h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Lovely entry Quizzical. Good to read, interesting facts and loved the spider bits. The philosphy a delightful, if depressing, reality check. Perhaps it has something to do with the onset of winter this 'why do we always get it so wrong?' think time!
take care
boots

Thanks! I'm happy to see you writing again - loved this week's column about blondes battling sun and ageing (not that I would ever admit to having first-hand knowledge of same )...

My poor spider is looking the worse for wear. She's down to 7 legs now - dinner apparently fought back one night. And she's looking a bit 'peaky' with the cool weather now upon us. I can't believe I'm concerned about the fate of one spider, but there you go.

I enjoyed that read, thank you. I'm envious of the Mars shadows. We went out to look at Mars one night last week. We watched a couple of satellites cross the sky and then a shooting star shot half way down the Milky Way. Magic.

I didn't know young spiders were cannibals. It explains why I am not over run. I'll share most places in the house with them, but those that squat in the bath get put out the window.
Waz (waves to Boots)

Loved your article. I haved enjoyed the sight of Mars getting brighter and brighter, and I feel sad it's waning again. Have hopes it will be getting almost as close in a few years (2011, I think).

I live in L.A., where there is no night sky to speak of. About 4 days before Mars' closest approach, however, I was in Yosemite National Park, in northcentral California. Wow.

Mars AND stars!

SC

One night last week I spotted Mars doing its best to outshine a full moon. Amazing sight.

I'm looking forward to January when the NASA and ESA missions finally arrive at Mars - can't wait to see what kind of information they'll be sending us. I'll should re-read Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy to get myself into the proper frame of mind.