Greybeard's Heavens

Above Us Only Sky - Memoirs of a Sky-Watching Atheist

  • Homepage
  • My Astro Website
  • My Image Gallery

May 6: Picking Cherries

Biblical highlights
Something christians are very, very good at. Read More
Posted by roger in Biblical highlights Comments: (0) Trackbacks: (0)

May 4: Santa Claus For Grown-ups.

God Delusions
Prayer - how to contribute absolutely nothing and still imagine you are helping! Read More
Posted by roger in God Delusions

Apr 30: Narellan Road Shambles

Campbelltown Affairs
A six point plan to alleviate the traffic congestion. Read More
Posted by roger in Campbelltown Affairs

Apr 29: Faith in the Weird and Unprovable

God Delusions
Is blind faith a mental illness? Read More
Posted by roger in God Delusions Comments: (0) Trackbacks: (0)

Apr 27: My Most Viewed Images

Photography
Popular does not necessarily mean best. Read More
Posted by roger in Photography Comments: (0) Trackbacks: (0)

Apr 24: Astro-Speaker Watch - April 2012

Astro Forum
Guest speaker at the Macarthur Astronomy Forum in April, directly after the AGM, was Alexander Massey, an amateur astronomer from Maroubra, with a passion to sketch the objects which he observes through the eyepiece.

Read More
Posted by roger in Astro Forum Comments: (0) Trackbacks: (0)

Apr 23: Fotodiox Macro Imaging Rings

Photography
Read More
Posted by roger in Photography Comments: (0) Trackbacks: (0)

Apr 22: Judgment Day

God Delusions
Debates about religion often get to a point where the delusional believer says "What if you're wrong? What if you find yourself facing almighty god when you die. What will you say to him on judgment day?"
Read More
Posted by roger in God Delusions Comments: (0) Trackbacks: (0)

Apr 20: The Moral Compass

Ethics
I reject the concept that religion possesses any kind of a 'moral compass' which is not available to those who are not 'under the spell'. I reject any notion that religion is morally superior to those people who are outside it. Read More
Posted by roger in Ethics

Apr 16: You Disgust Me

Vatican Watch

It's NOT about what you believe.
It IS about what you do.
It is ALSO about what you won't do.

Read More
Posted by roger in Vatican Watch

Apr 15: Astro-photography without a Telescope - 3

Astronomy
The Milky Way and the Magellanic Clouds in the Southern skies. Read More
Posted by roger in Astronomy

Apr 9: A Lunar Cycle

Astronomy
One cycle of the Moon, taken in May 2011. Read More
Posted by roger in Astronomy

Apr 6: Astro-Video-1

Astronomy

My first two YouTube movies.

Read More
Posted by roger in Astronomy

Apr 5: Campbelltown's Disgrace

Campbelltown Affairs
The causeway at Cambridge Avenue, Glenfield. Read More
Posted by roger in Campbelltown Affairs

Mar 29: Astro-Speaker Watch - March 2012

Astro Forum
Guest speaker at the Macarthur Astronomy Forum in March was Les Dalrymple, a contributing editor for Australian Sky and Telescope magazine, a former President of Sutherland Astronomical Society and a guide lecturer at the Sydney Observatory. Read More
Posted by roger in Astro Forum

Mar 27: Lightning Strikes

Photography
My first attempts at imaging lightning strikes. Read More
Posted by roger in Photography

Mar 18: Medical Science v God

Clear Thinking
I got up at 4.30 am to watch an FA Cup Quarter Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Bolton Wanderers. Read More
Posted by roger in Clear Thinking

Mar 17: Dreaming of What Might Have Been

Clear Thinking
If anyone can get America dreaming again, it would be Neil de Grasse Tyson, who has taken over the mantle as one of Astronomy's top communicators. Read More
Posted by roger in Clear Thinking

Mar 13: Discrimination and Attitude

Human Rights
We still have a long way to go to stamp out all forms of discrimination. Read More
Posted by roger in Human Rights

