2009 to be UN International Year of Astronomy

Go out and observe today! (Okay, go out and observe in a couple of weeks.)

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Everything I need to know I learned through Googling.

That is cool!!!

However, the UN should start here at BAUT to check for nits....

Here's one minor error...

"In 1609, Galileo used a primitive telescope to discover spots on the Sun, craters and peaks on the surface of the Moon and satellites orbiting Jupiter. "

It wasn't until 1611 that he was likely observing spots on the Sun. He didn't do a study till 1612. Scheiner was a few months ahead of him, hence came controversy.

[Added: Both of these great astronomers missed the opportunity to initiate heliochromology, so perhaps the UN will do so in 2009 as a tribute. It is still a mystery as to who claimed the Sun was yellow, misleading billions of Sun users and bathers.]

Also...
"Galileo was convicted of heresy by the Inquisition and was forced to recant his findings to avoid being burned at the stake. He spent the last eight years of his life under house arrest."

Most historians, at least the ones I've read, state he was not at risk of being burned at the stake, or even physically abused. Bruno was burned because of his serious adoption, essentially, of another Christian-related religion that was based on accounts that were later found to be fabrications, I think.

Though Galileo was under house arrest, it wasn't all bad. I want to say he stayed in a very nice home with a prominent church leader (a cardinal?), and later he returned to his home in Florence to be near his doctor.

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Lighten up! This is a stellar board! Author: duh.

"The Sun, with all the planets revolving around it, and depending on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as though it had nothing else in the universe to do..." Author: Galileo supposedly.

See you in Rio.

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If you're careful enough, nothing bad or good will ever happen to you.

Is the party at your house? Is heliochromology on their agenda?

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Lighten up! This is a stellar board! Author: duh.

"The Sun, with all the planets revolving around it, and depending on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as though it had nothing else in the universe to do..." Author: Galileo supposedly.

i was thinking about getting a scope, but since the UN wants me to get one, i think i'll wait.

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"blacker than the blackest black... times infinity."- Nathan Explosion
The.. Best.. Thread..Ever...

Well, it could be arranged.

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If you're careful enough, nothing bad or good will ever happen to you.

Which one? I would recommend that the IAU not allow any heliochromologist(s) on the program; that's fair warning. [Perhaps in some colorful committee meeting.]

It would be cool to see y'all have a BAUT breakfast, or something, one day in Rio. We'll want pictures posted here, of course.

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Lighten up! This is a stellar board! Author: duh.

"The Sun, with all the planets revolving around it, and depending on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as though it had nothing else in the universe to do..." Author: Galileo supposedly.

Yeah, we could hold a parallel meeting. Well, the idea is launched.

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If you're careful enough, nothing bad or good will ever happen to you.

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Lighten up! This is a stellar board! Author: duh.

"The Sun, with all the planets revolving around it, and depending on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as though it had nothing else in the universe to do..." Author: Galileo supposedly.

Sweet! And, in case you guys didn't know, this is an International Polar Year.

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"If you think the LHC will create black holes, you might as well believe Hobbits are at the bottom of your garden."- Dr. Mike Inglis
Rovers forever! - ToSeek
"Carl Sagan sent a message to ET,
Neil Armstrong walked in the Sea of Tranquility
Steve Squyers built Spirit and Opportunity
Dan Haylen upchucked in zero gravity." -Brent Simon, The Space Camp Song

I like next year's designation better. Did anyone make it to a pole?

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Lighten up! This is a stellar board! Author: duh.

"The Sun, with all the planets revolving around it, and depending on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as though it had nothing else in the universe to do..." Author: Galileo supposedly.

I am sure that many people went to Earth's poles, and Pheonix was launched to Mars' north pole.

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"If you think the LHC will create black holes, you might as well believe Hobbits are at the bottom of your garden."- Dr. Mike Inglis
Rovers forever! - ToSeek
"Carl Sagan sent a message to ET,
Neil Armstrong walked in the Sea of Tranquility
Steve Squyers built Spirit and Opportunity
Dan Haylen upchucked in zero gravity." -Brent Simon, The Space Camp Song

Were there any IAU functions at the pole or in Poland this past year?

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Lighten up! This is a stellar board! Author: duh.

"The Sun, with all the planets revolving around it, and depending on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as though it had nothing else in the universe to do..." Author: Galileo supposedly.

Since we are actually less than two months from The Year, its probably time to rev up this thread.

Here is the international website.

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At night the stars put on a show for free (Carole King)

One Earth, One Sky - IYA 2009

I love the trailer!

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"If you think the LHC will create black holes, you might as well believe Hobbits are at the bottom of your garden."- Dr. Mike Inglis
Rovers forever! - ToSeek
"Carl Sagan sent a message to ET,
Neil Armstrong walked in the Sea of Tranquility
Steve Squyers built Spirit and Opportunity
Dan Haylen upchucked in zero gravity." -Brent Simon, The Space Camp Song

Yes, beautiful orchestration. Is the music an original score?

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Lighten up! This is a stellar board! Author: duh.

"The Sun, with all the planets revolving around it, and depending on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as though it had nothing else in the universe to do..." Author: Galileo supposedly.