Saturday, September 22, 2007

Seeing In The Dark

" Sky-watching Tunes- Up Your Brain", when you view the cosmos your mind lights up, that is the general consensus of amateur astronomers interviewed in "Seeing In The Dark" a new film by Timothy Ferris . The film started showing on PBS last Wednesday. When viewing the cosmos we are amazed and humbled by the inability to put what your seeing into words. Professor Timothy Ferris states in the film "to see a galaxy is to see time". The show is a mixture of history, technology and art show with music. Timothy profiles more than 20 amateur astronomers, one being Michael Koppelman a record producer for Prince and Paula Abdul . NFL running back and amateur astronomer Robert Smith is also interviewed. The film is shot in 1080p High Definition, and let me tell you it looks great, saw it last night and I give it 5 stars. The main thing you pick up is the passion these amateur astronomers have for their hobby, An amateur astronomer who has been viewing the stars for 25 years states, "no matter how many times I look at Saturn through the telescope it blows my mind, takes my breath away".



Google Earth is getting a face lift. The launching of Digital Globe's WorldView-1 satellite will be able to give you the highest resolution allowed by the U.S. Government (20 inches). WorldView-1 can take tons of images faster as well. A Delta II rocket carrying the WorldView-1 lifted off September 18 at 11:35am PDT from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Google Moon also got a big update, better quality images. This website has photographs from various lunar orbiters and all the Apollo missions. All of the Apollo landing sites are on the maps, you can zoom onto added detailed high resolution images, showing points of interest that sometime include audio visual aids. You may want to check out Google Mars as well, cool site, check out the Face Of Mars , it has a little write up on it.

NASA is looking for new Astronauts, if you have multiple advanced degrees, a body of steel, experience flying jet aircraft and a strong stomach, have they got a job for you. NASA is accepting applications for the 2009 Astronaut Candidate Class. People who apply and are accepted may be either staffing the ISS or heading back to the Moon. The last time NASA recruited for Astronauts was back in 2004, they hired 11 U.S. candidates and 3 international people. Salary ranges from $59,000- $130,000 a year. The press release states the destinations you might travel to; " Texas, Florida, California, Russia, Kazakhstan, The International Space Station and the Moon.

Shirley at Way Cool Pictures posted about my Lunar Eclipse photos on her blog. That was just great thanks very much Shirley. I love her blogs, very cool pictures and a blog on Mandala Art
and Way Cool Quotes, don't know where she finds the time to do a great job on her sites.

17 comments:

kml said...

Thanks for the PBS update - we will have to watch for the film on our station.

My husband loves to use the Google Earth so any updates will please him to no end.

Great informative post!

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks Kathy, you'll love the film!

Nature Nut /JJ Loch said...

I'm going to check the PBS schedule out. Thanks for the heads up!!! I looove shows like that!!!

JJ:D

Bob Johnson said...

Your welcome JJ, I'm watching it again right now.

Rick said...

Awesome post. I can't wait to check out that PBS program!

Bob Johnson said...

Hi Rick thanks, you'll love it, I think it's on twice a week at least.

Berni said...

I'll watch for that too!

I really enjoy your blog and did a little promo for you on my blog this evening.

Bob Johnson said...

That was very nice of you vic grace, thankyou very much!

myonlyphoto said...

Bob, thanks for the post. And here I am the google addict and know nothing about Google Moon or Mars yet - I don't know where was I lol, thanks for the update, I checked it out briefly and looks great. I also check out links of you other bloggers, they got some cool stuff. Thank you for sharing, as always. Anna :)

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks Anna, don't forget the harvest Moon this Wed.

Anonymous said...

I can't remember the last time I just laid on the grass at night in summer time and just looked at the stars.

I'm going to have to do that this summer.

Bob Johnson said...

Rand, unfortunately the summer is over for us in Saskatoon.

myonlyphoto said...

Thanks Bob, I hope I will not miss it because of work, lol. Anna :)

Bob Johnson said...

Your welcome Anna, I may try to get a pic.

Shirley Twofeathers said...

Last night I spent several hours lying on the grass enjoying the moon. It was just awesome! So Rand, I hope you don't wait until summer to go out and enjoy it.

Thank you so much for mentioning my blogs. You are so appreciated! I always learn something new when I come here. I'll have to check PBS and see if I can catch that show.

As for Google Earth, I have mixed feelings about it. I do find it something of an invasion of privacy that someone could zoom in on my little piece of ground and get a really good look at it. On the other hand... I really do have fun when I'm the one zooming... so... like I said. Mixed feelings.

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks Shirley, and thank you again for posting my pics!

Lynda Lehmann said...

Such great information, Bob. Your passion really comes across. BTW, since NASA is looking for recruits I've decided to quit art and blogging and try out for an astronaut's job. Not! :-)

I've been wanting to download Google Earth for awhile, but I have to get a new PC first. This one is ticking like a time bomb!