T'was the Night Before Climate Change

Staff Writer, DL Mullan 

Climate Change / T'was the Night Before 

 ___________________________________

T'was the night before Climate Change and all throughout the globe
not a creature was stirring, no one was in their caps or gowns for bed,
mammals, reptiles, and humans alike did not make a sound:
because the genetically modified mosquitoes killed them all. 

As animals and humans lie dead in their tracks,
all the machinery that kept their lives livable
ran undeterred with lots of carbon emissions
and would run forever thanks to their solar panels.

The rise of the machines! Artificial Intelligence
would keep the world running as all the green house
gases spewed into the atmosphere like smog.
No person was there to halt the environmental carnage.

But the Earth lived on. She did not miss a solstice
or equinox. She did not understand why she had
more oxygen than carbon dioxide in the air.
Animals and people were not around to balance the equation.

So the plants began to die. The trees wilted and fell over.
None of the flowers were left to bloom. Without the mammals,
reptiles, and humans, oxygen overwhelmed the planet.
Earth suffocated as the machines began to rust.

No humans were around to keep the machines running.
Soon the utopia of zero carbon emissions took hold.
Earth's nitrogen rich atmosphere changed without the addition
of the small carbon atom that kept the world in sync.

A thousand years without the carbon makers and the Earth
turned into a huge rock with dried up oceans, compromised
atmosphere, and a dying magnetic field. Without the carbon makers,
Earth's heart bled and her spirit broke.

Alone in space with nowhere to turn, Earth became like
Venus and Mars: unmanageable, uninhabitable, and barren.
T'was the night before Climate Change and all through the lands,
Earth hoped the polluters would live as her life force demands. 

Maybe we should stop the damage done by Climate Change Advocates and Alarmists before it is too late to save our Mother Earth.

Thank you. 

T'was the Night Before Climate Change

Staff Writer, DL Mullan 

Climate Change / T'was the Night Before 

 ___________________________________

T'was the night before Climate Change and all throughout the globe
not a creature was stirring, no one was in their caps or gowns for bed,
mammals, reptiles, and humans alike did not make a sound:
because the genetically modified mosquitoes killed them all. 

As animals and humans lie dead in their tracks,
all the machinery that kept their lives livable
ran undeterred with lots of carbon emissions
and would run forever thanks to their solar panels.

The rise of the machines! Artificial Intelligence
would keep the world running as all the green house
gases spewed into the atmosphere like smog.
No person was there to halt the environmental carnage.

But the Earth lived on. She did not miss a solstice
or equinox. She did not understand why she had
more oxygen than carbon dioxide in the air.
Animals and people were not around to balance the equation.

So the plants began to die. The trees wilted and fell over.
None of the flowers were left to bloom. Without the mammals,
reptiles, and humans, oxygen overwhelmed the planet.
Earth suffocated as the machines began to rust.

No humans were around to keep the machines running.
Soon the utopia of zero carbon emissions took hold.
Earth's nitrogen rich atmosphere changed without the addition
of the small carbon atom that kept the world in sync.

A thousand years without the carbon makers and the Earth
turned into a huge rock with dried up oceans, compromised
atmosphere, and a dying magnetic field. Without the carbon makers,
Earth's heart bled and her spirit broke.

Alone in space with nowhere to turn, Earth became like
Venus and Mars: unmanageable, uninhabitable, and barren.
T'was the night before Climate Change and all through the lands,
Earth hoped the polluters would live as her life force demands. 

Maybe we should stop before it is too late to save our Mother Earth.

Thank you. 

CHs Face Earth, Tornado Alert

Staff Writer, Nathaniel Diaz

Astrophysics /Weather
___________________________________

CHs Face Earth, Tornado Alert

Today's Featured Links:

Dust: https://weather.com/news/news/blowing...
ProtoDisk: http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso1611/

Source: Suspicious Observers 

The Morning Sky is Alive

Staff Writer, Nathaniel Diaz
Astronomy / Skywatching
_________________________________

Jupiter, Venus, and Mars are all lining up in the morning sky. As Venus treks eastward, the planets draw closer to together throughout this month. 

Mercury is low by the horizon.

