In an attempt to add some humor to this discussion I submit the following two posts I just saw on the MPML group: +++++ The real reason for the change is to set the stage for the Vulcan astronomer Minshara and his cronies classification system to align with ours. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek_planet_classifications +++++ +++++ My Very Excellent Mother Could Just Serve Us Nuts, Pizza Charred'n' Xylophones! +++++ Surely some of the wordsmiths on this list can top that last one. And, as long as I'm at it, the following was just sent to me by a member of this list (who I hope will ID himself and claim credit). It's not astronomy related but I know there are a number of pilots here, and we can all us a chuckle now and then... +++++ Some collected wisdom from aviation history: As the test pilot climbs out of the experimental aircraft, having torn off the wings and tail in the crash landing, the crash truck arrives, the rescuer sees a bloodied pilot and asks "What happened?". The pilot's reply: "I don't know, I just got here myself!" - Attributed to Ray Crandell (Lockheed test pilot ) + Basic Flying Rules: "Try to stay in the middle of the air. Do not go near the edges of it. The edges of the air can be recognized by the appearance of ground, buildings, sea, trees and interstellar space. It is much more difficult to fly there." + "If you're faced with a forced landing, fly the thing as far into the crash as possible." - Bob Hoover (renowned aerobatic and test pilot) + "There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm in peacetime." - Sign over squadron ops desk at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, 1970 + Advice given to RAF pilots during WWII: "When a prang (crash) seems inevitable, endeavor to strike the softest, cheapest object in the vicinity as slow and gently as possible." + "The Piper Cub is the safest airplane in the world; it can just barely kill you." - Attributed to Max Stanley (Northrop test pilot) + "Without ammunition, the USAF would be just another expensive flying club." + "What is the similarity between air traffic controllers and pilots? If a pilot screws up, the pilot dies; If ATC screws up ... the pilot dies." + "Blue water Navy truism: There are more planes in the ocean than submarines in the sky." - From an old carrier sailor + "If the wings are traveling faster than the fuselage, it's probably a helicopter -- and therefore, unsafe." + "When one engine fails on a twin-engine airplane you always have enough power left to get you to the scene of the crash." + "It is generally inadvisable to eject directly over the area you just bombed." - U.S. Air Force Manual + "Aim towards the Enemy." - Instruction printed on US Rocket Launcher + "Cluster bombing from B-52s are very, very accurate. The bombs are guaranteed to always hit the ground." - USAF Ammo Troop +++++ And if you really want more: http://b66.info/Anecdotes/thoughts-on-aviation.htm Clear skies tonight! Patrick