At magnitude 8.6, it’s visible in a 3” or larger scope.
• This giant galaxy spans a diameter of 120,000 light years, about the same as the Milky Way. But M87 is a spheroid, not a flat spiral. So it contains far more stars… as many as 2.7 trillion solar masses by some estimates.
• M87 lies at the heart of the famous Coma-Virgo cluster of galaxies, a collection of some 2,000 galaxies about 60 million light years away.
•Aside from its immensity, M87 is known for a needle-like jet that’s blasted 5,000 light years into intergalactic space, presumably by a disturbance caused by a black hole in its core. The central black hole is monstrous… with an estimated mass of 2-3 billion suns!
• Keen observers under perfect seeing conditions can see the jet in large scopes. And I mean large, as in 20” to 30” aperture!
• M87 also boasts a spectacular collection of globular clusters, up to 15,000, compared to the Milky Way’s count of 200 or so.
• Radio astronomers see the center of M87 as a strong radio source called “Virgo A”. Again, the source of the radio waves is the violent activity in and around the core.
Astronomers measure the speed of M87’s jet to be 4-6 times the speed of light… an impossibility according to known physical laws. This measurement is an optical illusion caused by the orientation of the jet which moves towards us at close to light speed. So no physical laws are violated.
M87 is a wonderful object to show beginners with keen imaginations. At first, they are disappointed by the faint smudge in the eyepiece. But tell them they’re looking at TWO TRILLION stars at one time and they start to understand why it’s worth getting into stargazing.
source....
ISS Tonight
14 May -1.1 21:03:48 W 44
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
See A Galaxy Cluster From Your Backyard
Our own Milky Way and the Andromeda galaxy are the largest of the forty members of the Local Group of galaxies, all held together by mutual gravitational attraction. But the Local Group is puny compared to the massive Virgo Cluster, home to as many as 2,000 galaxies spread across our sky between the stars Denebola in Leo and Vindemiatrix in Virgo. Dozens of these galaxies are visible from your backyard.
• The Virgo cluster is made up spirals galaxies, dwarf ellipticals, and giant ellipticals. The irregularly-shaped cluster is anchored at its core by the immense but featureless elliptical galaxies M84 and M86; the monstrous M87 is not far away.
• The spirals of the Virgo Cluster include the beautiful Sombrero and Black-Eye galaxies, as well as the underrated pair M88 and M90. In a telescope at high magnification this pair broods alone in your eyepiece, with almost no foreground stars from our own galaxy to spoil the view.
• The center of the Virgo Cluster is 60 million light years away. The cluster is concentrated in a patch of sky in western Virgo, some 8-10 degrees wide.
• It’s no accident that big ellipticals gather near the center of the cluster. Their mutual gravitational attraction holds them close together.
• The spirals, on the other hand, which tend to be lighter and move faster, are strewn in a filamentary structure away from the core of the cluster. In time, the spirals find their way towards the center of the cluster. Some astronomers think large ellipticals were formed from spiral galaxies that merged as they were pulled into center of massive galaxy clusters.
• The modest Local Group of galaxies of which we’re a part is receding from the Virgo Cluster. But it may likely succumb to gravitational attraction and merge with this massive group in an indeterminate number of billions of years.
• The Virgo Cluster, the Local Cluster, and many others galaxy clusters form a much larger gravitationally-bound structure called the Local Supercluster. There are millions of galaxy superclusters spread across the universe.
Point a telescope towards the Virgo Cluster, and you’ll have no trouble seeing galaxies. The trick lies in sorting out which fuzzy spot is which. A good finder chart, dark sky, and lots of patience will help, as will a Go-To mount.
Try approaching the center of the cluster from M60 on the eastern edge, and move slowly towards the center. The massive ellipticals, each containing a trillion stars or more, are mostly featureless even in a large telescope. But the spirals may reveal structure as you increase from lower to higher magnification. The pretty spirals on the edge of the cluster, like NGC4565, M104, and M64, are much easier to find.
There is enough here for a hundred nights of patient viewing.
For a finder chart to help you navigate the Virgo Cluster, click here.
The prominent amateur astronomer Leland Copleand said he was intruigued by galaxies “not for what they seem to be, but for what they are. Each is a distant Milky Way, seen by light millions of years older than prehistoric man. They can help us gain true perspective– we and our world are the minutiae and curiosa– galaxies are the grand realities.”
source....
