naturalsciencescope

British Deaf Astronomical Association’s

Adventure trail to Bude, Tintagel and Bradworthy

during their stay at Astroadventures (March 17th to 24th, 2012)

 Armed with Books and a geological Map of the Area we were able to discuss the Age of our Earth, what time span were at the Coastal Geology and using  the ‘ DK- Book on Prehistoric Life’ able to see how the Landscape of Britain changed over a long period of time.

At Bude we discovered the ‘ Bude Formation’ of Shales and Sandstone. Seeing also how much land actually worn away to now on the cross section of the map. (Bude map from UKGE)

At Tintagel , we went to visit  Kings Arthur’s Birthplace. Here the geological landscape was different in that it revealed quite a number of fissures from molten rock with slow cooling to have quartz .

In addition in Hartland Quay (2008)  by BDAA this area is called the ‘Crackling Formation’

Devon is derived from Devonian times from 410 to 350 Million years when Britain was in areas near the Equator. To see how the Ancient continents moved over time see this-

Continental Drift

We see evidence of the Periods between Devonian to Carboniferous to Permian/Eocene along the coast . This time scale saw the widespread primative  animals like Tetrapods and Plants and Trees. Evidence of Climatic change was the fall in Carbon Dioxide CO² due to photosynthesis and Temperature cooled.  You can see this in graphical detail in this-

TIMELINE

The interesting part is the missing evidence of  earlier history like Triassic, Jurassic  periods etc.. but we do see that later periods in other parts of Britain like Lyme Regis or Hunstanton etc. It is possible because of collision of two continents that the Geology there means that period layers of rock were subducted into the Earth.

There are 2 videos you can look at but unfortunately there are no subtitles and no interpreter BUT you can see things about the topic of folding and the recent study in the area. (This is something I like to do something about on all topics I have used on this website)

Geological Society of Cornwall

There is an additional link you can look at but its very detailed. The important thing is look at the diagrams of where Britain was and how Variscan Orogeny Mountain building occured. This was responsible for the incredible amount of Folding and the number of faults during it. It is refered as Wrench faults due to  vertical twists.

Finally, here is a question – How is it possible to know that the Continents moved around the Earth?

 The answer is Geology Scientists used Sensitive Instruments that detect Paleo-Magnetic evidence of  molten Iron with its N -S pointing to Earth’s Magnetic North that was set after it was cooled.   So it was possible to find changes in distances and positions of these rocks could be recorded across the world.

More detailed Study of Devonian and Carboniferous period of changes in the landscape noting the diagrams -

HERE

I recommend everyone who find Dictionaries sometimes hard to follow.

 Get the ‘DK Illustrated OXFORD Dictionary’ and

 some geological terms mentioned on this website are clearly explained

The motion of Mars will appear to go backwards but When?

We do have Sky Chart Maps but they do not show this motion as the Earth moves along its Orbit. Now is an opportunity to watch the Sky to see how Mars moves. One can use photos at a fixed place to the sky or draw a simple sketch.

Some facts to use about when retrograde motion occurs:-

There is an Asteroid 2005 YU55 expected to flyby between the Earth  and the Moon  on November 8th

To follow this  Object that is 400 metres across (1,300 feet) and weighs around 55 million tonnes.

See the route of this asteroid Animated in this link -

Asteroid Tracking

Also you can look at tracking with NASA
target-
 

NASA asteroid track

The challenge for ground based Telescopes of more than 10 inch or 300mm diameter is to follow it through.

It will pass between the Earth and the Moon around 23.28 UT  pm. I have stated this time as be as early to catch it because it depends where you are Observing to avoid missing the opportunity. Approaching the Moon it will look small and much like the  Satellites move across quickly.

There is also a facility on Starry Night 6 Pro to have the Asteroid’s orbit path mapped onto the screen and can use that as a guide. Just place cursor arrow on Asteroid and right click should show Dec and RA co-ordinates

Being a dark object will make it harder to see it because of lack of reflection.  It can be seen via Radio Astronomers Equipment as Blips and in addition will be the moonshine due to make it harder too.

Comet C/2009 PI Garradd on Friday  2nd September 22.00pm UK, BST

It has been quite a while since I was watching for Comets and it is hoped to see this comet reaching  the -

Coathanger Asterism (Please note you will see an upside down flip of it in binoculars or telescope)

This Comet will be next to the ‘Coathanger Cluster’ or ‘Brocchi ‘s Cluster’ in the Vulpecula Constellation. Its best viewed using a 10 x 50 Binoculars.

