Comments on: A Passage to India http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/ Random samplings from a universe of ideas Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:54:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: hair removal info http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/#comment-27809 hair removal info Sun, 28 May 2006 03:39:27 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=673#comment-27809 nice one and great point there i agree with it...even i feel like making a blog like the one you have now. keep it up bud nice one and great point there i agree with it…even i feel like making a blog like the one you have now. keep it up bud

]]> By: Count Iblis http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/#comment-19067 Count Iblis Sat, 22 Apr 2006 20:46:03 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=673#comment-19067 <a href="http://tinyurl.com/ncucl" rel="nofollow">Spammers are becoming smarter</a> It won't be long before we see postings that are more meaningful replies to a posting. If you have some artificial intelligent system that has some rudimentary understanding of the English language then that would prabably be the only money making application. :) Spammers are becoming smarter It won’t be long before we see postings that are more meaningful replies to a posting. If you have some artificial intelligent system that has some rudimentary understanding of the English language then that would prabably be the only money making application. :)

]]> By: damtp_dweller http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/#comment-18945 damtp_dweller Sat, 22 Apr 2006 03:31:37 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=673#comment-18945 <I>How can I get an RSS feed on this blog? I am new to this and really like the content being discussed here</I> If you look on the main page, there's a link further down the page called "RSS feed." You can use this link in your favourite RSS reader (or in Safari if you're a Mac person). Seems simple enough ;-) How can I get an RSS feed on this blog? I am new to this and really like the content being discussed here

If you look on the main page, there’s a link further down the page called “RSS feed.” You can use this link in your favourite RSS reader (or in Safari if you’re a Mac person). Seems simple enough ;-)

]]> By: Random Thoughts | Cosmic Variance http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/#comment-16579 Random Thoughts | Cosmic Variance Wed, 05 Apr 2006 05:01:46 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=673#comment-16579 [...] It’s taking awhile to recover from the big trip to India, and I still don’t feel up to writing my usual witty, thoughtful, full of insights, humerous, type of post. Ok, let’s just say I’m having trouble putting a coherent string of words of any type together. So here’s a list of random thoughts, crossing through my brain this evening. [...] [...] It’s taking awhile to recover from the big trip to India, and I still don’t feel up to writing my usual witty, thoughtful, full of insights, humerous, type of post. Ok, let’s just say I’m having trouble putting a coherent string of words of any type together. So here’s a list of random thoughts, crossing through my brain this evening. [...]

]]> By: Arun http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/#comment-15109 Arun Wed, 15 Mar 2006 13:29:03 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=673#comment-15109 Hopefully, JoAnne's environment looked exceptionally colorful - March 15 is Holi. Though, celebrations are more prevalent in the north. http://www.ndtv.com/topstories/showtopstory.asp?slug=Holi+celebrated+across+India+with+fervour&id=18963&category=National http://arunsmusings.blogspot.com/2006/03/happy-holi.html Hopefully, JoAnne’s environment looked exceptionally colorful - March 15 is Holi. Though, celebrations are more prevalent in the north.

http://www.ndtv.com/topstories/showtopstory.asp?slug=Holi+celebrated+across+India+with+fervour&id=18963&category=National

http://arunsmusings.blogspot.com/2006/03/happy-holi.html

]]> By: Amara http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/#comment-15102 Amara Wed, 15 Mar 2006 10:04:59 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=673#comment-15102 It was unlike any other lunar eclipse I have seen; the moon was not a dull red color but instead looked relatively bright but with a film of gray over the surface. A very subtle effect, I would say! I watched only from my balcony in my small town near Rome, there was nothing grand in my environment except the Rome city lights (in fact I doubt most of the asleep people knew an eclipse was in progress...) so hope JoAnne can tell us what her India environment looked like during this event. It was unlike any other lunar eclipse I have seen; the moon was not a dull red color but instead looked relatively bright but with a film of gray over the surface. A very subtle effect, I would say! I watched only from my balcony in my small town near Rome, there was nothing grand in my environment except the Rome city lights (in fact I doubt most of the asleep people knew an eclipse was in progress…) so hope JoAnne can tell us what her India environment looked like during this event.

]]> By: Amara http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/#comment-15068 Amara Tue, 14 Mar 2006 20:58:35 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=673#comment-15068 This is what JoAnne is watching tonight. There is a beautiful Full Moon tonight, that goes into eclipse (first contact is at 21:21 UT, about 30 min from now, it will lie completely inside the Earth's shadow for one hour starting at 23:18 UT, that is, ~2 hours from now.) http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/OH/image1/LE2006Mar14-Fig1.GIF From the web site, that describes this special penumbral lunar eclipse http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/OH/OH2006.html "The first lunar eclipse of 2006 is a deep penumbral event best visible from Europe and Africa. First and last penumbral contacts occur at 21:22 UT and 02:14 UT (Mar 15), respectively. The Moon's path through Earth's penumbra as well as a map showing worldwide visibility of the event is shown in Figure 1. Observers throughout most of North America will find the eclipse already in progress as the Moon rises on the evening of March 14. However, no eclipse will be visible from westernmost North America (Yukon, British Columbia, Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California) since the event ends there before moonrise. This particular event is unusual since it is a total penumbral eclipse. The whole Moon will lie completely within the penumbral shadow from 23:18 UT to 00:18 UT (Mar 15). According to Belgian eclipse expert Jean Meeus [1997] this is one of only five such events during the 21st century. Greatest eclipse occurs at 23:48 UT with a penumbral magnitude of 1.0565. At that instant, the Moon will stand midway in the penumbral shadow. The Moon's northern limb will lie 1.6 arc-minutes from the shadow's outer edge while the southern limb be 1.6 arc-minutes from the edge of the umbra." "Penumbral eclipses are difficult to observe, especially during the early and late stages. Nevertheless, a subtle yet distinct shading should be visible across the southern half of the Moon, especially during the two hour period centered on greatest eclipse." This is what JoAnne is watching tonight.

