BAG Bill's Astro Garden | Landmark & historical place

BAG Bill's Astro Garden

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25.01.2022 Greetings all. I trust you are all well and warm. Victoria is showing a poor record of Covid19 cases so take care meeting new people and visiting busy places. The old matey slap on the back and handshake might take some time to return. Last week was the Telescope Workshop and a challenge was presented over a different style of mounting. One I had not encountered before. This may take some time to work out but maybe when its warmer. It is difficult to picture the intention of... the manufacturer when the tripod mount was designed. It may a simple case of switching the OTA to the other side, or rotating an entire axis scale to extend its range. We shall persist. Morning viewing is good at the moment with the waning Moon a mere crescent next to Venus. And Mercury is not far behind. The Pleiades is always a great object and so in rising Orion with its v active nebulae. So if you can brave the sub-zero outdoors from 05:00, you will see some favourites. Binoculars are quite satisfactory. The Pleiades riding before dawn signals the start of the Maori New Year. Known there as MATARIKI. This star cluster is also the Emblem for Subaru cars. Its meaning is Coming Together. Cheers now and lets hear what you have been doing during the restrictions. Cheers. Bill

25.01.2022 Lots of good images from this baby. Heres lookin at you kid!

24.01.2022 Today, senior cultural leader Adrian Burragubba delivered the first and final notice of eviction to Adani for illegally trespassing on Wangan & Jagalingou land.... We, the original Wangan & Jagalingou sovereign people, believe that it is our inalienable right given to us by our ancestors, to oppose the compulsory acquisition of all our lands and waters within our borders. Right now, Adani are destroying our culture and country. Soon they’ll start draining the water table and digging their coal mine. The water is essential to the health of the land and cannot be bought and sold under Aboriginal law. There is no agreement and Adani must leave #EvictAdani #StandingOurGround

24.01.2022 Not your average reflector Telescope.

24.01.2022 Learn something new every day.

23.01.2022 Astronomical humour.

23.01.2022 Something to do while in lockdown. See how you go!

23.01.2022 Jupiter is always amazing. The Chief of all the Creation Beings in Aboriginal Astronomy.

22.01.2022 This will be our future one day. Andromeda is getting closer. But dont hold yr breath.

21.01.2022 Well we tried. The Comet Swan seems to have gone beyond our sight. An astronomer friend in Sydney also had bad luck while others in his group were marginally successful. Comets are tricky things. They have no specific destination or direction. They wander aimlessly across the sky bending to the will of GRAVITY. If getting near to Jupiter, it may be sucked in, or ricoched out of the Solar System. Generally they aim toward the Sun which is why they develop a tail. A Comet i...s mostly a conglomerate of Rock and Ice held together by gravity. As it nears the Sun it starts to melt and the Solar Wind drives the particles away to the rear of the direction of travel. So if we do see a Comet with a tail, it is starting to melt and may break up. Comets are presumed to originate from Outer Space while Meteors can originate from the ASTEROID BELT that exists between Mars and Jupiter. These are fragments of matter left over from the creation of our Solar System. These objects too get dislodged by gravitational forces / or impacts with other objects. Then they hit Earths atmosphere and cause Shooting Stars. Or crash land on Earth and give us an insight into their makeup. Trying to find a Comet before anyone else means hundreds of hours watching the night sky in one place. Taking pictures days and weeks apart and comparing them. When an object is seen to move relative to the background stars it can then be observed with a telescope. The finder usually has naming rights. Maybe next time!!! Cheers, Bill.

