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Photos ~ Frost Park Chalk Off #22
Photo ~ Bitchin' Lego Spaceship
Mon. June 21, 1999
Summer solstice
As the Sun reaches it's highest point in the northern hemisphere's sky, today is a day just like many others. I spent the day gathering information on possible C-type asteroids that we can observe at Kitt Peak. I compiled a list that had all the basic information we need about the asteroids before we retrieve data from them. The next week will be spent preparing for the run at the .9 meter SARA telescope out at Kitt Peak, AZ. Along with the data needed to find the asteroids we have to make sure all the various cameras and spectrometers are in good order and that we're ready for anything. As I'm an ametuer at all this, actually doing an observing dry-run on some really bright asteroids here at Valdosta will be a great help. When we collect the various forms of data that will make our observations valid, we have to process the collected information into something that makes a point. We'll mainly be picking apart the spectras reflected at us from the asteroids to discover traces of water in its various forms and influences on the minor planets. The bigger picture of Solar System's formation will hopefully then become a little clearer. The water present on these asteroids has taken the bodies' material and in some cases melted and interacted with it. So from that arises the question, "What melted the water-ice so it could interact with the asteroid's surface minerals?" Hopefully our information will aid in answering that question.
Well that was a rambling mess. Nevertheless, there's much work and much learning to be done. Now all we need is for the weather to cooperate out at Kitt Peak...
With the interest of Jason Looper, I've felt slightly poked into rekindling my work with computer animation. Without much spare time the projects will be very limited and somewhat basic. However, I've always got ideas in my head and will explore the means with which I can get them out of there. The picture above shows a basic demonstration of what particle systems in Hash can look like. Amazingly powerful stuff. The above image is nothing. The real good stuff comes with practice and lots of invested time. Think I'll tap that keg of 3D goodness...
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