Scientific Method

These are the steps to follow for the Scientific Method(from http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_scientific_method.shtml):

1. Ask a Question
2. Do Background Research
3. Construct a Hypothesis
4. Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment
5. Analyze Your Data and Draw a Conclusion
6. Communicate Your Results

You don't have to be a Professional Scientist to observe what you see around you from day to day. In fact, that is what pure science is, in my opinion, observing your surroundings and questioning what you don't understand and then attempting to find the answer.

It is very easy, and, in fact, tempting to observe something in nature (bending trees, strange weather, celestial activity, etc, etc...) and jump to a grandiose conclusion. This is what sets a good scientist apart. He or she will question and record the observation, then perform the Scientific Method.

Many times in my own observations, I want to jump to a conclusion, just to solve the puzzle fast. It takes a concerted effort to not accept the fast conclusion and to do research into the issue at hand to be more sure of a correct answer.

This is the nice thing about being a Citizen Scientist, there are Professional Scientists and many years of research available on the Internet, the library or in the case of a scientist, a phone call to your local university.

This can be an inexpensive, educating and fun way to pass your extra time.

September 11, 2010 Moon Venus

Crescent Moon and Venus on 9/11, 2010 1930hrs at St. Anne De Sault, QC. Was lucky to get these pics as there were some high level clouds that threatened to block the view of this conjunction before Venus became visible.

There have been a lot of cloudy days lately, so it really was lucky to get a glimpse of this and with much talk of this conjunction in the media it makes it even more special.

Venus is very low in the west as the sun goes down now so there isn't much time to get a good shot of it, especially if there are any clouds in the western sky. Also, there was a lot of moisture in the air, which also affects image quality.

If you view Venus through binoculars or a small telescope, you will see that it is the same shape as a Waning Gibbous Moon. Mercury and Venus go through the same phases as the Moon(although much slower) because they are inside the Orbit of the Earth.

Ode To Joy by Beaker

Pics From The Road

Observing Notes:
Only used the mounted digital camera for these pictures.

Orion is now coming over the eastern horizon at around 2-3AM. First noticed it coming over the horizon about 3 weeks ago early in the morning, just before sun-up.

Was able to get two of Jupiters moons without the aid of a telescope. That shows the differance between a dark sky, away from all the street lights and a non dark sky in the city.

27 Aug/10 Observing at Hartland, NB Moon and Jupiter

Videos From The Road

The top video was taken at St. Leonard, NB 27Aug/10 at 0130. It shows the Moon and Jupiter behind fast moving clouds.

The bottom video was taken at Hartland, NB 27 Aug/10 at 2230. It also shows the Moon and Jupiter. You will notice that the glare from the Moon is cut down from time to time during this video, that is because I placed a sunglass lense in front of the camera. It worked good for the moon but it competely blotted out Jupiter.

More Pics of Summertime Bending Trees

These pictures were taken on 26 Aug/10 near Ottawa, ON. There are stands of Poplar and White Birch that are bending over here and there along the highway and in the woods.

It is an interesting phenomena that is still a mystery to me. Wind, excess ice and snow are not factors.