There is a beautiful Full Moon tonight, that goes into eclipse (first contact is at 21:21 UT, about 30 min from now, it will lie completely inside the Earth’s shadow for one hour starting at 23:18 UT, that is, ~2 hours from now.)

http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/OH/image1/LE2006Mar14-Fig1.GIF

From the web site, that describes this special penumbral lunar eclipse http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/OH/OH2006.html

“The first lunar eclipse of 2006 is a deep penumbral event best visible from Europe and Africa. First and last penumbral contacts occur at 21:22 UT and 02:14 UT (Mar 15), respectively. The Moon’s path through Earth’s penumbra as well as a map showing worldwide visibility of the event is shown in Figure 1. Observers throughout most of North America will find the eclipse already in progress as the Moon rises on the evening of March 14. However, no eclipse will be visible from westernmost North America (Yukon, British Columbia, Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California) since the event ends there before moonrise. This particular event is unusual since it is a total penumbral eclipse. The whole Moon will lie completely within the penumbral shadow from 23:18 UT to 00:18 UT (Mar 15). According to Belgian eclipse expert Jean Meeus [1997] this is one of only five such events during the 21st century. Greatest eclipse occurs at 23:48 UT with a penumbral magnitude of 1.0565. At that instant, the Moon will stand midway in the penumbral shadow. The Moon’s northern limb will lie 1.6 arc-minutes from the shadow’s outer edge while the southern limb be 1.6 arc-minutes from the edge of the umbra.”

“Penumbral eclipses are difficult to observe, especially during the early and late stages. Nevertheless, a subtle yet distinct shading should be visible across the southern half of the Moon, especially during the two hour period centered on greatest eclipse.”

]]> By: Balagopal http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/#comment-15058 Balagopal Tue, 14 Mar 2006 17:17:01 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=673#comment-15058 Happy B'day to JoAnne, Welcome to India. Happened to see this site as I was looking for the timeing for Lunar Eclipse. Nice to see your interest in India. Don really worry about food an all as all the places mentioned by you wud offer gud food and water(but better mineral water). Regarding places again don forget to visit Kerala: God's own Country.Am sure you wud enjoy the sea and the backwaters.Jus overnight from Bangalore. Happy B’day to JoAnne,
Welcome to India. Happened to see this site as I was looking for the timeing for Lunar Eclipse.
Nice to see your interest in India.
Don really worry about food an all as all the places mentioned by you wud offer gud food and water(but better mineral water).
Regarding places again don forget to visit Kerala: God’s own Country.Am sure you wud enjoy the sea and the backwaters.Jus overnight from Bangalore.

]]> By: Demian http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/#comment-14828 Demian Thu, 09 Mar 2006 09:20:45 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=673#comment-14828 Hi JoAnne, Welcome to India. Since I am currently a post-doc in RRI, nearby institute from IISc, I may bump into you. I hope you are enjoying being in India. Sean, We all missed you, and disappointed in Puri. Hi JoAnne,

Welcome to India. Since I am currently a post-doc in RRI, nearby institute from IISc, I may bump into you. I hope you are enjoying being in India.

Sean,

We all missed you, and disappointed in Puri.

]]> By: A. S. Nathan http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/#comment-14776 A. S. Nathan Wed, 08 Mar 2006 05:12:25 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=673#comment-14776 The other great place in my opinion (if you have the time) are the temples in Tanjore and Madurai. These are fantastic 1000+ year old temples of carved granite rising to quite a height. I am a sculpture buff so I found it breathtaking, much more than the Taj. And considering its age, it was some accomplishment. These are smaller towns so you must be able to rough it out a bit. I am told that good hotels have been built recently so that may help. The other one of course are the erotic temples of Khajuraho in central India. They are a bit away from where you will be, so time may be your crunch. I found that eating outside was OK as long as you kept to decent bistros and ordered hot (temp) foods and drinks. Have fun. The other great place in my opinion (if you have the time) are the temples in Tanjore and Madurai. These are fantastic 1000+ year old temples of carved granite rising to quite a height. I am a sculpture buff so I found it breathtaking, much more than the Taj. And considering its age, it was some accomplishment. These are smaller towns so you must be able to rough it out a bit. I am told that good hotels have been built recently so that may help. The other one of course are the erotic temples of Khajuraho in central India. They are a bit away from where you will be, so time may be your crunch. I found that eating outside was OK as long as you kept to decent bistros and ordered hot (temp) foods and drinks. Have fun.

]]> By: Sean http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/#comment-14594 Sean Fri, 03 Mar 2006 16:55:25 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=673#comment-14594 Yes, I had to cancel that trip at the last minute, which means that I still haven't been to India. I hope to go sometime soon. Yes, I had to cancel that trip at the last minute, which means that I still haven’t been to India. I hope to go sometime soon.

]]> By: Anon http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/#comment-14584 Anon Fri, 03 Mar 2006 10:11:43 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=673#comment-14584 Sean, Some time back, I saw ur name in the list of speakers <a href="http://www.iopb.res.in/~einstein/speakers.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>. But I guess the trip didnt happen... Sean, Some time back, I saw ur name in the list of speakers here. But I guess the trip didnt happen…

]]> By: Sean http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/#comment-14558 Sean Thu, 02 Mar 2006 15:54:28 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=673#comment-14558 Hi JoAnne! I am very jealous, about both your trip and your new camera. Hi JoAnne! I am very jealous, about both your trip and your new camera.

]]> By: JoAnne http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/#comment-14557 JoAnne Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:04:33 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=673#comment-14557 Hi All - just checking in! I am in Mumbai - after > 24 hours of travel from SFO - and am having a great time so far. Camera etal is functioning great! Hi All - just checking in! I am in Mumbai - after > 24 hours of travel from SFO - and am having a great time so far. Camera etal is functioning great!

]]> By: Quibbler http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/#comment-14512 Quibbler Wed, 01 Mar 2006 16:17:44 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=673#comment-14512 Lucky you! I lived in India for a little while last year and had a fantastic time. Karnataka is great, but Bangalore has a slightly more colonial feel to it than much of the rest of India -- Western style cars, straight parallel roads etc. Uttar Pradesh is great though. Hope you get a chance to explore -- Varanasi is well worth the visit if you can spare a few days. You can find internet in for 15-35 rupees pretty much everywhere in India. Have a fantastic trip. --IP Lucky you! I lived in India for a little while last year and had a fantastic time.

Karnataka is great, but Bangalore has a slightly more colonial feel to it than much of the rest of India — Western style cars, straight parallel roads etc. Uttar Pradesh is great though. Hope you get a chance to explore — Varanasi is well worth the visit if you can spare a few days.

You can find internet in for 15-35 rupees pretty much everywhere in India.

Have a fantastic trip.

–IP

]]> By: Dan http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/#comment-14509 Dan Wed, 01 Mar 2006 14:58:59 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=673#comment-14509 Well done on your new camera rig - the VRII 18-200 is one of the (possibly the) best DX lens to come out of Nikon in the past few years, and is so scarce that quite often, money can't buy it. Well done on your new camera rig - the VRII 18-200 is one of the (possibly the) best DX lens to come out of Nikon in the past few years, and is so scarce that quite often, money can’t buy it.

]]> By: Nico http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/#comment-14507 Nico Wed, 01 Mar 2006 13:41:30 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=673#comment-14507 Happy you are off for a wonderful journey, enjoy. I will celebrate my birthday as well, sadly I will not be in India for the eclipse, but none the less I hope I will get a glimpse somewhere, since I travel a lot ... all the best and take good care. Happy you are off for a wonderful journey, enjoy. I will celebrate my birthday as well, sadly I will not be in India for the eclipse, but none the less I hope I will get a glimpse somewhere, since I travel a lot … all the best and take good care.

]]> By: Abi http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/#comment-14504 Abi Wed, 01 Mar 2006 10:11:39 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=673#comment-14504 Great news! I hope you will be visiting IISc, and perhaps give a talk as well. Great news! I hope you will be visiting IISc, and perhaps give a talk as well.

]]> By: SK http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/#comment-14498 SK Wed, 01 Mar 2006 07:52:17 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=673#comment-14498 JoAnne, welcome to Bangalore! You will certainly not find it lacking in food, wine or internet access. Hope you have a wonderful time here. JoAnne, welcome to Bangalore! You will certainly not find it lacking in food, wine or internet access. Hope you have a wonderful time here.

]]> By: yesseynoon http://cosmicvariance.com/2006/02/28/a-passage-to-india/#comment-14485 yesseynoon Wed, 01 Mar 2006 01:35:34 +0000 http://cosmicvariance.com/?p=673#comment-14485 Your mail is misleading. From your mail it seems that the travel time from US to India is 2 days, which is wrong. India can be reached in 14.5 hrs with American Airlines flight from Chicago (to New Delhi). Also, Bangalore is the silicon valley of India and you are doubting about internet access! In terms of food, Bangalore and Mumbai are one of the best places where you can find cuisines from all around the world. Your mail is misleading. From your mail it seems that the travel time from US to India is 2 days, which is wrong. India can be reached in 14.5 hrs with American Airlines flight from Chicago (to New Delhi). Also, Bangalore is the silicon valley of India and you are doubting about internet access! In terms of food, Bangalore and Mumbai are one of the best places where you can find cuisines from all around the world.

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