Humans to Mars - crazy idea?

My friend Colin Pillinger writes in the Telegraph today that the notion of a human expedition to Mars is quite crazy. Robotic and lander missions are about to enter a long phase of inactivity following the great success of Spirit, and Phoenix. Colin would like 40million GBP to send Beagle 3 or Beagle 4.

Queen Mary 2

I'll be on board Queen Mary 2, 9 - 19 December, Caribbean cruise, promoting astronomy and the Royal Astronomical Society

Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur

I visited the Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur yesterday. It is in Nice France. There are fifteen historic buildings, all in the course of resotoration and many have been magnificently restored. The magnificent Grande Coupule has a 24m dome by Gustave Eiffell, seated on a charming observatory by Garnier, architect of the Paris Opera. The observatory staff have undertaken a great program of public outreach and education. The observatory is set in a huge park with absoutely spectacular views of the city of Nice, and extending right along the coast to St Tropez. This place is a must for any astronomy enthusiast visiting Nice.
website http://www.oca.eu

Simon
http://www.totalastronomy.com

Massive coverage of the arc

The circumzenithal arc photograph received massive coverage: 250 websites / blogs, mainly praiseworthy and intrigued.

Just goes to show what you can see in the sky by "looking up"

Today I've seen parhelia, Venus, and Jupiter, just by glancing at the sky

Clear skies!
Simon