Birding--space and ease

Many people think people that watch birds are a little bit strange, but then, perhaps that's true of just about any person with a hobby. If you're thinking about taking it up, it will provide you some neat optics--binoculars and scope that are also useful in astronomy, although hard core astronomers really want something bigger, like an observatory. I explain some of the fun my husband and I have while birding, in this article that explains why we do such an oddball activity. Read more> to find out what those reasons are.

South African Space Web site

South Africa's space program website describes a number of their satellites and their participation in GEO and SAEON--South African Environmental Observation Network, upper atmosphere physics, Antartic program and more. Their education link provides information about various planetariums and other school programs and provides information about applications for undergraduate work in Physics at a South African university.

Africa is on my mind since I just finished reading Wind Follower by Carole McDonnell. The story is a romantic fantasy that deals with religion and colonialism in a war torn country. Rich language and good imagination are a hallmark of her writing.

Arecibo Observatory--mistake to cut funding?

This article on the proposed funding cuts to the Arecibo Observatory by the National Science Foundation is one I've read before. The bad news it relates is that the funding cuts will shut down the major source of asteroid tracking we have. It also eliminates the best radar observatory from use. No indication why this project was selected except perhaps that it doesn't fit in with the massive efforts directed toward global warming or toward string theory investigations, the two most popular topics I've seen discussed related to astronomy. I'm not an expert on all the National Science Foundation projects, yet it seems to me, that with planned NASA and other agency efforts for the moon and Mars coming up, that our solar system should have increasing levels of interest and need for information. Or perhaps I'd just like to cover my head from any impending disasters headed my way from the heavens.