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Showing posts with label space. Show all posts
Showing posts with label space. Show all posts

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Tenebrae Moon, March 23, 2016

Gorgeous moon last night and tons of clouds. I managed to get a few photos, but couldn't see the conjunction with Jupiter. Still, pretty decent for a super bright moon and for a Canon powershot and no telescope! :-)


Friday, January 22, 2016

Jan. 22 Midnight Moon

Last night / this morning around midnight, the beautiful moon peeked through a windy sky full of cloud cover. These are three of my photos from my Canon Powershot 50x zoom :-)
I love that little camera! These I've posted here are copied from my FB post so quality isn't as fabulous as the raw file on my laptop at home, but still looks decent enough.


Sunday, December 13, 2015

#AdventWord #WONDER - "I Wonder as I Wander"

Today's #AdventWord is #WONDER
This word, especially in the season of Advent, makes me immediately recall the choral piece I Wonder as I Wander. So, I share the text and two versions here. 
1. Sung by the classy Julie Andrews HERE
2. Choral version sung by the Cambridge Singers under John Rutter's direction - HERE
About I wonder as I Wander 
From John Jacob Niles' visit to Murphy, North Carolina in the early 1930's, and later published in his collection entitled, Songs of the Hill Folk, this song is hauntingly beautiful. A true Appalachian lament.


I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on'ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky

When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall
With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all
But high from God's heaven, a star's light did fall
And the promise of ages it then did recall.

If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing
A star in the sky or a bird on the wing
Or all of God's Angels in heaven to sing
He surely could have it, 'cause he was the King

I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on'ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
‪#‎Episcopal‬ ‪#‎Anglican‬ ‪#‎SSJE‬ ‪#‎EDOLA‬ AdventWord was created by SSJE (The Society of St. John the Evangelist) and is the Anglican Communion's Global Advent Calendar. I'm using it as a daily meditation, prayer, photo post, and a way to connect in spirit to millions during this season of light and hope. You can join me in creating your own. Just take a picture and post it with the day's AdventWord tags! Click HERE for their website and for their daily AdventWords.

Friday, December 11, 2015

#AdventWord #SHINE - Ponderings for December 11, 2015

Today's #AdventWord is #SHINE

"In order for the light to shine so brightly, darkness must also be present"
~Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626)

It seems that we, as humans and as battling civilizations, we have spent much of our existence in the dark. I feel that even though we continue this, we live in an age of light, awareness, and knowledge. Now, though we struggle with darkness, absence of love, apathy, and the fear of the unknown, we live in the light. Christ gave us that. We are about to celebrate his light entering the world. In a way, it seems to make Advent a season of darkness, again - awaiting the light, especially because we have placed it at the time of year when night falls so rapidly and we are literally living in more darkness (at least until the winter solstice!) 

These words are all over Advent in the liturgy and in my musical selections so can't help but think of these words from Matthew 4:16 
"The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."

...and these from Isaiah 9:2-7 

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

Venus and Crescent Moon: 12/7/15, Carson
‪#‎Episcopal‬ ‪#‎Anglican‬ ‪#‎SSJE‬ ‪#‎EDOLA‬ AdventWord was created by SSJE (The Society of St. John the Evangelist) and is the Anglican Communion's Global Advent Calendar. I'm using it as a daily meditation, prayer, photo post, and a way to connect in spirit to millions during this season of light and hope. You can join me in creating your own. Just take a picture and post it with the day's AdventWord tags! Click HERE for their website and for their daily AdventWords.

Monday, November 23, 2015

NOLA November Moon

Some of my photos of this evening's almost-full moon, November 23, 2015. Canon Powershot, 50X zoom. Not too shabby for an automatic!
Photo by Caroline Carson
Photo by Caroline Carson
Photo by Caroline Carson
Photo by Caroline Carson

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Consider again, that pale blue dot...

