Messier Objects: M01 – M110

While exploring the heavens this Saturday, our amateur astronomers will be giving a tour of some of the 110 Messier Objects. But what are Messier Objects? Charles Messier (1730 – 1817) was a French astronomer of little education, who through observation and perseverance discovered numerous comets and other deep space objects such as nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters. But comets were his passion. Although his discoveries are noteworthy, he is remembered today for compiling and publishing his and other astronomers’ discoveries into a series of catalogs. Each object listed was given a number; the Crab Nebula – M01, Andromeda galaxy – M13 etc. Ironically his purpose in creating the categories was to list those things which he thought were a time waster, “objects to avoid”, when comet hunting. Although excellent at finding comets and deep space objects and making astute observations of a whole range of things from sunspots to eclipses to occultation of astrological objects, he was no mathematician or theoretician and he relied on others to compute the orbit of his comets. His work earned him the position of Chief Astronomer of the Marine Observatory in 1759. He was also elected to the numerous notable Science Academies throughout Europe. Eventually he received the Cross of the Legion of Honor from Napoleon himself. To this day, his lasting legacy, the Messier Catalog, is still used by amateur astronomers all around the world. It includes the majority of the best deep sky objects visible in the Northern Hemisphere.

Women's Hiking Group - Mar 29 & 31

The DC Women's Hiking Group will hike at Topstone Park in Redding, CT on Tues., Mar. 29th and Thurs., Mar. 31st. From RT. 7, take Topstone Rd. and follow over the RR tracks staying on Topstone Rd. It will turn to a dirt road, shortly after there will be a parking area on the right side of the road. Meet at 9:30am in the parking area.

Spring????

Yesterday was the spring equinox, Ostara the druids called it. It is the day when daylight and night time are about equal. But in nature, this is but a blur in the rotating seasons. In Ridgebury it is snowing hard today. Dog and I walked around the golf course noticing all the signs that our time out there is limited. Benches, trashcans, containers of sand are all out waiting for the “golfermen”. Yet winter hangs on in our every footprint with snow clinging to my boots & Dog’s fur. The hunter’s feeding station is still there. Winter’s woody debris is still scattered about the fairways. But the ponds no longer are covered in their mantle of ice. Geese cruise on one and Dog has spooked some wood ducks out of another. Skunk cabbage is well into its blooming phase with some leaves even unrolling in places. Man declares it Spring but for nature it is tug-of-war time between the seasons. Photo: Wood Duck by Larry Peterson - http://www.pbase.com/larry1dmarkiii/image/95034506/original

Women's Hiking Group - March 22 & 24

The DC Women's Hiking Group will hike at Seth Low Pierrepont State Park on Tues., Mar. 22nd and Thurs., Mar. 24th.
Take Rt. 116 to Barlow Mountain Rd.
Meet in the parking lot at 9:30am.

Supermoon????

Today at 2:10pm the moon will be officially full. At 3pm, the moon’s orbit will bring it the closest to earth, known as perigee. Today it will be the closes it has been in 18 years, 221,565 miles away. This will make the moon appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than the lesser full moons, when the moon is farthest from the earth, known as apogee. Thus,the media has labeled it “Supermoon”. However, to the casual observer, it will be hard to tell the difference. To view it with maximum effect, look to the distant horizon making sure you have objects such as mountains or buildings in the foreground. As the moon rises behind these objects, it creates an optical illusion which makes it look even bigger to the naked eye. (See photo) Don’t worry if you miss it, the moon will appear full for several more days. However, never fear, if you don't get to see it now, you’ll get another chance in 19 years. Photo credit Stefan Seip -Saguaro Moon - http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap070926.html

Today is a Great Day for a Walk

There are a thousand things to do today. We need milk, material for a home improvement project and garden supplies. But dog insisted we leave all of that behind and go for our morning walk. Yesterday’s warmth really encouraged spring to leap forward. There are bleeding heart shoots coming up now among the tulips. The crocuses are adding color to the lawn. The silence of the winter woods has been replaced by the melodious songs of robins, red-wing blackbirds, and much more. A bluebird flew by giving the gray woods a brilliant dab of blue. Down by the “frog ponds” a lone turtle has emerged from its winter nap. It sat on a log with neck outstretched soaking in the sun. Up on the hill, the hawks are fortifying their nest. Seventeen geese flew overhead in a noisy V. But a sure sign of new life to come floats in the vernal pool next to the road. There bulbous masses of wood frog eggs (see photo) are attached to twigs slowly incubating this year’s tadpoles. Dog and I saw all of this in just a 30 minute walk. So go out and enjoy your day even if it is just for a short while. Winter returns tomorrow.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Is maith and sceélaí an aimsir! Gaelic: “Time is a good story teller.” And time has created a lot of stories about the Patron Saint of Ireland. Born Maewyn Succat, his story is about enslavement, conversation to Christianity and finally returning to the island of his enslavement to minister to the existing Christians and covert the rest. He did create the Celtic Cross but by his own admission was not a great success at converting the population. His death on March 17, 461 became his Feast Day and has been celebrated in Ireland since the 7^th Century. Usually falling during Lent, this was the one day the Catholic Irish could revert back to eating meat and making merry. Using the shamrock to explain the Trinity, driving the snakes out and wearing green (blue was his color) have all become part of his story. The Irish immigrates brought St. Patrick’s Day to us and at times it was a bigger holiday here than in their native land. Boston held the first parade in 1737 with NYC following in 1762. During the massive Irish migration in the 1840’s and the anti-Irish sentiment that followed, St. Patrick’s Day became a way for the Irish to gain acceptance and melt into the American Culture with apparently great success. Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh – Happy St. Patrick’s Day to All!