Photo Synthesis
Archives for June, 2009
Rocks that ROCK!
Posted by B Jefferson Bolender on June 27, 2009 Introducing a month long exploration of natural wonders seen by a woman who always has a camera on hand. We begin exploring with the wonders of minerals. “Velvet Beauty” is a magnificent collector’s specimen from Bisbee, Arizona. This museum-quality piece of malachite and azurite was available for purchase at a rock and gem show for…
Geek-eye View
Posted by Steve Jurvetson on June 26, 2009 As I prepare to hand off this photoblog to Cobalt123, I thought I would share my favorite non-rocket photos. Each clicks through to a story or geeky observation. Last Thoughts Magic Toes Fire & Ice A Beautiful Computation in the Wolfram sense Curiosity Diamond Age & Eyes and even some people Namaste.
The Shuttle & SpaceX
Posted by Steve Jurvetson on June 25, 2009 The Shuttle is glorious after midnight awaiting a big adventure… A complicated design… Lifts with a thunderous roar… SRB Separation is visible to the naked eye… and the payload joins the ISS… As the Shuttle is retiring from operation, SpaceX is gearing up to service the space station and other orbital launch needs: Here you…
The Moon
Posted by Steve Jurvetson on June 25, 2009 Alluring, enticing, begging us to come pay a visit… Like a moth to the flame, before there were flames… Reflecting our reflections… and echoing in the dreams of Neil Armstrong…
Rocket Mavericks
Posted by Steve Jurvetson on June 24, 2009 For my last rocket-centric post, let me show the big project that I helped with, from a new prefecture for civilian space explorers, called Rocket Mavericks…. She lept off the pad with a glorious 30 ft. plume. Computer simulations estimated she would scream to 100,000 ft. at Mach 3 • 22 ft. tall, 540 lbs…
Rocket Drag Races
Posted by Steve Jurvetson on June 21, 2009 Drag races add a bit to all of the excitement, not only for their competitive elements, but also because the action fills the skies, sometimes with mishap. This Great Gizmo drag race was sponsored by Wildman Rocketry at LDRS27 in Argonia, Kansas, with each flying the same kit: It’s a rare treat to see them…
Rockets Gone Wild
Posted by Steve Jurvetson on June 18, 2009 The pop of a supersonic shred, scattering fins below… and the beginning of a sparky spiral dance in the sky… Here’s a rare catch of a fleeting midair moment – the forward retention for the solid-fuel motor has failed and so it thusts forward up through the rocket, pushing the parachute and nose cone out…
Spinners
Posted by Steve Jurvetson on June 14, 2009 Near the ground we call them land sharks: My rocket buddy Erik and I have developed a knack for spotting a likely train wreck in the sky. There was a certain lack of craftsmanship in this Sonotube build that cued us to be ready with the camera: I just held the motor drive down for…
Big Bada Boom
Posted by Steve Jurvetson on June 12, 2009 Ka-pow. Bing, Bam, Boom. For launch shots, I shoot with timing priority at 1/3000 seconds or faster to catch the action. This helps freeze the shrapnel in sharp focus. Typically, I am tracking the rocket by hand with a 400mm zoom. Rockets bursting in air… In this example, a home-brew motor mixed with 8 pounds…
Rocketman
Posted by Steve Jurvetson on June 12, 2009 ► Elton John ♫ ♪ Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone