New Moon

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Andrew Cooper

Young Moon

A very young moon, this is only 26 hours after new, visible to the unaided eye as a sliver in the fading glow of sunset

New Moon will occur today at 07:55ADT.

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Full Moon

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Andrew Cooper

Full Moon

Full Moon taken 27Aug2007, 90mm f/12 APO and Canon 20Da

Full Moon will occur today at 19:27ADT.

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“Riders of the Tides” Pre-Release Announcement

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Fred Cooper

My new novel will be available late summer or early fall. You can purchase it at any of the major online booksellers. For a synopsis go to the Stories page.

Riders of the Tides

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Photo of the Week – Baranof Island Fog

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Fred Cooper
Baranof Island Fog

Baranof Island Fog; photo by Fred Cooper

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“The Ghost Bear” Short Story

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Fred Cooper

Several years ago I wrote a short story about the Kermode Bear also called the White Bear and the Spirit Bear. It is titled “The Ghost Bear” and is posted under the Stories page. Princess Royal Island, known as the home of the Spirit Bear, is an intriguing, wild place and one I plan to explore on my return cruse from SE Alaska this year.  So come back to my blog this winter to read about my adventure.

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Photo of the Week – Exploring a Muskeg Trail

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Fred Cooper
Starrigavan Muskeg Trail and Boardwalk

Starrigavan Muskey Trail; photo by Fred Cooper

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New Moon

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Andrew Cooper

Young Moon

A very young moon, this is only 26 hours after new, visible to the unaided eye as a sliver in the fading glow of sunset

New Moon will occur today at 20:24ADT.

Continue reading →

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Photo of the Week – Busy Afternoon at Warm Springs Bay Dock

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Fred Cooper
Busy Afternoon at the Warm Springs Bay Dock

Busy Afternoon at the Warm Springs Bay Dock; photo by Fred Cooper

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Photo of the Week – Icy Approach to North Sawyer Glacier

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Fred Cooper
Tracy Arm near North Sawyer Glacier

Tracy Arm near North Sawyer Glacier; Photo by Fred Cooper

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Earth at Apehelion

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Andrew Cooper

Today the Earth is furthest from the Sun, a point called apehelion. We will be about 152,098,232km (94,509,459miles) from the Sun. Compare this to the 147,098,290km (91,402,639miles) we were at perihelion on Jan 4th, a difference of about 5,411,169km (3,362,344miles) occurs throughout one orbit.

It may seem odd that we are actually at the furthest for the middle of northern summer, you just have to remember that proximity to the Sun is not the cause of the seasons. The seasons are caused by the axial tilt of the Earth, creating short and long days throughout the year, with a resulting change in the angle and intensity of the sunlight.

2012 Solstices and Equinoxes
Perihelion Jan 5 03:59UT Jan 4 18:59AST
Spring Equinox Mar 20 05:14UT Mar 19 21:14AST
Summer Solstice Jun 20 23:09UT Jun 20 15:09ADT
Apehelion Jul 4 10:59UT Jul 4 15:59ADT
Fall Equinox Sep 22 14:49UT Sep 22 06:49ADT
Winter Solstice Dec 21 11:12UT Dec 21 02:12AST

Source: USNO Data Services Website and the NASA Sky Calendar

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