Happy New Year!

It is widely regarded that we are in a Golden Age of Astronomy. Research institutions around the world have banded together and launched the International Year of Astronomy, which begins today.

Dr. Phil Plait writes about the beginning the IYA and gives links to several resources by which you can join in on the fun, and with the typical Bad Astronomer zest for science.

BTW, did you notice how Jupiter, Venus and the Moon have been dancing in the skies together in recent months? Well, guess what? That's astronomy folks! Ain't it great?

Best wishes to all for a prosperous 2009.

Welcome to The International Year of Astronomy! | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine

astronomy, iya, plait, science, cool stuff

Becoming a Pilot In a Most Unusual Way

Our soldiers and sailors deployed to Iraq endure harsh conditions in the performance of their mission. Trying to beat the monotony of down time and perhaps even to take their minds off their difficult jobs is a challenge. AOPA brings us the story of a group of our finest professionals taking an opportunity to fulfill a dream.

AOPA Online: GA brings a lift to troops in Iraq

aviation, flying, cool stuff, our troops

Phil Plait's Top Ten Astronomy Pictures 2008

Dr. Phil Plait takes time out from his positively insane schedule to bring us his annual selection of top astronomy pictures for the year. 

Top Ten Astronomy Pictures of 2008 | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine

science, astronomy, bad astronomer, plait, cool stuff

Wisconsin Country Christmas

I've been driving the same route to and from work for more than 6 years. And, even after all this time, new things pop into view that make for wonderful moments.

To those folks who have been following me these three years, from Memphis to Melbourne (Australia), and Salem to Slovakia, I give gracious thanks. I've been in a bit of blogging decline in recent months, as other things have been drawing my focus away. I hope to get that focus back going into next year, so stayed tuned for more great content from "This Blog Title For Sale".

Happy Holidays everyone!

Technorati Tags: wisconsin, christmas, holiday, farm

Lambert Field Passenger Terminal

I consider an airport's architecture to be timeless if it evokes the era when it was built. The main passenger terminal at Lambert - St. Louis International Airport was designed by Minoru Yamasaki and completed in 1956. That was at the dawn of the jet age, and this airport, with its soaring arched ceiling reminds you of the days when DC-3s and DC-4s, Lockheed Constellations and the early jets all mingled together on the tarmac, and travel by plane was a special event.

This is, sadly, the only redeeming feature of the airport. The expansion of the airport in the '80s were utilitarian in design, making it perhaps the most unappealing airport I've ever been to.

Sunset Over Eel Pond

Woods Hole in November probably doesn't look much different than in April, when this picture was taken.

No Moving Parts

It just works. Granted, it only works part of the day, and the sun can't be obstructed. But the sundial is the ultimate in set it and forget it.

Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

Eulogy for Phoenix

Phil Plait notes the probable passing of a very successful Mars lander.

This time, Phoenix won’t arise from the ashes | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine

science, mars, bablog

Might As Well Be Talking About Creationists, Too

In his most recent post, Dr. Phil calls out an emailer for simply regurgitating something that person may have read in another email. We see it all the time, people who will cherry pick a fact, or just pass along rubbish they picked up from somewhere else. Indeed, if you substitute "global warming" with "evolution" or "9-11 truth", you'll have a quick grasp of the intellectual arguments of the day.

Greenhouse hot air | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine

And they’ve been studying it a long, long time. It’s a very difficult field of research, fraught with hidden variables, difficult measurements, and political landmines. But chances are they know more about this than you and I do. There’s a reason they’re called experts, folks.

So the next time you want to send me some snarky email to embarrass me about some piece of info you just found on the intertoobs, please do yourself a favor: stop, think for just a moment, and ask yourself: "Is this really likely to have been missed by thousands of really smart highly educated people who have been studying this field for a combined length of time equaling many man-millennia?" The embarrassment you save just might be your own.

antiscience, science, debunking, bablog, plait

Freaky Show

Halloween on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, New Orleans. One of the most sensory laden, visceral experiences I've ever had. Bourbon Street is dirty, smelly, dilapidated. That is, until thousands show up for a huge outdoor party. I saw costumes of every possible description, worn by freaks, geeks, straights and queers. And the women? Unbelievable! It was all there in one decadent, pulsating moving street party. They say Mardi Gras is ten times this. I can't imagine it. Oh, and this picture was taken early. It only got better.