http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:astro491&section=today deviantART RSS for by:astro491 en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:35:45 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/28834450/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/28834450/ Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:26:27 PST [link] where I have put up many artistic/informative videos. Please check it out if you have the time. Also, community service and college applications have been eating up my time. I'll still be posting though.

Clear Skies,
Will

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/24118673/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/24118673/ Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:18:42 PDT
So...I need to come up with an excuse to why I've been away and this account has been dormant. I am going to college now. Is that good enough?

And if you've been eager waiting for the answer to the question I posed in January. We know of 344 extrasolar planets to date plus the EIGHT in our solar system (total of 352). However, theoretically, the number of planets in the universe is much larger but not infinite. The Kepler spacecraft is about to start searching for more and that should bump up those numbers. We could also possibly find an exoplanet that can contain/has life. Wouldn't that be exciting!!!!!!

I hope everyone is enjoying Spring in the northern hemisphere!

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/22485511/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/22485511/ Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:42:15 PST WOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know about you but I was so glad that 2008 was over. I have a feeling this year will bring much more enlightenment to the world. Coincidentally, it is the International Year of Astronomy! That means more astronomy photos from moi!!!! That might also mean me annoying you to death about astronomy facts that I'll post on this journal.

Here is an example:
How many planets are there? Nine? Eight? Leave your responses and I'll tell you the real truth in my next journal.

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/21939696/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/21939696/ Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:17:20 PST

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/21393782/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/21393782/ Sat, 08 Nov 2008 19:02:12 PST Let's just hope that his change brings better days for the United States and the world. And, of course, the definite first thing to do is to have a press conference on what type of dog they are going to have.

Pictures will be coming slowly. My life has been hectic and boring the past few weeks.

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/21273482/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/21273482/ Sat, 01 Nov 2008 21:52:04 PDT
It's that lovely time again...every four years...where (for some unknown reason) the country goes 50-50.

You know, it still blows my mind that with four years of Bush's mistakes, the same people still voted for him and he WON (granted I know it was war time but...). In fact, I read in an article that (quote me if I am wrong) 75% of American voters don't watch the debates, don't see the speeches, and don't know the plans of the two (just two, god forbid we can have any more choices) nominees. Most vote based on labels: DEMOCRAT or REPUBLICAN or MAVERICK (that's an idiotic category of its own). Or they vote on slogans like "Change" or "Country First." Or they vote based on the billion dollar ad industry. OR they don't vote at all.

Now, where am I in all this? I can't vote. I am a minor. Done. I HAVE NO SAY. Yet it boggles my mind someone who has the credentials to vote just sits home that day when one popular vote could change the electoral college and THIS COUNTRY! SO GET OUT THERE AND VOTE!!!!!! INTELLIGENTLY!!!!!! Buy a newspaper or go to CNN.com or 5 minutes and check out these two people.

[sarcasm] What are their names again? Palin and Obama? That's all I hear in the news today. God! Did you see Palin not answering those questions? I think she's awesome. She knows her stuff. Oh! AND SHE'S HOT!!! YEAH!!!! [/sarcasm] <-- That is what I overheard at a restaurant the other night. I mean, COME ON and look at the facts. Vote for something other than names or looks.

Vote for someone who has the best plan. Vote for someone who will make a good difference in your life. I am not forcing you to pick a side (vote for Obama) but vote for someone who has the knowledge to run this country. Because if not, I'm going to college in Canada.

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/21240228/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/21240228/ Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:02:14 PDT
OK! Real stuff now! Election Day is coming up in America. I hope everyone here who lives in America, has not committed a major felony, and is over 18 by November 4 is registered to vote. COME ON PEOPLE! Let's "Change the Course" instead of "Stay the Course" because, quite frankly, I am not a fan of "the course." We need to change this country before the entire world goes into a economic recession! (wait, what? you mean it's already happening?) AH! OK! VOTE NOW IF YOU CAN!!! Some polls are open early!!! SO GET OUT OFF THE COMPUTER CHAIR AND GO TO YOUR CLOSEST VOTING BOOTH!!!

