Australia

[Legend]

I've always liked messing around in boats. Long ago I discovered "sea legs" - basically you keep your body still while the boat moves under you. Helps a lot.

Looking at the horizon is meant to help, too.

Alex.

 

[Akhenaten]

NZ eradicates the 'Aussie mozzie'

By Philippa McDonald, ABC Correspondent, Auckland.

New Zealand is claiming to be the first country in the world to have wiped out a mosquito dubbed the 'Aussie mozzie'.

The country's health and biosecurity ministers issued a joint statement saying the southern saltmarsh mosquito has been successfully eradicated following an 11-year program.

The mosquito, which bites during the day, can carry Ross River fever.

The government says there will be savings of about $120 million as a result of eradicating the mosquito.

However surveillance for the insect will continue at New Zealand's ports and airports.

The southern saltmarsh mosquito (Ochlerotatus camptorhyncus) is known to carry Ross River virus in Australia.

Good on yer, Kiwis.

Read more at Biosecurity New Zealand​

 

[Sideroxylon]

Robert Evans

I've been reading "The Whole Shebang" by Timothy Ferris recently and came across mention of quite an amazing Aussie amateur astronomer in Reverend Robert Evans. Now I'm pretty sure many of you are familiar with him but I'm ashamed to say that I wasn't. Though I did read recently about an aussie beating the pros to spot something or other in the skies and now wonder if that was him. He holds the record for spotting supernovae (42) and it comes down to his dedication and ability to memorise starfields and spot changes.

Interview here:
http://www.tenagraobservatories.comInterview of Robert Evans.html

 

[Damien Evans]

I've been reading "The Whole Shebang" by Timothy Ferris recently and came across mention of quite an amazing Aussie amateur astronomer in Reverend Robert Evans. Now I'm pretty sure many of you are familiar with him but I'm ashamed to say that I wasn't. Though I did read recently about an aussie beating the pros to spot something or other in the skies and now wonder if that was him. He holds the record for spotting supernovae (42) and it comes down to his dedication and ability to memorise starfields and spot changes.

Interview here:
http://www.tenagraobservatories.comInterview of Robert Evans.html

When I saw the title of your post I thought you were talking about my brother!

Then I remembered the astronomer.

 

[Akhenaten]

I've been reading "The Whole Shebang" by Timothy Ferris recently and came across mention of quite an amazing Aussie amateur astronomer in Reverend Robert Evans. Now I'm pretty sure many of you are familiar with him but I'm ashamed to say that I wasn't. Though I did read recently about an aussie beating the pros to spot something or other in the skies and now wonder if that was him. He holds the record for spotting supernovae (42) and it comes down to his dedication and ability to memorise starfields and spot changes.

Interview here:
http://www.tenagraobservatories.comInterview of Robert Evans.html

When I saw the title of your post I thought you were talking about my brother!

Then I remembered the astronomer.

Being as how he's both a reverend and an astronomer, I'm guessing that Robert is known as 'Good Evans', whereas . . .

 

[MG1962]

Just to clarify something on Evans. He does not rely on an amazing ability to memorise star fields. What he does is make negative images of galaxies. White background with the galaxies and attending stars in black.

He has an assistant stand in front of the scope with a series of flash cards made from these images. He skips to a galaxy - checks the eyepiece image with the flash card, moves on.

What does make Evans interesting is he uses the cheapest type of telescope there is, the Dobson (Named after a Catholic Monk) no automation, everything is done on manual.

Australia actually has a few notable amature astronomers. Sorry I am hazy on names. But there is a chap lives in North Ryde with an international reputation for detecting asteroids. I swear he can smell the darn things - And looks like your classic surfer dude

In Western Australia is a chap I have not met. But the pros go to him regarding comets. He does not try to discover them. But once known he tracks them so their orbits can be refined, and if there are any brightness issues professionals might be interested in

 

[Damien Evans]

Just to clarify something on Evans. He does not rely on an amazing ability to memorise star fields. What he does is make negative images of galaxies. White background with the galaxies and attending stars in black.

He has an assistant stand in front of the scope with a series of flash cards made from these images. He skips to a galaxy - checks the eyepiece image with the flash card, moves on.

What does make Evans interesting is he uses the cheapest type of telescope there is, the Dobson (Named after a Catholic Monk) no automation, everything is done on manual.

Australia actually has a few notable amature astronomers. Sorry I am hazy on names. But there is a chap lives in North Ryde with an international reputation for detecting asteroids. I swear he can smell the darn things - And looks like your classic surfer dude

In Western Australia is a chap I have not met. But the pros go to him regarding comets. He does not try to discover them. But once known he tracks them so their orbits can be refined, and if there are any brightness issues professionals might be interested in

Dobson isn't a catholic, he's a follower of Ramakrishna.

 

[Akhenaten]

Dobson isn't a catholic, he's a follower of Ramakrishna.

You'd think he would have invented a Kali-descope instead of a telescope, if that's the case.

 

[MG1962]

Dobson isn't a catholic, he's a follower of Ramakrishna.

Sorry you are right - I thought he was in a Catholic order before leaving to persue his side walk astronomy idea, then converting to Ramakrishna

 

[MG1962]

You'd think he would have invented a Kali-descope instead of a telescope, if that's the case.

My fourth daughter was named after that particular diety

 

[Akhenaten]

It's a beautiful name. Does she have all the arms? That would be very handy.



I'll just get my coat . . .

 

[MG1962]

It's a beautiful name. Does she have all the arms? That would be very handy.



I'll just get my coat . . .

LOL - our girl is named after the southern Indian version of the myth. There she was a great warrior who ultimately controlled herself after being defeated by Shiva in a dance contest...Honest I am not making that up

But we wanted a Sanskrit name to complete the tradition we'd started with the naming of our daughters

 

[Sideroxylon]

Just to clarify something on Evans. He does not rely on an amazing ability to memorise star fields. What he does is make negative images of galaxies. White background with the galaxies and attending stars in black.

He has an assistant stand in front of the scope with a series of flash cards made from these images. He skips to a galaxy - checks the eyepiece image with the flash card, moves on.

What does make Evans interesting is he uses the cheapest type of telescope there is, the Dobson (Named after a Catholic Monk) no automation, everything is done on manual.

Australia actually has a few notable amature astronomers. Sorry I am hazy on names. But there is a chap lives in North Ryde with an international reputation for detecting asteroids. I swear he can smell the darn things - And looks like your classic surfer dude

In Western Australia is a chap I have not met. But the pros go to him regarding comets. He does not try to discover them. But once known he tracks them so their orbits can be refined, and if there are any brightness issues professionals might be interested in

That makes sense, though Oliver Sacks has apparently described him as having a savant ability. Perhaps a myth has grown around him.

 

[Orphia Nay]

My favourite Aussie astronomer at the moment is Robert McNaught, though I don't know much about him, other than his discovery of 50 or so comets:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_H._McNaught

 

[Orphia Nay]

Oh, and I was just reading this today (unrelated to astronomy):

"In 1869, the 14-year-old Ned Kelly was arrested for assaulting a Chinese pig farmer named ..."

Click here to find out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ned_Kelly#Rise_to_notoriety

 

[Akhenaten]

Oh, and I was just reading this today (unrelated to astronomy):

"In 1869, the 14-year-old Ned Kelly was arrested for assaulting a Chinese pig farmer named ..."

Click here to find out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ned_Kelly#Rise_to_notoriety

Delayed reaction?

The Far Shore No I haven't read it. Many of the snippets come down as family stories and in most cases are true, perhaps slanted a bit with time.

I haven't read The Far Shore either. In fact, I'd never heard of it until I found it in the NLA catalogue My local library is closed for Easter, so I can't comment on it further at the moment. Perhaps SimonD will share if we ask nicely.

I understand where your stories come from Bob, and that's what gives them value. As for truth, well, I don't recall that you've had too many posts refuted in this thread, so I'd say you're doing at least as well as I am

My Grand Parents lived in Harrietville (little gold town NE Victoria) A Beveridge woman (of the Beveridge Brothers - Kidmans of Victoria) used to feed and shelter Ned Kelly. He would come in after dark get fed, clothes washed and have a sleep, then take off before dawn. The whole town knew except the copper. He rode through the mountains out of sight. (no dobbers then)

There are some kewl links in the above quotation. I hope the people enjoy following them.

Harrietville is beautiful during Autumn. (Fall, for the seppos ) I might grab my camera and go take some photos to post for you.

Beveridge is only 25 km (15 mi) from my Royal Palace, on the way to Melbourne, and I've been known to call in at the Hunter's Tryst for a pint of Guinness after a hard day's shopping. Some friends of mine were married there some years ago, and I recall drinking some Guinness that day too.

Your story of Ned Kelly is exactly as I know it, both from anecdotes and reading up on it. There's a link in the above quote that will do for now, but I reckon old Ned and his adventures will feature prominently in the thread eventually.

My Grand Parents eloped, walking from Omeo to Harrietville over the mountains. The highest - Mt Bogong, 6508 ft (1896 m), and Mt Hotham, 6306 ft (1861 m) 80 miles (48 km). One horse two people and a rifle, no roads then.

That's an incredibly tough journey, and shows just how bloody determined our pioneers were. You have every right to be proud of your heritage, Old Bob.

Not that it matters, but we live south of Gympie at North Arm, only 60 klicks (36 mi) down the road. Call our place "Casper Downs" but thats another story.

It doesn't have to matter, it's interesting stuff and I'm loving it.

I don't know North Arm at all, so I'm looking forward to hearing that story too. Talk about whatever comes to mind in your own time, China. Life's too short to rush.

Must thank Dave from us all for the pictures and info. (My computer hates me)

That's the only advantage I have over you As it is, though, we make a good team. Your thanks is much appreciated.


Cheers Mate,

Dave


PS Bob, don't worry about posting off-topic. You are, I am, we are Australian, and anything we discuss is going to be well within my topic.

Even the campfire yarns

 

[Orphia Nay]

 

[Akhenaten]

You were supposed to say "Well oil beef hooked."

 

[Orphia Nay]

D'oh! Now I'll just say, Chinese pig farmer.

 

[Akhenaten]