Tag: a-short-essay

tau Herculid Meteor Shower

~~ a short essay ~~

by tkbrown

There may be a fantabulous meteor shower tonight, or it may prove to be nothing at all. NASA seems rather impressed with the possibility of a spectacular showing from the debris associated with the disintegration of Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 (SW 3). “Bill Cooke, a NASA astronomer who tracks meteor showers at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama said it all depends on the speed of the material from the comet,” (Malik, 30 May 2022). He said, “‘If the debris from SW 3 was traveling more than 220 miles [354 kilometers] per hour when it separated from the comet, we might see a nice meteor shower,'” (Malik, 30 May 2022). However, Cooke later added, “‘If the debris had slower ejection speeds, then nothing will make it to Earth, and there will be no meteors from this comet.;’ it was Cooke who said the tau Herculid meteor shower would be ‘all or nothing‘,'” (Malik, 30 May 2022).

Comet SW 3 was first discovered 2 May 1930 by two astronomers–for whom it is named–at the Hamburg Observatory in Bergedorf, Germany, (Rao, 22 May 2022). “While exposing plates, the two men discovered the faint image of a tiny new comet,” (Rao, 22 May 2022)–92 years ago SW 3 first revealed itself. “The comet completes an orbit of the Sun every 5.4 years,” (Rao, 22 May 2022). Over the course of several decades, several orbits were not observed, but in March 1979, sky watchers began recording viewings again. Twenty-seven years ago, SW 3 increased in brightness and could be seen with the naked eye, (Malik, 30 May 2022; Rao, 22 May 2022). Prior to 1995, viewing SW 3 was only possible with telescopes, but in October 1995, the comet was boasting a brightness four times what it had been in previous orbits of the Sun. At this time, the comet was observed to have split, with “at least four remnants” seen. When visibility was recorded in 2006, Joe Rao reports more than sixty-eight fragments were noted, (Rao, 22 May 2022).

During SW 3’s 2017 orbit of the Sun, continued fragmentation was seen. So, tonight’s 2022 orbit may reveal numerous shooting stars across our darkened sky on this night: May 30/31. If the speed of entry into Earth’s orbit is fast enough, the fragments should be visible. A slow ingress will diminish their brightness, and they may not be seen. If Earth’s May 2022 passage is through a full-fledged meteor storm, tau Herculid’s implosion may once again be discernable. (Rao, 22 May 2022).

So, if you have plans to watch for tau Herculid’s meteor show tonight, let us know–afterward– what it was like. I am looking forward to reading your responses. Thank You for reading!

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Here is what I have found so far regarding live viewings of the tau herculids meteor shower last night. From Facebook:

AIO Knowledge

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https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/peopleandplaces/2022-s-longest-meteor-shower-so-far-lights-up-brazil/vi-AAXZFYP?bk=1&ocid=msedgntp&cvid=86480501adf34bba8ced0c7851a56406&category=foryou

This video was posted on msn.com 1 June 2022: tau Herculids meteor shower as seen in Brazil.

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Photo Above: by Austin Schmid @Unsplash.com.

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Sources:

Malik, Tariq. (30 May 2022). How to watch the potential tau Herculids meteor storm live online tonight. “space.com.” (Retrieved 30 May 2022). https://www.space.com/meteor-storm-tau-herculids-shower-webcast?utm_source=notification.

Rao, Joe. (22 May 2022). A meteor shower outburst from a shattered comet may spawn new tau Herculids display on May 30. “space.com.” (Retrieved 30 May 2022). https://www.space.com/meteor-shower-outburst-tau-herculids-cohttps://www.space.com/meteor-shower-outburst-tau-herculids-comet-possible-2022met-possible-2022.

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Asteroid: 7335 (1989 JA)

~~ a short essay ~~

by tkbrown

The world has been watching to see if an Apollo-class asteroid, provisionally referenced as 7335 (1989 JA), would come closer to Earth than predicted by NASA. “Four times the size of the Empire State Building and travelling 20 times faster than a speeding bullet” (Specktor, 24 May 2022), some scientists have said the asteroid’s path was too close for comfort. “If the projected trajectory across our orbit had deviated, it could have hit Earth” (Specktor, 24 May 2022). However, Specktor cautioned, “the likelihood of that happening was pretty small considering the fact its path circumvented Earth by a mere 2.5 million miles.” He added, “the Earth will not encounter the orbit of 7335 (1989 JA) again until its next flyby on 23 Jun 2055.”

The rocky mass, “was first detected 1989 by astronomer Eleanor Helin at the U.S. Palomar Observatory in California,” (Eds. Wikipedia, 26 May 2022). The editors at Wikipedia quoted Mainzer, A; Gray, T.; et al. in saying, “a survey by NEOWISE (a mission of NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer)” the asteroid has an albedo of 0.31–0.32, which is more than twice the albedo of the Moon’s reflector score of around 0.14–and half again the typical albedo for stony asteroids.” (Mainzer, A.; Gray, T.; et al, August 2011). According to Wikipedia’s page, Albedo, “unusually high radar albedo is indicative of high metal content in asteroids (27 May 2022).