Today, it strikes me that we would do well, as humans, to hear again Carl Sagan's message regarding the future of Humanity.
HERE is the a full video

"And our small planet at this moment, here we face a critical branch point in history, what we do with our world, right now, will propagate down through the centuries and powerfully affect the destiny of our descendants, it is well within our power to destroy our civilization and perhaps our species as well. If we capitulate to superstition or greed or stupidity we could plunge our world into a time of darkness deeper than the time between the collapse of classical civilization and the Italian Renaissance. But we are also capable of using our compassion and our intelligence, our technology and our wealth to make an abundant and meaningful life for every inhabitant of this planet."

                       
"Think of all that you know of the past, present, and future: people, places, things, memories, experiences...."
Now look at this stunning image from the Cassini spacecraft near Saturn showing our Earth from 898 million miles away. 
"You’re an interesting species. An interesting mix. You’re capable of such beautiful dreams, and such horrible nightmares. You feel so lost, so cut off, so alone, only you’re not. See, in all our searching, the only thing we’ve found that makes the emptiness bearable, is each other."
This image was taken on July 19, 2013 and used the wide-angle camera on NASA's Cassini spacecraft. What a stunning view of Saturn's rings and Earth. Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute
"All I’m asking is for you to just have the tiniest bit of vision. You know, to just sit back
for one minute and look at the big picture."

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Fascinating Wonders

God, grant as we discover the fascinating wonders and mysteries of the universe, we may come to know you more truly! 
Amen.
The Tadpoles of IC 410 
Image Credit & CopyrightSteven Coates
APOD

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Episcopal Prayer at the Close of Day

Look down, Lord, from your heavenly throne. Illuminate the darkness of this night with your celestial brightness, and from us, the children of light, banish for ever the deeds of darkness. God our judge and our teacher, let us not waste time when the day is done in guilt or self-reproach. Give us rather the courage to face whatever has been, accept forgiveness, and move on to something better. Amen. 
(from the New Zealand Prayer Book)
Chapel at the Jvaris Monastery, outside Tiblisi, Georgia. Photo by Caroline Carson

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Impending Apocalypse Got You Down?

The World Is Ending......
Wait, what?! Again?
Not enough coffee for an afternoon of impending doom...
In case you haven't heard about this potential earth-destroying event, here is a USA Today article link to catch you up. In the past few years, we seemed to have survived several doomsdays. I was curious about how many times folks, well-meaning or not, have predicted the end of the world so I asked Siri and we found a List of Dates Predicted for Apocalyptic Events. Very interesting. Rather than fret, I decided to enjoy some memes and to make some more coffee.
Check out these #spaceLOLs :-)







Monday, October 5, 2015

Ideas for World Space Week! October 4-10, 2015

IT'S WORLD SPACE WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This post is written for those who may not have World Space Week activities in their areas or the ability to travel to an activity. World Space Week #WSW2015 is from October 4-10.

“The General Assembly declares 4 to 10 October World Space Week to celebrate each year at the international level the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition.”
~ UN General Assembly resolution, 6 December 1999

Founded in 1999, World Space Week has grown larger each year and often has an annual theme. In 2013, there were more than 1400 events in 80 countries! Last year's 2014 theme was a new satellite navigation theme “Space: Guiding Your Way”, aiming to inspire millions! Check out this link to see events in your area or to search for specific events. This year's theme is "DISCOVERY" "The theme for 2015, “Discovery” celebrates the exciting discoveries in space, teaching us a lot about our origins and our future." (from website)

I hope you enjoy these space-related ideas - It's certainly not a comprehensive list, but just a few suggestions from yours truly :-)


The Pleiades Deep and Dusty
Image Credit & Copyright: David Lane


- Go outside & look up! Honestly, this most basic activity is often forgotten!
- Join The Planetary Society
- Find when the ISS passes overhead & wave at it!

