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

Phew, thanks, I really thought I was going loopy I'll leave it in your capable hands, or if you haven't time I'll remove that bit

If you ever come to Ireland, GB, I'll drive you to Birr (formerly Parsonstown) to see the telescope.

A633746

It's a date.

Is "whence" too old-fashioned to use now?

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I don't think so. I know that the guidelines frown on "whilst" because it is old-fashioned, but they don't mention any other words, so I'd leave "whence" as it is, unless you feel it wouldn't be understood by the readers.

I found the perfect link for that "centre of the galaxy" information that you gave me the other day
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap081211.html


while you're there, check out this sun pillar: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap081215.html

Sorry for the interruption, wearing my boring pedant's hat: "whence" means "from where" so either ditch the 'from' or write 'from where'.
Personally I prefer "whence". Right, I'll go back to the (very) occasional lurk in your private business.

I should have known that.

Gnomon I know you're going away but I'd like your opinion on something before you set off - as I will probably finish it before you're back: A44554548 The Pleiades. It is my favourite astronomical object, and I want to do it justice. I'm struggling with the layout as in how to present it, shall I go for astronomical data first and finish with the mythology of the sisters (I intend to cover the parents' stars as well) as in the already-laid out entry, or shall I shuffle it to begin with the myth? or the History? (Pre-history...)

Thank you - and have a great trip to the US

Annie

I'd start with an introductory paragraph with very little astronomy in it, just the fact that the Pleiades are one of the most recognisable things in the sky. Perhaps mention Lascaux and Nebra in passing, in one sentence, and then go on to say that they were well known to the ancient Greeks who gave them their name.

Then do the astronomy, then the history and mythology.

I think you are being inaccurate with your use of the term nebulosity. The stars in the Pleiades are nebulous, but this is not visible to the naked eye - it only shows up in long exposure photos at high magnification. The blurriness that you see is just the fact that there are a lot of stars, some of them very dim, in a small space of the sky.

We should have internet in Florida, so I'll try and say hello occasionally.

take your mobile phone as well, hopefully it won't be too expensive to send the odd text

I'll work in your Pleiades comments, but it possibly won't be ready for PR until the New Year, but I'm in no hurry

Have a great holiday

A44554548
I've rearranged it now
Does it look better?

Yes, but you seem to have Navajo Cosmology in the history section but other non-European info in the "Around the World" section. I don't see why.

(The "Columbus" link)

http://www.noradsanta.org/en/home.html

Thank you for the text, have a great time in the US

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7806062.stm


That's on my *future visit* list

Happy new year, Gnomon

I've just checked my mail at home and have seen the Christmas e-card you sent. Thanks.