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Monday, May 2

ASTRONOMY, WEATHER AND THE CAPTURE OF BIN LADEN

Written By: Scott Hetsko



It's no mistake that the U.S. government decided to strike Osama Bin Laden's compound last evening. Weather and astronomy played a major role. Skies were mainly clear during the time black hawk helicopters flew low over the Northern terrain of Pakistan. Had there been fog or low clouds, the mission would have been delayed.



The moon perhaps played a more important role in when they decided to strike. Last night's "New Moon" phase was a strong advantage for Navy Seals who were wearing night vision glasses. Bin Laden and his fighters weren't able to see in the dark. Weather as always has a significant impact on when the military decides to attack.

2 comments:

  1. Scott,
    Thank you for that piece connecting the bigger picture of weather and astronomy to this historic capture. So much goes into the the planning and executing of military operations -Even those subtle details that you mentioned, that many don't think about.

    Ya know...people may choose to put down our country for one reason or another, but the fact remains that have THE GREATEST military on this entire planet we call Earth. They are the reason we can continue to live in peace and freedom. They are the reason we can sleep safe and sound at night. There are heroes working behind the seasons at every second to keep us safe. Many of them, we will never know their names. We could never begin to repay them in this life for all that they do. God bless our heroes!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Correction: Working behind the "scenes"...not "seasons". Ha, I guess I have Spring on the mind.

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