Mar 11: Drawing My Own Conclusions

Musings
I've just noticed yet another shrub dying in our back garden. Read More
Posted by roger in Musings

Mar 9: My Future Light Cone

Cosmology
Unlike Alan Kohler's obscure financial graphs on ABC TV News, sometimes a simple graph can explain everything. In this case, a graph explained - to me - the entire Universe. Read More
Posted by roger in Cosmology

Mar 4: Planet Hunting is Cool

Astronomy
Have I helped discover a new exo-planet? Read More
Posted by roger in Astronomy

Feb 26: Astro-photography without a Telescope - 2

Astronomy
The beautiful crescent moon setting shortly after the sun. Read More
Posted by roger in Astronomy

Feb 26: Questions for the Vatican

Vatican Watch
I don't like rugby league but I have to credit the Canterbury Bulldogs for dumping a known paedophile from their club and stripping him of life membership. He was a trusted man who was given access to young people and he apparently used that to his advantage. Read More
Posted by roger in Vatican Watch

Feb 23: Liquidation of Austin Australia

Working Life
In January 2004, when it became clear that the company would not survive, my colleagues and I lived in hope that we we would receive a substantial proportion of our entitlements. None of us imagined we would  have to wait more than eight years to get something from the Liquidator. It finally arrived this week, the "first and final priority dividend to former employees."
Read More
Posted by roger in Working Life

Feb 16: Ghost Tours

Baloney Watch
I have always disliked scams which prey on vulnerable or gullible people. Read More
Posted by roger in Baloney Watch

Jan 25: Bigot Watch - 4

Bigot Watch
The lady wrote two similar but non-identical letters to our two local newspapers this week. Both were published just prior to Australia Day. Read More
Posted by roger in Bigot Watch

Jan 25: What Cheeses Me Off - 6

What Cheeses Me Off
Clouds. Read More
Posted by roger in What Cheeses Me Off

Jan 19: Reject organised religion and stand proud

Piety & Hypocrisy

I promised myself I wouldn't keep on writing about religion - but this web link touched a nerve. Again.

When People Ask Why I Have a Problem With Religion, It's Hard To Come Up With a Single Answer......"

The linked page shows graphically what religion is doing to the world and gives so many, many reasons to be proud of totally rejecting organised religion.

Read More
Posted by roger in Piety & Hypocrisy

Jan 4: Astro-photography without a Telescope - 1

Astronomy
I've been a bit slack with serious astronomy recently, due to so many scheduled observing nights being cancelled by inclement weather and more recently by ill-health, so I motivated myself to take some images from the front verandah, which has a fairly reasonable Westerly aspect. These images were taken by camera on a tripod, no telescope involved.

Many of my best astro-images have come without the aid of my telescope and below are the ones I took last night. The images are of our Moon, Jupiter and it's moons. 

Read More
Posted by roger in Astronomy

Jan 4: Solar Observing - 1

Astronomy
I bought myself a new Lunt LS60THaPT Solar telescope last month, complete with EQ3 german equatorial mount. Whilst I need to learn how to use it properly through the eyepiece, before expecting too much from attaching my camera to it, I couldn't resist taking some images with it. The results, after processing are not as good as I hoped but I am posting them here anyway. Hopefully the images will improve with more experience of the Etalon tuning and better image processing.

 

Read More
Posted by roger in Astronomy

Dec 25: Mr. Glitter

Vatican Watch

A Christmas Eve message from Glitterland.

Read More
Posted by roger in Vatican Watch

Dec 24: About

About

 My places.

Read More
Posted by roger in About

Dec 23: There's No Reason For It....

Clear Thinking

....It's just our policy.

Read More
Posted by roger in Clear Thinking

Dec 20: Tottenham Promo Video

Football

Puts a big beaming smile on my dial.

Read More
Posted by roger in Football

Dec 20: God is Incredible

God Delusions

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).

That's very heartwarming but....

Read More
Posted by roger in God Delusions

Dec 10: Movie

Astronomy

Saturn.

Read More
Posted by roger in Astronomy

Dec 7: Imaging Campbelltown

Musings

Local shots.