21.01.2022 Arrived back last night after 10 days with Blaze Aid. This mob are well set up and professional for a bunch of volunteers. The day starts with bfast at 06:00 and make yr own lunch. Then Tool Box MTG at 07:15 for all matters on safety and weather, then teams depart for any properties needing help. All jobs are assessed and all tools provided by donation, so all they need are hands to do the work. During my stay we ranged between 35 _ 90. Thats a lot of meals and a lot off w...ork done. And dont the farmers need it. Anyone who knows the Banjo poem for the area The Man from Snowy River, will appreciate the terrain for us grey nomads. But we did it. Mountain goats dont get all the fun. So fig deep and donate to B A or spend some time with them. Feels great. And I lost over 2kg but I wont be going back to find them. I will post some pics when I learn how to get them onto this tablet. Cheers

20.01.2022 Sorry folks. The last post I made was a share but the photo does not seem to have made the jump. So I will try again. Nature truly is remarkable.

20.01.2022 Another factual sky interpretation. All these interpretations need to be heard and appreciated in their area of creation. Who needs the other hemisphere telling us what to believe?

19.01.2022 Wow! It won't be long till daylight saving begins. Not long after the Sept Equinox. Unfortunately that means shorter nights for Astronomers. So I am planning a short weekend away to a dark sky location just south of Inglewood, Vic. Anyone interested in joining me will be welcome as long as covid rules are maintained. October 15, 16 & 17th. Just send me a message as I won't advertise the location on this platform.... Bring binoculars, telescopes or DSLR cameras and tripod. And warm clothes, and some form of accommodation and supplies. There is a toilet available but nothing else. Be self sufficient. Let's see what the weather provides? Hope to C U soon. Bill.

19.01.2022 The World's first Astronomers have always known that 'everything on Earth is in the stars'. Now our space exploration is proving that. This knowledge has formed Song Lines that explains life on Earth. Two lines that encircle the full annual sky rotation. Unlike the European Constellations which only promote 'Deities' and warriors with no connection to the land at all.

19.01.2022 Now heres a bonus. It seems I have just reached 50 page Likies. Thank you. Just my IQ. lol.

19.01.2022 Word has come to me of a COMET heading our way. Its name is too long for me to remember but it can been found in the SE quadrant from 04:00 in the constellation of Grus. I hear that it could be visible unaided in the first couple of weeks in May. I have tried to see it for the past cople of days but for the racing cloud cover. I will persist but get yourself out of bed and look for yourself. Happy star gazing.

19.01.2022 A nice Science project. A lot of work for a loaf of bread tho! Maybe scones next time ...

18.01.2022 Always good to get back to Parkes. I used to visit friends there before the Dish was built. Good Wiradjuri country.

18.01.2022 Tonight on ABC TV is Back To Nature. This is the final episode in the series and is coming from Central Oz. Astronomer Karlie Noon is featured. Some of you may have see her on Q&A last week. Karlie will explain about meteor impact craters. Should be fun.Tonight on ABC TV is Back To Nature. This is the final episode in the series and is coming from Central Oz. Astronomer Karlie Noon is featured. Some of you may have see her on Q&A last week. Karlie will explain about meteor impact craters. Should be fun.

17.01.2022 Gotta believe it.

16.01.2022 Getting closer again, the Winter Solstice. June 21st. Its a Sunday and just happens to coincide with the next New Moon. So those garden enthusiasts who plant by the Moon cycles, and those who just like to dance around a fire, can enjoy themselves that day. Hmmmm! What will I do? ... This Solar direction change brings a definitive change in weather. The shorter days are past but the colder days have yet to arrive. Seems to defy logic? Anyone got an idea as to why? Whatever, stay well and warm and Check up on your neighbours. Family always comes first but neighbours are closer and will assist you in times of need. Be community minded, not self isolated. We are all living here together. Bill.

