HAPPY NEW WEEK!!!
Last week's chat thread is here: http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/placestovisit/lochgartenospreys/f/915/p/111088/854210.aspx#854210
The code for this week's thread is WC130414.
On Monday night through Tuesday morning (14-15 April), there's a TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE in the Americas and the Pacific. In the U.K., you'll see a PARTIAL LUNAR ECLIPSE. Sky watchers in the U.S. have the chance to see a series of four total eclipses in the next 18 months, beginning with the one early Tuesday.
The moon will shine red during the eclipse. A vocal minority of folks here believe that this rare tetrad of total lunar eclipses -- the four "Blood Moons" -- will be a harbinger of doom and perhaps herald the apocalypse. Personally, I'm really looking forward to watching this first one. It should be beautiful!!!
Also on 14 April, Mars will make it's closest approach to Earth. It will be 10 times brighter than a star and will put on its best show in 6 years!
The Slooh Observatory is hosting a special online broadcast of both events. Check out the Slooh site for times: http://events.slooh.com/ I'm supposed to have thunderstorms, so I'll probably have to watch online. Dang it.
Also, the Lyrid Meteor Shower begins on Wednesday, 16 April, but it won't peak until 22 April.
Info: http://astronomy.com/observing/sky-this-week/2014/04/april-1120-2014
Info: http://www.space.com/25464-lunar-eclipse-tax-day-blood-moon.html
Info: http://www.space.com/25409-four-blood-moons-tetrad-lunar-eclipse.html
I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL week.
Hang on in there Nite Owl. You've got plenty of friends here. Take care of yourself and take each day as it comes x
Lindybird - so sorry to hear the news about your OH. Stay strong and take care of yourself.
Lindybird time is a great healer so they say, I have been told that by friends as my son in law got killed in OZ a few days ago. Not his fault was hit by a car that did not observe the "highway code" and shot out on to a main RD.
Thanks, Mrs. T. We have many friends and a supportive family so will not be alone in this, and of course so many nice people on these threads who I know I can rely on to keep me cheered up.
Oh, fish I am so very sorry. I remember you going to Aus. last year and enjoying your trip so much. I am thinking of you, your family and of course your daughter. Do take care.
Thank you Lindybird. Have been thinking back to that holiday and the fun I had. I even chucked him in to the swimming pool as he chucked the wife in, just larking about.
FISH- so very very sorry to hear that. What a terrible shock for your family. Thinking of you, cannot find the words but hope that your daughter finds strength to cope xx
Fish, I'm so sorry to hear this news - we'll both be thinking about you and your family. What a terrible thing to happen.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Enjoy being spoiled by the family if your family is like most it wont last for long before you hear "mum" were is this or can you get me a drink or what ever else. lololol
Here's the latest from the Wellesley raven cam:
I couldn't see if both eggs had hatched but the visible baby is adorable!