Binocs review from Universe Today

Tammy over at Universe Today has posted an update to her review of Celestron's UpClose 10X50 binoculars - now they're half the price and come with a green laser pointer and a red flashlight.
$29.95, y'all!

Go buy!

It's settled, then.

It shall launch on the anniversary of my birth.


Endeavour launch delayed; next opportunity, June 17th.

Friday Song

I love Rufus Wainwright's version of this song, and the 8mm home videos someone put to it are comically similar to Ward home movies. (The home movies made before I was born, of course. All the fun stuff happened before I was born.)
I mean, I actually did a double-take on some of these scenes.

Kid hit by meteorite.

I've blogged about Meteorite v. Human in the past.

Now, once again, a poor unsuspecting human being has been attacked by a space pebble, which launched its vicious assault indiscriminately and without warning.

Hell yes, he survived.

His parents might have misspelled his first name, but I think we all know what they meant.

Low altitude HD video of the lunar surface, courtesy of JAXA's Kaguya explorer.

Only in Japan. Only. in. Japan.

Better than "cats and dogs", I suppose.

Happy birthday, Bruce McCandless!

McCandless was the first guy to try out the MMU in space.
The G-rated version of the phrase that springs to mind when I see this photo of him would be "nerves of steel."
I guess I've heard Space Oddity one too many times, because this photo makes my stomach turn.

Above: Bruce McCandless goes renegade after one rehydrated beef stew too many:
"You know what? FORGET IT! I'll get my own damn dinner!"