A Few Biographical Notes About Galileo

Galileo is a famous historical figure and is noted for his contributions to astronomy and other areas of scientific study.  Here are a few biographical notes to create a snapshot of Galileo Galilei (1564 - 1642).

Though he did not invent it, Galileo pioneered the use of the refracting telescope for observing the night sky. He improved upon the telescope and significantly enhanced its by grinding and polishing his own lenses, in order to increase the magnification, and that made it possible to actually see that there were craters and mountains on the moon and saw that the Milky Was was made up of thousands of individual stars.

Image credit:  Amazon.co

"After his formal trial, which took place on May 10 of that year, Galileo was convicted of a “strong suspicion of heresy,” a lesser charge than actual heresy."

~ QUOTE SOURCE: The truth about Galileo and his conflict with the Catholic Church | UCLA

“Nearly 70 at the time of his trial, Galileo lived his last nine years under comfortable house arrest, writing a summary of his early motion experiments that became his final great scientific work. He died in Arcetri near Florence, Italy on January 8, 1642 at age 77 after suffering from heart palpitations and a fever.”

~ QUOTE SOURCE: Galileo Galilei - HISTORY

In his day, his work was deemed heresy, but these days Galileo is praised for his contributions to astronomy and is called the "father" of observational astronomy, modern physics, the scientific method, and modern science.

Galileo fathered 2 daughters out of wedlock, who both became Catholic nuns. His oldest daughter, Virginia, corresponded regularly with his father. 124 of her letters survive to this day. Unfortunately, all of Galileo's replies to his daughter were burned. Her letters create a picture of a daughter's loving and supportive relationship with her father. The daughter herself was somewhat of a radical in her day. Even though she saw what happened to her father, she still dared to take a stand against corruption in the priesthood. Galileo died in 1642, but he outlived his daughter, who died of dysentery in 1634.

Galileo and the Stargazers: The Jim Weiss Audio Collection of inspiring true stories of heroic scientists ... https://t.co/LIdAKg2rtn via @amazon @audible_com
#16 in Historical #Biographies for Children
#21 in #Audiobooks on #Science & #Technology for #Children #education pic.twitter.com/yvUk1bGCsp

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) February 21, 2022

Original Source 

JAHQAAUFO (Just Another Humorous Quip About Aliens and UFOs)

Aliens and UFOs, now called UAPs, are a very hot topic among "We the People".  It's so serious, the US military and key officials in the government are still concocting bogus stories about them.

• UFOs: Are They That Serious?. By Helen McCaw and David Broadwell  | Medium

Sharing a link above to an interesting and information article above, with my humorous opinionated comments shared below.

• UPDATE: Author decided to unpublish the article.  My remarks are stand alone though.  Please continue reading.  Thank you.

LOL. People need to realize that “governments” of almost all of the countries LIKE TO PLAY GAMES! They work on Top Secret projects that they can't openly talk about it. WHY? Usually it's because they don't want The Enemy to know. Sometimes, it's because they don't want the citizens to know. It might cause OUTRAGE!! Because sometimes citizens are like parents. They just don't understand.

However, seeing that we all live on the same planet, there is always a possibility someone might accidentally, unintentionally, stumble upon a TSP (Top Secret project). If and when they do, there has to be a “story” that must be FED by the Government to the GP (general public).

UFO … UAP … mentions or sightings equal BOGUS STORIES that sound kind of believable. Those stories serve a purpose. The purpose being to take your mind off of the real top secret project and get you talking and speculating about something that does not exist. Why do you think nobody has ever presented concrete evidence or proof of aliens? Because there is none!

Here's the reality. The people who work on those projects sign a Confidentiality Agreement. That means they're sworn to secrecy. If they try to break the agreement and tell somebody? The Government has “ways of dealing with people like that”. What? Will they kill you? Oh no! They'll just make you look like a blithering idiot and an individual who lacks credibility. We know NOW that Galileo was not crazy! I'm sure they knew it back then during his time. But they still put him away!

Am I saying the UFOs or UAPs are not real? Not at all. I'm saying they are real. And … if they don't belong to US, then they belong to The Enemy. If they belong to US, we have our reasons for not wanting the public to know. If they belong to The Enemy, we obviously don't want them to know that we know!!

Admit it. My logic is flawless. LOL. ☺

** For the record, "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (the original with Michael Rennie (1951); not the remake with Keanu Reeves (2008)), will always be my favorite movie about aliens and UFOs.

source

Wonders of Nature: Blue Mushrooms

I thought I knew all about mushrooms. I knew there are some that you can eat and some that are poisonous and some can get you high! LOL. 🍄😄 I also knew that illustrators loved to draw pretty mushrooms as houses in fairy tales. So I figured if I ever saw a blue mushroom it would have to be an imaginary one in a fairy tale, fantasy or science fiction story. 

NOT! In New Zealand, there is the E. hochstetteri. It's a blue mushroom.

Of course! I would expect to find something like that in New Zealand. Wouldn't you? I never traveled to this country. I have only seen it on television and in photographs, so I know it's an amazingly beautiful place.

This mushroom is actually mentioned in the oral traditions passed down in Māori families. Fungi play a prominent part in Māori life. The mushroom's blue hues vary from blue-gray to cerulean to the color of blue raspberry candy.

Mycologists generally consider E. hochstetteri to be a distinct species.

Some researchers have tried to grow these mushrooms in a lab, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Just in case you're wondering. These mushrooms are not for trippin'. They are not psychedelic mushrooms and won't send you to Cloud 9. That note is good to know because there are some mind-bending mushrooms that turn blue after being harvested. But the E. hochstetteri grows blue and does not have psilocybin, the chemical that alters your consciousness.

These little blue mushrooms really add to the natural beauty of the already beautiful New Zealand’s forests. But nobody has quite figured out their scientific purpose.

REFERENCE:

Get to Know New Zealand's Hugely Popular, Thrillingly Blue Mushroom - Atlas Obscura

FINAL NOTE:

Scientists are uncertain about the toxicity of the native New Zealand fungi/ and it is being investigated. In other words: DON'T EAT IT!! (YET!)

In the process of researching this topic, I discovered that there are other blue mushrooms. Do not confuse the E. hochstetteri of New Zealand with the Lactarius indigo. This is a species of agaric fungus in the family Russulaceae. Some people call this mushroom indigo milk cap or the blue milk mushroom. YOU CAN EAT IT!! It is edible mushroom and they sell it in rural markets in China, Guatemala, and Mexico.

* Learn more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactarius_indigo

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL MUSHROOM MONTH!

Original source

Is the Big Bang Theory to be Believed as Truth?

Do you watch the Big Bang Theory? It's that comedy TV show about a bunch of nerdy scientists who live together and attend the same educational institution. I am not a regular viewer but if I am up at night and flipping channels and land on the channel at the right time, I'll watch it. I like the guy named Sheldon. He's from Texas. That means he's not only smart about science but he knows all about football. Because in Texas football is a religion. LOL.

Anyway! Connecting the dots, I read an interesting article by a fellow writer about the Big Bang . Sharing the link below. In addition, I left comments at the article which I am re-sharing in this blog post.

Why The Big Bang is one of the most widely Accepted Scientific Theories of our time | Read.Cash

The Big Bang is the most accepted scientific “theory” because there are that many people in the world who choose not to believe the scientific “facts” clearly set forth in Genesis account of The Creation, the origin of the universe.

The other fact is that there would be many unemployed scientists if they did not say they were working on trying to substantiate the theory. The Big Bang Theory was introduced in 1927. Ironically, it was supposed to provide proof that the biblical account was correct, i.e. religion and science need not contradict each other. Only people started asking more questions and debating it. NASA has people employed whose “job” is to study The Big Bang. Of course, NASA is not the organization in the world with scientists and researchers working on this. Big Bang news and updates are published regularly in publications like Science Daily.

You either believe one or the other. Either the universe was the result of an explosion that created order out of chaos OR it was the result of the orderly thinking of a Supreme Intelligent Being. Supreme meaning that Being is wasy smarter than all of us! You can't believe both! As “a theist”, I believe the latter.

Also, I disagree that it is more important to identify the “bad science”. Anybody can come up with pseudo-science. You don't even have to be a scientist to come up with a bad scientific theory about anything! The search for truth is far more important and a much more worthwhile endeavor. Besides how can you possibly identify the bad science WHEN you don't know what the good science is in the first place?

"... keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called ..." (1 Tim 6: 20)

RELATED LINKS:

• A Science Odyssey: People and Discoveries: Big bang theory was introduced in 1927

• The Big Bang | NASA Science Mission Directorate

• What Astronomers Are Still Discovering About the Big Bang Theory | At the Smithsonian | Smithsonian Magazine

Do You Care About the Memories of Your Ancestors?

Am I dreaming about my ancestors' memories? Or ... this question could be rephrased:

• Do I believe in genetic memories?

