Fourth Saturn of the Year

First halfway decent seeing in weeks--3/5 according to CSC. Compare this one to the one I shot when Saturn was at opposition. The rings aren't nearly as bright as they were with the sun falling directly on them.

Sadly, This Describes My Job

Nation Demands Easier Instructions

WASHINGTON, DC-Decrying needlessly confusing directions for the use and assembly of countless products, citizens across the nation are organizing advocacy groups to demand that American manufacturers simplify the instructions they place on packaging.

No joke. I did a 4-page instruction for a pair of pliers.

The Furminator

This was after the second session; we're maybe a third of the way done.

A Sort of Small Bigness

Jenna Bush discussing her upcoming wedding on Larry King Live:

"[It will be] outdoors, very small wedding, you 'know, very small, all relatives, our families, really, kind of big," Jenna Bush said.

I guess she gets it from her dad.

A Modest Proposal

Now that spring is fully here, it's time to think about baseball.

Baseball has simple rules: Nine players, not ten. A grass field. A wooden bat. That's all.

So what the deuce is the deal with college baseball? They can't get even one of those things right. "The designated hitter digs in; here's the pitch--tink! It's a screaming grounder up the middle as it takes a fast hop off the artificial surface..."

So I hereby propose that college "baseball" be re-labeled as college "baseball-flavored sport," just like "chocolate" milk and American "cheese."

Messier Marathon: The Movie

Ralph Menga and Frank Boecker put together this wonderful video highlighting their Messier Marathon this year. That's a lot of shooting in one night--my hat's off to these two fellow Mac astronomers for giving it a go!

A Joke To Pass The Time

Until there's something more interesting to say, enjoy this funny bit:

A man goes to a shrink and says, "Doctor, my wife is unfaithful to me. Every evening, she goes to Larry's bar and picks up men. In fact, she sleeps with anybody who asks her! I'm going crazy. What do you think I should do?"

"Relax," says the doctor. "Take a deep breath and calm down. Now, tell me, exactly where is Larry's bar?"

100 Objects

The family & I took advantage of that great weather and went to Canyon of the Eagles an the Eagle Eye Observatory last night. This is the time of year for staying up late for a Messier Marathon, and I nearly made it. I managed to view 100 out of the 110, not a bad night's work. I really should have tried last month, but the weather wasn't cooperating, so there were a couple already below the horizon at sunset. I pooped out about 4:00 a.m., so I missed some early morning ones, but in between I saw a trove of goodies. I didn't make notes, but I recall the Sombrero Galaxy (M104), the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) and Bode's & Cigar Galaxies (M81/82) as particularly stunning.

Something I Haven't Seen Nearly Enough Of

Guess where we're going tonight? =)