Observing Session NGC 2261 Hubbles Variable Nebula and C/2013 R1 LOVEJOY

Had a great night observing.

Found another comet C/2013 R1 LOVEJOY.

Comet was easily visible in 12x50 binoculars and scope,  could not see tail.

Also found NCG 2261 , Hubble's Variable Nebula.  At first confused it with comet, then cone nebula but it is NGC 2261 and is very bright.

Here are my notes:

Will check for Cone next time!

In Cosmology, the third and fourth dimensions are equivalent.

The first two are polar coordinates.  The third is distance from the origin and also elapsed time.

Local time is so small comparatively, it can be ignored.

However, local time is our most important fact, and gives us both a warning and a clue.

The failure to identify the equivalence of the 3rd and 4th gives rise to much of the  confusion in cosmology.

The warning and clue are to the existence of a separate reality.

Finally get a clear explanation of the theory

Finished Einstein's "Relativity The Special and The General Theory - A Clear Explanation That Anyone Can Understand"

The last pages Appendix V which were added in 1952 explain his further thoughts.

In the note to the Fifteenth Edition:

" I wished to show that space-time is not necessarily something to which one can ascribe a separate existence, independently of the actual objects of physical reality.  Physical objects are not in space, but these objects are spatially extended.  In this way the concept "empty space" loses its meaning.

June 9th, 1952  A. Einstein

The appendix discusses Descartes view on whether space and exist without matter.