Gulliver must’ve traveled to Mars. How else do you explain the fact that Jonathon Swift, writer of Gulliver’s Travels, predicted the two moons of Mars and their approximate positions over a hundred years before their discovery? Explain that. I think Gulliver must’ve made a pit-stop to Mars somewhere down the line. Here is a small excerpt from the book: They [the Laputians] have likewise discovered two lesser stars, or satellites, which revolve about Mars, whereof the innermost is distant from the center of the primary planet exactly three of its diameters, and the outermost five; the former revolves in the space of ten hours, and the latter in twenty-one and a half; so that the squares of their periodical times are very... [Read more]

I watched this movie called “The Heavenly Body” starring Hedy Lamarr on Turner Classic Movies. I am not sure why the movie is called “The Heavenly Body” …..unless they are referring to how astronomically hot Hedy is. What is the name Hedy short for? Hedwig? Anyway, the plot goes like this: an astronomer who works long hours at an observatory suddenly finds out one day that his wife, played by Hedy Lamar, has taken a strong interest in astrology. Naturally, he is horrified, he does not know what to do, so he tries to no avail to convince her that astrology is rubbish. Despite his efforts, she continues visiting an astrologer every week for her personal horoscope, determined to adjust her life according to the... [Read more]

Dear Theta: You are but a capital, cursive O. Theta, you are but a zero with a curvy line. An egg with a skull cap. You are but a simply decorated easter egg. How simple you are–yet, so useful. You, you, simple symbol, simple ambassador of mathematics, physics, meteorology…. Just look at you. You are on the Earth Day Flag. They call you the “dead theta,” the official flag symbol of earth day. When did you die, I wonder? Did you receive a proper burial? According to Wikipedia: According to Flags of the World, the Ecology Flag was created by cartoonist Ron Cobb, and was published for the first time in October 25, 1969. The flag was patterned after the flag of the United States, and had thirteen stripes... [Read more]

I love coffee. I lurveth it. I slurpeth it. Without it, I am a worthless lump of astronomer. I do not drink Starbuck’s coffee often, as I prefer the local coffee from Columbia Street Roastery in good ‘ol Champaign, IL. With that said, I must share with you this cute-cup quote: Coffeecup photo courtesy of: Shawnblog [Read more]

http://www.stargazing.net/kevin/poetry.html April is National Poetry Month. What better way to celebrate National Poetry Month than to write an astronomy limerick or haiku? Haiku is 3 lines: 5 syllables in first line, 7 syllables in second line, 5 syllables in last line. Okay, here is an example: Astronomybuff, I carry them in my heart, how I love thy blogs. Now, I want to see yours, people. Be creative. Show me your best work! With vast convolutions Draco holds Th’ ecliptic axis in his scaly folds. O’er half the skies his neck enormous rears, And with immense meanders parts the Bears. -Erasmus Darwin’s Economy of Vegetation Poem photocredit: Moirabot [Read more]