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)
RE: https://mastodon.social/@sundogplanets/116765720132813841
Context for Venus disappearing:
Damn it's REALLY CLOUDY :(
I'll keep looking up and hoping. That's astronomy in a nutshell, I guess.
@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.
Prof. Sam Lawler
Colin the Mathmo