Also, I am reading this awesome book by this awesome author and vlogger: see [link] and this [link] and see the videos at both sites!!

Clear Skies,
Will

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/20831946/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/20831946/ Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:28:12 PDT
[link]

I have two videos up if you would like to see them!

Stay warm and enjoy the crisp nights!

Clear Skies,
Will

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/20391819/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/20391819/ Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:48:51 PDT
Hello my fellow deviants. It has been a while, yeah? A long while...long......very...very...looonnnngggg...................

Anywho, I have a LOAD! Oh, yes! A HUGE LOAD of pictures to put up. This includes summer shots and the like. Some are nice but I'll let you be the judge.

I'll be SLOWLY uploading them for the next two weeks. I don't want to blast you with 30 new pictures at once.

School and an illness I am dealing with have been very time consuming and hard. Photos have been shifted downward on my priority list. You'll see pictures being put up but you might not get a personalized response to some comments. Don't worry, I look at EVERY SINGLE COMMENT!!! They make my day! So just know I will be thanking you in spirit!

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/19686976/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/19686976/ Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:07:19 PDT
Hi everyone. It has been a LONG time!!!! I have been traveling and tying up a few loose ends this summer that I couldn't do during the school year. Ironically, work has been piling up. I do have some "ok" photos but not for publishing yet. I am also starting a series of articles about human values in conjunction with space exploration. Being the left-brained person I am, that's not doing well. I will be back by the end of July. Until then?

Have a GREAT summer and (here's a hint) wear sunscreen!

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/19207239/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/19207239/ Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:12:11 PDT
Precor in lux lucis,
Will

(More pictures on the way soon! Sorry if I've been slow in responding to comments!)

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/19003931/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/19003931/ Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:56:05 PDT Anywho, I added an old picture to my gallery that I hope you all will like!

HAPPY SUMMER!

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/18508271/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/18508271/ Mon, 26 May 2008 10:02:41 PDT
Anywho, CONGRATS to the Phoenix team! The pictures are amazing and let's hope we make some important discoveries!!

As far as my pictures go, I am going to post some soon. There are some good ones on the way!!!

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/18493722/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/18493722/ Sun, 25 May 2008 11:35:58 PDT [link] and watch it live at [link] starting at 6 PM EST!!!!! After 7 months of waiting, the time is here! Let's just hope that NASA doesn't screw up measurements again! *fingers crossed*

Happy Memorial Day! With work to catch up on, I haven't been updating much. I have lots of requests and great photos to submit. Maybe in the next week...

Have a great day!!!

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/18178159/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/18178159/ Mon, 05 May 2008 09:45:53 PDT
For the next month, I will be taking requests. Just leave a comment to this journal saying what you want a picture of.

It can be planets that are currently up, constellations, VERY VERY bright nebulae, certain stars, landscapes, flowers, waterscapes, architecture, birds, almost anything....

I will pick at least four/five at random and have them done by the end of the month. Keep in mind I live near Philadelphia so Southern hemisphere night sky shots are out.

Your choice. Be creative. Have a great spring!!!

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/18025999/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/18025999/ Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:44:01 PDT
But seriously, it turns out that ~Terjon was right!!! The week is (somewhat) over and it turned out that the borderless picture got 16 views while the border pic only got 12!

So you know what that means!??!?!?!?!?!?!

I don't have to make a bloody frame every time I make a picture! Thanks everyone!

I hope everyone has a good weekend and there are more pictures on the way! (YAY??)

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/17981205/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/17981205/ Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:25:30 PDT
Now it's time for more important matters...

Question: Does adding a border or a signature to a picture make it more popular?

Well, if you look at my two new submissions, you'll find out...
_______________

Friends: [link]

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/17981136/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/17981136/ Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:21:08 PDT



If you are not on this list and you think you should be: PM me. I can't remember everyone, especially because I am physically and psychologically attached to my cameras and telescope (I have no room in my brain for anything else).

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/17956081/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/17956081/ Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:53:58 PDT [link]

It is from Carl Sagan's Cosmos Series; written almost two decades ago during the Cold War. However, this can be applied to present day Earth.