What a fascinating thought! I never even thought of it. (O.o) :) I'm pretty confident, however, that's not what my dreams are not the dreams of my ancestors.  That's not what my dreams are made of. :)  

Sharing a link (below) to an article titled:

Genetic Memory - Are You Dreaming Your Ancestors Memories?

The idea expressed in this article before becoming unpublished was very visual ... very imaginative ... very thoughtful.  It could probably even create dreams.  But as for the dreaming about the dreams of my ancestors?  Nah!

Not so much interested in the memories of my ancestors. But I would love to know what the memories of unborn babies are.  The following thoughts/questions were provoked by a New Testament scripture describing what happened when Mary greeted her cousin Elizabeth.  Elizabeth, at the time, was with child.  She was carrying her unborn son who would be named John and would come to be known as John the Baptist.  It is said that when Mary greeted Elizabeth, at the sound of Mary's voice, the babe leaped in his mother's womb.  (Luke 1: 41 -44)  The scriptures also state that John the Baptist had the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb.  (Luke 1: 15)  

I thought:  What else can unborn babies do? 

• Can unborn babies think? 
• Do unborn babies have memories? 
• Are they intelligent human beings just like the rest of us who were blessed to be reproduced and born without disruption, interruption, and interference?

LUKE 1

41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

Can We Access the Memories of Our Ancestors Through Our DNA? - VICE

Remembering Things From Before You Were Born | Psychology Today


More Links of Interest:

Do You Read in Your Dreams?

The Titan (2018) : Sci-Fi Movie Lovers Beware!

It's not often my husband picks a Friday night movie for us that's in the sci-fi genre. A science fiction film is not on either of our lists for favorite movie genres. But if we watch the trailer and it looks like it might be exciting entertainment, then we'll get comfortable, dim the lights in the room to enhance the mood and the visuals, and give the flick our undivided attention.

"Titan's atmosphere makes Saturn's largest moon look like a fuzzy orange ball in this natural color view from the Cassini spacecraft. ..."  Image credit: By NASA - http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA14602, Public Domain, Link



◆ Our Friday night sci-fi movie pick was “The Titan”. It's a 2018 Netflix original.

Staff writer Dan Jackson published his review in the Entertainment section of Thrillist and he made a comparison between this movie and an old science fiction movie “The Fly”. As a child, I saw the 1958 film with Vincent Price; and as an adult, I watched the 1986 remake with Jeff Goldblum. These films were so popular there was a 1959 sequel, “Return of the Fly” and a 1989 sequel, “The Fly II”.

Don't even know why Mr. Jackson made the comparison, but he described “The Titan” as an “Unsexy Version of 'The Fly'”.


Unsexy? Oh? Were they trying to be sexy? I didn't even think they were trying to be believable! I didn't buy any of it!


Even though I disagree with Mr. Jackson's comparison, I wholly agree with the concluding statement in his review.

“The movie ... doesn't want to seduce you.

It wants to put you to sleep.”

The movie was awful! It couldn't even help with insomnia.


How bad was it? I am seldom moved to give a film or TV series a rating. It was so disappointing I asked my husband to Rate It and give it one star. (He was the one holding the remote/controller.) My husband expressed his disappointment by saying he had already wasted an hour and a half of his life and he wouldn't waste a minute more by taking the time to give the film a rating.


This Netflix original thriller was a waste of time and money. (IMHO.)  If you like sci-fi and you are especially interested in films where they explore the possibilities of life on another planet … DON'T WATCH THIS MOVIE!!


The Titan (2018) : Sci-Fi Movie Lovers Beware!


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◆ References:

Jackson, Dan. “The Titan Netflix Review: Sam Worthington's Sci-Fi Movie Needed Sex – Thrillist” Thrillist, Thrillist, 30 Mar. 2018, www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/the-titan-netflix-review.

The Titan - Official Trailer - 2018 Sci-Fi Movie HD

Albino Children : Innocence Versus Ignorance

At the age of about 8 or 9 years old, I saw a young boy who was “white everywhere”! His skin, his hair, his eyebrows! Asked my mother about him and she casually remarked: “He’s an albino”. That was the entire discussion. I accepted her answer and moved on.

Fast forward. I am an adult who has lived for several decades. You think you’ve seen so much that nothing will shock you. Then you learn of an atrocity. What people do to albinos. Many of the victims, innocent children.

There are people who believe body parts of albinos have magical powers. As a result, __________. No doubt you can fill in the blank. But if you can’t, here are two words that might conjure up some images in your mind. Mutilation. Murder.

