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Every evening the astronomers here on Paranal gather at the foot of the telescopes to watch the sun set - and maybe see the Green Flash. When the sun sets behind a very flat surface, such as the sea, the final dot of light can flash green for a second or more (see the Science Bit below). But it is very rare here, and many folk have never seen it, even after months of watching, and get rather cynical and unbelieving!

Being from a cloudy country (and rainy, misty, hilly etc) I had also never seen it before coming to Chile. Even now, we have only seen it at the coast, with our friend Mairi. From Paranal we are looking over the clouds, which are not very flat, so it is very rare here. But every night we go out in the cold, get some fresh air (slightly rarified) and hope! The sunsets are beautiful anyway. Tonight they should be stunning as there are some higher clouds to reflect the light. I think I am not made to be an astronomer as I like clouds too much!

(The science bit - in simple terms, the final rays of light are bent by the atmosphere so that the redder light disappears before the bluer light. The bluest light is scattered by the atmosphere, hence the sky being blue, and so we see the green light.)

See some pictures from our recent holiday by clicking the link in the sidebar.

Well if I was a betting man, that would be my bet for the result of the Ireland-Scotland 6 Nations Game tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to watching the games this weekend. It all hangs on these next 2 days.

I’m collecting together a contingent of rugby supporters for lunch and beer tomorrow.

What do you think the score will be? Place your bets now.

Another sighting of the great Scottish yeti has been reported, close to Ben Nevis. It was pictured by a friend of mine last saturday. It got really close before he frightened it off with an iceaxe!

Glad you survived the attack mate. Glad I wasn’t there.

West Highland Free Press header article 2 www.whfp.com/1764/top2.html

“Has anyone wondered what it must be like to be a large beetle with wings zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz? One imagines you might develop some serious vanity issues, especially if you were adorned with large red spots which doubled up as a warning for all predators to get lost…and all that splendid armour for combat with other bugs must keep the ego inflated.”

Well indeed Ana. Some have percieved the above as a sign of madness, but I’m quite inspired by it!

What do other people think it must be like to be a large beetle? The floor is open. As are the comment boxes…! I’m looking forward to your responses!