Astronomical news: Last month I found an online article about a camera setup called the Simultaneous Differential Imager which is to be used in an attempt to photograph giant exoplanets orbiting other stars. One of these SDIs has been installed in Chile, while its northern counterpart, interestingly enough, is to go on the MMT telescope on Mt. Hopkins in Arizona.

Meanwhile, more currently, the Big Binoc 'scope of Mt Graham has been threatened by a fire but may be out of danger now.

Piping progress has now been halted. The pipe sergeant decided that my blowstick is too long for me, so he's taken it off for replacement.

Meanwhile I'm pleased to report my satisfaction with the Cassini probe, which successfully went into orbit around Saturn after nearly seven years in space. A quote: As far as I’m concerned, this is the greatest chapter in space exploration since Voyager.