Cloud formation over Tirreno sea, W of Italy coastline

A view of a curious cloud formation over Tirreno sea, as seen from a commercial plane at cruise altitude on 2005-05-28.

Moon between Jupiter and Venus

The image shows the crescent Moon between Jupiter and Venus. Mercury, which, as seen from Earth, was close to Venus, was not bright enough to be visible. An example of the usefulness of very basic, entry-level compact digital cameras. .The pictures were taken yesterday july 10 th

Panorama photomontage of two pictures. Nikon Coolpix compact digital camera. Night view mode.

Parallel evolution of two individuals during the space race

Reviews of the book in AMAZON.COM:

Two Sides of the Moon : Our Story of the Cold War Space Race by David Scott, Alexei Leonov




Parallel evolution of two individuals during the space race, May 19, 2005

I bought this book just a month ago while in a business trip and I must admit that my first impression was that the book was a sort of commercial best-seller, rather hollywood-like. So I was not expecting serious really serious content. But the more I read, the more I came to the conclussion it was a really good book.

I had not the kind of tech-focused expectations of Thomas Moody (see useful review above), but I think it is serious enough for the non-tech or specialized public, whithout been arcane. It's rigorous and at the same time, very readable. A real page-turner.

I think that the book is worth the money. Provides a smart picture not only of space race but also of cold war in a wider sense, from a special and interesting point of view.

Overall, the point with the book is that it is based on two different careers and lives, wich brings a richer depiction of the evolution, both professional and personal of this two outstanding men, astronaut and cosmonaut, at the same time that their respective space programs in Soviet Union and USA.

My congratulations to the authors, the journalist, editors and all people involved in the project. A very well balanced approach on how to present the story and how to narrate it. They've got a great result.

I really enjoyed this book.

The night sky

It is good to devote some moment, from time to time, to look at the night sky. This way we could enjoy the necessary littleness.

Here are two good tools to guide you through a starry night:

• Sky & Telescope
• SkyviewCafe