Wednesday, February 17, 2010

SDO, Sonic Booms, & Sun Dogs...

On February 11, 2010, the Solar Dynamics Observatory launched on an Atlas V Rocket. I attepted to watch the launch from my front yard, but there were too many clouds between where I was and the coast to get a good view. I was able to see the rocket for about five seconds through a hole in the clouds, but that was about it.

Being closer to the launch apparently provided an awesome show. Turn the video to 720p and turn on full screen. Wait until about two minutes in when the rocket is about to pass through the sun dog, and then the rocket goes supersonic while passing through the ice particles in the air. I've never seen anything quite like this!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Lakeland Neon...

One night while driving through Lakeland, I came across this great spinning neon sign, if you want to even call it a sign. Perhaps spinning neon object would be more appropriate. It was in a car dealer parking lot and was very mesmerizing to watch. The next time I was driving at night through Lakeland, I was disappointed to see they didn't have the spinning illuminated starburst on a pole turned on...