2011
05.24
05.24
In West Chester PA
Cinco de Mayo above High Street, West Chester, PA. (much more action elsewhere).
Union Street porch.
Union Street dogwood.
2011
05.04
05.04
The original photo.
Philadelphia Inquirer full-page ad for B101. The 360,000 copies printed compares favorably with the one painting that Van Gogh sold during his lifetime. My name is spelled incorrectly in this mock-up, but correctly in the actual ad.
2011
04.27
04.27
The Lipstick Building reflects light from nearby star.
It’s a short walk from 2nd Avenue and 53rd Street to The Campanile Apartments (far left) at 450 East 52nd Street. Greta Garbo lived in an apartment on the fifth floor of this building from 1953 until her death in 1990.
Front entrance at Greta Garbo’s Manhattan apartment building (The Campanile Apartments).
On the way back fog moves in from the East River and the Lipstick Building looks different.
2011
04.12
04.12
In the mid 1950’s I saw the United States and the Queen Elizabeth in New York City on the same day. The United States always had a reputation for being well maintained, and she looked great. So good, that even a nine-year-old kid like me noticed. In her day, in addition to being the fastest ocean liner ever built, she was also one of the most beautiful. Now? Things are looking grim, but not hopeless. There may be a second act.
Queen Elizabeth (then):
United States (then and now):
The Big U (In the future?):
Queen Elizabeth 2 arrives at Philadelphia for the first time on April 25. 1982. A step back from the previous generation, but still a nice looking ship.
2011
03.27
03.27
In Comments
Since I started making entries on this blog I have received many very flattering comments. Unfortunately it is obvious that the senders have never looked at the site and are only interested in picking up a link. While I realize these comments have little worth as compliments, I do think they have some entertainment value. In other words you’re not getting the link, but you did make me laugh. So in that spirit I present a sampling (without the links) from the last few days:
You must be a genious. I love your posts, will come back later.
Great This really is one of the most beneficial sites I’ve ever read on this subject.
You have noted very interesting details ! ps nice website .
Finally, an issue that I am passionate about. I have looked for information of this caliber for the last several hours. Your site is greatly appreciated.
hmm, i love the website layout. I can never find a proper designer? Its really stylish.
I never read any interesting web page like yours
i think your post is spectacular with great information.
What I dont catch on is how youre not even more popular than you are now. You’re just so brilliant. You must be a genious.
I love your posts, will come back later.
Terrific, this information is exactly what I was searching for.
You must continue your writing. I’m sure, you have a huge readers’ base already!
I’m not sure what I would’ve done if I had not encountered such a stuff like this. It’s possible to now relish my future. Thanks a lot so much for your high quality and amazing help.
I have been impressed by how funny your posts are! How do you get the ideas to write posts like this?
Holy sweet mother mary and joseph, This is argueable one of the best blogs Ive seen.
Madonna is great artists. I don’t understand people who try to compare Madonna with Lady Gaga. This is big misunderstanding, Lady Gaga has to work a lot more to prove that she’s a half of what Madonna is. Totally different levels, that’s it.
With the above comment about my website, I rest my case! THC
I guess I’m bored. Here are some more:
This is really good information. I’m shocked by the quality of your online blog.
Youre an excellent blogger, one of the finest that Ive seen.
the wonderful clarity in your writing.
Champignons are the best thing to eat, they are healthy too.
Your writing saved me a fortune. Thanks.
I personally believe there is a knowlege to writing articles that only a few posses and frankly you have it , you genius?2
I do not see how people can read this and not think “genius alert”.
I’m so joyful that I came across this website
Hi there, I found your blog via Google while searching for first aid for a heart attack and your post looks very interesting for me.
Pulitzer prize stuff in attendance.
This really answered my problem, thank you!
This is the best blog I’ve ever seen in my life! I really appreciate you taking the time out of your day to share this with everyone.
J’aime vraiment votre article. J’ai essaye de trouver de nombreux en ligne et trouver le v?tre pour être la meilleure de toutes.
Mon francais n’est pas tres bon, je suis de l’Allemagne.
haha … the one who is posting the comments
This last one may actually be an honest comment! THC
2011
01.23
01.23
International Space Station passes overhead.
2011
01.22
01.22
Constellation Orion photographed years ago (on film) using my clock-driven equatorial mount. The Great Orion Nebula (M42) shows up well on the original slide and the Horsehead Nebula can be detected when the image is projected.
Now I need to see what my digital camera can do.
2011
01.19
01.19
The below photo is of an equatorial mount that I designed and built many years ago. This device is equipped with a clock drive (from Edmond Scientific) which counteracts the earth’s rotation and allows me to take time exposures of the nighttime sky. Unfortunately, light pollution where I live makes astrophotography problematic. So my current goals are rather modest.
Equatorial mount alignment (getting the mount’s axis parallel to the earth’s).
The optimal way to align the mount is to point the axis of rotation at the North Celestial Pole (NCP) using a built in sight and the North Star.
The following describes an approach for when the North Star (Polaris) is obscured and can not be used.
Adjusting for observer’s latitude:
If the mount were located on the Equator, then Polaris would be on the horizon and the axis pointed at it would be horizontal. At this point the adjusted level would form a 90 degree angle with it’s supporting post.
If the mount were moved to my location, at 40 degrees north, Polaris would move up to 40 degrees above the horizon. The adjusted level would now form a 50 degree angle (90-40=50) with it’s supporting post.
Finding North:
The Equation of Time (http://www.ppowers.com/EoT.htm) was used to determine when the sun would be directly south on a given day. The photo taken (on a window sill) at the specified time shows that my house is facing about 3 degrees east of south. Since the house almost faces south it can be used as a fairly accurate guide from points in my yard where Polaris is obscured.
Another day, when the sun was directly to the south, a level was turned so that it cast no shadow. The level was then used as a straight edge, and a north/south line was drawn.
The below photo shows that magnetic north (from where I live) is a little more than 10 degress west of true north. This number agrees with the magnetic declination given by a magnetic field calculator site (http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag-web/?id=declinationFormId).
The following photo shows the level and compass combination which allows me to align my equatorial mount independent of the North Star.
2009
12.26
12.26
In Web Design