Astronomy, The Sky and Outer Space

A News Flash Asteroid that came nearer to Earth than the moon (... but was only spotted two days before the close encounter)

Hi Morgana, The thing though is that we have lost the cold clear sky nights of a week ago. Meteors or shooting stars can be seen on most clear nights if we are watching away from artificial light and even better if there is no moon.

Yes you're right Philip we have lost our clear skies it was captured in other countries but not the same. As for no moon you might yet get your wish as the Americans have just blown up the top off a mountain on the dark side of the moon which effects our skies.

Hi all One of the best things about Astronomy is that provided we have our eyesight, we can all take part. Not all of us have access to test tubes, bunsen burners or fully fitted out labs, but the sky is ever present. The photos loaded in this thread, show what can be achieved from a suburb of Coventry. I was intrigued yesterday when listening to an interview on radio 4 with a female astrophysicist, where latest scientific thinking suggests that our moon was cannoned out of the earth, after our earth was hit by a similar size object. Two books, 'Ages in Chaos' & 'Worlds in Collision' written by Dr. Immanuel Velikovsky, deal with this issue in the same way. He tried to tie up the names that we give to the planets & other objects in the sky, with the parts that they played during their evolusion. There are links between Astrology & Astronomy, but my jury is still out as to what is what. I am amused at this time of year when some religious groups shy away from the existence of astrology or future telling, when their scripture is full of it. The wise men that came to Bethlehem had 'Star-Nav', as any nativity play member will tell us.

Good morning Philip, Didn't the ships navigate by the stars years ago. Of course all the modern technology today rules all that out. My dad used to point out to me the Plough, the Unicorn, and Great Bear and others, something you tend to forget as you grow older.

Not only did ships navigate by the stars, in WW2 bombers the navigator used take a 'Star shot' with their sextant from inside the astro-dome on the top/middle of the aircraft, obviously they did this at night when flying blind to the target. They also used an Astro Compass, my father had one of these in a box when I was very young and I took it on myself to dismantle it for him while he was at work one day.... all I have left is the X,Y spirit level and the memory of a good hiding, he was not a happy man

I was going to start with 'it wasn't too bad inside those bombers' but not quite the right words for what I mean, the Navigator (in a Lancaster) had his table with charts on to plot a course and had a curtain around him with a Herbert Terry anglepoise lamp with a small shade (very rare) though trying to be able to do a star shot must have been impossible if the aircraft was avoiding flak/gunfire. The white looking markings on the Astro-compass were painted with luminous paint so helped them a little bit, though I could not for one minute put myself in those conditions and then doing calculations while all hell is breaking loose, they were very brave men and I for one respect them all.

Hi all We will all have to keep our heads down around the 15th of Feb, as we entertain an asteroid. The asteroid will pass us at an altitude of just over 17,000 miles. The closest encounter is for our down-under friends, so do beware. Please check your 'Billabong escape route', Dreamtime. Please can we have a full report.

Hello Philip, Not heard a whisper here about the asteroid, but then we are in W.A. (wait awhile) so they will let us know probably the day before it is due, as is the norm! Have you any idea what we will encounter Prof?

Hi Dreamtime I don't have an answer for that. The experts on the subject are divided on opinion, so as long as we have your report on our forum & that we have not been exterminated, we will be ok. Hey, I tell you what, it is lovely to see the lighter mornings here in Coventry, although it's closing in on your location. I have never been anywhere near your part of the world, the nearest that I have been was East Africa in 1960. I worked with an accountant at one time who was from Australia & he shared a lot of his experiences. Sadly, he died a few years ago having suffered with cancer at a very early age. I love reading your posts, Dreamtime & your fellow residents there.

Tis I again Philip, looking out at the evening sky with clouds and just a sprinkling of stars I find it surprising after a hot cloudless day. It has been forecast for 38 degs. for Saturday and Sunday so we still have plenty of hot weather to come yet. All the sun worshipers will be there despite the experts telling them not to do so. I remember our annual two weeks holiday wishing for the sun to always be there for us and we always enjoyed it no matter how the weather turned out. To me the summers seem longer and the weather patterns changing, too hot here and too many floods over in the east. The State Government have axed research funding for the Perth Observatory at $300,000 annually. The P. Obs., played a pivotal research role during its 116 years history, causing an uproar amongst many. I will certainly watch for anything concerning the asteroid providing we have not all shrivelled up in the heat in the meantime.

Hi all We are all safe from being doomed. Asteroid Set normal cruising speed please, Dreamtime. Happy pancake day.

Hold on a minute! "Get yer tin hats on!" 1,000 injured as 40-ton meteor travelling at 33,000mph explodes over a terrified town This is no joke.

Is this the shape of things to come Philip? I did not see the paper today and there was nothing on the evening news, most likely tomorrow. Thank you for the headlines. Mmmm, I will be thinking about the tin hats now!