Galileoscope and NASA may outsource

So 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy, and to celebrate a non-profit built a low cost telescope called the Galileoscope. It is a lower powered telescope designed to fit onto just about any tripod. The idea behind it is to get Telescopic Star Gazing into peoples hands at a low cost and with ease of use. I am very excited that there is a project like this, I find the beauty of astronomy to be one of the most spiritual humbling experiences a person can have.

I also read an article in the Wall Street Journal today via Slashdot about NASA looking to outsource the building and development of rockets to private companies. As I read an added bonus beyond the lower cost of development and faster rate at changes is the ease on an engineer. If they can focus on building equipment to preform the science related task on a mission and the mode of transportation was being taken care of else where we could potential have a greater impact on Science.

What's your favorite Messier Object?

Charles Messier (June 26, 1730 – April 12, 1817) was an astronomer known for publishing an astronomical catalogue known as the 103 "Messier objects".

My personal favorite of the Messier objects, or just celestial bodies in general would be the Orion Nebula. Orion's Nebula is easily viewed with the naked eye, it is the second 'star' in the knife on Orion's Belt. Due to it's easy visibility, it is one of the most photographed and study nebulae in the night sky, allowing us to learn how a Stars and Planetary Systems are formed. We've directly observed both Protoplanetary Disk and Brown Dwarf Stars within the nebula itself.

I myself always found it to be a beautiful site to behold.