16.01.2022 Here is a brief on my Blaze Aid work last week. A great experience and a rewarding venture. The whole Corryong Community is v supportive and thankful for our contributions. The main fire came right up to the edge of town and surrounding hills and valleys bear the scars. I was on a team that laid out 1.2km of new fence, with 9 strands of wire in 7 hrs. Next 2 days my team stripped out 4 km of destroyed fence so Dept of Ag could bulldoze a new boundary clearing. I am still sore! But happy. Bill

16.01.2022 Scientists just observed the most massive black hole merger ever detected! 7 billion years ago two black holes collided to form an even more massive black hole ...thats 142 times as massive as the Sun and spat out the whopping energy of 8 Suns into space in the process. But thats not even the craziest part!!! The most massive of the pair is 85 times the mass of the Sun which is FORBIDDEN! Stellar black holes, those that are formed from the dramatic death of massive stars, can only form from stars that are not more massive than 65 times the mass of the Sun. Stars that are more massive than that just blow apart leaving nothing behind! So where did this forbidden black hole come from? Scientists believe that it could be the result of multiple stellar mass black holes colliding together to form this forbidden monster, like a Russian doll of black holes. Image credit: Carol & Mike Werner/Visuals Unlimited, INC./Science Photo Library

15.01.2022 Nature truly is remarkable. In the Mallee we dont get to see sights like this. Just how diverse is our planet? Anyone got other examples of Natural Formations and biodiversity? Add them to this page.

15.01.2022 What current technology will we find indispensable as new inventions become available? Dohhh!

15.01.2022 Last week there was a combination of circumstances that led to natural beauty being exposed in all its glory. High flying smoke from bushfires combined with swirling dust storms and a sudden spattering of rain caused an immaculate rainbow in the dying embers of Sunset. Sorry about the prose. Thanks to Gaby Hogg for this v rare picture. Aint nature grand. ... See, Science does not need to be boring. Open your eyes. Hope you are all coping well in these trying times. Bill

15.01.2022 Comets are few but command awe when they appear. Big balls of ice and dust slowly melting as they career towards the Sun, leaving tails of debris for millions of Kilometers. Always spectacular. Photos like these are gems.

14.01.2022 All these apply to my garden. Mostly because my two assistants who helped me plant them are Willy Nilly, and Ad Hock. I fired them yesterday.

11.01.2022 Kind of scary finding visions like this in the bush. What next?

10.01.2022 Still plenty of places for my Natural science weekend. Stargazing, Aboriginal sites, natural granite formations and plenty of fresh air. Mss g me for final details. Bill.Still plenty of places for my Natural science weekend. Stargazing, Aboriginal sites, natural granite formations and plenty of fresh air. Mss g me for final details. Bill.

09.01.2022 I went outside to see the LYRID Meteor Shower. Big disapointment. But I did see Jupiter, Saturn and Mars in the east. And Scorpio overhead in the bulge of the Milky Way. Even as a mild night I find it difficult to stay focussed so I have become a Fair Weather Stargazer. Special events only. I actually wanted to see the approaching Comet that is in GRUS and cruising. Yet it may be a few weeks yet before the tail becomes obvious. Binoculars may be the best appliance to view. I will keep you informed.

09.01.2022 I am looking forward to Elon Musks launch tomorrow morning. Well not Elon himself, but two Astronauts in his new space commuter to the ISS. Sometime between 05:00 and 06:00 tomorrow the launch will hopefully go ahead. It was postponed from last Thursday due to potential bad weather along the flight path. More space junk? Or is this rocket one of the new returnable kind? Able to fly back to Earth and land right on the launching pad. Like a car that parks itself. Just what ...does the future hold? Anyway. Get up early tomorrow and find the launch on TV. I am sure all networks will have some coverage. Even the ABC. Cheers. Bill

08.01.2022 Greetings again during the seasonal change. As the skies are mostly clear on these long nights, would it be an idea to run a TELESCOPE WORKSHOP? Since arriving in Kerang many years ago, I have had a lot of curious enquiries about Astronomy in general. About the celestial objects, binoculars, Aboriginal beliefs and what telescope would suit me best? This hobby of mine has a huge following across the globe and many of you would remember the Guiness Book of World Records attem...pt in 2017 for the most people gazing at the Moon at the same time. We broke that record exceedingly well. Now it seems that many people own telescopes, or want one, and are not sure how to get the most out of it. Or does it provide enough versatility for a particular application. Well if there is an interest I am happy to run a ONE OFF telescope workshop in my TARDIS. EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST can be sent to me at [email protected] and will start an emailgroup advising a date and time. So spread the word. I can accommodate up to 8 people with social distancing. First in, best seats. Hope to meet some of you again soon. Bill.

