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| From Images 108 |
Colorful star trails arc across the night in this surreal timelapse skyscape from the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on the Canary island of La Palma. A reflection of the Earth's daily rotation on its axis, the star trails are also reflected in one of a pair of 17 meter diameter, multi-mirrored MAGIC telescopes. The MAGIC (Major Atmospheric Gamma Imaging Cherenkov) telescope itself is intended to detect gamma rays - photons with over 100 billion times the energy of visible light. As the high energy gamma rays impact the upper atmosphere they produce air showers of high-energy particles. A fast camera monitoring the multi-mirrored surface records in detail brief flashes of optical light, called Cherenkov light, created by the air shower particles Astronomers can then ultimately relate the optical flashes to cosmic sources of extreme gamma-rays.
5 comments:
Any comment on the possible impact of perigean tides at the end of October (Oct 28 and after) on flooding here in Bangkok? Justified fear of disaster is widespread here.
Thanks, Jack
Hello Jack,
The Oct. 27 Scorpio New Moon is not a SuperMoon(with Moon at perigee), but the Moon's Nodes are quite prominent in Bangkok at this New Moon, which is generally difficult. We should know soon after this lunation if there will be further problems in Thailand,
as Mars opposes the Libra ingress(Autumnal Equinox) Ascendant at 23 Aquarius. Mars(ruler of Scorpio) is rising in Bangkok when the Sun enters the sign of Scorpio on Oct. 24. This is generally not a good indication- as Mars is considered a malefic influence.
Unfortunately- the Libra ingress for Bangkok looks very stressful with 4 planets in the the 8th house of crisis and loss- especially Saturn, which rules the Aquarius Ascendant(the state & it's citizens) with Neptune(the oceans, and flooding) conjunct.
But signs of natural disasters in Thailand were indicated earlier at the Vernal Equinox(Aries ingress). The 2011 Aries ingress for Bangkok has two nasty fixed stars(Scheat & Betelgeuse) on the Ascendant and IC-4th house cusp(the weather), and the Moon's Nodes were aligned with the MC-IC axis, and square the horizon there. (The Moon was conjunct Betelgeuse at 9/11 and the 2004 Boxing Day earthquake-tsunami.)
As I said earlier- Mars(lord of Scorpio) will oppose the Libra ingress(Bangkok) Ascendant during the last weekend in Oct., days after the New Moon in Scorpio. It's not as definitive as we might like, but this is a possible trigger for further problems in Thailand. But this New Moon is not a SuperMoon- and so less likely to bring extreme tides or flooding- all things being equal.
That said, I should probably look at the national chart for Thailand as well. Cheers. . .David
Thank you much for this, very interesting. If I understand the idea of Supermoon it means a full moon of exceptional character. But perigees also occur at new moons, right? I find indications that October 26 is a new moon perigee, in fact it would appear from such items as http://www.astropro.com/features/tables/cen21ce/mo-ap-2011.html that October 26 2011 the moon is closest to the earth in this year.
I am not conversant in astrology but I hope I am correct from an astronomical standpoint.
One other question: Is the Indian-based astrology in Thailand similar to the system you are using?
All of these questions arise from my interest in writing a news column in the next couple of weeks suggesting the importance of recognizing lunar influences, whatever the underlying system of knowledge might be, modern or ancient. Thanks much for your interest and help.
Hello,
The astrologers in Thailand are probably working with the sidereal zodiac. Here's a link that you will find helpful: http://lightonvedicastrology.com/articles-sidereal_tropical.htm
The Moon is actually given more importance then the Sun in Jyotish-Vedic astrology.
Jim Berkland, who worked at the USGS, was forced to take a short leave after he successfully predicted the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake here in the SF Bay Area.
He takes note of the SuperMoons, as these affect the tides moving back and forth over sensitive fault lines. And he also looks in the local newspaper to see if there are an extreme number of missing pets, as the animals seem to know before we do that a disaster is coming.
Cheers...David
Hello again,
I stand corrected regarding the Oct. 26/27 SuperMoon. Mr. Nolle's table has the perigee about 7 hours before this lunation. May have to rethink what I wrote now.
It can be tricky business determining the best chart for a country, and some research is often necessary. But of the several horoscopes for the nation of Thailand, if the 1932 version is indeed correct, the last 3 weeks of Nov. 2011 could be heavy.
Here's an article that mentions the 1932 national chart:
http://www.world-of-wisdom.com/blog/revolutionary-times/31/
Enjoy...David
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