- Watch a space movie such as THE MARTIAN (I personally LOVED IT!)
- Check out the tags #Mars and #JourneyToMars on twitter
- Write a poem or read a poem about space, the sky, or technology each day
- Plan a trip to one of several NASA, CSA, ESA, or other space facilities!
- Check out NASA TV, Star Walk, & all sorts of Space apps - there are so many!
- Write a THANK YOU LETTER to a space agency or an astronaut. Make a copy for your senator, governor, or school.
- Think about the Universe and our place in it for one solid minute!
- Check out NASA's EYES ON THE SOLAR SYSTEM - http://eyes.nasa.gov/index.html
- Donate space-themed toys to children and/or education programs
- Write to your government asking support for your national space agency
- Wear a space t-shirt
- Science lesson plans for kids
- Watch a documentary about space
- Support STEM Education and the STEM Education Coalition
- Read about human space flight - Here's one site
- Check out http://www.spaceflightnow.com/
- Listen to the sounds of space - Voyager, The Sun, a Meteor Shower
- Follow space organizations on social media and keep up with posts
- Make plans to visit a planetarium or local observatory if there are any in your area
- Look into your local astronomy society and check their activities
- Check out NASA's SPACE PLACE and activities, printable PDFs
- Learn about one astronaut each day this coming week. Here are some NASA astronauts
- Drive out to where the sky is dark and spend the evening stargazing
- Read an article about space
- Sign up for an online astronomy class - such as this one or this one
- Check out some astronaut and space facts here
- Learn about current missions
- SPACE-THEMED BAKING - someone needs to do this for me, LOL!
- Make a solar system in an arts & crafts project
- Listen to Holst's "The Planets"

- visit the NASA JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) website
- Other NASA space education activities
- Leave other suggestions in the comments or send me a tweet!
- Again, go outside & look up!

Filaments of the Vela Supernova Remnant
Image Credit & Copyright: Angus Lau, Y Van, SS Tong (Jade Scope Observatory)
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap131001.html



Monday, June 1, 2015

GALAXIES!

I cannot get over this image. SO. MANY. GALAXIES. We are so small!!!
Hubble Ultra Deep Field 2014
Image Credit: NASAESA, H.Teplitz and M.Rafelski (IPAC/Caltech),
A. Koekemoer (STScI), R. Windhorst(ASU), Z. Levay (STScI)

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

LightSail Liftoff!

LightSail blasted off this morning at 10:05 CDT, very cool project. I put together a collage of launch screenshots from the United Launch Alliance's live broadcast. What exactly is LightSail? Here you go!
More info here at The Planetary Society - http://www.planetary.org/blogs/jason-davis/2015/20150520-lightsail-liftoff.html

Friday, May 15, 2015

An Anglican Prayer at the Close of Day

Look down, Lord, from your heavenly throne. Illuminate the darkness of this night with your celestial brightness, and from us, the children of light, banish for ever the deeds of darkness. God our judge and our teacher, let us not waste time when the day is done in guilt or self-reproach. Give us rather the courage to face whatever has been, 
accept forgiveness, and move on to something better. 
Amen. 
Three Galaxies over New Zealand 
Image Credit & Copyright: Mike Mackinven

Monday, May 4, 2015

A Prayer for Quiet Confidence

A Prayer for Quiet Confidence

O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we will be saved, in quietness and confidence will be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~ Book of Common Prayer
~ View of the Milky Way from the ISS
http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/iss041e045469.jpg

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

O Gentle Light

O Gentle Light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy, blessed Father, O Jesus Christ: Having come to the setting of the sun, having beheld the evening light, we praise the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: God. Meet it is for Thee at all times to be hymned with reverent voices, O Son of God, Giver of life. Wherefore, the world doth glorify Thee. (Russian Orthodox trans of the Phos hilaron).
NASA-app image info at this link: http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/hubble-sees-turquoise-tinted-plumes-in-large-magellanic-cloud/#.VE3FuiLF-So

Friday, April 24, 2015

Keep Watch, Dear Lord

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or
weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who
sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.
#Episcopal #Anglican #EveningPrayer #prayer# #night

The #MilkyWay fills the night sky over the Durdle Door rock archway. Picture: Andrew Whyte / Carters News

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Dear Hubble Space Telescope, THANK YOU for 25 years of space goodness!