08.01.2022 Wow! What a great spectacle was the Paralympics. True Science in every sport. Allowing people with all manner of physical and visual difficulties to participate at a high competitive level in international sports. That's a good use of science. And all congrats to the Officials and Coaches who created the playing conditions. I particularly liked the Goalball, and Wheelchair Rugby and Basketball. But every competitor was champion and many personal bests were achieved. Along wi...th a few World Records. It took me a day of complete rest to unwind and get my energy back. Then the phone rang. It was my RE agent with a request for a Section 32 Certificate. A guy in Melbourne is keen to know more about my property for sale. Who knows if he will buy? I will keep you posted. And Spring is here at last. A great drop of rain has caused the weeds to blossom. Out comes the mower - again. Cheers all.

07.01.2022 Well hello again. I have been quiet lately. Temps too hot for daily activities and nights too hot for a comfortable sleep. I had a report from a friend in Gippsland who was facing the latest fire front in that area. She had done as much as she could but still had a worrying few days. Now the threat is over with good rain putting her mind and body in a more relaxed state. Now I have contacted Blaze Aid to help rebuild fences so graziers can restock their farms. I plan to start... in March. Cmon and lend a hand. In the longer term I am planning a trip to the Top End in a last chance potential of meeting one of Australias most popular Elders. Based just west of Katharine, it will be a long drive both ways but well worth the effort to meet the Bush Professor. He is featured in Billy Connollys World Tour of Australia. This trip may be one of my last excursions - out back - for a very long time. I have just about seen and done it all. June is the month so expect me to go silent again. On the Astro front, my Meade has karked it. A plastic gear has stripped and Meade have shut their doors. Gone belly-up. Bugger. Thats $3,000 down the drain. The scope is manual only now which makes it unusable for photography. I wont buy another scope now as I am now less able to put in the hours needed to maintain the interest. But I am still following the progress of NASA and watching for new programs that show the latest developments in space. Cheers now. Remember that if you want to get control over Politicians, DONT VOTE. Eventually there will another Referendum for becoming a Republic. Bill.

07.01.2022 Scorpio is our Winter Constellation. It marks the end of the Giant Emu that starts in Crux. Become familiar with it and watch it rotate prior to descending into the western horizon.

06.01.2022 https://www.facebook.com/2066714596707364/posts/4547510345294431/

05.01.2022 #WITS? August #1 Venus shows us why it’s often called the evening (or morning) star as it dazzles the eye with its laser-like brightness. Of course it’s not a... star, but a planet and we can pick this up by comparing it with other stars around it planets don’t twinkle! A conjunction with the waxing crescent Moon will make it extra easy to find. Masses of stars, tightly bound in a spherical (or globe!) shape by gravity often make great targets for binoculars or a small scope. Mostly found orbiting in extended star halos surrounding spiral galaxies, they contain some of the oldest stars we can see in the sky. M15 will be faint, but is beautiful nonetheless. The LMC and SMC are one of four galaxies that can be seen with the naked eye in the Southern Hemisphere and are our ever visible fuzzy friends in our Southern Skies. They stand out fairly obviously when you have the privilege of a dark sky site. Asteroid 349 Demboswka is at opposition this month (it is directly opposite the Sun) and will therefore offer some of the best views of this asteroid which sits in the main belt between Jupiter and Mars. If you have the luxury of a bigger scope, check out the planetary nebulae NGC 6164 and 6165. This nebula results from a seriously intense mass ejection from a very massive, very hot (and relatively rare) star called HD 148937 with a mass of around 40 times that of our own Sun!

