riddlermarc

“The International Astronomical Union has decided that Pluto and Eris should be classified as “plutoids,” alongside their 2006 classification as dwarf planets. Under the definition, the self-gravity of a plutoid is enough for it to achieve a near-spherical shape, but not enough for it to clear its orbit of its rocky neighbors, and the plutoid orbits the Sun beyond Neptune.”
http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/07/14/0147250

.. and:

“The Kuiper belt object formerly known as (136472) 2005 FY9 has been rechristened Makemake and classified as a dwarf planet and plutoid by the International Astronomical Union, according to the United States Geological Survey. The reclassification occurs just a month after the latter category was created. The object was referred to by the team of discoverers by the codename Easterbunny, and the name Makemake comes from the creation deity of Easter Island, in accordance with IAU rules on naming Kuiper belt objects.”
http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/06/11/1857221&tid=160

I feel a little sad about Pluto being reclassified,  one ninth of my astronomy knowledge is now wrong - I always had a soft spot for Pluto (although my “favourite” still remains Mars).

We went over and had a look at some puppies today with a view to getting one for my birthday in a couple of weeks time. We chose one to be put aside:

Currently she is called Twixie (!) but I think we shall be changing that as soon as we get her - we have a long weekend booked away in Nequay in August so we are going to get her current keepers to hold onto her until after we come back. She is so cute and we met the parents which were both equally as cool.. I can’t wait. A man (and boy) needs a dog, I’m glad Sam was okay with the puppies and not too scared.

Well, I finally got round to buying myself a new camera yesterday - those nice people at Jessops were doing a bit of a deal so I bought an EOS 400D - yes I know there’s the 450D out but that’s another £100 and the extra features were not vitally appealing to me

I used to do a lot of photography with one of these:

An old Russian Zenit manual SLR - threw myself in at the deep end and it taught me a lot about aperture, manual focusing etc.. nowadays you just have to point the camera and *click*, everything is done for you - sort of takes away some of the magic I think.

Anyway, I still only have the kit lens but will probably grab a nifty fifty in the near future.. off to the London Guitar Show on Saturday so it will have an airing then (think dim lighting, reflective guitars and loads of people.. it’s going to be a baptism of fire!).

Former chairman Rupert Lowe is set to seal his return to the Southampton boardroom on Wednesday.

Link

Shocking!

Phew, what a nervy ending to the season - it came down to the Saints having to win and also to rely on others to come through with some good results.. came down to the end of the Stoke v Leicester game, watching it on Sky and hoping Leicester woulsn’t score.. exciting stuff

I just thought, seeing as I am still off sick I will be able to watch all of the daytime matches. Damn

Hayley has entered the Race for Life in Basingstoke this coming June, if you fancy sponsoring her in aid of Cancer Research UK then please click on the link below, or check out her Facaebook page for info

http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/hayleymcallister