Namasté and Welcome!
Star Light, Star Bright...
is the personal web site for Tricia A. Johnson (me). Posted with in these pages is information and images from professional and recreational life. My main interestes and hobbies include astronomy & astrophysics, high-powered rocketry, digital photography and cooking.
News
Bald Eagle
On March 21st while driving from a rocket launch in Larimore, ND I spotted this beautiful bald eagle right off of highway 2. he was sitting in a tree next to a farm house, probably looking for dinner
Snowy Owl Wintering in Region
Winter has come to the northern hemisphere and with it the migration of many species of bird. You couldn't imagine that a bird would pick North Dakota or Minnesota to winter in but if your home is above the Artic Circle you would. The Snowy Owl does winter from Canada to the upper United States as well as the same latitude around the globe. I managed to spot one in my region of the Red River Valley on my way to work in Crookstonm, Minnesota. I believe the owl is a female by her markings, though I am no expert in this field. Below is a link to a photo album of her. I try to see her everyday since I spotted her, the album may grow considerably if she sticks around.
Images taken with a Canon Digital Rebel XT, 300mm Telephoto with a Tamron doubler.
LDRS 27 was a BLAST!!
Back from China and exhausted!
We brought the ND-STRIPE rocket to LDRS 27 at Argonia, KS. After some discussion we were all allowed to launch the cluster rocket classified as a complex O, because the total Newton-second count classified the total impluse as an O-engine. The launch was not as expected, the airstarts did not fire. But the take-off of the AMW N-4000 BB motor was amazing.
Below is link to the video of the take-off.
The SEMS web site seems to be down so I'll be posting eclipse images and trip pictures here. For a start below is a link the shortened video taked from the Sony HD Handycam.
We were interviewed by the Weinan Daily newspaper, Weinan TV and by Nelson Quan of "Dawgy Trek in China". Links below:
Upcoming Events
- Astronomy
- 2009 International Year of Astronomy
2009 marks the 400th anniversary of Galiteo's first look at the sky through his telescope. To celebrate the United Nations declared 2009 the international year of astronomy. - Earth Hour
March 28, 2009, 8:30 pm local time
Turn out. Take action.
Be part of this historic event.
March 28, 2009, 8:30 pm local time World Wildlife Fund is asking individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world to turn off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate commitment to finding solutions. - Total Solar Eclipse July 22nd, 2009, China
- Rockets
- U S L I 2009 (University Student Launch Initiative) Being held at Huntsville, AL starting on April 17th. The UND rocket team "Frozen Fury" will be competing again this year at the Marshall Space Flight center in Huntsville, AL.
