Super Weird: "SUPERMOON"

Thanks to an epidemic of the social media and social network. News and informations are spreading too fast to be aware of. Since the Japan's devastated earthquake and worst-ever nuclear crisis are roaring up recently, tons of dim rumours regarding natural disaster, leak of radiation, iodine aid, even the 2012-The-End story are brought into limelight. However, without precise information and authentic judgement, a procession of unnecessary panic over people keep arising from hollowness. What a weird scenario when you were keep witnessing people foolishly proliferating the rumous which derived from unreliable source and starting to be in fermet over that. Gossips and rumours are always interesting and fascinating, people take great relish on them. But, as a civilized man, think about them before you believe on them.

For example, the title of this entry, SuperMoon. The tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan Friday set the Internet abuzz with the idea that the moon, which will be at its fullest of the year on March 19, played a role in the devastating natural disaster. Even worse, the buzz indicates that an ever-greater disaster will descend upon our lovely earth on that day, keep tons of people into the dismal mood.

The seed for the idea was planted by an astrologer, who contended that this large full moon – a so-called "supermoon"– would touch off natural disasters like the Japan earthquake since the moon would make its closest approach to Earth in 18 years. Remember, astrology isn't a science.

So, what is the real theory behind? In accordance with the info. source from NASA. NASA scientist Jim Garvin explains the mechanics behind the moon's phases and the causes of the supermoon. Garvin is the chief scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

"'Supermoon' is a situation when the moon is slightly closer to Earth in its orbit than on average, and this effect is most noticeable when it occurs at the same time as a full moon," Garvin wrote in the NASA statement. "So, the moon may seem bigger although the difference in its distance from Earth is only a few percent at such times."

The full moon of March will occur next Saturday on March 19, when the moon will be about 221,567 miles (356,577 kilometers) away from Earth. The average distance between the Earth and the moon is about 238.000 miles (382.900 km).

"It is called a supermoon because this is a very noticeable alignment that at first glance would seem to have an effect," Garvin explained. "The 'super' in supermoon is really just the appearance of being closer, but unless we were measuring the Earth-Moon distance by laser rangefinders (as we do to track the LRO [Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter] spacecraft in low lunar orbit and to watch the Earth-Moon distance over years), there is really no difference."

It was astrologer Richard Nolle who linked the full moon of March 19 to natural disasters. He claimed that this "supermoon" would trigger massive earthquakes, volcanoes and powerful storms when it arrived. But scientists assure that this is not the case.

Garvin, for example, said the moon's effects on Earth have been the subject of extensive studies.

"The effects on Earth from a supermoon are minor, and according to the most detailed studies by terrestrial seismologists and volcanologists, the combination of the moon being at its closest to Earth in its orbit, and being in its 'full moon' configuration (relative to the Earth and sun), should not affect the internal energy balance of the Earth since there are lunar tides every day," Garvin wrote.

But while the moon helps drive Earth's tides, it is not capable of triggering devastating earthquakes.

"The Earth has stored a tremendous amount of internal energy within its thin outer shell or crust, and the small differences in the tidal forces exerted by the moon (and sun) are not enough to fundamentally overcome the much larger forces within the planet due to convection (and other aspects of the internal energy balance that drives plate tectonics),"

Full story and more related scientific articles right here:

Space.com: NASA Scientist Explains Science Behind 'Supermoon' Phenomenon

Life's Little Mysteries: The 'Supermoon' Did Not Cause the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami

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My thinking: Whenever we come across any of statements, informations or rumours, please seriously ponder over them. Use our rational judgement and practical wisdom to distinguish between the truth and fake. Don't be so impetuous to show your caring by sharing them out to others. Checks the source of the rumour, reviews the content by using scientific method and intellectual mindset. The creators of those phonies are not the only one to be blamed for. The person who spreading out the lame rumous is the one who hold the responsibility as well to avoid any unnecessary panic.

Be wise to use our social tools. Don't be dim-witted to get involved into the part of irresponsible rumour-spreading progress.

