Just a video on the Artemis Burns up to the Cryogenic Propulsion Stage prior to the astronauts end of day before they retire and get some sleep before their last burn to get them to pass by the moon and it will act as their braking burn for their return to Earth.
You may hear a TV program my wife is listening to in the background, sorry about that and I do cough from time to time, again my apology. I do pause the video during longer periods of inactivity and come back when the host begins to speak.
Words cannot describe the emotion and feelings I felt watching this launch. I'm old enough to remember as a young child watching the Apollo lift offs and find it wonderful that we are returning to the moon, even if it is just to orbit. This is HISTORIC!
If you could not watch it live, here is my non commentary video I created of the launch. There is no need for commentary here I feel. God speed to the four astronauts and may they overcome any obstacles and see sights on the Moon that we never have seen. This launch shows what we as a race are capable of when we come together and work together to achieve wonderous things.
Since the article I am going to review mentions NGC 2207 & IC 2163, merging galaxies in Canis Major I thought I would share my two sketches and observation from, what to me seems like yesterday, but in truth is over 9 years old now! I love the fact that I can connect a past observation with a current research paper!
1. NGC 2207 & IC 2163 merging Galaxies in Canis Major. Feb. 25th, 2017, 07:30pm MST; Antoniadi II, Seeing 3/5; Transparency 5/5; FR006; SQM L 21.82; 17.5" Dob Star Catcher; 22mm T4 Nagler, 10mm & 5mm Pentax XW; Paracorr Type II; Forest Road 006: Site 2, Wasatch/Cache National Forest Land, West Desert, Utah.
The top image is using the 5mm Pentax XW at around 450x (Paracorr II). Second image is with the 10mm Pentax XW and 22mm Nagler. Reversed image from normal of course since I am using a dob. IC 2163 is the tine bright extension on the right and NGC 2207 is the large spiral galaxy on the left. There was a hint of structure, mottling on the left side of NGC 2207 which I have interpreted as the arms, which seem to be right in their placement. These two galaxies are actually doing a fly by each other with IC 2163 moving clockwise around the larger spiral NGC 2207. In about a billion years they will merge and form an elliptical galaxy. Until then as the rotate around and through each other, dust will be stirred up and there will be lots of star and planetary formation in these galaxies. The two are not so well known, but easily seen. I have sketched them before in my 10" and 14" dobs. Well worth the time in my opinion.
Here is the video on the paper review. For the full article head over to Eadsy Astronomy LINK.