The article reference below supplies additional information.

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Reference:

hhteam. “The Plight of Albinos.” Humanity Healing. Humanity Healing International, Inc., Albino Rescue Project, 8 Mar. 2015, humanityhealing.org/2015/03/plight-of-albinos/

♥ Take heart. This post ends on a happy note! ♥


Image Credit: Kuna boys, including an Albino boy. Photo on Flickr by user Ben Kucinski (CC BY 2.0).

There is a community in Panama that adores their albino children. They are considered blessed and people call them “children of the moon”.

According to Kuna mythology, the sipus or the albinos are the only ones who can slay the dragon during lunar eclipses. Even though we know through the study of astronomy that there is no dragon which causes a lunar eclipse, it’s still nice that the customs and traditions linked to this myth resulted in protecting those sweet children, instead of harming them. Doesn’t that just relieve and warm your heart?


References:

“Panama’s Kuna Community Has a Special Place for Its Albinos, the ‘Children of the Moon’ · Global Voices.” Global Voices, 19 June 2015, globalvoicesonline.org/2015/06/19/panamas-kuna-community-has-a-special-place-for-its-albinos-the-children-of-the-moon/

Artist, Karl Tate SPACE.com Infographics. “’Blood Moons’ Explained: What Causes a Lunar Eclipse Tetrad? (Infographic).” Space.com, Purch, 18 Sept. 2015, www.space.com/25427-blood-moons-lunar-eclipse-tetrad-infographic.html.





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My original content published elsewhere around the web.

DNA is considered the blueprint of life. ...

Sharing a few thought after reading an excellent article published via USAToday.

After more than 20 years, scientists are finally done mapping the human genome, Approximately 8% of genetic material could not be deciphered with previous technology. That missing 8% was like a detective story with the pages missing that tell you who committed the crime. Why is this important? You could say that “Earlier maps, he said, were missing entire chapters of the book of life.”

“Mapping this genetic material should help explain how humans adapted to and survived infections and plagues, how our bodies clear toxins, how individuals respond differently to drugs, what makes the brain distinctly human and what makes each of us distinct from each other”, said Evan Eichler, a geneticist at the University of Washington School of Medicine who helped lead the research. Now, "we can continuously read the book with almost no errors," he said, "we can get from Page 1 to the final chapter."

RE: HEALTH AND MEDICINE: There is still a lot that is unknown, however, what is known about DNA mapping is used in medical care. The human genome is now routinely used in determining cancer treatment, reactions to certain drugs and identifying inherited genetic diseases.

RE: CRIME: DNA tests have revealed cases of “fertility fraud”. When a female patient went to receive artificial insemination, she was led to believe that it was the sperm of anonymous donor. Evidently, the doctor was donating his own sperm. How many patients did he did that to? I'm guessing the doctor knows OR he maybe he did it so many times he lost count. I'm not sure he has been found. The report I heard indicates he “could not be reached”. But this case opened up a “can of worms” and now several fertility doctors are being investigated.

• Mapping of human DNA is complete. Here's what that means for humanity.  

Article writer: Karen Weintraub at kweintraub@usatoday.com.

lllustration of a Chinese man and a Native American from the 18th or 19th century ...

Illustration of a Chinese man and a Native American from the 18th or 19th century, artist unknown. Ancient Native American glyphs versus ancient Chinese pictograms. Interesting revelations put forward by research analyst John A. Ruskamp Jr. who believes there might be genetic links between Native American DNA to people who lived in China during ancient or medieval times. 

• Read more: Did the Ancient Chinese Make Contact With Native Americans?  

Fascinating Related Articles

• Researchers edited the DNA of viable human embryos in U.S. for the first time, but don't freak out yet
• Genome of viable human embryos edited in controversial study
• How 250 Siberians Became the First Native Americans
• What the ancient DNA discovery tells us about Native American ancestry | Science | The Guardian
• All Native Americans Descended from One Ancestral Population | The Scientist Magazine®
• A Comparison of Chinese and American Indian (Chumash) Medicine
• DNA from ancient population in Southern China suggests Native Americans' East Asian roots -- ScienceDaily
• Ancient genomes from northern China suggest links between subsistence changes and human migration | Nature Communications

Happy Earth Day! ~ It's Been 50 Years! or 50 Billion. But Who's Counting?

I ... I mean "We" ... should be more diligent since the earth is everyone’s home. This means Earth Day should probably be marked on everyone's calendar.

