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Some sort of Unix geek. I mostly answer Astronomy and Space questions. One gets to be Top Contributor by being obsessed.

  • Is there an alternative to steroids for Restless Leg Syndrome?

    A friend has restless leg syndrome (RLS). Recently, she accidentally learned that steroids (methylprednisolone) stops her RLS cold. It even continued for a few weeks after the prescription ran out. It was great. But one can't take steroids forever. Is there a way to get a small dose, some substitute, or even something in the diet that could do the same job (not in that order of priority)? Does anyone have the slightest idea what causes RLS? I'm at the start of this research. Apparently, steroids have been known to help RLS for years, maybe. Any leads would be appreciated.

    3 AnswersOther - Diseases8 years ago
  • Is there an alternative to steroids for Restless Leg Syndrome?

    A friend has restless leg syndrome (RLS). Recently, she accidentally learned that steroids (methylprednisolone) stops her RLS cold. It even continued for a few weeks after the prescription ran out. It was great. But one can't take steroids forever. Is there a way to get a small dose, some substitute, or even something in the diet that could do the same job (not in that order of priority)? Does anyone have the slightest idea what causes RLS? I'm at the start of this research. Apparently, steroids have been known to help RLS for years, maybe. Any leads would be appreciated.

    1 AnswerMedicine8 years ago
  • Reverse greenhouse effect?

    Gas and dust nebulae often cool through a reverse greenhouse effect.

    Let me back up. On Earth, the greenhouse effect is that visible light can come down through the atmosphere to strike the ground and make it hot. The hot ground radiates in the infrared. However, CO2 and other gases reflect infrared back down, making it harder for heat to radiate into space. This heats the ground.

    In space, the dust is opaque to visible light, but transparent to infrared light. So the internal heat generates infrared, which leaves the nebula, cooling it. Such nebulae can cool to a lower temperature than the cosmic microwave background radiation temperature.

    The question is this. I don't see how any energy is expended to cool the nebula. Does a reverse greenhouse effect violate the laws of thermodynamics?

    3 AnswersAstronomy & Space1 decade ago
  • Is there a maximum energy for a single photon?

    Higher energy implies higher frequency. There's a speed limit - the speed of light, perhaps there's a frequency limit. If there's a frequency limit, then there should be an energy limit to photons.

    5 AnswersPhysics1 decade ago
  • Should i go out and observe?

    It's clear tonight. Something that happens maybe one night a month here in southeast Michigan. But it's cold. It's 2 degrees F, and will be -3 degrees F tonight. Should I go out and observe?

    2 degrees Fahrenheit = -16.6666667 degrees Celsius

    (-3) degrees Fahrenheit = -19.4444444 degrees Celsius

    Time to break out the electric socks and extra batteries, long underwear, snow pants, sweat shirt, sweater, down coat, twin hats, down mits.

    Did i mention the 10-13 MPH winds?

    9 AnswersAstronomy & Space1 decade ago
  • Find a factual mistake on this page?

    http://www.astronomy.net/forums/god/messages/32307...

    I don't know where to start. And, lol, i can't seem to concentrate.

    Best answer to the most scientific mistakes found - by point system.

    Non Sequiturs, out of date information, unsubstantiated statements, things that can be easily shown to ignore real evidence, appeal to authority (or lack thereof) and anything else you can think of will be considered.

    A full point for each error found - even if there's more than one error per sentence.

    Highest number of points gets best answer.

    Half points awarded for each statement found that actually is true. I don't expect to award many half points - but surprise me.

    Ignore linked-to information and ads - just consider the one page.

    Please try to ignore the religion. I'm no judge of Islam.

    I'll let this go 48 hours to give plenty of time.

    13 AnswersAstronomy & Space1 decade ago
  • Which way does the Moon orbit the Earth?

    The moons of Saturn are generally tide locked. Iapetus is dark on one side and bright on the other side. In it's orbit around Saturn, the leading hemisphere is one color, and the trailing hemisphere is another color. And, these moons of Saturn have more craters on their leading hemisphere than their trailing hemisphere.

    The Earth's Moon is also tide-locked. We see the near side. One would expect that the leading hemisphere would have more craters than the trailing hemisphere as it plows into stuff. But when i look at the Moon, one half doesn't seem to be more cratered than the other side. I mean, if one side is more cratered, it's not obvious. Why not?

    And, if I'm in the Northern hemisphere on Earth, which side is the leading hemisphere of the Moon - the left or the right?

    6 AnswersAstronomy & Space1 decade ago
  • What is the best telescope under $1000 USD?

    Many people say that there is no "best" telescope, because everyone's needs are different. For example, some people would rather have an 8" scope on a tracking mount than a 10" scope that's a non-tracking dob. Some people have weight restrictions, since they can only lift a certain amount. Some people's cars are smaller than others. Some want a computer locator, some are into the thrill of the hunt.

    My view is that $1000 doesn't buy you a bigger APO telescope for high contrast planet views than a Newtonian Dob with an offset mask for the same price. Offset masks are cheap. If you've got a 90 mm offset mask for a 250 mm scope, that's like having a 90 mm APO. Can you get an APO over 90 mm for under $1000? And SCTs are always twice the cost per aperture than Newtonians. And, SCT's have larger central obstructions than Newtonians. So even same aperture isn't equal, resulting in lower contrast. So in my view, the Newtonian wins hands down. That leaves the mount. And for under the $1000, you have to give up quite a bit of aperture to get a good EQ mount. Since you can get a push-to computer on a dob these days, the dob/Newtonian wins. That's a 12 inch Newtonian dob without a computer, a 10 inch with a computer, or an 8 inch Newtonian on an EQ mount without a computer. For me, the 10" wins hands down.

    Argue with me. Best argument wins BA. Note: you have to disagree with me to win. So, no brown nosing.

    4 AnswersAstronomy & Space1 decade ago
  • Is this an easy astronomy quiz?

    What is the closest star?

    What is the brightest star in the sky?

    What is the closest planet?

    What planet is easiest to see during the day?

    What planet has exactly one natural moon?

    Which of the planets is easiest for an astronaut to get to?

    What is the closest galaxy?

    Extra credit: describe a half moon.

    Answers:

    The Sun

    The Sun

    The Earth

    The Earth

    The Earth

    The Earth

    The Milky Way

    There is no phase called a Half Moon. Let's see 1st quarter, full, last quarter, new. There is a boat by that name, however.

    Please correct any of my answers.

    Please add your own trivial questions.

    Best Answer if you make me laugh.

    6 AnswersAstronomy & Space1 decade ago
  • Did any of the cars that the astronauts drove on the Moon have names?

    The first lunar lander was called the Eagle. Did the cars have names? GM built the cars. Did they give them a model name?

    3 AnswersAstronomy & Space1 decade ago
  • Could NASA use a Segway on the Moon?

    It's electric. It's stable. Just step on it an lean. It's got big wheels. Compared to a car, it's small and lite. Why not?

    9 AnswersAstronomy & Space1 decade ago
  • How do you compute field of view for an eyepiece/scope?

    I've got the Orion xt10i. It has a 254 mm aperture, and 1200 mm of focal length. It comes with a 25 mm Plossl - which has a 52 degree apparent filed of view. The field of view of the scope with this eyepiece is around 35 minutes (0.55 degrees). If i get a 32 mm eyepiece with a 70 degree AFOV, what real field of view should i expect?

    Note:

    I've picked 32 mm, as i'm trying to keep the exit pupil under 7 mm, to maximize brightness (for kids, anyway). This would give me 6.7 mm exit pupil.

    2 AnswersAstronomy & Space1 decade ago
  • Should i leave my oven door open, or close it?

    I've just cooked pizza in the oven. It's winter, and i'd like to make use of the heat to heat my house. Do i get more heat if i leave the oven door open, or if i keep it closed?

    4 AnswersPhysics1 decade ago
  • I have a flashlight that looks like a pen in my pocket?

    Most of the time, when i reach in my pocket for a pen, i get my flashlight. If reach in my pocket for the flashlight, i get a pen. I need a pen more often, should i put more pens in my pocket?

    I tried putting the flashlight in another pocket, but it seems to migrate to the pocket with the pen, in some mysterious manner.

    10 AnswersMathematics1 decade ago
  • Did the Phoenix lander ever turn on the microphone?

    I know it carried one. There was some problem, and they thought turning it on might interfere with some other, more important instrument. But the primary mission goals were achieved. Did the microphone ever get turned on? Are there sounds from Mars i can download?

    2 AnswersAstronomy & Space1 decade ago
  • What is your favorite telescope design?

    And why?

    I used to think my favorite design was called Schiefspiegler. But now i'm thinking it's an offset Newtonian. If you use an offset mask on a regular Newtonian, you get the effect i'm looking for. Unobstructed reflector. Its a simple, low cost design with the advantages of a APO refractor. High contrast, sharp images.

    http://seds.org/~spider/scopes/schiefi.html

    12 AnswersAstronomy & Space1 decade ago
  • Did an alien space ship show up over Alabama yet?

    "Blossom Goodchild, an Aussie actress and author, has gotten peoples attention with a prediction that the ‘The Federation of Light’ will be hovering over Alabama within a 72 hour period of October 14th, 2008."

    So, we have to wait until the 17th to prove this prediction right or wrong? Or did someone see it already? Post links or pointers to sightings, if any, please.

    Any ideas why an American Indian, White Cloud, would know anything about this? Even a dead American Indian?

    1 AnswerAstronomy & Space1 decade ago
  • Have you ever gotten chosen as Best Answer only to find it was deleted?

    There was no violation notice. I got the note saying i got Best Answer, but when i clicked the link, it said "This question has been deleted." I answer way too many questions to have any idea if i got the points or not.

    5 AnswersYahoo Answers1 decade ago
  • What is the new name for the NASA GLAST satellite?

    And why did they pick that name?

    2 AnswersAstronomy & Space1 decade ago