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Main
Date: 18 Dec 2006 06:37:24
From: Wally Anglesea™
Subject: Camp Quality Astronomy report
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Saturday 16th December, members of the Illawarra Astronomical Society,
led by yours truly, provided activities and talks at a Camp Quality
event at HMAS Creswell (a naval training academy) near Nowra,
Australia.
Camp Quality is an organisation that provides activities and support
to children suffering from cancer. Each child has a "Companion", a
volunteer who spends time with them as a team.
We were invited to provide some interesting activities, for this group
who were aged between 6 and 14 years of age.
So we organised. We got there at around 4.00pm, and setup the Solar
telescope, which was useful, because of the recent sunspot activity,
so a lot of the kids came and took the opportunity of looking at the
sunspots, while I talked about the Sun, and sunspots. We were lucky,
because there had been 100% cloud cover until I arrived, and the
clouds cleared. One of our members brought a PST along, and we were
able to show the huge prominences that had fired off the edge of the
sun.
We then setup in the cinema building, and we gave an open talk on the
Solar system, and showed slides from NASA, including recent images of
galactic clusters. Material had been provided as part of NASA's
outreach program, of which we are an active member.
I was amazed at the level of questions we were asked. Fundamental
questions such as how do planets form, how did Mars get it's water,
why are the planets the colours they are, why are the stars different
colours, and astonishingly from a 14 year old, questions about black
holes and the origin of the universe.
Since it had clouded over, we couldn't do any further observing.
We finished off with a demonstration of scale, having volunteer kids
hold up models of the planets, and the sun, all to scale, then move
them on the parade ground.
We've decided on the strength of this that we are going to provide
activities at the winter camp in July next year, and the next summer
camp.
By the way. Not a single dumb question about giant moon illusions,
Moon Hoax conspiracies, or creationism. You can imagine my level of
satisfaction.
--
Find out about Australia's most dangerous Doomsday Cult:
http://users.bigpond.net.au/wanglese/pebble.htm
"You can't fool me, it's turtles all the way down."
"Maths proves you know how to plug in some figures into a formula, that's
all"
"Even physics is based on wrong theories, so what's the use of maths"
Carole - demonstrating her mathematical abilities.
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Date: 18 Dec 2006 09:30:38
From: oriel36
Subject: Re: Camp Quality Astronomy report
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Wally Anglesea=E2=84=A2 wrote:
> On Mon, 18 Dec 2006 09:01:50 GMT, thk_797@yahoo.com (Tom Kerr) wrote:
>
> >In article <k5dco29d4mm6j6ncm8ubhll0b0sc7ivq27@4ax.com>, Wally Anglesea=
=E2=84=A2 <wanglese@spammersbigpondareparasites.net.au > wrote:
> >
> >[...]
> >
> >>By the way. Not a single dumb question about giant moon illusions,
> >>Moon Hoax conspiracies, or creationism. You can imagine my level of
> >>satisfaction.
> >
> >Nice one, Wally, and good to see you obviously had a bunch of intelligent
> >kids there and not the star trek numbnuts that like to think this is the=
ir
> >newsgroup.
> >
> >I've not spoken to a bunch of kids about astronomy for a long time apart
> >from the odd random group that appear at the summit at sunset, but am
> >curious if you've ever had one of them ask why planets are round.
>
> No, thank heaven :-) If one were to ask, I'd have to go into gravity,
> and explain something along the lines of larger gravitational masses
> being round. Then throw a curved ball and explain that since they
> spin, most, if not all planets aren't completely spherical. Still
> hard to show graphically.
>
The Earth's deviation from a perfect sphere AND the tectonic motion of
the surface crust is due to the rotational dynamics of its
molten.flexible interior,specifically differential rotation.
A rotating celestial mass with a constituent molten characteristics
will rotate at slower speeds where the central axis exists near the
geographical surface while at its maximum diameter (Equator) it will
move fastest.As rotational dynamics of a molten object indicate shear
bands straddling the Equator and moving towards the poles,there is no
reason to believe that the Earth's interior behaves any
different.Differential rotation of the Sun's surface plasma indicates
not only why objects are spherical but alos why they are not perfectly
spherical -
http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/distance/strobel/starsun/strsuna_files/sun-rotation=
.gif
http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Space/EducationResource/Universe/framed_e/=
lecture/ch11/imgs/rotation.gif
This business of referencing the spherical deviation from the dead
center of the Earth is too primitive to be of any use yet it is the
idea you still cling to along with stationary Earth/convection cell
models for crustal motion -
http://www-spof.gsfc.nasa.gov/stargaze/Srotfram1.htm
> > I was
> >asked this question by a bunch of 10-11 year olds and had the hardest ti=
me
> >explaining it in terms they would understand. I'm more used to explaining
> >black holes!
