Magazine Posts

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day:

Large galaxies grow by eating small ones. Even our own galaxy engages in a sort of galactic cannibalism, absorbing small galaxies that are too close and are captured by the Milky Way's gravity. In fact, the practice is common in the universe and illustrated by this striking pair of interacting galaxies from the banks of the southern constellation Eridanus, The River. Located over 50 million light years away, the large, distorted spiral NGC 1532 is seen locked in a gravitational struggle with dwarf galaxy NGC 1531 (right of center), a struggle the smaller galaxy will eventually lose. Seen edge-on, spiral NGC 1532 spans about 100,000 light-years. Nicely detailed in this sharp image, the NGC 1532/1531 pair is thought to be similar to the well-studied system of face-on spiral and small companion known as M51.

Photo by Star Shadows Remote Observatory

For all I need
for all I do.
Please just let me
stay with you.

I think of snow
and then I see
a lonely Crow,
thinking like me.

Where is all the love of ours
in this World, so grim?
Can it be found
in the darkest skies
or when you believe in Him.

The Crocodile was on a log,
right next to me.
It was wearing purple socks,
quite easy to see.
I said something,
perhaps just a word,
when I saw a color,
a very bright flash
and realized the Croc
had on a purple sash.
I was taken aback,
by the splendid dress,
when I realized my clothes
were a rumpled old mess.
I noticed it was eating some food,
red beans and rice,
not with a spoon or a fork,
like you and I would.
I was starving and hungry
and said with a flair,
"would you mind sharing
your wonderful fare?"
Sure it said, with a grin
just very simply
put your hand in.
I looked at my hand
saying with a small voice,
"are there other options,
or is that my only choice?"
The Crocodile rolled off of the log,
into the slimy green deep,
as I struggled to awaken
from my deep Winter sleep.

Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash

As a young boy,
I liked to climb
up on things.
Climbing fence
or up a tree,
was how I played
and it was free.
Fun to do,
not scary at all,
until that fateful day,
I soon did fall
out of the tree,
on to my head.
I think my Cousins
thought I was dead.
I went to bed,
which I shouldn't
have done.
But I arose later
to have more fun.

I knew it was over
as I entered the room,
for I was overcome
with thoughts of gloom.
Why had this meeting,
with my direct boss
giving me a feeling;
one of great loss.
Our small company was renowned
for its technology making ultrasound
equipment using a Sonar technique,
Allowing Real Time imaging of the heart,
was so highly unique.
It was purchased by a large
pharmaceutical company.
Now the "bean counters" were
trimming the staff very heavily.
My boss told me this story
"The company no longer needed me"
letting you know of your last day, so
all of the managers were let go.
Now I was out on the street
knowing how it felt in a defeat.

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day:

Rippling dust and gas lanes give the Flaming Star Nebula its name. The orange and purple colors of the nebula are present in different regions and are created by different processes. The bright star AE Aurigae, visible toward the image left, is so hot it is blue, emitting light so energetic it knocks electrons away from surrounding gas. When a proton recaptures an electron, red light is frequently emitted (depicted here in orange). The purple region's color is a mix of this red light and blue light emitted by AE Aurigae but reflected to us by surrounding dust. The two regions are referred to as emission nebula and reflection nebula, respectively. Pictured here in the Hubble color palette, the Flaming Star Nebula, officially known as IC 405, lies about 1500 light years distant, spans about 5 light years, and is visible with a small telescope toward the constellation of the Charioteer (Auriga).

Photo by Eric Coles

www.davelaneastrophotography.com
https://500px.com/davidlane07

I feel the angst inside of me
at the news of his hateful debauchery.

I planted more bulbs, this past Fall.
Bulbs of Tulip, Daffodils and Bluebells.
I wait for the warmth of Spring,
when Mother Nature will do her thing
and I will marvel at what pokes thru,
almost as wonderful when I see you.