Across The Universe (aka Nano Diary - Day5 that has v little to do with Nano)
Yesterday was one of the most interesting days in ages; it was v quiet at the Loch so there wasn't much to do but chat with the assistant manager and the other volunteer, which was interesting in itself.
But later, after shopping and visiting my Dad, I was back at the Royal Observatory for some play with the Starlab - it's basically a big, air-filled dome with a projector inside - and that was fun to set up... in the canteen. I can't help wondering what any wandering astronomer would have thought; just popping in to the canteen for a quick cuppa only to find a 7ft tall, 10ft radius, grey dome in the middle.
However, that wasn't the most interesting bit. Part of the Dark Sky "show" are meteorites, and the guy in charge let us see a set "from Fife" (I think they came from a dealer in Fife, not having landed in Fife). I adored them - I can safely say that those three nondescript bits of stone and iron were completely fascinating, just for what they were. They were formed at the same time as the rest of the solar system, at the very beginning and are about 4.5 billion years old. And I was holding them in my hand. It's the oldest thing I've ever touched, by billions of years!
Today was mildly less profound; early morning swim, communion, and a trip to the library - mind, body and spirit ;)
Arranged the family firework display (it's one of my fav tasks), so there were things blowing up as well.
OU stuff is in hand, and I even got the Nano total up to 3932.
Daily Total - 3257
Nano Total - 3932
But later, after shopping and visiting my Dad, I was back at the Royal Observatory for some play with the Starlab - it's basically a big, air-filled dome with a projector inside - and that was fun to set up... in the canteen. I can't help wondering what any wandering astronomer would have thought; just popping in to the canteen for a quick cuppa only to find a 7ft tall, 10ft radius, grey dome in the middle.
However, that wasn't the most interesting bit. Part of the Dark Sky "show" are meteorites, and the guy in charge let us see a set "from Fife" (I think they came from a dealer in Fife, not having landed in Fife). I adored them - I can safely say that those three nondescript bits of stone and iron were completely fascinating, just for what they were. They were formed at the same time as the rest of the solar system, at the very beginning and are about 4.5 billion years old. And I was holding them in my hand. It's the oldest thing I've ever touched, by billions of years!
Today was mildly less profound; early morning swim, communion, and a trip to the library - mind, body and spirit ;)
Arranged the family firework display (it's one of my fav tasks), so there were things blowing up as well.
OU stuff is in hand, and I even got the Nano total up to 3932.
Daily Total - 3257
Nano Total - 3932