BAN #31: Supporting science, Haboob redux, cruising Star Trek

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Q & BA

You asked. I answered.

In the Bad Astronomy Newsletter #30, reader Josh T asked, “Can you recommend some things that the average person can do to help astronomers and astronomy in general? (Besides subscribing to this newsletter, obviously.)”

Thanks Josh! Here’s my video answer:

And remember, subscribers can leave comments on these newsletters. So subscribe, leave a comment, and hopefully I’ll be able to answer it on video!

Link o’ the ‘letter

Just a fun link I found or someone told me about 

In BAN #27, I talked about the haboob (a fiercely wind-driven sandstorm) that blew through Arizon a few weeks ago. Photographer Mike Olbinski took amazing video of this same storm:

Upcoming Appearances

Where I’ll be doing things you can watch and listen to

Who has two pointed ears and will be on Star Trek: The Cruise III?

Well, lots of people, but not me. I mean, I don’t have pointed ears, but I will be on the cruise.

Woohoo! I did this cruise last year and it was so much fun, so I’m really excited to be a part of it again. Even better: The MC is my friend Wil Wheaton, whom you may have seen on such shows as Leverage and Eureka. Oh yeah, and also Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Big Bang Theory, and The Guild, and and and.

There will also be a whole starship full of other Trek stars, as well as astronaut Rick Searfoss, Thomas Dolby, and more. We’ll be sailing for Great Stirrup Cay, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica. Our ship, the Norwegian Jade, is lovely, state-of-the-art, and recently refitted to be more environmentally friendly (a key part in getting me to participate with the cruise, in fact).

I’ll be giving two astronomy talks and also doing some other shipboard activities (including stopping by the free and very tasty soft ice cream machine at least twice every day). If you’re a Trek fan, this is a really wonderful opportunity to mingle with the people who made it happen.  

The cruise leaves from Miami on January 4 and returns on the 10th. Book now!

P.S. Eaglemoss Collections is running a contest where you can win a free cruise for two!

Et alia

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