PAGE 6  (4/13/06 to present)
From: Curtis Croulet - Temecula Valley Astronomers - 4/11/06
Re: Thank you note for "Exploring the Lunar Landscape" talk.

Dear Dr Peterson: / On behalf of the Board of directors and membership of the Temecula Valley Astronomers, I wish to thank you and your assistant, Daria, for your wonderful presentation about the "Exploring the Lunar Landscape," given at the regular monthly meeting of the Temecula Valley Astronomers on the evening of April 3, 2006. / I heard many favorable comments about your talk afterward. Also, Daria commented to me afterward that we had an unusual number of questions, which personally pleased me. Our membership includes some retired engineers and a real astronomer (retired), and a couple of us have a side interest in geology. One of our members has spent a considerable time in India, and he has seen the Deccan Basalts, and he found your comments about fussure eruptions to be particularly interesting. / Thanks again for your great presentation. / Very truely yours, / Curtis Croulet / President, Temecula Valley Astronomers

Comment: Well, that certainly worked out. This talk tends to generate a rather mild response. The TVA presentation generated a big response. Lots of discussion. Fun time!
From: Carey Johnson - San Diego Astronomy Association - 6/22/06
Re:  Note regarding Near Earth Objects.

Dear Dr. Peterson, / I really enjoyed your presentation last night. I saw your presentation on the formation of planets a couple of years ago. / I wanted to let you know about a program that I use that might be helpful to you. It's called EasySky. I got it off the internet. The guy who made it is from Germany. I have some screen shots of it at the page I use to track Near Earth asteroids and comets: http://www.geocities.com/quarkcsj/calendar.html / The program is really easy to use.  You can download the orbital elements of the objects from the internet or can manually input them.  By doing it manually you really get a sense of the orbital elements such as inclination and eccentricity. / I have Sedna and 2003 UB313 in my program and you can really get a sense of how far out they are and their inclinations,  etc. / I use the program at a lot of star parties such as Stars in the Park at Balboa Park. / I keep track of the Near Earth objects on my Calendar that is linked on the above time. / Once again I really enjoyed your presentations. / Carey Johnson / SDAA AISIG Chair / PS.  I just saw on spaceweather.com that they just named the 2 new moons of Pluto.
From: Todd Hansen - Riverside Astronomical Society - 11/09/06
Re: Note regarding impact article in New York Times.

Dr. Peterson, / I don't know if you saw this article that appeared in the New York Times last week : / http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/14/science/14WAVE.html?ref=science&pagewanted=all / I was flabbergasted.   I had no idea evidence of recent Astroidal impacts might even exist . On your Professional level I'm sure you have run across this before,  I'd like to know your opinion on it.  I think this would be a great topic for a talk even if you are skeptical of what this article says,  I'd love to hear you opinion! / 35 years ago (June 1971) my younger bother and I hiked to the bottom of Barrenger Crater  in Arizona, near Winslow, (for bad reasons they now call it "meteor crater" today).  I was 16 at the time  (my brother was 11).   I read everything they had at the museum on the rim and knew they estimated the impact had occurred 70,000 years before and had the power of 1 megaton.  I have since learned there was over 1000 tons of iron (oh my god! Meteor relics!) that were gathered and sent in railway cars to foundries back east. / I even thought at that time, how many relatively small impacts like this , not Chicxulub events, occurred.  I mean if you blindly threw darts at a map of the world, most of them would end up in the ocean.  I even thought at the time of massive "tidal waves" ("tsunami" was not well known to the public in 1971), and wondered how oven they really happen. / I think this would be a great topic for a talk. Whether you agree or disagree with their assertions,  I would love to hear somebody with your expertise address it for the general public.. I want to hear your opinion even if you don't want to develop a talk.  If you do, Riverside is a venue you could defiantly deliver it! / Todd Hansen / Riverside Astronomical Society

Comment: Interesting article. Of course, in just thinking about it, over 2/3 of the impacts on the Earth would be in the oceans. Yet, there is scant evidence for any impacts in the ocean basins. Part of the reason for this is that the ocean basins are no older than 200 million years. But the other part is, they're difficult to study. This is an interesting report. I'm going to remain skeptical for a while, but urge more study.
From: Carolyn Mallory - Pierce College Astronomical Society - 12/09/06
Re: Thank you note for "Is There Life Elsewhere in the Solar System?" presentation.

