Day 185 Mile 185: Nebulous Crab Running

Day 185 Mile 185: Nebulous Crab Running. On this day in 1054 one of the first recorded supernovae was observed by astronomers in China, and is also noted subsequently as an event in Japanese and Arabic texts.

The ‘star’ was visible for several weeks even during daytime and the remains of which are visible to this day (at night even with only a basic telescope) in the form of the crab nebular.

So, living by the coast I took myself out around crab fishing spots. For those who have never done it, it is a great kids sport in that all you need to do is find a bit of likely looking sea and tie some meat to a string which the decapods will grab with their pincers and before you know it you have a bucket full of these fascinating creatures. The trick is to then get them back in the sea before the gulls realize what you have got. I have had hours of childhood (and occasional grown up) fun doing this and the fascination of that unseen world just below the sea’s surface somehow seems to parallel that of space and the stars.

I’m running a mile each day everyday for 2017. If you feel you can sponsor me please do, as all the money raised will go to the Cleft Lip & Palate Association (CLAPA) who provide services all across the UK to support people affected by it.