05.01.2022 Goodbye friends. My house just sold for my full asking price. Wow! Only on the market for 4 years. Anyway a lot of you have been kind and generous and understanding. It has made my stay In Kerang a lot more meaningful with my Autism. I will not leave you in the lurch if you have any unasked questions. Astronomy can be intimidating and confusing so for those who have sought my assistance, I hope things are much clearer now. I am still running this weekend away on the 15-17t...h October where you are welcome to attend for a day or three and see some Stars that are part of Indigenous Star Lore and hear their stories. Science applies to every field of life and if we don't respect it, Nature will make our lives very uncomfortable. So don't be a stranger over then next 3 months. Make yourself known to me and ask those tricky questions. I could do with a good laugh. NO Just kidding. Cheers Astro Bill.

05.01.2022 This was no mean feat. A top exposure for this astronomer. Imagine the isolation of the inhabitants? With 16 full orbits per day, one's body clock might get out of synch! Each orbit has one sunrise and sunset so counting down the days in space is problematic. Enjoy.

04.01.2022 Here is a reminder that I am running a TELESCOPE WORKSHOP next Sunday. If you have any interest in basic Astronomy, or serious bird watching or coastal whale watching, then this workshop will give you a heads up. A lot of people in the past have bought an impulse only to discover limitations that took away the desire to continue. That is sad but not a total loss. ... Come and have a chat and see some variations. You might get reinsured. Reply to me or email. Love to help. Bill

04.01.2022 Beautiful Mars! Our Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter launched 15 years ago today to study the Red Planets atmosphere, weather, subsurface water, and more. But the mission might best be known for the images sent by its HiRISE camera: https://go.nasa.gov/30StgQ6

04.01.2022 It was a cool but clear night so I grabbed my camera, a Nikon D3000, stuck it on a tripod and see what I found . Set on ISO 1600; 15sec exposure. The colours in the Nebulae were bright. Pic on the left is Jupiter with 3 moons below, but Callisto was above right and missed the frame. Bugger.

01.01.2022 This is a great initiative and worth exploring everywhere across the country.

01.01.2022 At last we are entering the better part of the year for stargazing. With the 60mm of rain the Mallee has had so far this month, the night sky has been very clear. No dust and no pollution. The nights are longer so seeing the horizon is now possible in waking hours when we are timed to be awake. This is good for me, one who really needs a beauty sleep. There is more rain forecast over the next 2-3 days but then the cold will begin. No need to tell you that but sometimes there ...is a sudden reason to get out and look up, but without proper coverings. So please take heed of your natural survival instincts and keep yourself protected. Has anyone got a glimpse of the comet in Grus? I check every morning with binocs but maybe thats not powerful enough. First two weeks of May is supposed to be the best time. South East. Trust everyone is well and surviving the isolation conditions. I hear lots of people are finally getting those irritating chores out of the way. Even Spring Cleaning very early. Good on yer! Let me know what youre all up to. Cheers. Bill.

01.01.2022 This is from the Top End and clearly describes the knowledge, through observation, of Seasonal Influences. Aboriginals knew what was going to happen both from the weather and from the Stars. Repetition - repetition. One influences the other. A timely piece of info just prior to Science Week.

01.01.2022 How Big is Big? Just a drop in a bucket. No wonder we are susceptible to Sunburn.

01.01.2022 For THE EARTH IS FLAT believers.

01.01.2022 It is National Tree Day on Sunday 2nd August. So make sure you plant one on your patch. In a pot or the ground doesnt matter, just plant one. And dont remove another one either. It has been known that some people remove trees for personal reasons then become goodie-goodies for planting a bush. Tut tut. And Science Week is arriving soon. Keep that grey matter working. Here is another question . . .... What colour eggs do Peacocks lay??? Email your answer to [email protected]