r/CzechCoconutCommunity

SOURCE: The Tennessee Holler https://x.com/i/status/2073789118920699971

Legally, the United States was founded as a secular republic intentionally separating church and state. While heavily influenced culturally by Christianity, the federal government was never established as an official Christian state... a reality formally affirmed in the 1797 Treaty of Tripoli.

Constitutional and Legal Foundation... The U.S. Constitution and its Preamble are strictly secular, deliberately omitting any references to a deity or divine right to govern. The First Amendment’s Establishment Clause prevents the government from endorsing a state religion, a measure designed to protect both the state from religious strife and religious freedom for all citizens.

The Founding Fathers... Many of the key Founding Fathers, including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin, were deeply influenced by Enlightenment philosophy rather than orthodox Christian theology. Several were Deists who favored reason and natural rights over religious dogma.

Cultural vs. Institutional Identity... While the population of the United States has historically been majority Christian, the institutional framework deliberately avoids establishing a religious test for office. Historical consensus indicates that the founders sought to create a pluralistic society governed by the rule of law rather than religious morality.

This was taken from the Kagga Kamma Remote Observatory and is a small section of a larger 21-panel mosaic that I did in collaboration with my friends Dave and Chris. I recommend checking out the better resolution image on Astrobin: https://app.astrobin.com/i/pdxs0b

Some additional info on my website: https://www.naztronomy.com/gallery/image/900/vela_supernova_subsection_filaments

This is actually a mosaic itself, sections of 5 different panels totaling about 30 hours of data (if my math is correct). We wanted to get more data but due but Vela is setting faster and faster and the weather in the winter has been getting poorer. Hope to retry next year in mono!

Here is the equipment list:

- Telescope: Askar SQA85
- Camera: QHYCCD QHY268 Pro C
- Mount: Proxisky UMi 20S
- Filter: Antlia ALP-T Dual Band 5nm 2"
- Software: NINA, PixInsight, Siril (mosaic processed using my OSC PP script)

I've been going back and forth on the color, I think I want to do the whole 21 panel mosaic a little differently but wanted to show off this section of Vela. 

If anyone's interested, I interviewed the observatory owners here: https://youtu.be/xgea5UQlhY4

Wait for it.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, artists are redefining waste by transforming discarded plastic, scrap metal, and tangled wires into extraordinary wearable art. Materials once abandoned in rivers and streets are reimagined as bold, sculptural creations showcased in parades, performances, and public gatherings, where fashion becomes a powerful form of expression.

What started as a creative response to limited resources has grown into a symbol of resilience and imagination. Every piece reflects the ability to create beauty from what others throw away, while questioning overconsumption and celebrating local ingenuity. More than fashion, Congo’s trash couture is a powerful blend of art, innovation, and environmental awareness, proving that creativity can thrive in even the most challenging circumstances.

work of stephangladieu

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92sUIoon46g