Happy New Year 2007

Wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year.
May all of your dreams come true in 2007,
no matter how impossible those dreams might seem.
I'm certainly looking forward to some new milestones and changes this 2007!

P's Corner - Spaced Out Sundays

Since this is the end of our calendar year, I thought it might be interesting to have a look at Analemma's. Described in Wikipedia as:

"...a curve representing the angular offset of a celestial body (usually the Sun) from its mean position on the celestial sphere as viewed from another celestial body (usually the Earth). For instance, knowing that Earth's average solar day is exactly 24 hours (by definition), an analemma can be traced by plotting the position of the Sun as viewed from a fixed position on Earth at 24-hour intervals for an entire year. The resulting curve resembles a figure 8."

The Analemma and the Temple of Olympian Zeus
Credit & Copyright:Anthony Ayiomamitis

Analemma's can also be plotted from the vantage point of other planets. The following simulation shows the late afternoon Sun that would have been seen from the Sagan Memorial Station once every 30 Martian days (sols) beginning on Pathfinder's Sol 24 (July 29, 1997):

Martian Analemma
Digital Illustration Credit & Copyright: Dennis Mammana (Skyscapes)

And, finally, I'll leave you with this beautiful Lunar analemma picture taken at the Organ Mountains in southern New Mexico, USA, by Rich Richins:

Analemma of the Moon
Credit & Copyright: Rich Richins

Our New Friend

Grab the Scavenger Hunt code.
Join the blogroll. Visit participants.
This weeks Photo Hunt Theme is New
Notice the New Look too.

This curious bundle, known as a Maine Coon Cat, welcomed us into her house over Christmas on Vancouver Island. We played with her and she got really tired out (which was a good thing). I caught her stealing some nuts, so I grabbed the camera and took a shot of her in action, which was all new to her. She was just trying to be like us, a smart kitten at that. It was so cute to see in person...

Maine Coon Cats have long tails and a different face and are known to fetch anything when trained. This was all so new to me too. P and I really liked seeing her.

Maybe I can add a few more pics in time, but I haven't been working on my photos so this is the only one I've pulled out of her.

Aristocratic Bloopers

I'm still laughing at the names which came from this site.

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Her Most Serene Highness Lady J the Appropriate of Dramble Buzzcock Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Very Lady Et the Crepuscular of Kesslington under Ox Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: His Grace Lord P the Imaginary of Waterless St Mildred Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

We're Back Again

The trip to Vancouver Island and back went quickly. I was able to get in a few great shots on the clear day we had upon arrival. We also got in a lot of play time with a cute kitten.

I'm not blogging much this week and would suspect many people are doing the same. Enjoy!