As for the last visible planet, Saturn sets in the early night's sky. So enjoy!

Source: Interactive Star Chart,  When the Curves Line Up

Want to Join Insignt on Its way to Mars?

Staff Writer, DL Mullan
Mars  / NASA
____________________________

Send Your Name to Mars on NASA's Insight

Do you want to go to Mars but cannot make the trip?  NASA has a way to add your name to the Lander going there called Insight.

InSight (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) is a NASA Discovery Program mission that will place a single geophysical lander on Mars to study its deep interior.  

Mission Update: Send your name to the Red Planet aboard InSight

But InSight is more than a Mars mission - it is a terrestrial planet explorer that will address one of the most fundamental issues of planetary and solar system science - understanding the processes that shaped the rocky planets of the inner solar system (including Earth) more than four billion years ago.

By using sophisticated geophysical instruments, InSight will delve deep beneath the surface of Mars, detecting the fingerprints of the processes of terrestrial planet formation, as well as measuring the planet's "vital signs": Its "pulse" (seismology), "temperature" (heat flow probe), and "reflexes" (precision tracking).

Last Day to Register: September 8, 2015 (Midnight ET)

Source: NASA

Last Week On Mars

Staff Writer, Nathaniel Diaz

Mars / Space Weather
___________________________________

Last Week On Mars

This channel will evaluate the Suns effect on the Martian atmosphere as a weekly Martian weather report using the available data from the landers and orbiters now operating on and around mars. We will monitor of solar wind, coronal hole streams and coronal mass ejections and report their effects as they interact with the martian atmosphere

Source: Mars Observers

Russian Scientists ‘Map’ Water Vapour in Martian Atmosphere

Staff Writer, Nathaniel Diaz

Solar System / Water Vapor
____________________________________

Water is not native to Earth. Mars has water vapor in its atmosphere: 

Russian Scientists ‘Map’ Water Vapour in Martian Atmosphere

Russian scientists from the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), together with their French and American colleagues, have created a “map” of the distribution of water vapour in Mars’ atmosphere. Their research includes observations of seasonal variations in atmospheric concentrations using data collected over ten years by the Russian-French SPICAM spectrometer aboard the Mars Express orbiter. This is the longest period of observation and provides the largest volume of data about water vapour on Mars.

Source: MIPT

Comet Siding Spring Visible This Evening

Staff Writer, Nathaniel Diaz

Astronomy /Astrophysics
____________________________________

The newly discovered comet, Siding Spring, will be observable tonight right after sunset by the planet Mars.

Or, you can watch via Slooh:

The Slooh Community Observatory will broadcast a double feature about Comet Siding Spring's close pass by Mars on Sunday (Oct. 19). The first Slooh webcast will start at 2:15 p.m. EDT (1815 GMT), and the second will begin at 8:30 p.m. EDT (0030 Oct. 20 GMT).

Source: Space,  

Comet Siding Spring - Potential Interactions

Staff Writer, Nathaniel Diaz
Astronomy / Comets
__________________________________

Comet Siding Spring - Potential Interactions 

A look into the future of the comet set to intercept Mars.


Source: Suspicious Observers

Comet Siding Spring - Introduction

Staff Writer, Nathaniel Diaz
Astronomy / Comets
__________________________________

Comet Siding Spring - Introduction

All you wanted to know about the next comet to have a show in our solar system.


Source: Suspicious Observers

Skywatching Opportunities Bring Planets and Moon Rays

Staff Writer, DL Mullan

Astronomy / Stargazing
_______________________________

June is a bit quiet when it comes to stargazing events. However, every night Mercury, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn can be seen as well as different modes of the Moon. In the morning hours close to dawn, Venus shines bright.

• June 13 - Full Moon. The Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth. This phase occurs at 04:11 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full Strawberry Moon because it signaled the time of year to gather ripening fruit. It also coincides with the peak of the strawberry harvesting season. This moon has also been known as the Full Rose Moon and the Full Honey Moon.
• June 21 - June Solstice. The June solstice occurs at 10:51 UTC. The North Pole of the earth will be tilted toward the Sun, which will have reached its northernmost position in the sky and will be directly over the Tropic of Cancer at 23.44 degrees north latitude. This is the first day of summer (summer solstice) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of winter (winter solstice) in the Southern Hemisphere.
• June 27 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 08:08 UTC. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.

