elizabethtasker

elizabethtasker, 1 year ago to random

Lately on my mind has been... horseshoe orbits. ARE THEY 4 REALZ?

These come up all the time in planetary science and I know IN THEORY how they work: 2 objects share an orbit (e.g. moons, or a planet & asteroid) and from the perspective of one, the other appears to move in a horseshoe, approaching and then making a U-turn.

LOOKS TOTS UNLIKELY

So I made a #blender3d animation to prove this, by the camera observing the planetary system and then chasing the planet to view from that perspective.

An animation shows a rocky planet and a smaller asteroid orbiting a star very close to one another (basically sharing an orbit). Initially, the camera views the whole system, and you see the asteroid approach the planet a couple of times and the resulting gravitational tug causing the smaller asteroid to switch sides, moving from a slightly outer orbit to an inner one and vice-versa. Then the camera chases down the planet and "lands" so it orbits with the planet. From this perspective on the planet, the asteroid appears to move in a horseshoe pattern, approaching the planet, doing a U-turn, and moving away. The only thing that has changed is the camera angle: both the planet and asteroid are orbiting the star as before.

elizabethtasker, 1 year ago to random

I ate all these shrimp 🍤 (and there were more) and completely ruined my dinner 🧐

elizabethtasker, 1 year ago to random

Very strange blip with #blender3d whereby my grease pencil dotted line appeared on top of all objects in the render (left in the attached image) but correctly embedded in the viewport. A google revealed a quick fix: you have to click "z" (I guess for depth) in the data setting in the 'view layer' tab.

elizabethtasker, 1 year ago to random

This is a brilliant article that combines the search for dark matter with the day-to-day battle of living with long covid for @AstroRoyalScot, Catherine Heymans.

It's amazing, inspiring, shocking, hopeful and terrifying all at the same time.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/may/02/catherine-heymans-dark-universe-the-cosmologist-battling-long-covid

elizabethtasker, 1 year ago to animals

We’re attempting to look remorseful. But we’ve just puked off the top of the cat tree on the catio 🤦🏼‍♀️ Portable spray washer was engaged that has partially cleaned up the mess. Hoping a rain storm does the rest. #NorahNeko #RescueCats #CatsOfMastodon

elizabethtasker, 1 year ago (edited 1 year ago) to random

I undertook the DECEPTIVELY simple task of buying a small filing cabinet to replace the overfill fabric box where I was storing paperwork.

Such a good idea (I thought)! More spacious and disaster proof!

Discovered filing cabinet drawers weren’t tall enough to hang files, and a frame was needed.

Bought frame.

Files too narrow to hang.

How are files not a standard size?! How are hanging frames in a filing cabinet also not standard?

How is this disaster-proofing task itself a disaster? 🧐

elizabethtasker, 1 year ago to animals

In the mornings (when the weather isn’t crazy hot or cold) I open the patio doors onto the catio to air the apartment. #NorahNeko is a frenzy of excitement waiting for the the doors to be flung wide!

But people. There is a cat flap. Leading to the exact same place.

But apparently, no. The cat flap leads to a parallel universe that isn’t nearly so exciting.

#CatsOfMastodon

elizabethtasker, 1 year ago to random

Last year, I made (what would transpire to be) a slightly irritating purchase. I bought the highly reviewed BoboVR M1 strap for the #Quest2 with the magnetically attached extra battery. I loved the battery. But the strap just wasn’t comfortable. Yesterday, I snapped and bought the BoboVR M2 halo-style strap. BUT I did buy the cheaper M2 without the battery and successfully transferred the battery holder between straps. Surprisingly easy, although required tracking down a very small screwdriver.

elizabethtasker, 1 year ago to animals

This week, I am looking after this fine senior lady. Yanko is another rescue cat from the Japan Cat Network. Her regular foster mum has gone on holiday, so I have filled my house with cats! No one is thrilled by this, but as they’re all talk and no action, we’re muddling along OK 😺😺😺 Yanko is generally a sleepy old girl, but is capable of letting rip the most blood curdling yowls for no obvious reason. Neighbours may yet call child protective services 🤦🏼‍♀️ #rescuecats #catsofmastodon

elizabethtasker, 1 year ago to random

There are 10 types of people in this world. Those who understand bases and those who do not.

elizabethtasker, 1 year ago to random

Motivational Cat Posters: Choose your own perspective for the world you want.

#NorahNeko #OhDinah #RescueCats

elizabethtasker, 1 year ago to random

The battery corroded inside my computer mouse and I’m not convinced resuscitation is possible 🤔

elizabethtasker, 1 year ago to random

Everyone, you must meet Dinah. The Japan Cat Network are searching for new premises in Tokyo since their current apartment building is being demolished (!). I am therefore fostering Dinah (at least) temporarily to make the move a little easier. Like #CassieCat, she is quite shy and cannot be petted. But perhaps #NorahNeko and I can work our magic all over again 🪄. #OhDinah