Hi, Gary: / In the last few days I've heard dozens of student comments about how interesting and informative your presentation at Pierce College, last Friday night, was. It was really clear and easy to understand, while at the same time being sufficiently complex to be intriguing, and that was the reaction from the rest of the audience! Your images used to elucidate points were exceptionally well chosen, and, uncontradicted Knowledge, is Knowledge, so it seemed like you shouldn't apply the disclaimer, "This is ten years old.", because the images do not deserve to be downgraded in any way. / The Tech who projected the presentation said something about the Power Point being saved with another file. If that is true, it could be a factor which causes you distress. / At the current time, what missions/programs are you particularly interested in, and watching? It's exhilarating how much good scientific progress is being made! / Ever Your Fan and Friend and Grateful For Your Appearance, / Carolyn
From: Bill & Kate Steinauer - 1906 Starry Nights Festival - 12/21/06
Re: Thank you note for "The Geological Case for Life On Mars" presentation.

Dr. Peterson, / My husband and I were fortunate to be present at this year’s Starry Nights Festival in Yucca Valley, and hear your wonderful presentation!  We truly enjoyed your talk!  Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, and most especially your enthusiasm for your subject.  Since moving to the west coast twenty plus years ago, we find ourselves constantly traveling all over the west looking at rocks, from Anza Borrego Desert to Bryce Canyon in Utah.  Maybe we’re becoming amateur geologists as much as amateur astronomers! / On a more serious note, as American citizens, we’d also like to thank you for taking time out of your personal life, to enlighten the general public, who, sadly, have so little appreciation for scientific methods and processes.  Your efforts are recognized and greatly appreciated! / With best regards, Bill & Kate Steinauer
From: Tony Carrasco - SDSU Geological Sciences Computer Tech - 2/09/07
Re: Email note.

Hey Gary /  Thought I'd share this link with you: http://asymptotia.com/2007/02/07/triton-talk/  It showed up on my google alert. / Tony  :-)

Comment: Well, this is the first time I've appeared in a blog. Thanks, Tony. Nice writeup. I had a good time delivering this talk ("The Cryogenic World of Triton") at the USC Physics and Astronomy Colloquium last Monday. It got a good reaction and was a fun experience.
From: Lynn Hauge - Ventura County Astronomical Society - 2/18/07
Re: Email note regarding "The Cryogenic World of Triton" presentation at the VCAS meeting.

Dear Dr. Peterson, / I very much enjoyed your presentation for the Ventura County Astronomical Society.  Your lecture raised some thoughts and questions that I would like to share with you. / ... (Three detailed questions followed to which I responded via email.) ... / Again I want to thank you for a most interesting lecture.  I give most professional astronomers who lecture at VCAS grades of something between 70 and 80 (not on what they are presenting, they are all very good) but I mean in showmanship and interest. Let's face it, if any of those astronomers wanted to try night club entertaining I wouldn't advise them to leave their day jobs.   A few I would give a grade to of between 80 and 90. I have given one a grade of over 90.  I will give you a grade of 94. That is the highest grade I have ever given. I am also a teacher. Thank you for a wonderful lecture. / Sincerely, / Lynn Hauge     
 
Comment: Well, that was a nice note! I always enjoy the VCAS meetings and always seem to get a good response. I'm surprised my grade was so high in that I was feeling rather tired. I had to leave San Diego at 2:30PM in order to get to the 7:30PM meeting. What a drive! Then I had to leave the meeting a little early to get back in San Diego by midnight. Boy, was I exhausted the next day!
From: Dennis Mammana - Skyscapes.com -  7/02/07
Re: Planetary Science questions.

Hi Gary— / Hope you’re doing well… are you planning on being up at the Starry Night Festival again this fall? I like the new design of your website (and the great caricature)!! / A friend sent me a few questions re: planetary science that I’m not able to answer sufficiently (except for the last one).  I wonder if you’ve got some simple explanations for him or a URL or two that will help explain these.  I’ve attached his questions below.
/ I saw the Universe program on the History Channel tonight, about the moon. Did you see it? I'm wondering what you think of the "<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_impact_hypothesis> giant impact<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_impact_hypothesis> hypothesis"? / Part of the idea seems reasonable to me. But the idea that "Two percent of the original mass of Theia ended up as an orbiting ring of debris, and about half coalesced into the Moon between one and 100 years after the impact." seems a bit far fetched to me... While watching the computer simulation of that hypothetical event, it looked to me like total chaos after the impact. "Coalescence" seems like wishful thinking, and quite unlikely. Isn't the concept of entropy suggest that there exists an inherent tendency towards the dissipation of energy? And isn't there some law of physics which states that energy is required to maintain order, and that without energy, systems become increasingly chaotic and disorderly and lacking cohesion? / And...if "coalescence" happened here, why didn't the rings of Saturn coalesce into a moon? / One other topic discussed on Universe tonight is the idea that our moon helps to maintain the Earth's tilt at 23 degrees, that without the moon the tilt would change on a frequent basis. That seems really unreasonable to me.  What do you think/believe about this topic? / Questions, so many questions...  :-) ... Thanks for any thoughts you might provide! / Dennis / <http://www.DennisMammana.com>
 
Comment: Dennis raises some interesting questions here and it's difficult to provide answers within this context. I broke up his message and sent him extended email explanations for some of the points he brought up. One of the difficulties in giving answers is that I'm one of the few people who doesn't buy into the "mega-impact and splash" origin of the Moon. I think the Moon originated as another planet (in roughly this part of the Solar System) and was captured by the Earth approximately 4 billion years ago. I worked up a talk titled "The Capture of the Moon" and I've presented it before two groups of geologists with mixed results. I'm looking for more audiences. It's a difficult topic to present because an audience must be familiar with the Solar System, Lunar geology and Earth geology in order to appreciate the discussion. Anyone interested?

