cybereye
19-10-2011, 07:31 AM
Hello everyone!!
Well haven't I had fun in the last month!! I went to the USA, both west and east coasts, and I thought I'd share some of the highlights of my visit with you.
After spending some time in San Diego, the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, my family and I headed to Washington and New York. In Astronomical terms, this is where the fun began for me!
In Washington we headed to the Smithsonian Air and Space museum and it blew my mind! The first three pictures I've attached were taken there and include a mock-up of an Apollo Lunar Lander, the actual Apollo 11 Command module and Herschel's 20' telescope. I must admit that I did get very emotional being so close to the Command module as it was such a big part of my childhood. At another of the Museums in Washington - I can't remember because we went to so many! - I was able to see Maria Mitchell's telescope which again I've attached a photo of.
From there we moved up to New York and visited the Natural History museum where I got to see this 34 ton meteorite up close (see attached). I think that would make a nice mess of your bonnet if it hit your car!! Try explaining that to your insurance company! Whilst in New York, I visited B&H camera store to pick up some much needed astronomical supplies.
Now I was expecting a small store - what greeted me was perhaps the biggest camera/video/audio/computer store I have ever seen! The number of people in there was incredible and above the crowds were conveyor belts that were moving numerous green boxes to the dispatch section of the store. Their astronomy section was good and they were able to provide the Cheshire Collimator that I was after. While I was buying it my wife wanted to know if I needed anything else while I was there. However as I was totally overcome with this store I said "No". How stupid am I!!! A blank cheque from my wife and all I could say was "No". As Forrest Gump said, "Stupid is as stupid does!".
Which brings me to my last photo, one of me in front of the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company on the Santa Monica pier. Of all the restaurant chains in the US, this would have to be my favourite. To think that from one film a whole chain can grow is amazing.
Anyway, it's good to be home and now I can get back into taking some more nighttime images!!
Cheers,
Mario
Well haven't I had fun in the last month!! I went to the USA, both west and east coasts, and I thought I'd share some of the highlights of my visit with you.
After spending some time in San Diego, the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, my family and I headed to Washington and New York. In Astronomical terms, this is where the fun began for me!
In Washington we headed to the Smithsonian Air and Space museum and it blew my mind! The first three pictures I've attached were taken there and include a mock-up of an Apollo Lunar Lander, the actual Apollo 11 Command module and Herschel's 20' telescope. I must admit that I did get very emotional being so close to the Command module as it was such a big part of my childhood. At another of the Museums in Washington - I can't remember because we went to so many! - I was able to see Maria Mitchell's telescope which again I've attached a photo of.
From there we moved up to New York and visited the Natural History museum where I got to see this 34 ton meteorite up close (see attached). I think that would make a nice mess of your bonnet if it hit your car!! Try explaining that to your insurance company! Whilst in New York, I visited B&H camera store to pick up some much needed astronomical supplies.
Now I was expecting a small store - what greeted me was perhaps the biggest camera/video/audio/computer store I have ever seen! The number of people in there was incredible and above the crowds were conveyor belts that were moving numerous green boxes to the dispatch section of the store. Their astronomy section was good and they were able to provide the Cheshire Collimator that I was after. While I was buying it my wife wanted to know if I needed anything else while I was there. However as I was totally overcome with this store I said "No". How stupid am I!!! A blank cheque from my wife and all I could say was "No". As Forrest Gump said, "Stupid is as stupid does!".
Which brings me to my last photo, one of me in front of the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company on the Santa Monica pier. Of all the restaurant chains in the US, this would have to be my favourite. To think that from one film a whole chain can grow is amazing.
Anyway, it's good to be home and now I can get back into taking some more nighttime images!!
Cheers,
Mario