Damsel demonstrates elfin techniques for firing a revolver.
Winter Solstice
Today is Solstice, the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere – according to the solar ephemeris for our location, the length of our day will be approximately nine hours and fifty-four minutes.
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The table at the left shows the various events associated with the motion of the Earth at our longitude and latitude. Twilight is the time when first light from the sun begins to illuminate the atmospheric particles or when last light ceases illumination. Sunrise and sunset are the times when the limb (edge) of the sun peeks above or disappears below the horizon. Transit is when the sun midpoint crosses the meridian, or longitude of our location.
Ephemeris Table courtesy vernabob.com. | ||||||||||||||||
The graphic below is taken from a very interesting website, Archaeoastronomy.com. On their website, you can learn about Equinoxes, Solstices and Cross Quarters which are moments shared planet-wide, defined by the earth’s tilt and the sun’s position on The Ecliptic along 45° arcs.
This neat graphic is put into motion on Archaeoastronomy.com.
Desert Sunset
We went to Cruise America to watch a motorhome orientation video. It was very interesting to learn about the features and operation of our temporary home-on-wheels. While it was interesting, it also made us all the more anxious to get started on our vacation. Soon, we will be enjoying scenery and sunsets similar to this one taken at Lake Havasu, Arizona, last summer. Click for bigger image.
Science and Politics Don’t Mix
I watched an interview on a news program today that featured a ‘climate expert’ explaining away the recent winter storms as being a consequence of global warming. This ‘expert’ contended that the severity of winter storms actually increases because of anthropogenic climate contributions.
The ‘expert’ blithely ignores actual science – for instance, the current lull in sunspots and solar activity. For the past two years, sunspots have been few and far between. He also ignores the fact that polar ice caps are not decreasing, Florida’s land mass is not decreasing due to a rise in sea level and global ocean temperatures have decreased over the past several years (since 1998).
James Taranto posted the following piece in the “Best of the Web Today” on the topic of selective science validation:
Science’s Ordinary Magisterium
“Scientists have found two large leaks in Earth’s magnetosphere, the region around our planet that shields us from severe solar storms,” Space.com reports:
The leaks are defying many of scientists’ previous ideas on how the interaction between Earth’s magnetosphere and solar wind occurs: The leaks are in an unexpected location, let in solar particles in faster than expected and the whole interaction works in a manner that is completely the opposite of what scientists had thought.
Laymen may be confused by the notion of a scientific discovery “that is completely the opposite of what scientists had thought.” After all, we keep reading that all scientists agree about global warming and no one may question it. Is science infallible or isn’t it?
The answer is: It depends. Scientific teachings that are part of the “ordinary magisterium,” such as those involving the interaction between Earth’s magnetosphere and solar wind, are not infallible. But global warming is what scientists call an ex cathedra* doctrine.
* In Catholic theology, the Latin phrase ex cathedra, literally meaning “from the chair”, refers to a teaching by the pope that is considered to be made with the intention of invoking infallibility. This is a concept that always has and always been unknown to true science – everything that is ‘known’ can be modified when ‘new knowledge’ is discovered.
Greenbats choose to cover their ears and say “la-la-la-la-la – I’m not listening,” when actual facts contradict their tunnel-vision views on climate. Very scientific, indeed.
Snow in the Canyon and Beyond
I checked the National Parks System webcams today and was not disappointed with the scene I saw at Grand Canyon, Yavapai Point. Later this month, Damsel will be capturing scenic photos like this (we hope) when we’re in Northern Arizona.
Just a note about the winter storm that just passed through the southwest – snow in Malibu, California? Four inches in Las Vegas, Nevada? Sunspots at a minimum? Must be that pesky Glow Ball Worming.
Maybe some of the alarmists should find out more about the Sun.
Year End Vacation
Today was the last workday of the year for me. I finished up an important milestone at work which gives me the opportunity to take some authorized time off to relax and celebrate the Christmas Season.
For part of that celebration, Damsel and I will be taking a cruise – no, not like on a vessel, but in a motor home headed away from the teeming masses. We plan to stop at some famous and some little-known places along the way. We got a pretty good deal from Cruise America – almost a 2-for-1 deal on the cruiser.
Damsel will have her suite of camera gear as she plans to capture some dazzling scenery shots and some wonderful artsy compositions. We’ll have internet access with us so check back here for some of her pictures in near-real-time.
One of our stops along our route will likely be near the little-known landmark “Tea Kettle Junction,” seen in the photo.
Photo found at Panamint Charlie’s interesting website. Click for big.
A Video Christmas Card
I can’t exactly send this card in an envelope, but it goes out to two people that helped me when I was having troubles with my Para Ordinance Warthog .45 ACP compact pistol.
First of all, to Michael Bane, who took an interest in my problems and referred me to someone who could help solve them.
Merry Christmas, Michael!
Secondly, to Kerby Smith, of Para’s Communications and Public Relations, who got the gun into the shop and saw to it that it got the attention it needed. Kerby also sent me an instructional Todd Jarrett video showing techniques to be used when shooting short-barreled .45s. Kerby also gave me some advice on cleaning and lubrication.
Merry Christmas, Kerby!
As you can see from the video, I’m enjoying shooting my Warthog instead of agonizing over the next misfeed or stovepipe. Thank you guys for all the help!