brindafella

Friday has been Australia Day which marks the anniversary of the arrival in 1788 of the first colonists from England. Well, there was a small army and then there were the convicts (the term used for people locked away or, in this case, literally "sent away" to the prison of a foreign continent.

It has become customary to announce the Australian of the Year at a convenient occasion related to that day. This year, among the mob were three -- arguably all four -- highly awarded geniuses among the four professors in the finalists who also included a Guinness World Record holder. (Your 'problem' for the day: Which?)

But, the Aussie of the Year is (Professor) Tim Flannery (Wikipedia entry).

Tonight, after the fireworks in the centre of the city, I went out with one of my sons to see the Comet McNaught and the weather was clear; McNaught was SO CLEAR. As we watched a satellite flew from the southern horizon near McNaught. Just as the satellite got overhead a meteorite shot across just behind it. The moon was out at half, and the crater walls were visible at the terminator (light turning to dark) through the binoculars. That was good going for a person who watches the skies!

A great day!
_____
Peter

brindafella Looking at life... from an oblique angle / and I sometimes Twitter (normally only when riled up): @brindafella
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Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (0) Share on Facebook		2007-01-26 11:59 PM A great day for professors, and for me. Friday has been Australia Day which marks the anniversary of the arrival in 1788 of the first colonists from England. Well, there was a small army and then there were the convicts (the term used for people locked away or, in this case, literally "sent away" to the prison of a foreign continent. It has become customary to announce the Australian of the Year at a convenient occasion related to that day. This year, among the mob were three -- arguably all four -- highly awarded geniuses among the four professors in the finalists who also included a Guinness World Record holder. (Your 'problem' for the day: Which?) But, the Aussie of the Year is (Professor) Tim Flannery (Wikipedia entry). Tonight, after the fireworks in the centre of the city, I went out with one of my sons to see the Comet McNaught and the weather was clear; McNaught was SO CLEAR. As we watched a satellite flew from the southern horizon near McNaught. Just as the satellite got overhead a meteorite shot across just behind it. The moon was out at half, and the crater walls were visible at the terminator (light turning to dark) through the binoculars. That was good going for a person who watches the skies! A great day! _____ Peter Read/Post Comments (0) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top