Wednesday, April 19, 2023

My First View of Saturn

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On the Cloudy Nights discussion board for amateur astronomy the topic came up (as it does now and then), “What was your first telescope?” So...
Wednesday, March 29, 2023

The Little Black Bag: Medical Care as a Faustian Bargain

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“Every doctor tells me something different,” I said. The doctor replied, “That’s why we call them opinions.” We benefited from a daylong con...
Friday, March 17, 2023

What Color is the Orion Nebula?

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On the Cloudy Nights discussion board, the question of the nominally “true” color of Messier 42 as well as many other nebulae and stars has ...
Friday, March 3, 2023

Fake Americans

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As a contractor in information technology, I usually work for placement and consulting firms. It is easier for me to be a W-2 employee thoug...
Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Mutiny Aboard the San Antonio

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On 14 February 1842, some time before midnight, Lt. Charles Fuller, officer on deck of the Texas Navy schooner  San Antonio , met a mob of s...
Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Publications in Historical Astronomy

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I joined the American Astronomical Society in order to apply for an opportunity to volunteer as an assistant editor for the Historical Astro...
Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Familiar Sites, Familiar Sights

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Three constellations on the ecliptic actually look almost like what they are supposed to be: Leo, Scorpius, and Taurus. Those probably go ba...
Monday, January 23, 2023

The Morning Sky

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Stepping outside with the cat after her breakfast, I stopped to take in the sky. I felt comfort from the familiar sight and regret for not b...
Sunday, January 15, 2023

Microscopy (again)

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Ahead of a medical procedure, I was cautioned that I will not be doing any bending and lifting for a couple of months or more. So, I packed ...