Coming soon.....

A new and improved Astro Rails is in the works.  Stay Tuned!

Friday night in the yard

The weather around here finally cleared out, producing a nice sunny day.  Also, since we probably (knock on wood) past the last frost of the season, it was time to plant in the Garden.  Assorted Cosmos, Zinnias, Tigrida?,and other seeds and bulbs went in the ground today.  I should know in a couple of weeks if anything sprouts up.


After that was done, it was time to take the dog out.  We had impecabble timing, because as I looked up, I saw the Space Shuttle Atlantis glide overhead.  Atlantis was launched on what is likely it's final mission.  After this trip to the International Space Station, it will be readied for a possible resuce mission in support of the final shuttle launch later this winter.

A rainy day

This week we've had weather in the Twin Cities that isn't particularly conducive to anything other than staying inside and hiding out.  

This is particularly frustrating as this week is the week of the new moon.  For the backyard astronomy hobby, this is important as it easier to view deep sky object such as star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies without the glare of the full moon.   


With the moon about to go on the rebound, the old adage holds true.  If everything else is washed out by the moon, view the moon.  In a couple of days, you will be able to view the young crescent moon in the western sky roughly 45 minutes after sunset.   Take note of the fact that even though the moon is just entering the waxing crescent phase, you can still make out the entire 'disk' of the moon.  More on this later.