Posted on 12/19/2011 8:55:40 AM PST by SunkenCiv
Explanation: Some beautiful things begin as grains of sand. Locked in an oyster, a granule grows into an iridescent pearl, lustrous and lovely to behold. While hurtling through the atmosphere at 35 kilometers per second, a generous cosmic sand grain becomes an awe-inspiring meteor, its transient beauty displayed for any who care to watch. This years Geminid meteor shower peaked last week with sky enthusiasts counting as many as 150 meteors per hour, despite the din of bright moon. Pictured above the Taftan volcano in southeast Iran, a meteor streaks between the bright star Sirius on the far left and the familiar constellation of Orion toward the image center. Sky watchers are looking forward to next years Geminids which should peak during a unobstructive new Moon.
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[Credit & Copyright: Arman Golestaneh]
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I was in Daytona last month and didn’t make my usual pilgrimage to the Kennedy Space Center. My heart has been broken.
Orion. My favorite constellation.
Press TV reports God had intended the meteor would appear over Israel. However, a crack team of Iranian Guards were able to hack the object’s GPS system. They now intend to study and replicate space rock technology for Iran’s benefit.
My first response, upon learning that this picture was taken from inside Iran, is whether we are sending a not-so-subtle message that we can do many things inside Iranian borders.
To be fair, Iran has had a very open and friendly Amateur Astronomy group.
Several years ago, my local group was beaten out for the “Astronomy Day program of the Year” by the nation of Iran and the Keck folks in Hawaii. Other years we have beaten them out. Not bad for 20 or so folks in South Georgia.
We won the award several other years, got honorable mentions and a “Most Consistent” award several other years.
Just because Iran is run by a bunch of lunatics, doesn’t mean everyone there is a lunatic.
What is the difference between an amateur astronomer and a lunatic?
Mebbe the lunatics with telescopes work for the lunatics in charge....
I saw one here in Atlanta on this past Wednesday night.
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