Two Years To Go!

The solar eclipse of 2017 is just two years away!

And I will have a perfect view -- from my very own front step. 

This calls for a celebration. I'd like to invite everyone to join me and my family and to watch at our place, here on the southern edge of Casper, Wyoming.
Right beneath the centerline, Baily's beads shall be visible, and totality will last almost a full two and a half minutes. 

Image from www.thehoodwitch.com

It promises to be absolutely wonderful.

Here is an article from a local news outfit about how Casper has been identified as the best place to see it.
http://oilcitywyo.com/2015/08/21/total-eclipse-occuring-2-years-from-today-casper-will-have-the-best-view/

Also, here is the portal to a site dedicated to 2017's  eclipse. Maintained by Dan McGlaun, it is a wealth of information regarding the phenomenon. He and his team are doing a tremendous job.
CHECK IT OUT!
http://www.eclipse2017.org/ 

New Horizons unto Pluto

I remember a writing prompt from fifth or sixth grade, almost thirty years ago:
"If you could visit any place in the solar system, where would you go and what would you do?"

I wrote: "I would go to Pluto and have a snowball fight."

Today will be the closest I'll ever come to such an escapade as New Horizons finally reaches Pluto and allows us to lift the veil over its dark, icy realm.

Perhaps it's better  this way. At just a few degrees above absolute zero, a snowball on Pluto would be harder than stone. Ouch!

Visit NASA and Space.com for all the latest information.

This mission promises such wondrous discovery for all of humanity to behold.