>
> I could have used you at the event. the 14 year old was absolutely
> well informed on Black Holes and Hawking etc. I've arranged for him
> to be contacted by the Astronomical society that is nearest to him
> (actually in his home suburb, it turns out), next year, and invited to
> join them.
>
> --
>
> Find out about Australia's most dangerous Doomsday Cult:
> http://users.bigpond.net.au/wanglese/pebble.htm
>
> "You can't fool me, it's turtles all the way down."
>
> "Maths proves you know how to plug in some figures into a formula, that's
> all"
> "Even physics is based on wrong theories, so what's the use of maths"
> Carole - demonstrating her mathematical abilities.
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Date: 18 Dec 2006 03:11:05
From: oriel36
Subject: Re: Camp Quality Astronomy report
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Tom Kerr wrote:
> In article <k5dco29d4mm6j6ncm8ubhll0b0sc7ivq27@4ax.com>, Wally Anglesea=
=E2=84=A2 <wanglese@spammersbigpondareparasites.net.au > wrote:
>
> [...]
>
> >By the way. Not a single dumb question about giant moon illusions,
> >Moon Hoax conspiracies, or creationism. You can imagine my level of
> >satisfaction.
>
> Nice one, Wally, and good to see you obviously had a bunch of intelligent
> kids there and not the star trek numbnuts that like to think this is their
> newsgroup.
>
> I've not spoken to a bunch of kids about astronomy for a long time apart
> from the odd random group that appear at the summit at sunset, but am
> curious if you've ever had one of them ask why planets are round. I was
> asked this question by a bunch of 10-11 year olds and had the hardest time
> explaining it in terms they would understand. I'm more used to explaining
> black holes!
I look at how your kind explains the seasons in a perfectly
geocentric way ,without remorse and even with great enthusiasm -
http://www.brocktonpublicschools.com/schools/high/planetarium/activities/se=
asons/seasons8.html
The second closest influence on human existence after the daily cycle,
based on two motions (axial and orbital) ,and you can't even manage to
get it right as the above explanation typifies.No doubt the idea of the
arc of the Sun from horizon to horizon and its 'altitude' influences
your perception of the great cyclical change in weather but it sure is
primitive for the information now availible and especially the images
of the Earth from space.
It must be great to indoctrinate kids into celestial sphere photography
and explain all structure and motion through that calendrical
convenience but there is always the choice to become familiar with
proper heliocentric working principles and insights and then and only
then introduce the benefits of magnification as one facet of astronomy.
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Date: 18 Dec 2006 09:01:50
From: Tom Kerr
Subject: Re: Camp Quality Astronomy report
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In article <k5dco29d4mm6j6ncm8ubhll0b0sc7ivq27@4ax.com >, Wally Anglesea™ <wanglese@spammersbigpondareparasites.net.au> wrote:
[...]
>By the way. Not a single dumb question about giant moon illusions,
>Moon Hoax conspiracies, or creationism. You can imagine my level of
>satisfaction.
Nice one, Wally, and good to see you obviously had a bunch of intelligent
kids there and not the star trek numbnuts that like to think this is their
newsgroup.
I've not spoken to a bunch of kids about astronomy for a long time apart
from the odd random group that appear at the summit at sunset, but am
curious if you've ever had one of them ask why planets are round. I was
asked this question by a bunch of 10-11 year olds and had the hardest time
explaining it in terms they would understand. I'm more used to explaining
black holes!
|
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Date: 18 Dec 2006 11:44:56
From: Wally Anglesea™
Subject: Re: Camp Quality Astronomy report
|
On Mon, 18 Dec 2006 09:01:50 GMT, thk_797@yahoo.com (Tom Kerr) wrote:
>In article <k5dco29d4mm6j6ncm8ubhll0b0sc7ivq27@4ax.com>, Wally Anglesea™ <wanglese@spammersbigpondareparasites.net.au> wrote:
>
>[...]
>
>>By the way. Not a single dumb question about giant moon illusions,
>>Moon Hoax conspiracies, or creationism. You can imagine my level of
>>satisfaction.
>
>Nice one, Wally, and good to see you obviously had a bunch of intelligent
>kids there and not the star trek numbnuts that like to think this is their
>newsgroup.
