In the early hours of the 28th July 2018, the longest lunar eclipse for this century is happening. And Mars has become the third brightest celestial body in the night sky, out-shining Jupiter.
Lunar Eclipse plus Mars!
Three Quarter Time…
Long shadows and late-afternoon sun. Looking out over Bellerive Beach, southern Tasmania. It was three quarter time in the nearby Blundstone Arena AFL match between North Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney. The Roos (North) had a very comprehensive win. Go Roos!
Click on the photo below for a larger version…
Dry Dock
Sydney ferry, the SS Kosciusko, was built in 1911, shipped to Tasmania in 1975, and broken up in 1991. This prop and associated metal and timbers is set up as an installation adjacent to the Waterfront Hotel in Bellerive, southern Tasmania.
Click on the photo below for a larger version…
Connellys Bay, Southern Tasmania…
Evan and William, Connellys Bay, southeastern Tasmania…
Pareidolia 1
Pareidolia is a psychological phenomenon in which the mind responds to a stimulus, usually an image or a sound, by perceiving a familiar pattern where none exists. Common examples are perceived images of animals, faces, or objects in cloud formations (Wikipedia).
This is something that has always fascinated me and I have to admit, I do see faces. A lot.
This is the first of a series of images showing my view of this phenomenon. This No Diving sign looks to be laughing at those that disobey!
Extreme Macro…
This is a specimen of primarily colourless lustrous barite crystals (which is the only mineral species that was on the label). However, under the microscope, pale blue turquoise can be seen, and an isolated tarnished chalcopyrite crystal (not in the photo).
When I took a close-up photo, I could then see tiny yellow crystals, not picked up under the microscope until after I knew they were there. These are very, very, very small, only about 0.006mm across! At this magnification, it is difficult to identify the mineral species, however they do look very much like smaller versions of crystals that have been analysed, and shown to be mottramite.
Lunar Sky…
A nice moon on display tonight…
Quartz Goblins…
This is a photo of the inside of a smoky quartz crystal from Mooralla, western Victoria, Australia. The rainbow effect comes from internal flaws or fractures that diffract light, splitting it into its component colours.
Now some people believe that crystals, including smoky quartz, can have special properties such as healing. Me? I don’t. But I think I believe in Goblins, or Imps, or Sprites, or other non-earthly beings. It’s true! Look at this photo closely. I can see at least five different entities! Can you?
Click on the one below to see a larger image…
Through the Looking Glass
Through the Looking Glass. Wulfenite crystals seen through a wulfenite crystal! From the Rowley Mine, Maricopa Co., Arizona. Photo width 3.3mm.
Red Gum and Dry Creek, Avoca
It was a glorious Autumn day today, and roaming around the area just north of Avoca, Victoria, I came across this old Red Gum on the side of a dry creek bed. I just love the colours and patterns of these old trees…
Click on the photo below for a full-sized version…