19 March 2011, hava a good night with our stunning and peaceful 'Supermoon'. =)

The Oldest Manmade Objects in Space

Tethys and Dione Voyager 1 photographed Saturn and two of its moons, Tethys (shown here) and Dione in November 1980. Shadows from Saturn’s three bright rings and Tethys can be seen on the cloud tops on Saturn. NASA/JPL

Next time you're marveling at the fact that Spirit and Opportunity have been roving Mars for over six years now, ponder this: the two Voyager spacecraft have been hurtling through our solar system for nearly 33 years. Today, Voyager 1 hits a mission milestone of operating continuously for 12,000 days. The spacecraft launched on September 5, 1977, while Jimmy Carter was president, and has now traveled 14 billion miles.

Click to launch the photo gallery

Voyager 1 made its closest approach to Jupiter in March 1979, coming to within about 217,000 miles of the planet's center and making detailed observations of Jupiter's moons. During its flyby of Saturn in November 1980, the spacecraft's cameras and remote sensing instruments revealed stunning images and information about Saturn's rings and atmosphere, as well as its giant moon Titan. In early 1990, Voyager 1 captured the now-famous image known as "Pale Blue Dot." As the spacecraft was on its way out of the solar system, astronomer Carl Sagan commanded it to turn its camera and take a picture of planet Earth dangling in the vastness of space.

By early 2005, Voyager 1 was about 94 times farther from the Sun than Earth is. Within the next five years, the spacecraft will enter interstellar space, where it will study the boundaries of the solar system, including the Kuiper Belt. Long-life nuclear batteries are expected to power Voyager 1 until at least 2020, when it will be more than 13 billion miles from Earth.

Voyager 2, which completed observations of Uranus and Neptune in addition to Saturn and Jupiter, reached its 12,000-day milestone on June 28. The two space probes are the most distant human-made objects in the universe.

Source: Popular Science

Partial Solar Eclipse - Failed!

Well,it is well-known that 22/7 was a significant day to all the actronomy enthusiasts -Total Solar Eclipse:The Longest of the 21st Century !

Although my living town just not place on the total solar eclipse crossing path,we can also catch up a partial solar eclipse which about 10% masked.Apparently,after the impressive succeed in my first time observation on partial solar eclipse, there are no reason that I don't pour attention into this fascinating opportunity!

After a short period of applying to the school which done by Tian Long,my astronomy club's teacher and Kok Ann,chairman of the astronomy club,we get the permission from school to hold on this Partial Solar Eclipse Observation.

8.30am,all the perparation had done.Unfortunately,where the partial solar eclipse?just only much and much clouds revealing on the sky~Oops!give back my partial solar eclipse!

As you can see,many students already came over here waiting for the show.

Wait and wait...zzzzz
It was my first time wasted such a long time gazing on the cloud~~T_T

9.20am,partial solar eclipse had ended,but the clouds was still appearing on the sky.Obviously,my partial solar eclipse observation failed.All the students and teachers were so disappointed as missed out this gorgeeous phenomena.I had found out that Shang Hai,China there seem like also faced the same problem.

Well,don't bear in mind that unlucky memory.Let's looking forward to the next year - also a partial solar eclipse will be occurred!

First Attempt On Astrophotography!

"Star!star!~",when I heard a screaming sound from my cousin who was just come back from the my house's ground,I finally found out what a pretty night sky was out of there.

Hence,I quickly grab my equipment and burst into my car without any consideration.It was around 9.00pm,I was driving my car move around and trying to find out a best place where most suitable to me to observe at the night sky.Luckily,I had found out a right place in short.
As expected,there had a clear night sky rather than my house's garden a lot.I took out my equipment and build up it steady.

First,I aim to catch on Orion which always be the easiest constellation can be found as its "three stars belt".I tried to capture it directly without any setting,but it was failed,indeed.After that,I changed to Manual function and set the exposure time going to 30seconds.Wow!That's great,I can saw the "three stars belt" had been totally captured on my photo!But it was still hard to see another stars which around it.Next,I changed my camera ISO up to 400 and try to shoot out it again.Oops~finally,however there was produced a lot of noisiness on my photo as its high ISO,but it was totally distinct than before.

