To: sionnsar; airborne; tuliptree76; King Prout; Dead Corpse; Genesis defender; timpad; TASMANIANRED; ..
Journey Update:
As you may have noticed, the Earth and Moon are growing rather alarmingly as we observe them through the canopies.
It is almost time for another velocity change as we wend our toward Mars, in this case by way of a snap-the-whip maneuver around the Moon.
It might even appear that we are getting a little too close. Not to worry, it will all be over in a few minutes. Er, that is, we will be safely past in a few minutes.
We are scheduled to sail above even the highest peaks on the Lunar surface by more than a hundred miles, so it will only seem as though we are very close.
You will also note that the Moon is appearing in the same general direction that it did when we saw it disappearing last. That is because we are maintaining the same rotation direction, even though we are moving in a different planetary direction.
Ive always wanted to go swinging widdershins around the Moon. Havent you?
Anyway, once past, we will see the Earth and Moon disappearing behind us once again for a very long time, as we trek onward toward Mars.
If we could keep up this speed, we would get to the Martian orbit very quickly. Unfortunately, as we climb out of the Suns gravity well, we will tend to lose momentum, reaching the peak of our travels about where Mars will soon be.
Then with a few adjustments to our orbital speed, well settle into a nice orbit about Mars, and then well send down our expedition.
Okay, that should be about the last sighting of the Moon on that side! Look around to the other side of the canopy quick and see it emerge over there! Look closely because its darker on this side.
You should also be able to see the lights of the cities of Earth in a moment. Dont forget to wave! They may be watching.
3,144 posted on
01/08/2006 5:35:13 PM PST by
NicknamedBob
(How can I compete in a world of Cat 5 and wireless when my brain is wired by knob and tube?)
To: NicknamedBob
Cool! All this circling is confusing, but I know you have it under control.
3,146 posted on
01/08/2006 5:37:43 PM PST by
Tax-chick
(I am just not sure how to get from here to where we want to be.)
To: NicknamedBob
3,147 posted on
01/08/2006 5:38:41 PM PST by
King Prout
(many accuse me of being overly literal... this would not be a problem if many were not under-precise)
To: NicknamedBob; King Prout; Tax-chick; Darksheare; Harmless Teddy Bear; tuliptree76; Das Outsider; ...
Great stuff, Bob!
I think it's my bedtime, though...very shortly, anyway.
(With luck, I'll be able to leave for Vegas this week.)
3,155 posted on
01/08/2006 5:41:30 PM PST by
Monkey Face
(Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface.)
To: NicknamedBob
No wonder I've been so dizzy lately!
To: NicknamedBob
3,190 posted on
01/08/2006 6:24:00 PM PST by
Irish_Thatcherite
(~~~A vote for Bertie Ahern is a vote for Gerry Adams!~~~)
To: NicknamedBob
Don’t forget to wave! They may be watching. Er... yeah... "wave". All that talk about "moons" and stuff I kinda got confused. I'd hate to be the person developing that batch of photos for NASA...
3,236 posted on
01/09/2006 6:21:22 AM PST by
Dead Corpse
(Anyone who needs to be persuaded to be free, doesn't deserve to be. -El Neil)
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson