Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Spotlight on Uranus (It's Getting Closer)
Globe and Mail ^ | August 27, 2004 | Michael Kesterton

Posted on 08/27/2004 7:26:04 AM PDT by Loyalist

If Uranus seems closer this evening, it is. Today, the planet (its name is pronounced you-rah-nus) is at its closest point to Earth, only 1.77 billion miles away -- 19 times the distance from the Earth to the sun. Patient people with binoculars can find this blue-green world in Aquarius. Some notes:

Once you know which dot of light is Uranus, you might be able to find it with your eyes alone -- but only if you have excellent vision and a clear, dark sky away from city light pollution, says Newsday. Next week, once the moon is out of the way, give it a shot.

In 1781, Sir William Herschel discovered Uranus and named it Georgium Sidus (George's Star) in honour of George III. The French preferred to call the planet Herschel. German astronomer, Johann Bode, Herschel's contemporary, proposed that the mythological associations of the outer planets be continued by naming it Uranus, after the grandfather of Zeus.

At the time of Sir William's discovery, several northern constellations had names that might be associated with politicians or rulers: Gloria Fredrici (the sceptre of Fredrick the Great) and Globus Aerostaticus (the hot-air balloon).


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: astronomy; greatheadline; moonsofuranus; ringarounduranus; space; uranus
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-60 last
To: longshadow

The more we learn about Uranus, the less I like it.


41 posted on 08/27/2004 7:56:37 AM PDT by PatrickHenry (A compassionate evolutionist!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: Loyalist
(its name is pronounced you-rah-nus)

Yeah, right!

42 posted on 08/27/2004 7:56:47 AM PDT by dfwgator (It's sad that the news media treats Michael Jackson better than our military.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: longshadow
"The planet that dare not utter its name" placemarker.

Interestingly there is a town in the U.S. named after every planet--but one. Clarification: for each planet (save one) there is a town in the U.S. named after that planet.

Reasons: (1) Nobody wants to live in Uranus; (2) Nobody wants to ask directions: "Hey buddy, how do I get to Uranus?"

--Boris

43 posted on 08/27/2004 7:57:43 AM PDT by boris (The deadliest weapon of mass destruction in history is a Leftist with a word processor)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: Stag
>Your cracked


44 posted on 08/27/2004 7:58:30 AM PDT by theFIRMbss
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Mr Ramsbotham
"Is that the one with the rings?"

If you've got rings on Uranus, you'd better go see a doctor...

45 posted on 08/27/2004 7:59:07 AM PDT by Hatteras
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Loyalist

They'd best keep their spotlight to themselves...


46 posted on 08/27/2004 8:04:50 AM PDT by Noumenon (The Left's dedication to the destruction of a free society makes them unfit to live in that society.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: longshadow

47 posted on 08/27/2004 8:10:02 AM PDT by PatrickHenry (A compassionate evolutionist!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: boris
Interestingly there is a town in the U.S. named after every planet--but one. Clarification: for each planet (save one) there is a town in the U.S. named after that planet.

Reasons: (1) Nobody wants to live in Uranus; (2) Nobody wants to ask directions: "Hey buddy, how do I get to Uranus?"

This will be small consolation for the residents of Intercourse, PA.

;-)

48 posted on 08/27/2004 8:10:34 AM PDT by longshadow
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: longshadow
Irregular Moons Discovered Around Uranus .
49 posted on 08/27/2004 8:20:04 AM PDT by PatrickHenry (A compassionate evolutionist!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: dirtboy
Spotlight on Uranus

Isn't that what they're calling the Protologist's convention this year?

Nurse walks into surgery with a beer for the doctor.

"No! I said a BUTT LIGHT."

50 posted on 08/27/2004 8:20:12 AM PDT by harrycarey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: al baby

"Moon river..."


51 posted on 08/27/2004 8:21:57 AM PDT by harrycarey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: longshadow
Little known fact: Uranus' blue color is caused by the methane (CH4) in its atmosphere. Really.
52 posted on 08/27/2004 8:28:30 AM PDT by PatrickHenry (A compassionate evolutionist!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: Loyalist

I'm sorry, I thought this was an article on McGreevy...


53 posted on 08/27/2004 8:31:25 AM PDT by TSgt (I would be banned if I posted what I thought of Islam.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PatrickHenry
Little known fact: Uranus' blue color is caused by the methane (CH4) in its atmosphere. Really.

Your obsession with this planet, this thread, and methane gas, is duly noted.

;-)

54 posted on 08/27/2004 8:32:01 AM PDT by longshadow
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: longshadow

And your Urano-phobia is noted as well.


55 posted on 08/27/2004 8:35:14 AM PDT by PatrickHenry (A compassionate evolutionist!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: All

This just in

John Kerry says he was in uranus Christmas of 68


56 posted on 08/27/2004 8:46:16 AM PDT by al baby (please only one screen name per person)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: boris
Interestingly there is a town in the U.S. named after every planet--but one.

I heard Governor McGreevey was working to change that.

57 posted on 08/27/2004 8:49:21 AM PDT by Colonel_Flagg ("If I had a hammer, I'd use it on Peter, Paul and Mary." - Howard Rosenberg)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

Comment #58 Removed by Moderator

Comment #59 Removed by Moderator

To: Names Ash Housewares

From what I've heard, it seems that some schools are actually pronouncing it that way, with the emphasis on the "r."


60 posted on 08/27/2004 10:34:22 AM PDT by scott7278 (Kerry/Edwards: More Affordable Hair Care for America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-60 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson