Aurora Sinistra (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
alt_sinistra) wrote2013-04-22 12:25 pm
alt_sinistra) wrote2013-04-22 12:25 pm
Entry tags:
The heavens this week
Students -
It looks like tonight will be quite clear, so I’ll have the tower open as soon as it’s dark. I’ll also be available for the usual conversation and questions about astronomy and related topics. (Though, you know me. I think everything’s related to astronomy. Come ask why, if you like.) I will be out Tuesday evening for a Guild meeting, but available the rest of the week as well.
The Lyriad meteor shower is currently ongoing - I was up watching for a bit before dawn, and it was not as impressive as some years, but easier to watch after moonset.
On Thursday, there will an lunar eclipse, beginning just before 8 at night. While this particular one is not deeply interesting (being very brief and extremely partial - only about half an arc second will be occluded) it is interesting because it is the last of a saros series.
We do not normally discuss these except in my newt years, but eclipses occur in a pattern, stretching over 18 years (18 years, 11 days, 8 hours, to be precise). We can use the larger series pattern to predict both when eclipses may occur, and what form they will take, due to the interactions of three separate sequences (The synodic month, the draconic month, and the anomalistic month. For the curious, the name of the middle of those three comes from old legends about a dragon eating the moon at the eclipses.)
This is the first series I’ve had the opportunity to observe in full (given weather, of course), but I also have my notes from the last half of the previous cycle (and of course, my predecessor’s observing journals, which cover cycles long before that) for anyone interested in comparisons.
It looks like tonight will be quite clear, so I’ll have the tower open as soon as it’s dark. I’ll also be available for the usual conversation and questions about astronomy and related topics. (Though, you know me. I think everything’s related to astronomy. Come ask why, if you like.) I will be out Tuesday evening for a Guild meeting, but available the rest of the week as well.
The Lyriad meteor shower is currently ongoing - I was up watching for a bit before dawn, and it was not as impressive as some years, but easier to watch after moonset.
On Thursday, there will an lunar eclipse, beginning just before 8 at night. While this particular one is not deeply interesting (being very brief and extremely partial - only about half an arc second will be occluded) it is interesting because it is the last of a saros series.
We do not normally discuss these except in my newt years, but eclipses occur in a pattern, stretching over 18 years (18 years, 11 days, 8 hours, to be precise). We can use the larger series pattern to predict both when eclipses may occur, and what form they will take, due to the interactions of three separate sequences (The synodic month, the draconic month, and the anomalistic month. For the curious, the name of the middle of those three comes from old legends about a dragon eating the moon at the eclipses.)
This is the first series I’ve had the opportunity to observe in full (given weather, of course), but I also have my notes from the last half of the previous cycle (and of course, my predecessor’s observing journals, which cover cycles long before that) for anyone interested in comparisons.
Private message to Tosha
(As you might guess, from my baiting her above, I am done with letting her dictate what I talk about with interested parties. Also just made it clear to Cedric - in my most Hufflepuff blunt - to pass the word to alert any of those of the staff with sense and care of students about any further punishments of any concern whatsoever.)
I did want to ask, though, what you found about Miss Calderwood. I gather nothing urgent, but my nagging (well, screaming) desire to find some resolution doesn’t want to let any hint of potential get lost.
I am out tomorrow night - Georg moved the Guild meeting from Thursday to Tuesday because of the eclipse and it being the last of the series. Do you need anything in New London? I'm glad to oblige with errands.
Re: Private message to Tosha
I'll catch you up with the details on the conversation with Miss Calderwood as soon as possible -- nothing conclusive, sadly, but her story definitely does not add up. Well, we knew it wouldn't, but there are several inconsistencies to begin attacking. When we've a moment to breathe, mind you.
And actually, yes, if you wouldn't mind stopping by Poundtree for me and picking up my shelf -- it's been paid for, but many of the items are not the sort of thing I'd like sent through owl post at the moment, even under seal.
Your,
T
Re: Private message to Tosha
On Miss Calderwood, good to have confirmation, really. I guess the thing I want to try and understand is why. Is it... does she...
Though. You're right. Talk in person, please, whenever we manage that next? It's still too touchy for me to be startled with it here.