For those wishing to learn more about what transpired as 7335 (1989 JA) passed Earth, enter “7335 (1989 JA)” on Google’s search page. You will be given options to access “space.com,” “livescience.com,” and several other sources which will open a plethora of related facts. If you find something interesting that I did not mention, please share it in the “Comments” below. Also: Please, don’t forget to click the “Like” button before leaving my blog. Thank You for reading!

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Photo Above: by Paris Saliveros at Pixabay.com.

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Sources:

Eds. Wikipedia. (26 May 2022). (7335) 1989 JA. “Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia.” Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., Powered by MediaWiki. (Retrieved 27 May 2022). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/(7335)_1989_JA#cite_note-WISE-2.

Eds. Wikipedia (27 May 2022). Albedo. “Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia.” Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., Powered by Mediawiki. (Retrieved 27 May 2022). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albedo#Astronomical_albedo.

Mainzer, A.; Gray, T.; Bauer, J.’ Masiero, J.’ McMillan, R. S.; Cutri, R. M.’ et al. (December 2011). NEOWISE Observations of Near-Earth Objects: Preliminary Results. “The Astrophysical Journal.” 743 (2): 17. (Retrieved by Wikipedia 26 September 2016). NEOWISE Observations of Near-Earth Objects: Preliminary Results – NASA/ADS (harvard.edu) on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/(7335)_1989_JA#cite_note-WISE-2.

Specktor, Brandon. (24 May 2022). Asteroid four times the size of the Empire State Building barreling toward Earth on May 27. “Space.com.” (Retrieved 27 May 2022). https://www.space.com/asteroid-encounter-7335-1989-JA.

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“The Book Hog” — A Book Review

~~ a short essay ~~

by tkbrown

The first book I have chosen to review–“The Book Hog,” by Greg Pizzoli–is a picture book from the “Books for Grade 1 — our recommendations” at k-12readinglist.com/. The ‘book hog’ goes to the library and checks out books but never returns them. When the librarian offers to help the ‘book hog,’ she discovers the reason he has not returned the books. As she continues working with the ‘book hog,’ he begins to return the books he has checked out, (Eds. k-12readinglist.com, 2022).

This is all I will tell you about this book, because I don’t want to spoil it for you–and fear I may have already–but you tell me. Please mom, either check the book out from your local library, or buy the book from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or any other bookstore you might like. Then, both you and your child should read the book aloud to each other. While reading, remember to stop from time to time and ask questions about the portion just read. This way, you will know your child has understood what you just read together.

Then, after the two of you have read it, come back (here) and tell me what you thought. I chose the “picture book” because, although it is on the first-grade list, kindergarten students will enjoy it as well–I think. I want to know what you think!

Moms, summertime is a fun time to develop the habit of reading with your kindergarten or first grade student if you have not already established this habit. When my children were older, I learned they enjoyed me reading to them even though they had been in school for several years. This surprised me. I had been led to believe students preferred to read for themselves once this skill had been achieved. This is not so. It is time spent with your children and should continue well into their school years. Once they learn to read, let them read to you–but you choose another book to read to them as well. Then, come back (here) and tell us about this time spent together–and tell us what you think of: “The Book Hog,” by Greg Pizzoli.

This book is a “Geisel Award” winner. My next post will explain the importance of the “Geisel Award” and why you should look for these books to read with and to your young children. Thank You for reading my book review! Remember, come back, and tell us what you think. Other students and their moms will be waiting to hear what “you” think before they secure it for their “Reading Time.”

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Photo Above: posted with the book recommendation on “k-12readinglist.com/.”

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Source:

Eds. k-12readinglist.com. (2022). K-12 School Reading List: Books for Grade 1 — our recommendations. k-12readinglist.com/. (25 May 2022). https://k-12readinglist.com/reading-lists-for-elementary-school-children/reading-list-1st-grade-children-age-6-7/.

10,000 Views — Thank You

~~ a short essay ~~

by tkbrown

Once again, I utter a resounding, “Thank You,” and humbly ask your continued support. I cannot tell you how surprised I was when I accessed my message from WordPress this past week. There are no words to describe how strongly I appreciate the continued support I receive from followers and from others. To have surpassed 10,000 Views of my website — tkbrown.org — is an amazing feat which has only been made possible by those who have and those who continue to support my authorship.

This is an Award I had actually never contemplated receiving. It tells me my writing touches some people strongly, and I appreciate that. Since I write in a variety of forms, my followers and readers are a diverse group. My goal has never been to appeal to only one group of readers. I hope to ultimately touch most readers on some level.

Whether you like what I write or dislike it, you have impacted my number of viewers, and I invite you to continue returning and reading my posts. One day, those of you who have not liked what I write may decide you do like a particular post. My goal is to continue attracting diverse groupings of readers and touching the hearts and souls of people everywhere.

I am now approaching 250 posts. I am not quite there, but I am closing in on it. So, if to date you have not found a post you like, please come back and sit a spell while you read from my various writing styles. I can almost guarantee you will eventually find something you like. When you do, don’t forget to scroll down and click on the “Like” button and “Share via Facebook and/or Twitter.”

I have made 230 posts on my website — tkbrown.org. I invite you to see what you think of them and let me know in the comments at the bottom of each posting.

Again, Thank You for such amazing support and loyalty to my site! I appreciate each of you!

Sincerely,
tkbrown