>
>I've not spoken to a bunch of kids about astronomy for a long time apart
>from the odd random group that appear at the summit at sunset, but am
>curious if you've ever had one of them ask why planets are round.
No, thank heaven :-) If one were to ask, I'd have to go into gravity,
and explain something along the lines of larger gravitational masses
being round. Then throw a curved ball and explain that since they
spin, most, if not all planets aren't completely spherical. Still
hard to show graphically.
> I was
>asked this question by a bunch of 10-11 year olds and had the hardest time
>explaining it in terms they would understand. I'm more used to explaining
>black holes!
I could have used you at the event. the 14 year old was absolutely
well informed on Black Holes and Hawking etc. I've arranged for him
to be contacted by the Astronomical society that is nearest to him
(actually in his home suburb, it turns out), next year, and invited to
join them.
--
Find out about Australia's most dangerous Doomsday Cult:
http://users.bigpond.net.au/wanglese/pebble.htm
"You can't fool me, it's turtles all the way down."
"Maths proves you know how to plug in some figures into a formula, that's
all"
"Even physics is based on wrong theories, so what's the use of maths"
Carole - demonstrating her mathematical abilities.
|
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Date: 20 Dec 2006 07:51:37
From: Painius
Subject: Re: Camp Quality Astronomy report
|
"Tom Kerr" <thk_797@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:12ocm7s4365fu35@news.supernews.com...
> In article <k5dco29d4mm6j6ncm8ubhll0b0sc7ivq27@4ax.com>, Wally Anglesea™
> <wanglese@spammersbigpondareparasites.net.au> wrote:
>
> [...]
>
>>By the way. Not a single dumb question about giant moon illusions,
>>Moon Hoax conspiracies, or creationism. You can imagine my level of
>>satisfaction.
>
> Nice one, Wally, and good to see you obviously had a bunch of intelligent
> kids there and not the star trek numbnuts that like to think this is their
> newsgroup.
Yes, i agree, Tom... it's always nice to see when the
students surpass the teacher!
happy days and...
starry starry nights!
--
Give the Devil an inch, and he'll take your Smile!
Indelibly yours,
Paine
http://www.savethechildren.org/
http://www.painellsworth.net
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Date: 20 Dec 2006 09:21:30
From: Wally Anglesea™
Subject: Re: Camp Quality Astronomy report
|
On Wed, 20 Dec 2006 07:51:37 GMT, "Painius" <starswirlerno@noaol.com >
wrote:
>"Tom Kerr" <thk_797@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>news:12ocm7s4365fu35@news.supernews.com...
>> In article <k5dco29d4mm6j6ncm8ubhll0b0sc7ivq27@4ax.com>, Wally Anglesea™
>> <wanglese@spammersbigpondareparasites.net.au> wrote:
>>
>> [...]
>>
>>>By the way. Not a single dumb question about giant moon illusions,
>>>Moon Hoax conspiracies, or creationism. You can imagine my level of
>>>satisfaction.
>>
>> Nice one, Wally, and good to see you obviously had a bunch of intelligent
>> kids there and not the star trek numbnuts that like to think this is their
>> newsgroup.
>
>Yes, i agree, Tom... it's always nice to see when the
>students surpass the teacher!
They certainly surpassed you in the intelligence stakes, even the 6
year olds. That doesn't surprise me though.
--
Find out about Australia's most dangerous Doomsday Cult:
http://users.bigpond.net.au/wanglese/pebble.htm
"You can't fool me, it's turtles all the way down."
"Maths proves you know how to plug in some figures into a formula, that's
all"
"Even physics is based on wrong theories, so what's the use of maths"
Carole - demonstrating her mathematical abilities.
|
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Date: 20 Dec 2006 10:44:50
From: Painius
Subject: Re: Camp Quality Astronomy report
|
"Wally AngleseaT" <wanglese@spammersbigpondareparasites.net.au > wrote...
in message news:ufvho2dvvev22eui2fr49lvkh0qdhtetra@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 20 Dec 2006 07:51:37 GMT, "Painius" <starswirlerno@noaol.com>
> wrote:
>>"Tom Kerr" <thk_797@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>news:12ocm7s4365fu35@news.supernews.com...
>>> In article <k5dco29d4mm6j6ncm8ubhll0b0sc7ivq27@4ax.com>, Wally AngleseaT
>>> <wanglese@spammersbigpondareparasites.net.au> wrote:
>>>>
>>>
>>> [...]
>>>
>>>>By the way. Not a single dumb question about giant moon illusions,
>>>>Moon Hoax conspiracies, or creationism. You can imagine my level of
>>>>satisfaction.
