Prof. Sam Lawler2d ago

I really need to stop scheduling meetings (that I have to run) at noon. Or just give up and eat lunch at 11am every day.

Also a collaborator sent me some simulations of the night sky with Reflect Orbital fucking it up terribly and I'd rather cry than have a meeting.

Anyway... I'm planning to sit outside with my laptop and binoculars so I can watch Venus disappear at 1pm at the end of the meeting. Everyone on the call is an astronomer, they'll understand. (Clouds: BEHAVE YOURSELVES)

Show threadProf. Sam Lawler2d ago

RE: https://mastodon.social/@sundogplanets/116765720132813841

Context for Venus disappearing:

Show threadProf. Sam Lawler2d ago

Damn it's REALLY CLOUDY :(

I'll keep looking up and hoping. That's astronomy in a nutshell, I guess.

Show threadProf. Sam Lawler2d ago
CLOUDS, YOU DID NOT LISTEN TO ME. I'll try again at 2:15.
Show threadProf. Sam Lawler
Well shit. I tried. https://theoatmeal.com/comics/celestial_events
Celestial events - The Oatmeal

A comic about meteor showers, eclipses, and other celestial events.

The Oatmeal
Jun 17 at 8:25pmWeb
Show threadRoy -- the dull one2d ago

@sundogplanets

Wonderful cartoon!

Show threadFuture Sprog2d ago

Oh no! Condolences.

If it's any commiseration, I shared this astrophoto with the local astronomers and *nobody* was impressed.

@sundogplanets

Show threadEmma: ƒ(☕️, 🐈‍⬛️, 🚀️) ⇒ ℂ2d ago
@futuresprog @sundogplanets I was rudely blocked by clouds as well. Darn this typical Summer Bay Area climate!
Show threaddrbrain2d ago
@sundogplanets But thanks to your posts I got to watch, sorry your sky didn't cooperate
Show threadBlake C. Stacey2d ago

@sundogplanets It's cloudy here too.

I'm thinking of getting into cloud-spotting. They've gotten in the way of so many events further out that I feel I should appreciate them for their own sake. When life gives you lemons, make cumulonade.

Show threadGraeme2d ago
@sundogplanets this every time
Show threadLed By Gilded Fools2d ago

@sundogplanets You didn't try hard enough, because The Oatmeal has enough cartoons to read over several cloudy nights.

cc: @theoatmeal.com

For instance:
My Dog, The Paradox https://theoatmeal.com/static/dog_paradox.html

Mars https://theoatmeal.com/comics/perseverance

Naked Mole Rats: https://theoatmeal.com/comics/naked_mole_rats

Nikola Tesla https://theoatmeal.com/comics/tesla

How much do cats actually kill? https://theoatmeal.com/comics/cats_actually_kill

Man Buns https://theoatmeal.com/comics/manbun

Christopher Columbus (sucks) https://theoatmeal.com/comics/columbus_day

My Dog: The Paradox - The Oatmeal

A comic about my dog, Rambo.

The Oatmeal
Show threadAmbivalena 2d ago
@sundogplanets THIS!!
Show threadColin the Mathmo2d ago

@sundogplanets I remember watching the 2004 Transit of Venus ... it was quite something. Not as amazing as a Total Solar Eclipse, but for someone who knows a bit about it, it was quite the experience.

For the 2012 transit I watched the forecasts anxiously, but it was clear that we were going to be clouded out. I checked, and checked, and checked, and then at 2am I set out to drive 250 miles to what was the only place in the UK within reach that potentially had some clear sky.

Well ... no.

Sigh.

Making plans for the Mercury transits in 2032 and 2039.

Show threadOliver Stueker2d ago

That's what it's like in St. John's, NL.
#YYT #yytwx #StJohns #Newfoundland

@sundogplanets