Read More
Posted by roger in Musings

Dec 5: What Cheeses Me Off - 5

What Cheeses Me Off

Footballers.

Read More
Posted by roger in What Cheeses Me Off

Nov 30: Bigot Watch - 3

Bigot Watch

Ms Bond.

Read More
Posted by roger in Bigot Watch

Nov 29: What Cheeses Me Off - 4

What Cheeses Me Off

Smoking.

Read More
Posted by roger in What Cheeses Me Off

Nov 23: Extreme Cosmos - The Talk

Astro Forum

Bryan Gaensler, talking to Macarthur Astronomical Society on 21st November 2011:

Read More
Posted by roger in Astro Forum

Nov 20: Science v Jesus

God Delusions

There aren't too many similarities between science and religion.

Read More
Posted by roger in God Delusions

Nov 14: So many UFO "sightings" ....

Alien Life

.... yet so little evidence.

Read More
Posted by roger in Alien Life

Nov 13: So Many Stars...

Alien Life

... yet still we await E.T.'s first message.

Read More
Posted by roger in Alien Life Trackback: (1)

Nov 12: What Cheeses Me Off - 3

What Cheeses Me Off

I'm on the 'Do Not Call' List - but still they call.

Read More
Posted by roger in What Cheeses Me Off

Nov 12: My Days as a "Roadie"

The Sixties

A small part of my youth was spent being a "roadie" for a rock band.

Read More
Posted by roger in The Sixties

Nov 9: The Creation

Astronomy

I posted this article on the MAS web forum, in response to two members who had promoted the "god hypothesis' for the creation of the Universe.

Read More
Posted by roger in Astronomy

Nov 7: It gets a LOL every time -

Atheism

- when christians say that Atheists "hate" god.

Read More
Posted by roger in Atheism

Nov 3: Book Review - Extreme Cosmos

Astronomy

The Universe is a very extreme place.

Read More
Posted by roger in Astronomy Trackback: (1)

Oct 29: Freedom of Religious Choice

Current Affairs

If Australia were to become a republic, would we impose a Constitutional condition that the President of Australia MUST believe in a Christian god or MUST be head of a Christian church?

Read More
Posted by roger in Current Affairs

Oct 27: A cardinal demands scientific evidence.

Vatican Watch

Biggest laugh I had in months yesterday: Cardinal Pell's appeal in The Australian for climate change scientists to provide scientific evidence!

Read More
Posted by roger in Vatican Watch

Oct 26: She Quit..

Clear Thinking

She quit for the wrong reasons.

Read More
Posted by roger in Clear Thinking

Oct 22: Astronomers With A Sense Of Humour

Astronomy
Making Sense of Acronyms. Read More
Posted by roger in Astronomy

Oct 21: Rolling Stones - 1969

The Sixties
July 1969, The Rolling Stones free concert in Hyde Park, London. Read More
Posted by roger in The Sixties

Oct 21: SkyNet

Astronomy
Radio Astronomy is a vital key to unlocking the secrets of the Universe. Use the spare capacity on your computer to help professional astronomers process radio astronomy data. Read More
Posted by roger in Astronomy

Oct 20: Bigot Watch - 2

Bigot Watch

"In Bigotry We Trust".

Read More
Posted by roger in Bigot Watch

Oct 19: Bigot Watch - 1

Bigot Watch
Australia is a free country and even bigots have a right to express their opinions. Read More
Posted by roger in Bigot Watch

Oct 15: Phaoronic Splendour

Vatican Watch
Take away the spoils of office and what substance is left? Read More
Posted by roger in Vatican Watch

Oct 14: My Spurs Player Autographs

Football

Footballers who played cricket.

Read More
Posted by roger in Football

Oct 5: Big Questions Need Big Answers

Clear Thinking
Where should we seek the answers to big questions about the origin of the Universe; the formation of Earth; the beginnings of life; and evolution of plant and animal life?
Read More
Posted by roger in Clear Thinking

Sep 29: Anti-Gay Bible-Shakers

Current Affairs
Gay Marriage. Read More
Posted by roger in Current Affairs

Sep 28: What Cheeses Me Off -2

What Cheeses Me Off

Cats. 

