I like the new color

Posted by Photonstopper on September 27, 2008
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Fresh Paint
Fresh Paint

During a Public Night at the observatory not long ago, I noticed a young boy picking at the blistering paint on the curved wall that supports the dome. Had it gotten that bad, so bad that you could see the flakes in the darkness? Yes, it was that bad. So I spent a good amount of effort wire brushing the flakes from the wall, applying a primer coat –in some places bare concrete stucco had been exposed– finishing with the color coat. In a reverse-order move I noticed that the capstones supporting the dome rotating mechanicals looked pretty bad with their yellowed gray paint. So I wire brushed them, applied primer, and painted the capstone faces. Had to clean up a few drips that fell on the newly painted wall below but I'm glad I did it anyway. So here, in living color, is a photo of the Cooley Telescope surrounded by a non-gray wall, capped with stones painted to look like stone… their own native sandstone to be specific.I'm sure some antique observatory folk will be shocked when they see it. I, however, think it looks splendid. I'd have done the inside of the dome too, if I'd have been able. Next I must find a way to refinish the telescope in situ.

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Spotting the Spot

Posted by Photonstopper on September 23, 2008
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Jupiter
Jupiter

Much to my surprise the Saturday night Public Night at the Observatory went very well indeed. The late afternoon skies were light to heavily clouded and I thought if we were lucky we'd have poor views of Jupiter and that's all. After sunset, however, the sky grew clear and steady. First visitors arrived at 7:30 — a full half-hour ahead of starting time — so as soon as I had the telescope uncovered and the dome open, we began. Early viewing of Jupiter was best and, for my first time ever (somewhat embarrassed to say) I saw the Great Red Spot. As the night progressed people came and went. I shared views of Jupiter, the Andromeda Galaxy, and the double cluster in Perseus. We took a break just before 8:30 to adjourn to the front yard to watch for a passage of the International Space Station. A group of about 20 of us watched as the brilliant star-like light of the ISS appeared through neighboring trees, moved in stately fashion west to east high over our heads, sinking and finally disappearing into Earth's shadow. The show took three or four minutes and was very popular amongst our visitors. The last of our 50 visitors left just after 10:00 PM as Jupiter sank behind the trees. Most memorable to me was that Red Spot sighting — not all that distinct but I'll always remember finally spotting the spot!

Note: The photo here came from the NOAA Web page describing Jupiter but fairly represents what I saw.

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A pleasant afternoon in Berea

Posted by Photonstopper on September 14, 2008
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Coe Park
Coe Park

The remnants of Hurricane Ike were headed our way today. It wasn't that the day dawned dark and rainy — it was a partly cloudy morning. Nor was it terribly windy as we rolled out of bed — breezes were light. The weather systems had, however, conspired to make it a very muggy and uncomfortable time to be outdoors doing much of anything. We spent the morning lolling about the house –which is usually my favorite way to spend a Sunday morning anyway– and ventured out only in the afternoon. We simply could not stay "in" all day. She Who Must Be Obeyed discovered that today was the day for the Berea Art Fest so we headed out for a stroll around the grounds to see what creations were on display. There were some very nice things but we found ourselves drawn to the newly dedicated nature trail in the town's Coe Park. A slow-paced walk along the lake and through the woods was just the ticket. Leaving the park we visited a very old cemetery, studied headstones and ancient trees, and then headed to the downtown area. Berea is a small city, home to Baldwin-Wallace College. The old downtown area features a number of small businesses catering to students. We first sought out the Baskin-Robbins ice cream store but discovered it had been pushed out of existence, along with several other small businesses, by a neighboring Giant Grocery Store (unnamed because I dislike them so much). Circling back into the old business district we stopped at The Bean and Book coffee shop. They had a sign advertising Velvet Ice Cream which turned out to be quite wonderful and most refreshing –She was sagging due to the heat– I had "Peanut Butter Cup" from their "Supreme" product line, and She had "Cinnamon" from their "Natural" product line. We enjoyed our treats indoors watching the gathering clouds and blustering winds through the front windows. Other patrons enjoyed coffee and free Wi-Fi connections at their tables indoors. A most pleasant experience; we may stop back there for lunch some day. As we headed home the clouds thickened, winds increased, and the temperature began to drop. It may be a stormy night is on the way for us, but it was a very pleasant afternoon.

Coe Park Turtles
Coe Park Turtles

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Mists, birds, and rainbow webs

Posted by Photonstopper on September 12, 2008
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Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron

Rainbow Web
Rainbow Web

I got several good images from my brief visit to Hinckley Lake yesterday before a very, very long work "day." Some shots were, of course, better than others. Some have been deleted –just no good– and a few got away. I'm pretty happy with this shot of a Great Blue Heron starting its day in the shallows. I watched as it preened its expansive wings, stretched, and then stood as if to begin warming up for a morning of fishing. A hunter of another sort had laid a trap that I found all covered with dew. The droplets and low sun angle combined to create a shimmering rainbow on, what for insects, is a deadly snare but what, for the spider, means life. Needless to say, mornings at Hinckley Lake are my favorite time there and I feel calmed just recalling the scenes and sensations from my visit.

