cross-posting from my Web log

[redbird]

I went over to Spaceweather.com to see if an aurora is likely in the next few days. Apparently not, but I found a good article on the Earth-grazing asteroid Hermes, discovered and lost in 1937 and rediscovered this year. The write-up explains why it was so easy to lose track of, and says we're safe for the next century or so. Beyond that, Hermes' orbit is unpredictable, because it interacts with too many planets: in 1954, Earth and Venus both perturbed it.

They also have maps of sunspots on the far side of the sun, helioseismography from the SOHO satellite. I'd read about the technique three years ago, then forgotten all about it.

I like living in a culture that not only has satellites like that, but puts all this cool information out there for me to look at any time it occurs to me. With John Coltrane's version of "My Favorite Things" playing behind me, courtesy of Vin Scelsa and WFUV-FM.

Comments

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

I like living in a culture that not only has satellites like that, but puts all this cool information out there for me to look at any time it occurs to me. And which then lets you tell us about it! Oh, do I agree!

[allyson13.livejournal.com]

I like living in a culture that not only has satellites like that, but puts all this cool information out there for me to look at any time it occurs to me.

I remember coming back from living in Iceland in early '93 and marvelling at how the Internet was the neatest thing in the world. Granted, I was using CompuServe as my interface, but still, I felt as if I was living in the world of Star Trek.

And despite the fact it's been over 10 years, I haven't lost that sense of wonder.

I love being able to research obscure medical terms and on my way to an explanation, discover yet another interesting web page to add to my favorites!