Let’s not even mention Climate Change or Global Warming. My way of participating in Earth Day is to celebrate TREES.

Below are a few links to show my care and concern about planet earth, our home. I can’t really say a lot because science was never my best subject.

Indian Banyan Tree And The Pippal Tree

- These trees have cultural significance as they are considered sacred by the Hindus and Buddhists.  The banyan tree is the National Tree of India.  All trees should have cultural significance to everybody.  Next link!

Trees Deserve Respect

- The presence of trees is what separates earth from all the other planets.

Celebrate Earth Day and Help Protect the Planet

- Donate, reuse, and recycle; save energy, and maintain an awareness of environmental needs.  So what if you can’t afford a hybrid car.  You can use a recycle bin and turn off lights!

DON’T KILL RAPTORS!!

- Raptors are birds of prey.  They serve a very important purpose.  They help maintain a balance in our environment.


Content previously published at my partner blog.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The Earth flag is not an official flag, since there is no official governing body over Earth. The flag holds a photo transfer of a NASA image of the Earth on a dark blue background. It has been associated with Earth Day. Although the flag was originally copyrighted, a judge ruled that the copyright was invalid. Earth Flag Ltd. v. Alamo Flag Co., 154 F. Supp. 2d 663 (S.D.N.Y. 2001) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Do a little dance this #EarthDay! ? pic.twitter.com/Aur98Q6UDb

— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) April 22, 2020

Just shared my thoughts. Happy Earth Day, Custodians of the Universe! Please try to be better guardians. ❤️?￰ﾟﾒﾙ?https://t.co/X6ZlUcsCC8 pic.twitter.com/UpkXHYCJ3L

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) April 22, 2020

Iceland Encourages Residents to Hug a Tree for Five Minutes to Combat Loneliness https://t.co/N0LkriPlkr via @flipboard @Rx4Wellness2018 #mentalillness ~ maintain your #sanity ~ appreciate #trees ~ celebrate #EarthDay

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) April 22, 2020

How Did Clouds Get Their Names?

DID YOU KNOW:. Luke Howard was a pharmacist by profession.  But this “young amateur meteorologist named and classified the clouds in 1803”.   He first identified 3 types of clouds ~ Cirrus, Cumulus, and Stratus ~ and then further used intermediate and compound names to identify more types of clouds.

This short video explains how the expression “Cloud 9” (Cumulonimbus) came to mean being on top of the world.  How did clouds get their names?

It's a most enjoyable and educational video.

I now have an even greater appreciation for that Motown song “Cloud9” performed by the legendary group The Temptations; and I love Charlie Brown even more. ☺❤

Clouds are a great topic to study with kids.

• Weather Wiz Kids weather information for kids
• Fun Cloud Facts for Kids | Easy Science for Kids
• Cloud Facts - Facts Just for Kids

B. toys – Rain-Glow Squeeze – Light-Up Cloud Rattle for Babies 3 Months +

Don't Breathe! Parts of the world to avoid? That's Easy! Unless You Live There! (Reblog)

This post was first published in June 2017 and then updated for July 2020.  It's basically a discussion with myself that answers the question:  Who is "We"?  Although how could we not know the answer.  We are the World. 
Reblogging from one of my partner blogs.

Don't Breathe! Parts of the world to avoid?
That's Easy! Unless You Live There!

Talented Photographers : Hawaiian Bobtail Squid (Euprymna Scolopes)

Every time I see YAP (yet another picture) of the wonders that live in the sea, I wonder if aquatic life will ever stop amazing me!!  It's a squid!!

Hawaiian Bobtail Squid (Euprymna Scolopes)

photos by mattias ormestad, jackson wong, jose martín piñatel, david slater, todd bretl



♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

https://foxnet2017.tumblr.com/post/160060514403/nubbsgalore-despite-its-colourful-appearance

Happy Earth Day!

Today is April 22 and it's Earth Day. To celebrate I am recommending that my blog readers subscribe to Mother Nature Network. If you love planet earth, you'll love the MNN publication. They are a constant and consistent reminder of the celebration of life on this wonderful planet that we take for granted. A life which, no matter what the space explorers and scientists or Nostradamus tell you, can be never duplicated by building a colony on Mars or Titan or anywhere else in the universe. 


Click to view an infographic depicting "NASA's Plan to Put Thousands of People in Space Colonies" (click on the image to enlarge if necessary). Infographic from Space.com.


The reality is we need to make an earnest effort to maintain the Earth because it's all we've got!
Happy Earth Day!

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