After I found out the skill on setting up my camera to catch a better night sky photo,I continually focus to Taurus,Canis Major after the Orion.In end,I leave from there at 10.20pm after I finished whole of work.It was a great experience.I am much more pay my love on the night sky than before after this attempt.I mind to get a DSLR soon to gain the greater photo!Yeah^^

My photo:
(Click to enlarge)

Tips for observe the Comet Lulin

Comet Lulin is approaching to our earth with a high speed recently,it will be getting reach at its most brightest state around 15/2 to 22/2.Hence,there are some days that most suitable for the astronomy enthusiast observe to it,there are 16/2,24/2 and 27/2.These days are the most suitable night to observe at the Comet Lulin is because of in those days,Comet Lulin will nearly "cross over" to some bright star.Thus,we can more easily observe the Comet Lulin by according that some bright star which will be pass through by Comet Lulin.

Here some picture that showing how the Comet Lulin pass those bright star:
Click image to enlarge:

Partial Solar Eclipse - First Day of CNY

26 January 2009,the first day of the Chinese New Year!Everyone just busy in moving around the hometown and giving their relatives and friends a courtesy call on this day as a tradition.

But,this year is different.The Partial Solar Eclipse can be visible to us on my hometown,Kluang's sky.Hence,I had held a Solar Eclipse Observe Event with Robin who is the great graduate of Chong Hwa High School and one of my life leader too.As aim to attract and share this amazing astronomical phenomena to great majority hometown's people,we had chosen the Kluang Mall where is the biggest supermarket in Kluang as our event's location.

4.30pm,after got the admission from Kluang Mall,we were starting made up our equipment.Oops!How terrible!We found out that we had late a bit,the Partial Solar Eclipse already started!

4.50pm,there were became many and many curious peoples joined to our event."Wow!Wow!"this was the sound that can be heard most on this time.All of them was expressing fully excited on it.

5.50pm,here was the time of the Partial Solar Eclipse been "eat" most.We can felt the light of the sun became weaker than another time.

6.10pm,shit~the sun was masked by the cloud,seem like it meant that we only can end up our event.

There were about 500 peoples joined in this event.I was pleased and enjoyed to share this gorgeous phenomena to all the peoples.Wish everyone got a memorable Chinese New Year!

This is me!hehe


Mr.Robin!

Ah?NASA using XP system?

Here are some photo of the NASA's new Moon transporter,it got twelve wheel and power by two motor which can drive up to top speed at 20km/h.But,from this photo,we can easily found that NASA's new Moon transporter using the Windows XP system to work?!Quite interesting,why don't Microsoft just introduce the Windows Vista to NASA?Haha^^

Solar Gazing Event～CHHS Astronomy Club

12 January 2009,as a Chong Hwa High School Astronomy Club member(or also can name with vice-chairman ,^_^) , I held a sun gazing event for enrolling new member purpose.

1.00pm , luckily,the sky was so clear that we could completely observe the Sun by using our "DIY Sun Glasses" and the Orion XT-8 Telescope with Solar Filter that belongs to Astronomy Club new chairman,Wong Kok Ann.

It was a short event,ended at 2.10pm as students were already backed to their classrooms for the afternoon class.However,it is only the first event that held by Astronomy Club on 2009,I think that will become more successful and more attractive to everyone on our upcoming events.

I missed out the most attractive picture which crowd of student gazing the sun though our astronomy devices.

Shot by using my Sony Cyber-Shot Camera with "DIY Sun Glasses".What a nice Sun!:)

Ya,right,this is our "DIY Sun Glasses" :) Guess how to do it?Winner will get a free "DIY Sun Glasses" Haha^^

A student gazing at the sun.

A student was observing the sun by using our telescope.

Hehe,a funny picture~(I am not inside of it -_-)