In an earlier post I mentioned Ancient Landscapes of the Colorado Plateau, by Ron Blakey and Wayne Ranney. For this background, see The Coconino Chronicles August 11, 2008.
We were able to attend their lecture on Wednesday night. The book arrived from Amazon on Monday, so the timing was just right.
The book is as good as I thought it would be. You can get a feel for what Ancient Landscapes of the Colorado Plateau is all about on Dr. Blakey's website.
The lecture gave a really helpful overview and Wayne Ranney talked about how the maps are made, which was extremely interesting. The video of the lecture should be available soon onthe Grand Canyon Association website. I will post that update as soon as I get an update.
We've been following Dr. Blakey through his website for a long time. It is great to see the publication of this book. If you want to purchase it, I would highly recommend Amazon.com because the price is so good.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Flagstaff Tourism in Sky & Telescope
I really like the Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau ad in the December 2008 issue of Sky & Telescope. Sorry I didn't write down the page number when I saw it at Barnes & Noble.
I did jot down a bit of the copy written beside the photograph of the interior of the Clark Observatory at Lowell:
I did jot down a bit of the copy written beside the photograph of the interior of the Clark Observatory at Lowell:
Hot stars.
Big lenses.
{No paparazzi.}
Great job, CVB!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Mars Phoenix Lander Finishes Work
If you've been reading Coconino Chronicles for very long, you how much I love Lowell Observatory, Percival Lowell, Mars and especially all the hard working little guys on the Mars missions, so I was sad to read this post yesterday that begins:
Mars Phoenix Lander Finishes Successful Work On Red Planet
November 10, 2008 -- NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander has ceased communications after operating for more than five months. As anticipated, seasonal decline in sunshine at the robot's arctic landing site is not providing enough sunlight for the solar arrays to collect the power necessary to charge batteries that operate the lander's instruments. Mission engineers last received a signal from the lander on Nov. 2. Phoenix, in addition to shorter daylight, has encountered a dustier sky, more clouds and colder temperatures as the northern Mars summer approaches autumn. The mission exceeded its planned operational life of three months to conduct and return science data. The project team will be listening carefully during the next few weeks to hear if Phoenix revives and phones home. However, engineers now believe that is unlikely because of the worsening weather conditions on Mars. While the spacecraft's work has ended, the analysis of data from the instruments is in its earliest stages. Read more ....
Mars Phoenix Lander Finishes Successful Work On Red Planet
November 10, 2008 -- NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander has ceased communications after operating for more than five months. As anticipated, seasonal decline in sunshine at the robot's arctic landing site is not providing enough sunlight for the solar arrays to collect the power necessary to charge batteries that operate the lander's instruments. Mission engineers last received a signal from the lander on Nov. 2. Phoenix, in addition to shorter daylight, has encountered a dustier sky, more clouds and colder temperatures as the northern Mars summer approaches autumn. The mission exceeded its planned operational life of three months to conduct and return science data. The project team will be listening carefully during the next few weeks to hear if Phoenix revives and phones home. However, engineers now believe that is unlikely because of the worsening weather conditions on Mars. While the spacecraft's work has ended, the analysis of data from the instruments is in its earliest stages. Read more ....
Monday, November 10, 2008
Sunrise on the First Snowfall
Flagstaff awoke to a blanket of snow this morning. It won't last long, but it is so beautiful while it lasts!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
National Geographic Life on Mars
We just watched the 2008 National Geographic Naked Science "Life on Mars" about Mars Lander and the folks at the University of Arizona.
In an earlier post, I talked about how Gene Shoemaker would have wanted to be "right there" with these scientists and their project on Mars.
Today while I was watching this show, it occurred to me how delighted Percival Lowell would have been about all these Mars discoveries and the "little guys and gals" up there working away. The story about the "canals on Mars" may not have turned out the way he thought but, do I think he would be disappointed? I don't think so.
When he sent A.E. Douglass to find the perfect spot for his observatory, in his wildest dreams I don't believe that could envision the future of Martian discoveries. How could he have imagined a machine that could take pictures of the surface of the planet's surface and send those photos back to earth to be turned into the 3-D exhibit? One that would be on display in Lowell Observatory's Rotunda--at his own observatory which is still doing science after more than a hundred years. Wouldn't he be pleased that Lowell and Mars are still connected in the year 2008?
In an earlier post, I talked about how Gene Shoemaker would have wanted to be "right there" with these scientists and their project on Mars.
Today while I was watching this show, it occurred to me how delighted Percival Lowell would have been about all these Mars discoveries and the "little guys and gals" up there working away. The story about the "canals on Mars" may not have turned out the way he thought but, do I think he would be disappointed? I don't think so.
When he sent A.E. Douglass to find the perfect spot for his observatory, in his wildest dreams I don't believe that could envision the future of Martian discoveries. How could he have imagined a machine that could take pictures of the surface of the planet's surface and send those photos back to earth to be turned into the 3-D exhibit? One that would be on display in Lowell Observatory's Rotunda--at his own observatory which is still doing science after more than a hundred years. Wouldn't he be pleased that Lowell and Mars are still connected in the year 2008?
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Flagstaff Visitor Center Information
I have mentioned in previous posts about the Flagstaff CVB and the Visitor Center and what a great job I think they are doing. Well it seems Flagstaff visitors agree with me. The Fall Cityscape cites the results of a guest satisfaction survey. It seems that out of 760 surveys returned, 736 were returned with the highest possible scores. Kudos to the hardworking staff.
Last week I stopped in to pick up hard copies of the brochures that I have been raving about in pdf format available on the CVB website. I have to admit I still love the pdf's but these really are great printed brochures.
As usual the Visitor Center was a beehive of activity with friendly and attentive staff all around. Take a few minutes and see how the Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau is doing its job.
Last week I stopped in to pick up hard copies of the brochures that I have been raving about in pdf format available on the CVB website. I have to admit I still love the pdf's but these really are great printed brochures.
As usual the Visitor Center was a beehive of activity with friendly and attentive staff all around. Take a few minutes and see how the Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau is doing its job.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Cityscape Fall 2008
Flagstaff Cityscape for Fall 2008 just arrived. Can't wait to read it.
In skimming this issue, I did see that the Starlight Pines Bed & Breakfast was honored as the 2008 Best of Flagstaff Award from the U.S. Local Business Association. Congratulations and keep up the good work.
We'll get back to Cityscape next week. Have a great weekend
In skimming this issue, I did see that the Starlight Pines Bed & Breakfast was honored as the 2008 Best of Flagstaff Award from the U.S. Local Business Association. Congratulations and keep up the good work.
We'll get back to Cityscape next week. Have a great weekend
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