• The Virgo cluster is made up spirals galaxies, dwarf ellipticals, and giant ellipticals. The irregularly-shaped cluster is anchored at its core by the immense but featureless elliptical galaxies M84 and M86; the monstrous M87 is not far away.
• The spirals of the Virgo Cluster include the beautiful Sombrero and Black-Eye galaxies, as well as the underrated pair M88 and M90. In a telescope at high magnification this pair broods alone in your eyepiece, with almost no foreground stars from our own galaxy to spoil the view.
• The center of the Virgo Cluster is 60 million light years away. The cluster is concentrated in a patch of sky in western Virgo, some 8-10 degrees wide.
• It’s no accident that big ellipticals gather near the center of the cluster. Their mutual gravitational attraction holds them close together.
• The spirals, on the other hand, which tend to be lighter and move faster, are strewn in a filamentary structure away from the core of the cluster. In time, the spirals find their way towards the center of the cluster. Some astronomers think large ellipticals were formed from spiral galaxies that merged as they were pulled into center of massive galaxy clusters.
• The modest Local Group of galaxies of which we’re a part is receding from the Virgo Cluster. But it may likely succumb to gravitational attraction and merge with this massive group in an indeterminate number of billions of years.
• The Virgo Cluster, the Local Cluster, and many others galaxy clusters form a much larger gravitationally-bound structure called the Local Supercluster. There are millions of galaxy superclusters spread across the universe.
Point a telescope towards the Virgo Cluster, and you’ll have no trouble seeing galaxies. The trick lies in sorting out which fuzzy spot is which. A good finder chart, dark sky, and lots of patience will help, as will a Go-To mount.
Try approaching the center of the cluster from M60 on the eastern edge, and move slowly towards the center. The massive ellipticals, each containing a trillion stars or more, are mostly featureless even in a large telescope. But the spirals may reveal structure as you increase from lower to higher magnification. The pretty spirals on the edge of the cluster, like NGC4565, M104, and M64, are much easier to find.
There is enough here for a hundred nights of patient viewing.
For a finder chart to help you navigate the Virgo Cluster, click here.
The prominent amateur astronomer Leland Copleand said he was intruigued by galaxies “not for what they seem to be, but for what they are. Each is a distant Milky Way, seen by light millions of years older than prehistoric man. They can help us gain true perspective– we and our world are the minutiae and curiosa– galaxies are the grand realities.”
source....
M87
M87, one of the largest known galaxies, is at the center of a triangle of three bright points of light. The stars Arcturus and Spica are in the east in early evening, with the planet Saturn to their upper right. You need a telescope to spot the galaxy.
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
ISS Tonight
13 May -2.3 20:37:41 SW 64
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
ISS Tonight
12 May -1.3 21:46:59 WSW 48
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
M5
A cluster of ancient stars stands in the east on May evenings. Through binoculars, M5 looks like a fuzzy blob with a bright star-like core. It's really a family of several hundred thousand stars. It is high in the east a couple of hours after nightfall.
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
UFO investigators reveal possible otherworldly relic
UFO investigators held a press conference at the Roswell Civic and Convention Center on Thursday to announce that they found ... something.
"At this point, we don't know what it was or why it was there," said UFO investigator Chuck Zukowski. "I don't want to speculate."
"We want to announce to the world that this stuff needs further analysis," explained Dr. Bill Doleman, a retired archaeologist who supervised the dig where the items were found.
The artifacts were discovered in 2002 during a dig sponsored by the Sci Fi Channel, at a site where some eyewitnesses say a mysterious craft ricocheted off the ground in 1947.
Zukowski and his sister Debbie Ziegelmeyer, state director of the Mutual UFO Network in Missouri, volunteered to help with the excavation, and found the object that has been most thoroughly analyzed. The tiny piece of silvery material came from a site where water tended to gather. Ziegelmeyer was sifting through buckets of dirt when the object emerged, and she quickly clutched it to keep it from blowing away. The material began to curl up after it was exposed to sunlight. Ziegelmeyer speculated that it might have been sensitive to light or heat, although Doleman suggested it may have started to dry out after it was taken out of the ground.
The item, along with other specimens found by the team, was stored at the University of New Mexico's Office of Contract Archaeology.
Zukowski said it took years for them to figure out whether they could run tests on the items.
"We didn't really know who had responsibility for these things," he said. "After reams of paperwork I was able to get a hold of it."
