The Planets

On this day in 1781 William Herschel discovered Uranus, the 7th planet from the sun and the first planet to be discovered in modern times.  Hershel, an astronomer and composer, discovered the planet (named for the primeval Greek god of the sky) while searching for double stars.
 
Herschel was also a very accomplished telescope maker.  Later in life, while testing different filters to observe sun spots, Herschel found heat being produced when red filters were used.   He had inadvertently discovered infrared radiation in sunlight by passing it through a prism.  The Herschel telescope named for him located in the Canary Islands uses this technology to explore deep space.

The German-born British astronomer also composed 24 symphonies.

As an interesting side note on this day in 1930, word of the discovery of the planet
Pluto was telegraphed to the Harvard College Observatory.

As an aside to an aside, the English composer of German descent Gustav Holst
wrote a seven movement orchestral suite entitled “The Planets”

 
     The Historical Inebriant:  Sex on Uranus
     http://www.idrink.com/v.html?id=34040

Ingredients:

• 2oz Blue Curacao
• 3oz Jim Beam
• 1oz Spiced Rum
• 2oz Vodka

Mix together with crushed ice in a glass and garnish with mint leaves

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You knew there was no way we were getting through this without one planet joke!
“I understand Men are from Mars women are from Venus, but you’re talking from Uranus!!!