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29 October2004 Wanderings Ralph J. Coppola Come join us on the Wanderings Chat Room. --- (See info and instructions) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = ===== One advantage of TCS going every other week is that it gives me more time for myself and my family. 8-) On the other hand, it is going to be more difficult to alert our readers to current or breaking news. For example, we missed out on the invitation to participate in a middle school project, The Sun Shadow Investigation Project . This was an endeavor to measure the Earth's circumference during the equinox week of 20-24 September. Also, while not a science item, I hope that all of you who are bicycle users are aware of the problem with the Kryptonite U Locks that has been reported in the media . This item strikes close to home since my son, my daughter and I have all had a bike stolen in the past few years. We were not using Kryptonite locks at those times. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Feature Each night before bedtime, my 18-month old foster son and I go outside to see the stars. But, due to suburban light pollution, we are limited to the number of stars that we can see. Forrest M. Mims III introduces us to the concept of light pollution in his TCS editorial The Dark Sky Conundrum (TCS, 20 August 2004). How can we measure the pollution level at our location? Fortunately, the amateur can conduct qualitative measurements with a simply constructed DIY dark sky meter. I understand that one concern the users of these dark sky meters have is that, as yet, they lack a standardized calibration method that will insure that all DYI meters are reading the same thing. Any ideas? [Please send ideas to "Backscatter." Editor.]
Wanderings Fredrick Veio and Chris Westland manage The Spectrohelioscope Network . This site contains an enormous list of links and DIY resources for the amateur sun watcher. Explore the world of sundials with Shadows , a sundials design program. The American Meteor Society supports amateur and professional research activities in the extensive field of Meteor Astronomy. Do you like a challenge? Have a look at the Meteor Spectroscopy Project . The International Meteor Organization (IMO) attempts to fill the ever growing need for international cooperation among amateur meteor observers. 1 October 1958 was the official birth of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will be an orbiting infrared observatory that will take the place of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope at the end of this decade. The US Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $800 million in emergency funding for the space shuttle and the Hubble space telescope. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) will assist NASA with the construction of The James Webb Space Telescope. Northern Ireland Fungus Group promotes the conservation of Fungi in Northern Ireland and has links to other mycology web sites . Wind carries genetically modified pollen to record distances. Read this and other breaking stories on The New Scientist online site. With 20% of the world's population speaking English , with a good level of competence, it could be considered as the universal language. English is a dynamic and evolving language with many words being borrowed from other cultures . While we are at the www.askoxford.com site, have a look at the word --- bi-monthly, as in ÒThe TCS is going bi-monthly as of 1 October 2004Ó. It's kind of confusing, isn't it? 8-) The Kids Room US Sci-Tech students abandon ship! The A to Z Home's Cool Home Schooling Site has a collection of Science Experiments For Kids . The Plus2Physics site offers free online study material. Need a science fair project? Check out The Science Fair Projects Encyclopedia at The All Science Fair Projects site. Pico Technology has developed a series of Science Experiments that are suitable for use with their data logging products. On The Lighter Side What would you call a collection of owls? Or how about bunch of kangaroos? From The Far Side Dark matter seismography . Did quark matter strike Earth on 22 October 1993? Come on into the future --- Join The Time Travel Fund (tm) . You have probably heard of perpetual motion. Now there's semi-perpetual motion! | |||||
Copyright 2004 by Society for Amateur Scientists |