Zukowski examined the item using an electron microscope. He said that the microscope belonged to a microchip manufacturer in Albuquerque, and a recently-retired technician helped him use it, but he declined to identify either the company or the assistant, saying it might be unseemly for them to be involved.
Zukowski said he determined that the artifact was mostly aluminum silicate. Other elements showed up in the sample, but he believes they are mostly from the microscope's surroundings or dirt that clung to the object.
Doleman said that aluminum silicate is not uncommon in nature, but the item was found on a limestone plateau, which is mostly calcium carbonate. There seemed to be nothing around that would contain or produce the compound.
Zukowski also took extremely close-up pictures of the artifact, capturing some features only a few microns long.
"We see some damage in here," he said, "and it's interesting that when you get down that small, you can see holes."
He also displayed an image of what looked like a tiny metallic whisker.
Zukowski, who designs microchips for a living, said that the features struck him as unusual.
"We know this thing definitely is not organic, number one," he concluded. "Number two, we know it's not indigenous."
The small silvery object was one of many that turned up during the dig. Doleman presented slides of what looked like a piece of PVC pipe and fragments of plastic, as well as what seemed to be leather and rubber from a shoe. Doleman said that they had not been analyzed, and he would like to confirm that they are what they seem to be.
"We want to figure out that they are using the best scientific methods available," he said.
The excavation also unearthed pieces of igneous rock that seemed out of place on the limestone plateau.
"They look like they may have been burned," noted Doleman. "Who knows what kind of burning a UFO creates when it smacks into the earth and then goes bouncing back up into the sky?"
The items that Doleman found most interesting were some orange blobs of material. Assaigai Analytical Laboratories Inc. in Albuquerque found that they were modacrylic adhesive, a heat-resistant synthetic copolymer. The Union Carbide Corporation was the first to produce modacrylic fiber in 1949.
Zukowski said the modacrylic adhesive might tie into an eyewitness account. One of the volunteer excavators was Nancy Easly Johnson, daughter of Maj. Edwin Easly, who was allegedly at the crash site. Easly told Johnson little about the incident, but mentioned orange debris.
"We'd like to get (the objects) identified, and see if they can shed light on what happened in that broad in-the-middle-of-nowhere pasture on the Foster Ranch in 1947," said Doleman. "We're looking for funding, and/or professional laboratories who would be able to take this stuff and try and identify it."
He said that there would be benefits for any lab willing to do pro-bono work, including publicity, possible information about useful alien technology, and "everybody in the UFO community will think they're really cool."
source....
"At this point, we don't know what it was or why it was there," said UFO investigator Chuck Zukowski. "I don't want to speculate."
"We want to announce to the world that this stuff needs further analysis," explained Dr. Bill Doleman, a retired archaeologist who supervised the dig where the items were found.
The artifacts were discovered in 2002 during a dig sponsored by the Sci Fi Channel, at a site where some eyewitnesses say a mysterious craft ricocheted off the ground in 1947.
Zukowski and his sister Debbie Ziegelmeyer, state director of the Mutual UFO Network in Missouri, volunteered to help with the excavation, and found the object that has been most thoroughly analyzed. The tiny piece of silvery material came from a site where water tended to gather. Ziegelmeyer was sifting through buckets of dirt when the object emerged, and she quickly clutched it to keep it from blowing away. The material began to curl up after it was exposed to sunlight. Ziegelmeyer speculated that it might have been sensitive to light or heat, although Doleman suggested it may have started to dry out after it was taken out of the ground.
The item, along with other specimens found by the team, was stored at the University of New Mexico's Office of Contract Archaeology.
Zukowski said it took years for them to figure out whether they could run tests on the items.
"We didn't really know who had responsibility for these things," he said. "After reams of paperwork I was able to get a hold of it."
Zukowski examined the item using an electron microscope. He said that the microscope belonged to a microchip manufacturer in Albuquerque, and a recently-retired technician helped him use it, but he declined to identify either the company or the assistant, saying it might be unseemly for them to be involved.
Zukowski said he determined that the artifact was mostly aluminum silicate. Other elements showed up in the sample, but he believes they are mostly from the microscope's surroundings or dirt that clung to the object.
Doleman said that aluminum silicate is not uncommon in nature, but the item was found on a limestone plateau, which is mostly calcium carbonate. There seemed to be nothing around that would contain or produce the compound.
Zukowski also took extremely close-up pictures of the artifact, capturing some features only a few microns long.
"We see some damage in here," he said, "and it's interesting that when you get down that small, you can see holes."
