Looking at the northern sky.

Our LG upright washing machine is acting up. It doesn’t want to start. To make it work, I have to disconnect it from the wall, hold down the power button for 10 sec. I suppose some problem with the circuit board inside. Maybe a big purchase coming up in the near future.

I feel really bad for the Federal employees. As an outsider, I want to encourage them to stay and fight. But, if I was in their place, I’d quit this toxic workplace in a heartbeat.

Twenty and nine!

Just realized that today is my 23rd work anniversary!!! That seems very long but, time just flies by quickly when one is having fun! Looking forward to more exciting science in the years to come.

Love the randomization on Apple music. Snoop’s “Gin and juice” followed by Billy Joel’s “uptown Girl”.

This… Thanks to you, @pratik!!!

Went out for a hike this morning and then spent the afternoon on the couch watching the second season of “Silo”. Loved it. What a great ending! Can’t wait for the next season to come out later this year.

What a beautiful morning!

If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.

  • Martin Luther King Jr

Interesting that in 1950s and 60s, pregnancy test wasn’t a stick but a frog.

Learned from “The Sixth Extinction”

Hey you….. Winter is not a personal experience. It is cold for everyone. If you can’t handle the cold, just accept that you are weak. There is no point in forcing your weakness on others and acting as if you care for them. Everyone can see through your bullshit.

Made a quick composite image showing Mars before (below) and after (above) the Lunar occultation. I have enough images to make a video but need time to do that.

My current Lock Screen

Mars is out on the other side of the Moon. End of lunar occultation of Mars.

Lunar occultation of Mars is happening right now. Waiting for Mars to emerge from the other side.

Lunar occultation of Mars is happening right now. Waiting for Mars to emerge from the other side.

Finished watching the first season of “Arcane” as the kids recommended it highly. I was skeptical as it is based on a video game but the graphics, color scheme and music is just awesome. It was a treat to watch. Will try to watch the second season before my daughter goes back to college next weekend

This evening, the Moon and Jupiter are enjoying some time together and so are Saturn and Venus.

A look back at 2024

It was another busy and eventful year. Seemed like it zoomed by.

Ad:

  • now a sophomore at Davidson College in Davidson, NC; declared to major in Chemistry
  • intro to Organic Chemistry class in Spring got him interested in Chemistry that led to a Summer research project and then to the decision about his major
  • abstract about his summer research got accepted for presentation at ACS Spring meeting in 2025
  • leads the viola section at Davidson College Symphony Orchestra
  • was very happy that he got his first paid gig to play viola at holiday concerts in Charlotte, NC

    As:

  • senior at Bowdoin College working towards a double major in Environmental studies and Biology with a minor in English
  • trying to figure out what is next after college
  • continues to play Cello in the college symphony orchestra and chamber group at Bowdoin; went for her orchestra concerts in Spring and Fall
  • did a Summer internship in a protein science lab at Pfizer and worked on establishing a ribosome display platform for screening proteins

    V:

  • super busy at work with added responsibilities
  • staying active on Peloton bike and tread

    Me:

  • cycling, rowing, hiking and some running kept me active; started some meditation classes on Peloton and I am enjoying those
  • not much deep-space astrophotography this year as weather did not cooperate but the Sun put on a great show this year with the total eclipse in April and Auroras through the year; also Comet Tsuchinshan was impressive

    Vacations:

  • Plattsburgh, NY on April 8th to watch the Total Solar Eclipse
  • Mexico City in Spring - enjoyed the big city experience; great food, museums etc
  • Outer Banks region in NC while dropping off Ad in August - fun road trip, only vacation with kids
  • almost 2 weeks in Iceland in September - volcanoes, waterfalls, glaciers, beautiful landscapes and Northern lights; it was a fantastic trip; will go there again


    Aurora in Iceland


    Aurora in Connecticut


    Total Solar Eclipse