Read More
Posted by roger in What Cheeses Me Off

Sep 27: What Cheeses Me Off - 1

What Cheeses Me Off
Sales people on my doorstep.

Read More
Posted by roger in What Cheeses Me Off

Sep 26: Two thousand lost years.

Ethics

How can a civilisation progress, when a significant section of society is immovably transfixed by the ethics that were in existance at a point in time so long prior to our own?

Read More
Posted by roger in Ethics

Sep 12: Knowledge Is Liberating

God Delusions

Today, religion is redundant.

Read More
Posted by roger in God Delusions

Aug 20: Science as a Candle in the Dark

Science

Carl Sagan was right.

Read More
Posted by roger in Science

Aug 14: Where is the conspiracy?

Science

Some very elementary climate change facts:

Read More
Posted by roger in Science

Aug 14: The Outer Planets

Astronomy

My best outer planet images so far.

Read More
Posted by roger in Astronomy

Aug 14: A Kick In The Teeth For Honest Scientists

Current Affairs

I can think of three past major issues with which I disagreed with Federal Liberal Party policy.

Read More
Posted by roger in Current Affairs

Aug 11: Playing Bridge

Campbelltown Affairs

Campbelltown has two main exit routes heading towards Sydney.

Read More
Posted by roger in Campbelltown Affairs

Aug 11: I think I've been rumbled!

Musings

My daughter gave me a birthday card:

Read More
Posted by roger in Musings

Jun 27: The Scale Of The Solar System

Astronomy

Imagine Campbelltown, NSW as the centre of the Solar System.

Read More
Posted by roger in Astronomy

Apr 24: Rib-Woman

Vatican Watch

Today Mr. Ratzinger told his billion strong flock to believe in talking snakes, a tree of knowledge, rib-woman and a 6 day creation.

Read More
Posted by roger in Vatican Watch

Apr 5: Do You 'Believe' in Climate Change?

Current Affairs

Climate Global warming should not be a matter of choosing a 'belief.' It's far more important than that.

Read More
Posted by roger in Current Affairs

Jan 23: A Typical American Week

Piety & Hypocrisy

America may be the leader of the free world, yet it can't get it's own house in order.

Read More
Posted by roger in Piety & Hypocrisy

Jan 20: Ignoring the Evidence

Vatican Watch

The shameful Catholic Juggernaut rolls on.

Read More
Posted by roger in Vatican Watch

Jan 16: Kevin Rudd Caused The Floods...

God Delusions

...and a prayer party in Dandenong prevented them from getting any worse.

Read More
Posted by roger in God Delusions

Jan 11: Why Do Priests Wear Skirts?

Clear Thinking

I thought it was a good question.

Read More
Posted by roger in Clear Thinking

Dec 31: Could I Be The Only Person.....

The Sixties

.... who ever attended a Jimmi Hendrix concert and slept right through it?

Read More
Posted by roger in The Sixties

Dec 23: I Don't Hate Christmas...

Clear Thinking

... but why do we put ourselves through such torment every year?

Read More
Posted by roger in Clear Thinking

Dec 18: Religion: The Wacky Side

God Delusions

You couldn't make it up.

Read More
Posted by roger in God Delusions

Dec 6: A Day In The Life

God Delusions

A small sample of religion's contribution to the news over the last weekend.

Read More
Posted by roger in God Delusions

Nov 27: Why Is It So?

Clear Thinking

Why are some organisations exempt from compliance with basic standards?

Read More
Posted by roger in Clear Thinking

Nov 16: Don't Let The facts Get In The Way Of A Good 'Theory'

Astronomy

People will believe whatever they were indoctrinated to believe - in defiance of credible evidence to the contrary; and in the absence of any reliable evidence to support it.

Read More
Posted by roger in Astronomy

Oct 16: Sainthood Circus

Vatican Watch

"Mary MacKillop's canonisation tomorrow should be celebrated by believers and non-believers alike."