>>>
>>> Nice one, Wally, and good to see you obviously had a bunch of
>>> intelligent
>>> kids there and not the star trek numbnuts that like to think this is
>>> their
>>> newsgroup.
>>
>>Yes, i agree, Tom... it's always nice to see when the
>>students surpass the teacher!
>
> They certainly surpassed you in the intelligence stakes, even the 6
> year olds. That doesn't surprise me though.
Nothing surprises anyone with iq of 60 or less.
happy days and...
starry starry nights!
--
The best things in life are here and now!
Indelibly yours,
Paine
http://www.savethechildren.org/
http://www.painellsworth.net
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Date: 20 Dec 2006 19:55:05
From: Wally Anglesea™
Subject: Re: Camp Quality Astronomy report
|
On Wed, 20 Dec 2006 10:44:50 GMT, "Painius" <starswirlerno@noaol.com >
wrote:
>"Wally AngleseaT" <wanglese@spammersbigpondareparasites.net.au> wrote...
>in message news:ufvho2dvvev22eui2fr49lvkh0qdhtetra@4ax.com...
>> On Wed, 20 Dec 2006 07:51:37 GMT, "Painius" <starswirlerno@noaol.com>
>> wrote:
>>>"Tom Kerr" <thk_797@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>>news:12ocm7s4365fu35@news.supernews.com...
>>>> In article <k5dco29d4mm6j6ncm8ubhll0b0sc7ivq27@4ax.com>, Wally AngleseaT
>>>> <wanglese@spammersbigpondareparasites.net.au> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> [...]
>>>>
>>>>>By the way. Not a single dumb question about giant moon illusions,
>>>>>Moon Hoax conspiracies, or creationism. You can imagine my level of
>>>>>satisfaction.
>>>>
>>>> Nice one, Wally, and good to see you obviously had a bunch of
>>>> intelligent
>>>> kids there and not the star trek numbnuts that like to think this is
>>>> their
>>>> newsgroup.
>>>
>>>Yes, i agree, Tom... it's always nice to see when the
>>>students surpass the teacher!
>>
>> They certainly surpassed you in the intelligence stakes, even the 6
>> year olds. That doesn't surprise me though.
>
>Nothing surprises anyone with iq of 60 or less.
Well, only you would know, I suppose.
--
Find out about Australia's most dangerous Doomsday Cult:
http://users.bigpond.net.au/wanglese/pebble.htm
"You can't fool me, it's turtles all the way down."
"Maths proves you know how to plug in some figures into a formula, that's
all"
"Even physics is based on wrong theories, so what's the use of maths"
Carole - demonstrating her mathematical abilities.
|
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Date: 20 Dec 2006 02:34:48
From: Mij Adyaw
Subject: Re: Camp Quality Astronomy report
|
Those 6 year-olds will learn sooner or later that we never really went to
the moon when they see the movie Capricorn One. :-)
"Wally AngleseaT" <wanglese@spammersbigpondareparasites.net.au > wrote in
message news:ufvho2dvvev22eui2fr49lvkh0qdhtetra@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 20 Dec 2006 07:51:37 GMT, "Painius" <starswirlerno@noaol.com>
> wrote:
>
>>"Tom Kerr" <thk_797@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>news:12ocm7s4365fu35@news.supernews.com...
>>> In article <k5dco29d4mm6j6ncm8ubhll0b0sc7ivq27@4ax.com>, Wally AngleseaT
>>> <wanglese@spammersbigpondareparasites.net.au> wrote:
>>>
>>> [...]
>>>
>>>>By the way. Not a single dumb question about giant moon illusions,
>>>>Moon Hoax conspiracies, or creationism. You can imagine my level of
>>>>satisfaction.
>>>
>>> Nice one, Wally, and good to see you obviously had a bunch of
>>> intelligent
>>> kids there and not the star trek numbnuts that like to think this is
>>> their
>>> newsgroup.
>>
>>Yes, i agree, Tom... it's always nice to see when the
>>students surpass the teacher!
>
> They certainly surpassed you in the intelligence stakes, even the 6
> year olds. That doesn't surprise me though.
>
> --
>
> Find out about Australia's most dangerous Doomsday Cult:
> http://users.bigpond.net.au/wanglese/pebble.htm
>
> "You can't fool me, it's turtles all the way down."
>
> "Maths proves you know how to plug in some figures into a formula, that's
> all"
> "Even physics is based on wrong theories, so what's the use of maths"
> Carole - demonstrating her mathematical abilities.
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