Planetary science & space exploration, plus aviation. Nature, civilization, and humanity matter to me. Living is entry-level cosmonautics; do it as best you can
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| Website | https://cosmicray.ca/ |
Even though our knowledge has greatly advanced over the decades, I must say the #planetary literature was much more exciting during the Mariner program
#Mars
(Image from here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/146925115304 )
Sunset, #Altadena
I’m not completely sure, but I think this magnificent #tree is Fraxinus uhdei. It might be as old as the house which used to stand where I was, taking this photo yesterday. It lost a number of limbs in the windstorm, and fire, of January 7th, and more to an arborist tending to it afterward. It’s put out a lot of new foliage, but a lot of its bark is damaged - mixed signals about its long-term viability.
It provided shade for the old house, and I hope it will for the new one.
Exploring the valley of the Kern River from the air and on the ground this past weekend
For a day where the soaring forecast was ‘fair’, it turned out pretty well. Two and a half hours soaring above Mount Palomar, and a sunset flight back to El Monte
This didn’t stop me from going elsewhere for clear skies and glider flights, including a checkout on the Grob 102, a single-seat glider of which one example hangs in the Smithsonian for having set the world altitude record.
It was a beautiful day for #flying in southern California. Visibility was at least 90 miles, and I managed to squeeze nearly 2 hours out of a few thermals near Warner Springs before making a stop at Santa Catalina Island on the way home.