Source: Sea and Sky, AccuWeather, Weather Underground  

A Beautiful Night to Sit and Watch the Planets

Staff Writer, DL Mullan
Astronomy / Stargazing
___________________________________

Tonight, the skies are clear for stargazing. 

In the early evening expect to see Mercury very close to the western horizon. Jupiter will set soon after as he trails Orion in the Constellation Gemini.

Mars and Saturn will dominate the sky for the rest of the evening until the waxing gibbous moon rises.

In the early morning hours, Venus will rise before the sun makes his appearance at dawn.  

8pm Skyline in Phoenix

Source: Weather Underground, AccuWeather

Cloudy at First, Then Patchy with Starlight

Staff Writer, Nathaniel Diaz 
Astronomy / Weather
_______________________________

Tonight, stargazing weather will be fair. Cloudy conditions will turn patchy as the night progresses. Those stargazers who are out when the clouds only obstruct 36% of the sky later on will see Mars followed by Saturn.

For skywatchers who caught a glimpse of a shiny planet after sundown, Mercury has come from the other side of the Sun and is now setting in the West close to the horizon.

Here's the Phoenix night sky for tonight as of 8pm:

Source: Weather Underground,  Accuweather 

Volcanos, Sunspot Growth, Coronal Holes

Staff Writer, Nathaniel Diaz
Meteorology / Heliosphere
___________________________________

Volcanos, Sunspot Growth, Coronal Holes

The current spaceweather indicates sunspots are gaining in complexity and flaring is rising. Saturn is lining up with the Sun as well as a Mars and Venus Conjunction. Coronal holes are weak thus far with the next batch of positive and negative coming in on the next wave look to be a strong combination. Watch out for earthquakes in the coming days.

Today's Featured Links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un8kQ...



Source: Suspicious Observers 

Stargazing with Planets and a Crescent Moon

Staff Writer, DL Mullan
Astronomy / Stargazing
___________________________________

Tonight, the sky will be clear to view the coming summer sky. Orion sets early as will the waxing crescent moon.

Daily Stats: 

Moon	6:46 AM MST		8:50 PM MST
Length of Visible Light	14h 22m
Length of Day	13h 29m

The visible planets this evening will be Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn with Venus rising a little before 4am.

Visibility:

Source: Weather Underground, Accuweather   

Lunar Shadow Dancing: April's Total Eclipse Highlights

Staff Writer, DL Mullan
Photographer, DL Mullan
Lunar Eclipse / Astrophotography
____________________________________

Just in case you missed the total lunar eclipse, here are some highlights:

The Moon enters the Earth's penumbra.

Slowly the Moon is covered in darkness.

Halfway to Totality.

The moon remained red and in the Earth's shadow for over an hour. A very impressive evening watching the movement of the planet and her satellite.

Mars was the closest to Earth for the entire year tonight and during the total eclipse was brighter than the moon. Spica even got in some sparkle time while the brightness of the moon was veiled. Saturn pulled up the rear as he traveled through the elliptical plane around the sun.

 

 

Refracted Light is about to Disappear.

Jupiter and Orion had already set for the evening before the Moon went into the Earth's shadow. 

A very good night for skywatchers.

Ghost Hunters Should Investigate Luminary on Mars

Staff Writer, DL Mullan

Curiosity / NASA
__________________________________

There have been some freaky images coming from NASA's Rover, Curiosity, over the last few months. First it was an overturned rock, now it's a shiny but distant optical illusion. 

Mars has become more than a planet of mystery; it's become the next reality show.

Everyone seems intrigued with the images. Some want alien life to exist. Some want Ghost Hunters to investigate. Some are curious as to why the rover is hitting so many jackpots.

I voted for number two. 

NASA had this statement about the shiny object: 

A few pictures -- taken April 2 and 3 -- show the bright spots. These were taken with the rover's "right-eye camera," yet others that were shot within a second from the "left-eye" camera don't show the same, explains Guy Webster, a spokesman with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Hence, it's unlikely any being -- from whatever world -- caused them.