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We’re not really here

Posted by Photonstopper on September 11, 2008
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There are some who fear the start-up of the Large Hadron Collider –a mammoth atomic particle accelerator– saying it will create black holes that will, with a giant sucking sound, consume the Earth and all we hold dear. A NASA scientist I was listening to last night reassured his audience… sort of. When someone asked when was it that the LHC was supposed to begin operations, he replied, "oh, it has been started. And we're not really here."

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Sunrise at Hinckley Lake

Posted by Photonstopper on September 10, 2008
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Sunrise at Hinckley Lake
Sunrise at Hinckley Lake


It was a beautiful morning at nearby Hinckley Lake where I went to enjoy the quiet early day. It's a needed respite which will help me prepare for the long day ahead; a day which will include working til about midnight on a computer server that is on its last legs. Here we see the early sun shining through mists rising from the still surface of the lake. How I would have loved to spend more time there and how I would love to go out tonight — the skies should be wonderful for astronomy. Alas, I must work to earn an income. Money may not buy happiness, but it helps!

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Quiet weekend of painting (walls) and photography

Posted by Photonstopper on September 8, 2008
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I spent Saturday afternoon applying the color coat the the walls of the observatory dome room. It's a deep sky blue color the paint company calls "Pacific Panorama." It's a radical departure from what has been seen there in the past and I hope traditionalists aren't going to be too upset. Because they now look so drab (faded yellowish-gray) I'll next paint the facing edges of the capstones –the stone slabs at the top of the curved dome wall upon which the dome rails are mounted– a shade of terra cota.I'll post a photo when I've finished.

Queen Anne's Lace
Queen Anne’s Lace

Today She and I spent the afternoon on a quick trip to West Branch State Park — an Ohio park with a large lake and reservoir as the focal point. Beautiful drive out and a rather nice woodland hike of about a mile and one-half according to the GPS. The cloudy skies made photography difficult but we both managed to capture some nice views of nature. I had many that "got away" but used my brand-new 50mm macro lens to record a rather nice shot of some Queen Anne's Lace along the roadside. I didn't know until later that there's a single, tiny set of red petals at the very center of the complex collection of tiny blooms! (Look at the photo "full-size.") The macro checked out just fine and will be a lot of fun to use but, on darkish days like today, the depth of focus is practically nil though sharpness of the new lens is superb — really can't ask for more from it. I may post another photo or two from our little walk at a later date.

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Old glass

Posted by Photonstopper on September 3, 2008
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Telescope in "Cone Dome"
Telescope in "Cone Dome"

Once in a while it's nice to be given the V.I.P. treatment. On Saturday night, August 30, we received such a treat. During our vacation visit to Cincinnati I wanted to show Sweetie the historic and beautiful Cincinnati Observatory Center. There were no public hours that day. Because I had visited there during an observatory conference in May, however, we were put in touch with the observatory's historian who invited me to stop in and witness installation of a newly-refurbished telescope in a long-unused and very unusual observatory space! That made for a most excellent afternoon even She enjoyed.

I must have looked sad eyed enough when I learned there would be no public observing on the hill that night… John, the historian, invited us to return after dark and enjoy a private viewing of Jupiter through the 11-inch Merz und Mahler refracting telescope. That telescope went into operation on April 14, 1845 in Cincinnati and has been in use since. Saturday had been a very hot and moderately humid day so it took some time for the atmosphere to settle and for the dome to cool. While we waited for things to settle down our host conducted us on a detailed historical tour of the two buildings that comprise the Observatory Center. What a fine place it is with such history — all concerned should be commended for their efforts in its rescue and ongoing restoration. She very much enjoyed the historical aspects of the place.

Merz und Mahler Telescope
Merz und Mahler Telescope

After the tour we returned to the Mitchel Observatory where the visit had begun for us and we were treated to a fine view of Jupiter and its Galilean moons. I was allowed to move the scope around a bit and fished for nearby objects. In over 160 years of use the telescope has outlived it's German makers and the American astronomers who installed and first used it. It has outlived hundreds and possibly thousands of people who, over the years, have scientifically or more casually gazed at the heavens thorough it's beautifully crafted lenses. That night the opportunity came to me as, momentarily, its most current user. To touch and operate such an instrument; to look with it at the wonder and inconceivably ancient beauty of the cosmos; to share that honor and a privilege with those many who have gone before was a moving and memorable experience. Thank you John and Craig for your kindness and generosity in hosting our visit.

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Seriously, folks…

Posted by Photonstopper on September 3, 2008
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Memorial to Martha & Inca
Memorial to Martha & Inca

This beautiful structure is to be found on the grounds of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. A plaque mounted on the stone beneath the sculpture in the foreground reads as follows:

This memorial, sponsored by the Langdon Club, is dedicated to "Martha" September 1, 1914, the last passenger pigeon and "Inca" February 21, 1918 the last known Carolina paraquet and all extinct species. This building was home to "Martha" and "Inca" for many years until their deaths. It is the hope of the Langdon Club that people who visit this memorial will work toward the preservation of all of the world's fauna.

Notes: The Langdon Club was named in honor of Dr. Frank W. Langdon, an early Cincinnati neurosurgeon and naturalist. The bronze statue atop the plaque-bearing stone is of Martha, commissioned as a part of the monument. Martha lived at the zoo (where she was hatched) for about 29 years before her death.

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