Showing posts with label eclipse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eclipse. Show all posts

Thursday, January 6, 2011

If Jesus Can Do It Why Can't You: Walking on water


The story goes that the disciples were taking the ferry to one of those biblical towns that all sound the same, beth- something or another, and they were crossing the Sea of Galilee (always seems to be this Sea, nothing better to do though I suppose). Jesus had said he would catch up with them and the story goes that he did so by walking on water and then jumping on the boat that the disciples were on (most likely higher than the high seas themselves).


Now you might have noticed in the video that one of the pioneers of the new sport liquid-mountaineering looks like Owen Wilson, but that doesn't mean that you should think this thing is a joke from the outset. Give it chance people! I was intrigued by this sport because there seemed to be some sort of loose scientific explanation that posited a possibility, so I listened to Ulf and watch with the sense of wonder and awe that only a child could administer. It seemed impossible, it seemed unbelievable, a miracle, just like Jesus going for a stroll on the Sea of Galilee. I caught up with Ulf and the Owen Wilson look-a-like and asked them about their fantastic achievement. They were quite surprised at first that any reputable reporter would even bother with them but I could smell the truth behind this story from a mile away. I put it to these two intrepid aqua-runners that I could beat their record of 16 wet steps. They wished me luck. Ever since that day I have woken up an hour earlier and I begin the day by running across a local lake. I have reached 14 steps and I am confident that this year I can eclipse the now famous 16 steps.



Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Partial Solar Eclipse, Planting Indians, and a UFO

This morning I set my alarm earlier than usual in the hope that I would catch a glimpse of the partial solar eclipse that was occurring above Ireland and much of Europe and North Africa. I had set up my telescope with a solar filter too reduce the illumination of the sun and allow myself to observe it safely, I also fitted a camera to my scope so I could try and capture some impressive photos. Unfortunately when I went outside the sun was shrouded in clouds. I occupied my time by planting a few Indians in the soil that had recently thawed after the big chill we had faced in November and December. My planting had been delayed this year and I was already worried about my harvest. Furthermore, there is an old Indian proverb that says "a child planted under half a sun will grow in half the time".


Anyway as I finished my planting I noticed the day began to brighten swiftly and the sun that now floated majestically over the horizon had shook off it's duvet of clouds. The sun was now ready for the day, all it needed now was it's circle to be complete and the moon to get out of the way. I quickly grabbed my scope and began to gaze at this beautiful event of chance and precision. Then without warning a strange object appeared from the the darkness of the eclipse. It came from the the circumference of the moon that was encroaching on the sun. I thought it was just Baily's beads, but this was something else. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, the suns light was still too bright so I powered up my X-ray telescope to try and get a better look. Below is an unaltered, un-doctored image of what I saw, you can decide for yourself what it is but I have made up my mind. 
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