The Space Alien decided to investigate. Having studied with many astronomers, including Ptolemy, Copernicus and Galileo, the Space Alien knew a bit about the movements of the Sun, the Earth and the Moon and quickly swung into action.
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| Ptolemy, c. 100 A.D. to c. 170 A.D. Said the Earth is at the Center of the Universe |
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| Nicolaus Copernicus, 1473-1543, Said the Earth Revolves around the Sun |
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| Galileo Galilei, 1564-1642, Got into Trouble for Saying the Earth Moves around the Sun |
"It's much more complicated than an Erector Set," thought the Space Alien.
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Next, the Space Alien stopped to ponder some epistemological wisdom, first of Copernicus:
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| The Space Alien's Philosophy of Epistomology |
Finally, neatly packing essential astronomical gear, including a portable telescope and an antique astrolabe into a bright red Radio Flyer wagon, the Space Alien headed into space, quickly reaching tachyonic velocities exceeding the speed of light, and soon discovered the problem.
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| The Space Alien Transports Astronomical Equipment |
The Space Alien was alarmed to see that the Moon had moved between the Sun and the Earth, causing the earth to become as dark at night, although it was the middle of the day!
The Space Alien sighed, thinking of the difficult task ahead. To prevent the Earth from being trapped in a state of total, permanent, frozen darkness, it would be necessary to push the Moon out of the way of the Sun!
It would be a difficult task indeed, but the Space Alien was never a shirker.
"Thank goodness for my Radio Flyer wagon," thought the Space Alien, downing a Tootsie Roll for quick energy and summoning every bit of reserve strength to hoist the massive Moon into the bright red wagon.
Once the Moon was safely in the wagon, it took all of the Space Alien's considerable power to get the wagon moving. The work was exhausting, but nevertheless the Space Alien persisted.
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| The Space Alien Pushes the Moon away from in front of the Sun |
In a few hours the job was done, the sun made it's bright appearance ...
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| Here Comes the Sun! |
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| The Space Alien Takes a Nap ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
The Space Alien is now wide-awake, preparing for the total eclipse of the sun scheduled to occur on Monday, August 21, 2017, and is ready, willing and able to take whatever corrective actions may be needed to keep the Earth safe!
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Note 1: We know loyal readers of the Space Alien Gazette have every confidence in the accuracy of these posts. But please bear in mind that they are generally written from the Space Alien's point of view.
Therefore, in the interests of full and impartial disclosure concerning the upcoming total solar eclipse, your editor would direct loyal readers to the web page of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) concerning the upcoming solar eclipse https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov
Therefore, in the interests of full and impartial disclosure concerning the upcoming total solar eclipse, your editor would direct loyal readers to the web page of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) concerning the upcoming solar eclipse https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov
There are also many wonderful apps for Eclipse 2017, and the Space Alien especially encourages loyal readers to have a look, and to remember to wear proper safety glasses: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety
Note 2: As Loyal Readers from the Chicago area know, the spectacular 2017 Chicago Air and Water Show takes place on August 19 and 20, just as this issue goes press. The Space Alien, being deeply involved in preparations for the upcoming solar eclipse, will not participate in the Air and Water Show this year.
We therefore direct you to our gripping account of the 2016 Chicago Air and Water Show, in which, unbeknownst to the public at the time, the Space Alien briefly flew one of the airplanes!
Visit this post at:
http://spacealiengazette.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-air-show-comes-to-town.html.
We know you will be thrilled and delighted!
Note 3: If you would like to learn more about Ptolemy, Copernicus and Galileo, whose observations laid the foundations for modern astronomy, here are some places to begin:
General biography: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolaus_Copernicus
Astronomical observations: https://www.space.com/15684-nicolaus-copernicus.html
Galileo
General biography: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_Galilei
Punished for discoveries: https://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/whos_who_level2/galileo.html
UPDATE: The Space Alien took this selfie with your editor and friends watching the Chicago Eclipse at the Point (Promontory Park at the end of 55th Street and Lake Michigan) on August 21, 2017.
(Loyal Readers should know that the Space Alien, even while relaxing here, remained alert to any possibility that it would once again be necessary to act decisively to assure the safety of the Earth!)
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UPDATE: The Space Alien took this selfie with your editor and friends watching the Chicago Eclipse at the Point (Promontory Park at the end of 55th Street and Lake Michigan) on August 21, 2017.
(Loyal Readers should know that the Space Alien, even while relaxing here, remained alert to any possibility that it would once again be necessary to act decisively to assure the safety of the Earth!)