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I'm a novelist and have an interest in space science and physics. I've been a programmer for more than 30 years and I like reviewing new and up-and-coming authors.
If you want me to review your novel, please look at my Rules on Reviewingplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigRules on Reviewing
First off, you should know I only have a limited amount of time, so I can't review a hundred novels at once. Sorry, but that's basic physics for you. If I agree to review your novel, you may have to wait a while for me to get around to it, and then I'll need time to read it. I only review hard copies. page.
Please consider registering (see top of page) to help support this site. Your personal data isn't shared with anyone, but it makes me feel good.
Mission Status
→ Read more...plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMission Status
Perserverance has now landed successfully, and the clock is now counting mission time.
Watch this page for updated information as we move beyond landing
The rover landed about a kilometre off-centre of its landing zone, and about 2km from the base of the cliffs at the edge of the silt fan (part of the influx delta complex).
News 11th Feb 2021
My internet connection has now been established in my new home, and the Raspberry Pi's are working their hearts out to update the pages containing NASA data. There is a brief period that Mars Weather data is temporarily lost (I assume I'll be able to recover it when the data is next uploaded to the PDS repository in about 6 months time).
Meanwhile, it is just a week until Perseveranceplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPerseverance Rover
Perseverance has launched succesfully and the clock is now counting flight and ETA time. It is due to land on Mars on (times and countdown timer based on NASA's timer):
* Feb 18th 2021. * * * * * * * makes its guided landingplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigLanding the Mars 2020 Rover Safely
Autonomous landings are always fraught with danger. One of the most dangerous terrains any landing might occur on is a boulder field. Not only would the impact of the landing on these hard objects be a threat, but the boulders are likely to be jagged too. Another threat are the steep cliffs of the crater - not falling off them (although that's a possibility), but crashing into them. in Jezero Crater on the flanks of Syrtis Major in the northern hemisphere of Mars. I am assured that the rover will be sending back weather data which I'll be able to pick up from the NASA servers in the same way I've been picking up the weather data from InSight. I'll start a new section for Mars Weather with pages for InSight data, InSight data (recalibrated) from the PDS archive, and Perseverance (and later Perseverance recalibrated).
It'll be a while before Perseverance begins sending data back, but feel free to hold your breath!
News 15th Jan 2021
Marsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigNews 15th Jan 2021
Mars
As the Perseverance Rover approaches Mars, NASA mysteriously remove the countdown clock to the landing. Fear not, the countdown clocks on this site are still working: Perseverance Rover. Note that after the landing, the page will reflect the current mission time and other data made available.
Moveplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigNews 15th Jan 2021
Mars
As the Perseverance Rover approaches Mars, NASA mysteriously remove the countdown clock to the landing. Fear not, the countdown clocks on this site are still working: Perseverance Rover. Note that after the landing, the page will reflect the current mission time and other data made available.
→ Read more...plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigNews 15th Jan 2021
Mars
As the Perseverance Rover approaches Mars, NASA mysteriously remove the countdown clock to the landing. Fear not, the countdown clocks on this site are still working: Perseverance Rover. Note that after the landing, the page will reflect the current mission time and other data made available.
Animal Farm Part 2
In an earlier articleplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAnimal Farm
As a writer, I love sitting at my computer and either writing my next novel, or working on the development phase - world-building, character creation, plot development etc. However, after 12 hours sitting at my desk I'm getting a bit uncomfortable and if I listen very carefully, I can hear the sofa's siren call I explained why using a wiki farm could be productive for someone who is on the move or likes to preserve previous versions of documents, and also for someone like me who uses multiple operating systems.
It's worth noting too that collaborating becomes a lot easier using a wiki, and since the platform preserves old versions of each document, it provides a safety net too. That aside, I thought I'd share how this all works for the user.
→ Read more...plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAnimal Farm Part 2
In an earlier article I explained why using a wiki farm could be productive for someone who is on the move or likes to preserve previous versions of documents, and also for someone like me who uses multiple operating systems.
It's worth noting too that collaborating becomes a lot easier using a wiki, and since the platform preserves old versions of each document, it provides a safety net too. That aside, I thought I'd share how this all works for the user.
Animal Farm
As a writer, I love sitting at my computer and either writing my next novel, or working on the development phase - world-building, character creation, plot development etc. However, after 12 hours sitting at my desk I'm getting a bit uncomfortable and if I listen very carefully, I can hear the sofa's siren call… Breaking free of the desk has been something I've been working toward since the middle of the year.
→ Read more...plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAnimal Farm
As a writer, I love sitting at my computer and either writing my next novel, or working on the development phase - world-building, character creation, plot development etc. However, after 12 hours sitting at my desk I'm getting a bit uncomfortable and if I listen very carefully, I can hear the sofa's siren call