Dear Hubble Space Telescope,
I just wanted to say a GIGANTIC THANK YOU to
Edwin Hubble, to NASA, to all of your teams (design, engineering, science, vision, launch, maintenance etc.) for 25 years of SPACE GOODNESS!
Seriously, our lives have changed for the better because of your eye into the universe!
Love,
@The_SolarSystem and friends

Follow The Hubble Space Telescope on Twitter
@NASA_Hubble
@HUBBLE_space
@HubbleTelescope

25 Articles and Links to check out about Hubble's 25th anniversary! #Hubble25
- The Hubble Site - Hubbly goodness
- The Hubble Space Telescope GALLERY - indescribable awesomeness
- NASA's Mission page for Hubble
- Unforgettable Hubble Space Telescope Photos  ~ via NY Times
- The Hubble Space Telescope, a Terrific Comeback Story  ~ via The Guardian
- Mind-boggling Images from 25 Years of the Hubble Telescope ~ via Mashable
- Some wiki Hubble info
Hubble Telescope Celebrates 25 Years in Space With Spectacular New Image 
         ~ via Universe Today
Hubble at 25: Space Telescope's Top Science Discoveries ~ via Discovery News
- NASA unveils 25th anniversary image for the Hubble: Celestial fireworks in a bed of 
         new stars  ~ via The Washington Post
- Still sharp, Hubble Space Telescope turns 25 with a cloudy future ~ via Washington Post
25 Years of Cosmic Treasures: Hubble’s 12½ Greatest Hits  ~ via Phil Plait at Slate
Hubble Space Telescope marking 25th anniversary in orbit   ~ via Boston Herald
Hubble Investigates Ghosts of Quasars Past  ~ via Sky & Telescope
- Hubble Space Telescope Turns 25 [Video]  ~ via Wall Street Journal
- Hubble Space Telescope Turns 25  ~ via CNN
- NASA's GOOGLE post about Hubble's 25th and ACTIVITIES running through April 26th
- NASA's Kennedy Space Center Celebrates Hubble Space Telescope's 25th Anniversary
        ~ via NASA.gov
Hubble Space Telescope: Pictures, Facts & History  ~via Space.com
Edwin Powell Hubble - The man who discovered the cosmos  ~ via HST
- PBS: People and Discoveries, Edwin Hubble  ~ via PBS
The Hubble Effect's 25th Anniversary --"A Radical Transformation of Our Perception of 
         the Universe"  ~ via The Daily Galaxy
Behind the Scenes of the Last Mission to Repair the Hubble ~via The Smithsonian
-
Fascinating Photos Take You Behind the Scenes of Hubble  ~via WIRED
10 Fascinating Facts About the Hubble Space Telescope  ~ via History 
Star Cluster in Nebula NGC 3603
http://hubblesite.org/gallery/wallpaper/pr2007034b/1280x800_wallpaper/

Monday, March 30, 2015

Our Moon 3/28/15

Here's my photo of our moon from Saturday, march 28, 2015. I'll probably update this with the hi-res image later today (3/30). Canon Powershot (50X)
CCarson 3.28.2015

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Oceans of Interstellar Space

Almighty God,
You are author of life.
We are in awe of your creation.
The vast oceans of interstellar space reflect your majesty. Hold us in your celestial brightness as we rest and sustain in us your peace as we refresh ourselves for a new day.
Amen.

#Episcopal #prayer #Anglican #Space #Hubble #peace #Universe
Hubble top 100, ESA and Hubble Heritage team