Each time, "the sun was in the same direction as the bright spot -- west-northwest from the rover -- and relatively low in the sky," said Webster. That could lead one to believe that sun was reflecting off the rock the same way each time.

Too bad the shiny object may only be a rock or cosmic ray, I really wanted Ghost Hunters to investigate. It would be interesting that other worldly entities visit the other planets in the solar system besides ours. In closets and under the bed must be boring for energy beings by now.

Well, a reality show on Mars would be fascinating to see.



Source: CNN

Earth's Eclipse and Mars Opposition

Staff Writer, DL Mullan

Astronomy / Astrophysics

__________________________________

Even though the Earth cannot play host to an eclipse on Mars by going in between the Sun and Mars this evening, it is the same principle as our Moon interfering with our sunlight.

Tonight is one of those rare nights that the Earth and Mars are incredibly close. The red star in the Eastern to midheaven sky is Mars. 

Mars is bright now! It’s easy to see with the unaided eye from all parts of Earth – as bright as the sky’s brightest star. Mars is brighter than it’s been for six years, since December 2007.

And that's not all skywatchers: 

Quite literally, this is Mars’ day in the sun. Take advantage, for Mars won’t be returning to opposition again until May 22, 2016.

By the way, Mars is not precisely closest to Earth on April 8, the day of opposition. Our two worlds will be closest together on April 14. On that night, Mars and the star Spica will appear near the moon as the moon undergoes a total eclipse!

 

And to the West, view Orion, Spica, and Jupiter.

So break out those binoculars, telescopes, and dslr cameras, this one is for the history books. Well, at least your sky diary.

Source: EarthSky, 

Mars Attacks! Oh, Nevermind, It's Just a Rock

Staff Writer, DL Mullan

Mars Rovers / NASA
______________________________

"A comparison of two raw Pancam photographs from sols 3528 and 3540 of Opportunity's mission (a sol is a Martian day). Notice the "jelly doughnut"-sized rock in the center of the photograph to the right. Minor adjustments for brightness and contrast."

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

"It's about the size of a jelly doughnut," NASA Mars Exploration Rover lead scientist Steve Squyres of Cornell University at a special NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory told Discovery News. "It was a total surprise, we were like 'wait a second, that wasn't there before, it can't be right. Oh my god! It wasn't there before!’ We were absolutely startled."

Well it looks as if NASA has an alien prankster on Mars, or the Rover, Opportunity, flipped a rock and it landed onto top of this other rock during maneuvers. Either way, NASA scientists are excited about the find:

“It obligingly turned upside down, so we’re seeing a side that hasn’t seen the Martian atmosphere in billions of years and there it is for us to investigate. It’s just a stroke of luck.”  

“You think of Mars as being a very static place and I don’t think there’s a smoking hole nearby so it’s not a bit of crater ejecta, I think it’s something that we did … we flung it.”

These little robots sent to Mars has given the people on the Earth the opportunity to see beyond our little blue planet. We are getting to experience life on another planet. 

A brief history of the rover program: 

Opportunity has outlived its 3-month primary missionby ten years, notching up nearly 23 miles on the odometer so far. Sister rover Spirit succumbed to the Martian elements in 2009 when it became stuck in a sand trap in Gusev Crater. Spirit’s mission was declared lost when it stopped transmitting in March 2010, likely drained of energy. Although Spirit had the rougher time on Mars and was the first to die, it was also a huge success, aiding our understanding of Mars' geological history and outliving its warranty by 5 years. But now it's just Opportunity and Mars' new arrival Curiosity that soldier on to reveal more than we ever dreamed about our neighboring Red Planet.

These rovers has given every child, and the child inside adults, dreams of other worlds. Dreams only more exploration can satiate. Dreams that will give way to more dreams and rovers.

Is a Mars colony next? Shouldn't we have already been there by now? Money wasted on wars and cronyism hasn't given Americans, or the rest of the world, what we hunger for: knowledge that lies in the undiscovered country of our universe. 

Let us be who we are. Let us strive. Let us explore.

Source: Space,