Free Republic

This is how poll observation was “allowed” in Philly until court order came through yest mandating 6 ft distance (went in effect from 10:30am Thurs but unclear when actually happened given the argument over enforcement that ensued). So for day & half give or take- zero oversight. https://twitter.com/MatthewTyrmand/status/1324786382733254658 

NASA has a message for space lovers this month: Look up. The largest planet in the solar system, Jupiter, will be clearly visible June 10 — and to see its biggest moons you'll only need to grab a pair of binoculars. NASA said the gas giant is at its "biggest and brightest this month" and will be visible all night. The planet will reach opposition, the annual occurrence when the Jupiter, Earth and the Sun are arranged in a straight line, with Earth in the center. So, mark your calendars for Monday, as it will be the best time of...

Want to see a comet whizzing by Earth? A great chance to catch one of these celestial visitors is overnight tonight, when Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner will be best visible in binoculars or a telescope. The comet, also known as "21P," will make its closest approach to Earth at around 2:30 a.m. EDT Monday (630 GMT). The bright-green comet should reach a visual magnitude of 6.5 to 7, according to EarthSky.org. This makes 21P almost bright enough to see with the naked eye — but not quite. [Bright Comets of 2018: When, Where and How to See Them] To find Comet 21P...

I know next to nothing about optics. I want to look at the birds more closely at the feeders at home. I will be looking through double paned windows. The feeders are four to ten feet away. Then there are the birds in the trees that are up to 25 feet away. Any recommendations for binoculars? I wear glasses and am nearsighted. I would appreciate any input. I think they are going to be my Christmas present to myself. That or a receiver for my old stereo that I am trying to resurrect. But that will be another thread! Thank...

I am looking at buying my first astronomical instrument. I have a budget of under $150. I was thinking of these two as possibilities: 1: Celestron SkyMaster 20x80 Binoculars2: Orion SkyScanner 100mm TableTop Reflector Telescope Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.

Has N. Korea's mysterious successor made a blunder with binoculars? SEOUL, Feb. 21 (Yonhap) -- Goof or genius? Last week, North Korea's official television station aired footage of leader Kim Jong-il's past military inspections, during which his third son and heir apparent, Kim Jong-un, was seen watching a tank drill while apparently holding a pair of binoculars upside down. The scene, belatedly discovered by South Korean journalists on Monday, was considered a rare blunder by North Korea's official media that spares no austerity in praising the ruling dynasty. It also contrasted with the intensifying cult of personality surrounding the 20-something...

Patrons of a German nude beach on the Polish border say beachgoers on the other side of the border come to stare at the exposed skin. Ines Muller, a German naturist, said Poles come fully clothed to the beach on their side of the border and stare at the nude swimmers and sunbathers, The Sun reported Monday. You feel like an ape in the zoo. The Poles come with their binoculars, stare and swear, Muller said. Beach patrons said there used to be a fence separating the German and Polish beaches, but it was torn down as part of a...

NEW YORK — The seafaring boat houses a coyote, a silver fox and a creature dubbed "Big Eyes" — but it isn't a modern-day Noah's Ark. Called the Star Fish, this little ship carries the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Afloat Lab onboard to show off all the latest technological wizardry the U.S. military can use — in the Iraq war, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the world. The Coyote, Silver Fox and "Big Eyes" are the names of two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) (search) and a giant set of long-range binoculars, respectively. They're in New York Harbor for the Navy's...

<p>SAN DIEGO (AP) — President Bush used the dramatic setting of a homebound aircraft carrier Thursday to refocus the U.S. mission in Iraq from a combat role to the tasks of reconstruction, policing and promotion of democracy.</p> <p>President Bush takes pictures with the crew of USS Lincoln after landing.</p>

There is a picture circulating of Bush looking through binocs with lens covers on, and the DU'ers are having a ball with it. I know there is a similar pic of Clinton doing the same thing. Can anyone post it? Also, can someone post the pic of Al Gore looking down the barrel of his rifle? A liberal friend on mine just sent me the picture of Bush, with the caption "Why We Can't Find bin-Laden." Any help in wiping the smirk off my friends face would be appreciated.

Excuse the vanity because I hate vanities. That said -- I need HELP! I just received an email with a picture of President Bush looking through binoculars with the lense caps on which is identical to the one of Clinton earlier when the lens caps were on. I remember seeing the picture with the lens caps off for President Bush and on for Clinton! Believe I saw the comparison on here and comments made but I cannot find! Does anyone else remember or am I dreaming! Thanks much!