He also displayed an image of what looked like a tiny metallic whisker.
Zukowski, who designs microchips for a living, said that the features struck him as unusual.
"We know this thing definitely is not organic, number one," he concluded. "Number two, we know it's not indigenous."
The small silvery object was one of many that turned up during the dig. Doleman presented slides of what looked like a piece of PVC pipe and fragments of plastic, as well as what seemed to be leather and rubber from a shoe. Doleman said that they had not been analyzed, and he would like to confirm that they are what they seem to be.
"We want to figure out that they are using the best scientific methods available," he said.
The excavation also unearthed pieces of igneous rock that seemed out of place on the limestone plateau.
"They look like they may have been burned," noted Doleman. "Who knows what kind of burning a UFO creates when it smacks into the earth and then goes bouncing back up into the sky?"
The items that Doleman found most interesting were some orange blobs of material. Assaigai Analytical Laboratories Inc. in Albuquerque found that they were modacrylic adhesive, a heat-resistant synthetic copolymer. The Union Carbide Corporation was the first to produce modacrylic fiber in 1949.
Zukowski said the modacrylic adhesive might tie into an eyewitness account. One of the volunteer excavators was Nancy Easly Johnson, daughter of Maj. Edwin Easly, who was allegedly at the crash site. Easly told Johnson little about the incident, but mentioned orange debris.
"We'd like to get (the objects) identified, and see if they can shed light on what happened in that broad in-the-middle-of-nowhere pasture on the Foster Ranch in 1947," said Doleman. "We're looking for funding, and/or professional laboratories who would be able to take this stuff and try and identify it."
He said that there would be benefits for any lab willing to do pro-bono work, including publicity, possible information about useful alien technology, and "everybody in the UFO community will think they're really cool."
source....
Monday, May 11, 2009
Ahhhhh Springtime!
The time of year after the cold and snow and slippery roads have left, yet before the heat, humidity, and mosquitoes of Summer arrive! The birds are singing and the frogs are peeping. Here's a couple of the things I can only see for the few short weeks of Spring:
Purple and white Trilliums.
The sweet-smelling blossoms of the plum tree.
Some people spend their whole lives trying to get rid of Dandelions. I think they're great! They add a bit of color to your yard, and they're kind of cool-looking.
Blue Berry blossoms! If they don't freeze and it keeps raining enough, we're going to have buckets full of them by July.
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
Main Engine Cutoff: Atlantis Reaches Orbit
After a smooth countdown and picture-perfect liftoff, space shuttle Atlantis and a crew of seven astronauts are in space, ready to begin their 11-day mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Atlantis lifted off Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 2:01 p.m. EDT.
From the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, the booster officer confirmed Atlantis' trio of main engines cut off on time at 2:10 p.m. With Atlantis safely in orbit, its giant external fuel tank was jettisoned. Onboard cameras recorded the tank's condition as it fell away from Atlantis and descends toward Earth.
source....
ISS Tonight
11 May -2.3 21:20:56 SW 57
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
M3
A star cluster known as M3 is high in the east at nightfall. It is well to the upper left of the bright yellow-orange star Arcturus. Through binoculars, it looks like a fuzzy round blob of light with a bright center.
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
Wis. woman fears husband sleepwalked into river
An Oshkosh area woman says she fears her husband may have gone sleepwalking and drowned in the Fox River.
Cherie Merkes says her 55-year-old husband, Michael Merkes, had been feeling tired and sick before he disappeared Saturday. She says he took a prescription sleep aid Friday night and they agreed he would go to a walk-in clinic Saturday if he did not feel better.
Instead, she woke Saturday to find him missing from their home in the town of Black Wolf. Police found his car near the Fox River about 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
Cherie Merkes says she believes her husband drove there in his sleep and walked into the river.
The Winnebago County Sheriff's Department and Oshkosh Police Department are still searching for Michael Merkes.
source....
Cherie Merkes says her 55-year-old husband, Michael Merkes, had been feeling tired and sick before he disappeared Saturday. She says he took a prescription sleep aid Friday night and they agreed he would go to a walk-in clinic Saturday if he did not feel better.
Instead, she woke Saturday to find him missing from their home in the town of Black Wolf. Police found his car near the Fox River about 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
Cherie Merkes says she believes her husband drove there in his sleep and walked into the river.
The Winnebago County Sheriff's Department and Oshkosh Police Department are still searching for Michael Merkes.
source....
Sunday, May 10, 2009
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