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Family Astronomers
Posted by: CStoner on Friday, August 15, 2003 - 09:05 PM
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Well, well... It seems as if everyone has an interest in astronomy at the moment! We have an opportunity to view Mars up close, and have just learned the true meaning of the "dog days of summer" (see the message board).
Since we have found an interesting topic to discuss, I'd like ask a couple of questions:
1. What is your favorite star/constellation/heavenly body?
2. Why? What does it mean to you?
For example... My favorite constellation is the "Big Dipper" for more than one reason.
For many years now, when a favorite pet passes away, we name a star on the Big Dipper after that beloved pet. Every time I see this constellation I say "hello" to each of these family pets. May sound weird to you, but it gives me a connection.
My other reason for claiming the Big Dipper as my favorite is much more practical. It points the way to the North Star (Polaris). I'm not bragging... but I am very good at directions, always have been. Just ask my Dad - who used to use my map reading skills on vacations - and always claimed I was an excellent "co-pilot". one of the reasons is that I can always find my way North.
Knowing "true north" (even though you have to wait untill night-time, with clear skies) is a skill I suggest you all learn. You will probably never need the skill. But better to be safe than sorry!
If anyone is interested in how to do this, just ask... I'm sure we could find a star chart or diagram.
So, there's my example of my favorite heavenly bodies... Now let's hear yours!
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Re: Family Astronomers
by BStoner on Aug 27, 2003 - 11:31 PM
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1. What is your favorite star/constellation/heavenly body? - M51 the spiral Galaxy 2. Why? What does it mean to you? - It was the first stellar object (besides stars and inner solar system planets) that I ever viewed through a telescope. It reminds me of the vastness of our universe and how small we really are. Another favorite of mine is Saturn. Through a telescope it looks just like a photo in a school text book. If this stuff interests you, I recommend reading the following: A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking The Universe in a Nutshell by Stephen Hawking The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene Scientific American Magazine is also a good bet for the latest science/astronomy news.
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Re: Family Astronomers
by slmcd on Oct 07, 2003 - 11:34 AM
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My "A Word A Day" posting this morning was somewhat astrological in nature, so I thought I would pass it along. It follows*******
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septentrion (sep-TEN-tree-on) noun
The north.
[From Latin septentrionalis, from septentrio, singular of septentriones, originally septem triones, the seven stars of the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear, from septem (seven) and triones (a team of three plow oxen). These are the principal stars of the Great Bear, which is located in the region of the north celestial pole. These stars are more commonly perceived as the Big Dipper.]
Some other words based on septem are septemfluous, flowing in seven streams; septemplicate, one of seven copies of a document; septenary, pertaining or relating to the number seven, or forming a group of seven, as in the number of days in the week; septenate, growing in sevens, having seven divisions; and Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures, from Latin septem via septuaginta, seventy, for the traditional number of translators.
"The sky is one great emerald from south to septentrion."
Paul Fort; Selected Poems And Ballads; Duffield and Company; 1921.
(Translator: John Strong Newberry)
"Washed by the southern sea, and on the north
To equal length backed with a ridge of hills
That screened the fruits of the earth and seats of men
From cold Septentrion blasts."
John Milton; Paradise Regained; 1671.
This week's theme: words based on numbers
by guest wordsmith Stewart Edelstein (stewartedelstein@sbcglobal.net).
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Pronunciation:
http://wordsmith.org/words/septentrion.wav
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