It is also suited for those who do use Spectroscopic equipment as it is quite bright 6th to 8th magnitude in a good Dark site.

Its an opportunity find the chemical composition of this Comet and there is the latest Book by ….

Astronomical Spectrography for Amateurs

To find the Cluster it will be between Vega and Altair. It can be found from Alberio , in Cygnus (the head of the Swan) to the right

more information can be seen on tracking the Comet through August to that date and beyond -

Comet Information. Please note one needs to click on Finder Charts and has other Comet information too.

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British Deaf Astronomical Association

held an ‘Astronomy Fun Day” at Bedford School on Saturday 18th June. It was a great  success due to Team Work in planning and preparation, inviting Guests to show why members are interested in Astronomy as a Hobby.

See report of this event on their Website with slideshow photos
see Relevant links on the right ->

Its self explanatory. I am please that things turned out well. Quite a lot of thought was put into the Slideshow Presentations , getting the newcomers as, ‘Guests’ to learn about Astronomy.

Thanks to Video-Chats on a PC, it was possible to do this while are we being distances apart. We still contact with those who do not have a PC, Internet or car. Anyway, the spread of news in the Deaf Community is much faster these days by social SHARING and Networking

One of the things that struck me was the effort to use ‘Visual Cues’ for the audience to grasp what it is all about.We used BSL throughout whilst still presenting Technical terms that lots of them have never seen before. Oh, yes, we had a wide  range of people with different levels of knowledge but they enjoyed learning about it.

So the Winter Solstice is coming up where all that has been talked about will be put into practice at ‘Sky Camp’, North Norfolk and up and coming events

For my part it has given me incentive to move to the next stage of my work to encourage more people. We have learnt so far in using our experiences in the  ‘ Mainstream’ without dissolving the Deaf Community as a result

I shall be answering a number of requests in the near future. I realize on topics of science it has brought up a number of issues for discussion.

Here is a Service for deaf people to use Sign Language to order or call for emergency service. Campaign for equal access to Telecommunications via Relay. An opportunity to vote to do something about it NOW!

VRS Today

I also want to encourage this via Broadband for most communications.

BSLBT have produced video programmes for Kids

(British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust)

called the Secret Lab

it is also suitable for all ages  because they give basics of Science in a clear and delightful way and they share

They should be congratulated for producing such programs made by deaf people themselves.

The Producers of Wicked TV had done it once again showing what talent and learning is all about. So in the National Science Week they had done what was needed for such a long time. Well done ! To all those who produced a wonderful professional presentation of deaf programmes in an entertaining way

The teams that produce them are by a company called - REMARK!

Here is a website that informs us its activities during the National Science Week which encourages learning science at all ages and I am pleased to know that is what I encourage people to do. I specially like to say that providing access to learning is so important. Please go see for yourselves what they do, and sure to enjoy this

at Coventry:-

Astronomy show

I want to encourage people get in practical things which the Open University is doing in schools with ‘Bang Goes the Theory’.

Bang goes the Theory

See the  ‘Amateur Science’ page a video that has subtitling facilities which I want people to add on them if possible. If you have Sign Language videos (it does not matter what country its from) in this topic please let us all know

I had along with other members of the BDAA attended Astrofest in London on February 4th 2011. Some of the photos are on BDAA website

Olivier Thizy shows us LISA Spectroscope

We visited SHELYAK Instruments Stall in which Olivier Thizy explained a bit about his products which are shown on his Website -

Shelyak Instruments – It is in French but you can click on ‘the English Version’

plus on Green Witch Site that gives you prices and does market the Shelyak Products

on Green Witch – Spectroscopy

A new Page in my website devoted to ‘Amateur Scientists’ is being prepared as an opportunity to explore several issues like  -’Water the Stuff of Life everywhere’,  in my blog.

There I received comments asking about  ‘Colour’ ,where it involves knowing how it is connected with ‘Energy’. Its best explained with Spectral information. Also about digital Photography, how that can also be explained a bit about ‘false’ colours too

This photo was captured this morning at his home in March,

Cambridgeshire, England, UK

He used a camera at 9.33am , shutter 1/2000 and f20 , ISO 100

Partial Solar Eclipse

He is member of the BDAA and is active with the Midlands Deaf Astronomical Society and

had experienced such eclipse in the past as part of his interest in Astronomy