Aug. 1, Solar Eclipse, Canada, the Arctic, Siberia,

The above image is from, http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.hoydalsvik.net/astrofoto/eclipse2006/eclipse2006_multi_1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.hoydalsvik.net/astrofoto/eclipse2006/eclipse_2006.html&h=640&w=950&sz=135&hl=en&start=7&um=1&tbnid=3b0qJdasLEYMcM:&tbnh=100&tbnw=148&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtotal%2Bsolar%2Beclipse%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN

This image is of the 2006 eclipse. What is important, or my goal, for you to see is that the eclipse doesn't "BOOM!" be an eclipse, at first a little bit of the sun is blocked by the moon, then more, then more, etc.
A total solar eclipse is rare because it is only visible from certain "perspectives" certain locations on earth. Most the viewers of this eclipse will see a partial eclipse.

This is a lucky picture!

z

Partial Eclipses, and the point to which an eclipse is total, are dangerous for your eyes. Any time you stare straight into the sun it is dangerous. The reason is you are burning your retina!!!

read more: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.transitofvenus.org/sarahviewers.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.transitofvenus.org/safety.htm&h=670&w=500&sz=32&hl=en&start=35&um=1&tbnid=AOcQjvCHk6JyTM:&tbnh=138&tbnw=103&prev=/images%3Fq%3Deye%2Bprotection%2Bsolar%2Beclipse%2Bretina%2Bdamage%26start%3D18%26ndsp%3D18%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN

If you are planning on viewing the eclipse, get protection. Buy level 11 welders glass, or order yourself some of these geeky things:

or better yet, make your own: http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/how.html

Karate Dillemna, Injuries

Above: Myself sparring with Sensei Vince Nistico during my 2nd degree black belt exam.

Above, Kathleen Resburg during her last kyu exam. Here pictured with Sensei Tim Hanlon. Out of screen shot is other judges Sensei Cherry, Sensei Fitzpatrick, and Sensei Nishyama.

My right shoulder doesn't want to move. I can movie it, but I pay for it later. It's been injured for three months now. Almost getting better, I train, and reinjure it. What does the inner self discipline of karate tell us. Daily practice, conviction, perseverence. To continue training may injure it, to seek medical care might ground me completely.

So I've been looking up sports injury information, trying to find the right set of exercises to heal it, and I found great information about how to do karate right. This page has an excellent tutorial any karateka should watch:

http://www.newtonsapple.tv/video.php?id=1297

http://youtube.com/watch?v=iEwQoo4dIVg&feature=related

In the last link, a national geographic video about karate sport science shows a man kicking a crash test dummy and finding he has created impact scores literally lethal. The look on his face explains it all.

Anyway, Kathleen I hope you enjoy the picture.
Nina

Solar Power Show on Science Friday

Solar power is an intimidating topic from many, from listening to this presentation I certainly feel like I know more. I hope you will seek out the information yourselves, here or elsewhere. What is disconcerting is that folks don't realize how environmentally damaging the sequestering of the minerals for said solar panels is. However, this article is more about the politics and implementation of large scale solar projects:

"Energy prices remain high, with a barrel of crude oil selling for well over $130. But thousands of megawatts of solar generated power might not see the light of day if Congress doesn't act soon. This hour, Ira and guests look at the battle over the renewable investment tax credit, and why solar industry execs are biting their nails over the legislative snarl."

Listen by following this link:

http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/200807181

Solar Power

Star Wars Meets Portland Dog Community

Dumpster Art

Dumpster Art in Norway

Flower Constellations

Flower constellations are constellations where every satellite covers a closed loop trajectory that is repeating, characterized by axial symmetric dynamics. The term flower constellation defines a set of constellations on which the reference fame for the closed loop trajectory is repeated, and if traced reveal a flower pattern, often with six petals, but not always. When the constellation axis of symmetry is chosen to be the planet's spin axis, and that coincides with a fixed reference frame, then these constellations show beautiful dynamics.

GEOMETRY? A Flower Constellation, which can be symmetric or asymmetric, is defined by
six independent parameters: the number of petals (Np), the number of sidereal
days to repeat the ground track (Nd), the number of satellites (Ns), the
argument of perigee (!), the orbit critical inclination (i), and the perigee
altitude (hp). Thus, in specific, we will refer to a particular constellation as
a Np-Nd-Ns-!-i-hp Flower Constellation but, in general, we will use simply
a Np-Nd Flower Constellation.