Alan Thomas

Forum Replies Created

Viewing 20 posts - 1 through 20 (of 145 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • in reply to: Congratulations to Dr Andrew Wilson #625349
    Alan Thomas
    Participant

    Many congratulations Doc. Wilson! It’s a long road and you have reached your destination.
    You can now expect to be asked by visiting tradespersons (as I once was) for assistance with treating assorted ailments!!
    Alan

    in reply to: Imminent asteroid impact #624844
    Alan Thomas
    Participant

    Quite spectacular!

    in reply to: Preparing for the eruption of T CrB #624316
    Alan Thomas
    Participant

    Just watched an excellent presentation on TCorBor by Brad Schaefer, a webinar for the Astronomical League of the Philippines. Should be on their YouTube channel before long if anyone would like to see it.
    Alan

    in reply to: Is ANYONE getting clear nights any more? #622893
    Alan Thomas
    Participant

    Alan

    Dreadful weather here in Warrington for most of the year so far, so you are definitely not alone. I have compensated by making more use of robotic telescopes, specifically the COAST (COmpletely Autonomous Survey Telescope) at the Observatorio del Teide, Tenerife. At least this has enabled me to keep making observations,
    even though my own instruments are gathering dust and cobwebs.

    I would like to relocate to Arizona, but I don’t think the family would appreciate it. So I await better weather with a stiff upper lip!

    Don’t let the clouds grind you down.

    Alan

    in reply to: Deep Sky Webinar #621297
    Alan Thomas
    Participant

    Andy. After a couple of years as a Unistellar user (other makes are available), I can highly recommend it.
    Alan

    in reply to: Scrapping Honorary Membership ! #620886
    Alan Thomas
    Participant

    It does seem desirable to recruit more young members to the BAA. Might it be possible to:
    1. Establish a prize or set of prizes for specific younger age groups, asking local societies to nominate potential recipients. Something like ‘Young Astronomer of the Year’ or whatever.
    2. Is the BAA competing with the SPA for younger members? Might a merger of the two organisations be beneficial?
    Alan

    in reply to: Where is the blue dot? #619814
    Alan Thomas
    Participant

    Funnily enough, I had exactly the same experience – my wife saw it immediately – though I do have some colour recognition problems with my eyes.
    Alan

    in reply to: Deep Sky Section Webinar 2023 recordings #619392
    Alan Thomas
    Participant

    I watched the talks on YouTube the following day. All interesting. Thanks to the presenters for their efforts. Highly recommended!
    Alan

    in reply to: Supernova in M101 ! #618049
    Alan Thomas
    Participant

    Nice article, Jeremy. Thanks.
    Alan

    in reply to: A possible cosmological paradigm? #617681
    Alan Thomas
    Participant

    Ken
    It might come in handy to remember Bertrand Russell’s response when asked what he would say if, despite his atheism, he one day found himself outside the Pearly Gates:”Lord, thou did not give us enough evidence.”
    Alan

    in reply to: Supernova in M101 ! #617580
    Alan Thomas
    Participant

    Thanks Robin. A very interesting and well-produced programme on SN2023ixf. Especially enjoyed the observing session!
    Alan

    in reply to: Pie in the Sky #617043
    Alan Thomas
    Participant

    I notice that the pie-rating website (yes, there is one), Pierate, lists the Half Moon Cafe in West London (presumably the one on Fulham Palace Road) as serving a selection of three pies: chicken and mushroom, steak and kidney and beef and onion. Unfortunately, the pies are described as “not astronomical”. Nonetheless, possibly an opportunity for some field research by members in the vicinity. The results will obviously be displayed in a pie-chart.
    Alan

    • This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by Alan Thomas.
    in reply to: Pie in the Sky #616901
    Alan Thomas
    Participant

    Of course! All those pis in the sky. Unfortunately some astronomers don’t care for them one iota! (Not me obviously)
    Alan

    in reply to: Pie in the Sky #616897
    Alan Thomas
    Participant

    Excellent suggestions, Roy. Perhaps a Deep-filled Black Bottom Pie would appeal to the DSO fraternity?
    Alan

    in reply to: Pie in the Sky #616857
    Alan Thomas
    Participant

    Ah yes . . . but these are not methinks what would commonly be recognised as ‘pies’. I think the pie would include JUICE and possibly MEAT (Massive Earthbound Astronomical Telescope). Hmm…
    Alan

    in reply to: Pie in the Sky #616853
    Alan Thomas
    Participant

    It looks as though the association between Stargazy (or StarGazy) Pie and astronomy is rather tenuous (and a little distasteful). Is there an alternative pie (real or imagined) that could convincingly be said to be the astronomer’s favourite late-night snack?

    in reply to: Pie in the Sky #616644
    Alan Thomas
    Participant

    Thanks Roy. That sounds rather unappetising! I think I’ll stick to chicken and mushroom.
    Alan

    in reply to: Asteroid to pass by Earth this weekend #616561
    Alan Thomas
    Participant

    That’s a good point, David. Perhaps we should encourage the astrologers to rename their activity ‘astromancy’, which appears to be a synonym, and an accurate one, for astrology – “divination by means of the stars”.
    Alan

    in reply to: Is the Universe losing weight? #616323
    Alan Thomas
    Participant

    A reversion to the Steady State Theory is an interesting possibility.
    On the issue of ‘whether the Universe is losing weight’, surely the Universe can be neither losing nor gaining weight because it, by definition, contains everything there is. There is nowhere for any additional weight to come from, and nowhere for it to go.
    Simplistic, I know. But sometimes Occam’s Razor comes in handy, especially in the face of quantum entanglement.
    On a personal note, I still haven’t lost any weight which perhaps is evidence of the plausibility of my contention and a good reason for me to give up trying!
    Alan

    in reply to: Leslie Peltier video #616188
    Alan Thomas
    Participant

    That’s a fascinating video. Thanks for posting – and well done Jordan Ragdale.
    Alan

Viewing 20 posts - 1 through 20 (of 145 total)