Sunday Science: Science Sunday?

Leon Stevens

Oct 15

Did you see it?

Unfortunately, I was in the wrong part of North America to experience totality. I was in the 50% path, but it was overcast, so no noticeable dimming and my pinhole projector, which took me a whole two minutes to make* was useless.

I experienced an 80% totality in 1979 (or 78, I'm not sure). It got dark enough that the birds stopped chirping which was eerie.

Is it a coincidence that the moon is the right size and distance from us to create this phenomenon? Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Yes it is.

Another astronomical event I have missed include Halley's comet. You would think I would have looked up at the sky at least once during the 3-4 weeks it was visible, but apparently I was too busy doing my high school homework.**

Unlike Halley's Comet, this cartoon may return in 3 days...

I could go on about science. I could talk about the space germ ridden asteroid sample that NASA is currently examining or the mission to the metallic proto-planet core, or the fact that the James Webb telescope found evidence of carbon in the atmosphere of a exoplanet.

But I won't. I have to save something for a possible recurring segment.

-Leon

^{*No, I didn't make one, but I could have. I did make one for the 1978 (79?) event.}
^{** Yeah...nope.}

Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.

My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/