Remember: we are one planet, one species, one civilization with the same goals and dreams.

Everything that you know, love, enjoy, use, and do is on this...
[link]

Earth Day is tomorrow and try to practice what Carl Sagan was trying to tell us. May he rest in peace and solitude.

-806.4616.0110

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/17686791/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/17686791/ Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:55:38 PDT Thanks for watching!!

Another piece of news! It's been 1 year on dA and I love the community (i.e. you guys). Thank you - everyone - for supporting me!!! And almost 1500 pageviews! WOW!!!!!! Thank you all so very much. I know I keep on uploading photos (every week!!!) but I am physically and psychologically attached to my camera.

A special thanks to those who have really supported me (HINT: check them out!):


If you are not on this list and you think you should be: PM me. I can't remember everyone, especially because I only got 3 hours of sleep last night.

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/17590013/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/17590013/ Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:40:26 PDT
UPDATE 3/31: Half of the "dump" has been completed!!!! YAY? More will be on the way in a few days! (I don't know if that is good or bad news?) I just have one thing to say: CATHODE RAY TUBES!!!!!!!!

UPDATE 4/2: Added a few more. I don't want to overwhelm ya!

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/17456441/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/17456441/ Sat, 22 Mar 2008 10:21:05 PDT [link]

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/17336468/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/17336468/ Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:45:54 PDT
1. People are idiots
2. Tom Cruise is in every frame of the movie
3. Tom Cruise never gets hurt
4. Tom Cruise is the only person who ends up defeating the machines
5. The music by John Williams is copied from Stravinsky
6. Cameras move too much
7. Long, dramatic, suspenseful scenes are too long
8. The movie is the evil twin to "Close Encounters" and has the same motifs
(H-E-L-L-O!)

Thought I'd share that with you. What's also freaky is that my power went out the moment the lightning scene occurred in the movie. Luckily, I could still watch it on my laptop. It was just freaky!

Spring Break is finally here and here's hoping that I get some good, clear nights and some good, clear photographs!

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/17292468/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/17292468/ Tue, 11 Mar 2008 19:33:19 PDT , I guess!

SPRING IS FINALLY COMING! ENJOY IT!

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/17103920/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/17103920/ Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:27:41 PST Once I get over this, I will be posting more photos! Happy February 29th tomorrow! It only happens every four years, so do something special! You can thank Pope Gregory for that. He and his astronomers did not take into account that the length of an Earth year is about 365.25 days (not just 365).

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/17025236/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/17025236/ Sun, 24 Feb 2008 11:06:37 PST or . I don't know if this has been done before, but you know the old saying "a picture is worth a thousand words"? Well, to your left is a picture called "Tulips." If you can, leave a one word comment (it could also be a small phrase) describing the picture from your perspective. The chances of getting to a thousand words is minimal but it's worth a shot. Have fun, thanks again, and clear skies!

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/16982823/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/16982823/ Wed, 20 Feb 2008 18:39:44 PST
*calms down* Have a great night!

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/16786085/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/16786085/ Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:18:35 PST (I hope that came out the right way...) That means more astrophotography on the way!!

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/16541721/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/16541721/ Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:26:36 PST
the better the icon or logo of any company = the more productive the company is (and I guess that could be true with dA's avatars)

I have no idea why I wanted to share that with you people but, hey, it's an open journal. Have a good day and clear skies!!!

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/16457671/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/16457671/ Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:23:37 PST
]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/16439013/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/16439013/ Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:22:29 PST
Anywho, I hope the latest picture of Mars that I posted is mildly interesting. It's not that good because I take them all by hand with a small 8" Dob and I used a .png file to edit the picture. BLAH! A better one will be on the way soon.

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/16180840/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/16180840/ Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:12:29 PST
]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/16083315/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/16083315/ Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:46:07 PST
]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/15903621/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/15903621/ Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:16:49 PST Sorry if I have been uploading a lot. I am slowly putting all my favorite images on dA for the public (you great people) to view! Enjoy!!!

]]> ~astro491 http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/15607156/ http://astro491.deviantart.com/journal/15607156/ Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:56:21 PST
Seasons Greetings everyone!

]]> ~astro491