Read More
Posted by roger in Vatican Watch

Oct 15: Life in an MP's Office

Working Life
Two years experience I will never forget.
Read More
Posted by roger in Working Life

Oct 12: A Worrying Lack of Scientific Literacy in the Community

Vatican Watch

I'm switching my baloney detection antennae off.

Read More
Posted by roger in Vatican Watch

Oct 11: The God Report

God Delusions

God's report card.

Read More
Posted by roger in God Delusions

Sep 27: Thunderous Applause for Bishop

God Delusions

19,999 disregard the serious crimes he is charged with.

Read More
Posted by roger in God Delusions

Sep 19: Falling Over Themselves

Vatican Watch
The Catholic leader, Mr. Ratzinger is on a so-called "State" visit to Great Britain.
Read More
Posted by roger in Vatican Watch

Sep 16: Business as Usual

Vatican Watch

Nothing is going to change.

Read More
Posted by roger in Vatican Watch Comments: (0) Trackbacks: (0)

Sep 14: They have a stranglehold on governments

Vatican Watch

The Catholic Church hierarchy. Why?

Read More
Posted by roger in Vatican Watch

Sep 5: Churches Are Only After Your Money

God Delusions
People can be gullible - and this local church took advantage of that.
Read More
Posted by roger in God Delusions Comment: (1)

Sep 3: The Hawking Proclamation

Clear Thinking

Throw away your bibles and buy Hawking's book.

Read More
Posted by roger in Clear Thinking

Aug 31: Theocracy

God Delusions

If we were unfortunate enough to live in a theocracy instead of a democracy....

Read More
Posted by roger in God Delusions

Aug 25: Atrocity cover up by Catholic Church aided by British Government

Vatican Watch
The British government, the police and the Catholic Church colluded to protect a priest suspected of involvement in a 1972 bombing in Northern Ireland that killed 9 people.
Read More
Posted by roger in Vatican Watch

Aug 19: The Tentacles of Christianity

God Delusions
Church leaders want it all. They just want to control everything. Read More
Posted by roger in God Delusions

Aug 9: Two Bob Each Way

God Delusions
“There's probably no God.” Isn't that a high price to pay if you are wrong? Read More
Posted by roger in God Delusions

Jul 28: The Hollow Men

Vatican Watch
Too little, too late. Credibility: zero. Read More
Posted by roger in Vatican Watch
« previous page   (Page 1 of 2, totaling 148 entries)   next page »

Categories

  • XML About (1)
  • XML Alien Life (4)
  • XML Astro Forum (3)
  • XML Astronomy (21)
  • XML Atheism (2)
  • XML Baloney Watch (1)
  • XML Biblical highlights (3)
  • XML Bigot Watch (4)
  • XML Campbelltown Affairs (5)
  • XML Clear Thinking (11)
  • XML Cosmology (1)
  • XML Current Affairs (5)
  • XML Ethics (6)
  • XML Football (4)
  • XML God Delusions (27)
  • XML Human Rights (2)
  • XML Musings (6)
  • XML Photography (3)
  • XML Piety & Hypocrisy (2)
  • XML Scepticism (3)
  • XML Science (2)
  • XML The Sixties (3)
  • XML Vatican Watch (18)
  • XML What Cheeses Me Off (6)
  • XML Working Life (5)

All categories

Wise words

"We seem to crave privilege, merited not by our works, but by our birth; by the mere fact that, say, we’re humans, and born on Earth. We might call it the anthropocentric, the human centred conceit. This conceit is brought close to culmination in the notion that we are created in God’s image. The creator and ruler of the entire universe looks just like me. My! What a coincidence! How convenient and satisfying!"
Carl Sagan

Syndicate This Blog

  • XML RSS 0.91 feed
  • XML RSS 1.0 feed
  • XML RSS 2.0 feed
  • ATOM/XML ATOM 1.0 feed
  • XML RSS 2.0 Comments

Blog Administration

Open login screen
 

Layout by Andreas Viklund | Serendipity template by Carl