Moons of Jupiter
TWELVE new moons have been discovered orbiting Jupiter, raising to 79 the number known to be circling our solar system's biggest planet.
One of the newfound moons, provisionally named "Valetudo" for the Roman goddess of health and hygiene and the great-granddaughter of the god Jupiter, is being called an "oddball" because it orbits Jupiter in the opposite direction of nearby moons.
"Valetudo is like driving down the highway on the wrong side of the road," astronomer Scott S Sheppard, a staff scientist at the Carnegie Institution for Science, in Washington, and leader of the team of astronomers who made the discovery, told NBC News.
Astronomer Scott S Sheppard needs to watch his words. In the current climate he could face lynching. When he speaks of Valetudo, Roman goddess of health and hygiene and great-granddaughter of the god Jupiter, driving down the highway on the wrong side of the road, he comes perilously close to invoking an outmoded and insulting stereotype about women drivers.
These days that is dangerous indeed.
Tide tables?
DOES the planet Jupiter have water? The tide tables must be a nightmare with 79 moons, one of them travelling in the wrong direction.
More astronomy
MEANWHILE, investment analyst Dr James Greener notes in his latest grumpy newsletter that, way over on the other side of the country, the MeerKAT - a multi-million rand radio telescope - has begun working, pretty much on time and within budget.
"The fellows published an image of the centre of our galaxy taken with this fancy new device. This caused a scramble as everyone tried to understand how dozens of 'satellite dishes' could be called a telescope. Especially as no photograph of a wild-haired astronomer peering down a tube was released by the operators."
Perhaps astronomer Scott S Sheppard, of the Carnegie Institution of Science in Washington, mentioned above, is of excitedly wild-haired mien as he peers through a conventional telescope to observe the gallivantings of Valetudo, Roman goddess of health and hygiene and great-granddaughter of the god Jupiter, driving on the wrong side of the highway. Maybe the Carnegie Institution of Science would be prepared to supply a photograph?
Anyway, Greener notes that: "Together with the nearby SALT optical telescope, this patch of the Karoo is quietly becoming a success story we so desperately need. Rather like Sevens rugby and … No well, never mind."
I think we get what he means.
Gala performance
I'M not sure how the rest of the BRICS activities went, but down at the Playhouse on Sunday night, the opening gala live performance was a tour de force.
BRICS has linked up with the Durban Film Festival to put on a programme of films from the constituent countries over the week (with subtitles). It has also connected to the Mandela centennial.
On Sunday there were five-minute mini-films from the other four countries, connecting to Mandela and Mandela quotations. The producers were apparently given nine weeks' notice.
Then a riot of dance, music, acrobatics and colour – punctuated by graceful ballet to the music of Tchaikovsy – by local artistes representing all five BRICS countries.
Representing South Africa were Amazebra Indlamu with a fast-paced, acrobatic representation of traditional ngoma dancing, along with musician Mbuso Khoza and his dance group.
For China it was the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of international celebrity conductor Christopher Chen, playing the entrancing The Mulan Psalm, from Chinese Opera.
Then India: The Nateshwa Dance Company, led by Smeetha Maharaj, with The Playhouse Dance Residency; plus Kathak dancer Manesh Maharaj.
Russia: The KZNPO under Christopher Chen playing from Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, danced by Casey Swales and Rachel Abrahams.
Brazil: Angelique Allison and Ryan Hammond dancing the Brazilian Samba, along with the Playhouse Dance Residency.
Then – piece de resistance – the whole darn lot of them on stage together, waving national flags. Noise, harmony, colour, movement. KZNPO in the back ground, giant vuvuzelas in the foreground. Wonderful stuff.
The other BRICS people – economists, businessmen etc – have some catch-up to do.
Tailpiece
AN AGEING playboy visits the doctor.
"I hope you've followed my advice to go easy on wine, women and song."
"Oh yes, Doc. I've tapered off to beer, one girlfriend and a little light humming."
Last word
Life is a moderately good play with a badly written third act.
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