I tried this with a solar transit last year and discovered that my expensive phone can't keep time. Learned my lesson - for this lunar transit I shot video a few minutes before and after. The video is 4K and has the unedited 1 second transit and a zoomed in slow version where you can actually see the thing. Unfortunately this means the composite at the top is made from frames extracted using ffmpeg. Next time, two cameras, so I can attempt a burst as well as a video.
The photograph titled "ISS Lunar Transit (4K Video)" captures an ethereal moment where the cosmic dance of celestial bodies is frozen in time. The image features the full moon, luminous and detailed, its surface awash with the contrast of light and shadow that reveals the familiar, pocked face of our nearest neighbor in space. Positioned against a backdrop of deep blackness, the moon's brilliance captivates as it hovers in the void. The framing of the moon to the right of the center allows room for the unexpected appearance of the International Space Station, which, though not visible here, would be a fleeting silhouette across the lunar surface, hinting at the intricate choreography of our universe.
This image follows the principles of minimalist composition, with the stark contrast between the bright moon and the darkness of space creating a compelling visual impact. The rule of thirds is subtly applied, positioning the moon slightly off-center, which adds an element of dynamic tension to the otherwise serene scene. What I appreciate about this photograph is its ability to evoke a sense of wonder, as it visually narrates the silent passage of human ingenuity against the timeless, watchful moon. However, without the actual visible transit of the ISS captured in this frame, those expecting a more evident narrative of motion might find the photograph lacking in excitement. Still, its technical clarity and the awe-inspiring subject matter maintain its allure.
(Published to the Fediverse as:
ISS Lunar Transit (4K Video) #photo#iss#moon#video 4k video of the International Space Station transiting the moon on May 7, 2020 shot from San Francisco, California)
I don't know about you, but when it comes to Google Search Console I spend about 0.01% of the time adding sites and 99.99% analyzing existing ones. And yet when signing into Search Console with many verified sites the interface is ALL about adding a new one. Maybe 10% of the UX would be reasonable but it looks for all the world like I have nothing added.
To get to my sites I need to click the hamburger. Come on Google, being mobile first doesn't have to mean being desktop hostile.
Clicking the hamburger isn't even enough. This just brings up a practically blank sidebar. I then need to expand the 'Search property' drop down. Finally I get a needlessly scrolling list of my sites.
(Published to the Fediverse as:
Google search-for-your-own-verified-sites Console #etc#google#searchconsole Why do I need to click a hamburger AND drop down a menu to get to a list of verified sites in Google Search Console?)
(Published to the Fediverse as:
Coronavirus Hikes: April 2020 #hike#sanfrancisco#coronavirus Map of hikes around San Francisco during the Coronavirus lockdown: April 2020)
For some reason I have set myself the task of completing the Scot Harvath series. They are OK thrillers lessened by reading back to back as fundamentally they're very similar. This one is about a deliberate pandemic so it's a good time to read it. Nearly there...
The Last Day by Andrew Hunter Murray
4/5
I picked this up because I listen to the no such thing as a fish podcast, co-hosted by the author. I wasn't expecting much but it's really quite good (and not at all funny, more tense and melancholy). I want to find out what happens next.
The photograph titled "Red-Tailed Hawk" captures the magnificent bird perched gracefully on a slender branch. The hawk's sharp eyes gaze intently at its surroundings, its feathers a rich tapestry of earth tones, providing a stark contrast to the vibrant green background of densely packed leaves. The delicate interplay of light and shadow highlights the bird's streamlined form, accentuating the textures of its plumage. The blurred background emphasizes the hawk's poised stance, creating a sense of depth and inviting the viewer to focus on the majestic presence of this raptor.
In terms of composition, the photograph uses the rule of thirds effectively, with the hawk positioned slightly off-center. This asymmetry draws the eye and adds dynamism to the scene. The use of a shallow depth of field ensures that the hawk remains the primary focus, while the background dissolves into a pleasing blur that enhances the sense of tranquility. The branch runs diagonally through the frame, guiding the viewer's gaze toward the bird. However, the image might benefit from slightly more negative space on the left, which could add balance and further emphasize the hawk's regal isolation. Overall, the photograph beautifully captures the essence of the hawk's elegance and power, although a bit more breathing room could enhance its compositional grace.
I've just launched a redesign of I Thought He Came With You. The main thrust is to make the site more usable on desktops. Which seems nuts, but the data doesn't lie. The site has low mobile traffic and for a while I thought this was some kind of technical issue. I optimized the design heavily for mobile and spent a lot of time on speed and some AMP. I guess it's the content. Google loves it when I write documentation for them and doesn't think I have anything useful to say on politics. They're probably right. So I've gone back to having an old school sidebar and I've taken the performance hit of using Bootstrap to get some better looking forms and navigation without spending a lot of time on it. I hope you enjoy it, and if you find anything broken please email or leave a comment.
By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, February 19, 2022.
Six 4K images a day at 24 frames per second (so each second is four days) from April 18, 2019 to April 17, 2020:
I made a version of this video a couple of years ago using xplanet clouds. That was lower resolution and only had one frame per day so it's pretty quick. This version uses the new 4K cloud image I developed for Catfood Earth just over a year ago. I've been patiently saving the image six times a day (well, patiently waiting as a script does this for me). It's pretty amazing to see storms developing and careening around the planet. The still frame at the top of the post shows Dorian hitting Florida back in September.
(Published to the Fediverse as:
4K One Year Global Cloud Timelapse #code#software#video#timelapse#animation#clouds#earth Animation of a year of global cloud cover from April 18, 2019 to April 17, 2020. You can see storms developing and careening around the planet. Rendered from six daily 4K images.)
Caught the end of a SpaceX Starlink Train last night - image above is three stacked six second exposures.
Update: check out this timelapse of three Starlink trains in a row.
This photograph captures the enigmatic beauty of a night sky, punctuated by the luminous tracks of the Starlink satellites swiftly traversing the cosmic expanse. The primary focus of this celestial spectacle is a series of linear trails crossing diagonally from one corner to the other, leaving a subtle, luminous imprint against the deep, velvety backdrop of the starlit sky. Thousands of tiny stars dot the composition, twinkling with an almost ethereal glow. The photograph balances the ephemeral motion of man-made technology with the timeless stillness of constellations, creating a harmonious blend between nature and innovation.
The composition is simple yet compelling, utilizing the principles of leading lines and contrast to draw the viewer’s gaze across the frame. The long exposure technique effectively captures the path of the satellites, adding a sense of dynamism to the otherwise static starry background. I appreciate the way the image subtly highlights the intersection of humanity and the universe. However, the photograph might benefit from a slightly wider framing to offer more context or a more focused central element to anchor the composition further. Overall, the image eloquently conveys a sense of wonder and curiosity about our place in the vastness of space.
(Published to the Fediverse as:
Starlink Train #photo#starlink#stars Photo of a Starlink Train, three stacked six second exposures of Starlink satellites passing over San Francisco, California.)
Not getting far from home any time soon so all hikes for now will be local. I found a great web app, Routeshuffle, that will generate a random hike from the starting location of your choice. It's a great way of seeing streets you'd never venture down normally. The map is generated with some software I wrote to combine multiple KML files for easy rendering in Google Earth (oh, and Google Earth, I guess that does the heavy lifting). I'll post these every month while we're locked down. March is 15.6 miles total.