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From: Juley Welch - Former Student (late 60s) - 9/09/07
Re: Short email note.

Hi Gary, / Sorry to hear of your retirement but congratulations. / I'm sure your life will be very full with all of your endeavors. Stay in touch.  I've always held you in very high regard. / Juley

Comment: Yes, I've retired. Last semester was my last as a full-time professor. However, I'm still due to teach a full load in the Fall Semesters for the next five years, and I'll still have plenty of time for my planetology adventures.

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From: Wayne Johnson - Amateur Astronomer -  10/01/07
Re: Short note (cc to me).

Hi Stefanie, / We had a great time as usual in Yucca Valley. It was wonderful to see Gary and Wally and the other speakers and see how their respective pursuits are proceeding along quite successfully. / Arlene likes to support the local economy and left about $500 behind! / Clear skies,
Wayne (aka Mr. Galaxy)

Comment: Wayne was one of the speakers at the recent Starry Nights Festival, in fact he was the speaker who preceded me. Wayne is a special person to me in that he is responsible for me getting started with speaking to astronomers. He arranged for me to speak at the Riverside Astronomical Society and the Orange County Astronomer's meetings both in the same week. It was a great experience and changed the way I do things. Now my main audiences are astronomers.

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From: Melanie Blair - National Geographic Society - 10/03/07
Re: National Geographic Film "Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure" <http://www.nationalgeographic.com/seamonsters/>.

Hi Gary - /  So happy that you liked the film!  And that you were able to meet Sean! That must have been really fun! / And you certainly DID help us out!!!  I contacted you out of nowhere and you were gracious & generous with your time and answers to all of our questions! / If I ever need geologic advice about the ancient Earth - I know who I'm calling!  And if you can think of any questions for me, I'm happy to do the same! / Best, Melanie

From: Jini Durr - Producer for Day's End Pictures, Inc. - 10/03/07
Re: Note regarding the film "Sea Monsters."

Hi Gary! / This is Jini Durr, producer of Sea Monsters.  I am sending a personal thank you.  I know that at a drop of a hat you were willing to answer our questions and we found the science research quite difficult so we really appreciated all your input.  Never enough credit is given in my opinion for the educators of our world.  Thanks again.  / Also, out of curiousity, what did you think of the treatment of the following:  1) Earth from space with geologic changes and 2) timelapse sequences represent changes in different parts of globe durring a vast period of time (mountains, volcanic activity, glaciers). / All the best and thank you again. No doubt we will be calling you in the future. ;) / Jini  / Day's End Pictures, Inc.

Comment: Life takes strange and unpredictable turns. One day I was sitting in the office (probably thinking about the planets) and the phone rang. The lady on the line was Melanie Blair, and she represented a group that was working on a National Geographic film about Cretaceous Sea Monsters. I have no idea how she got my name, but I do have a bit of experience with the Cretaceous stratigraphic record and I've always been interested in vertebrate paleontology. I answered a few questions for her as best as I could. She thanked me and asked if it was OK if she contacted me back. I said it was fine. Then, over the next year or so, there were a few more questions via email, and then a few more, and a few more. It was no burden at all. In fact, I rather enjoyed answering them as best as I could. Well, it seems that I'm now listed as a consultant in the film's credits. The movie was first shown Tuesday night (10/02/07) at the Reuben Fleet Science Center and I was an invited guest. My fiancee and I sat with Director Sean Phillips and I was treated as a local celebrity by the Fleet people. I even made a short appearance on a television show. It was really much more credit than I deserved, but I usually get less credit than I deserve so I can live with it. Fun experience! What next?

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From: Tony Carrasco - Department Computer Tech - 10/04/07
Re: Note regarding "The Cryogenic World of Triton" talk given to the department on 10/03/07.

Your talk is live, also I put a DVD copy in your office. / Tony
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2472031013781544297

 Comment: Well, this is new. My lecture was recorded yesterday afternoon and is now in the internet. Wonderful! Why couldn't this have happened sooner? Many thanks, Tony.

Got a comment? <planetology@geology.sdsu.edu>