January 2003 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

RE: [Utah-astronomy] Brent's view
by David Dunn 22 Jan '03

22 Jan '03

I hope that I am available. This sounds like fun. Maybe we can get Ron V. to bring his H-Beta filter. Dave -----Original Message----- From: Richard Tenney [mailto:retenney@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2003 1:07 PM To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Brent's view Count me in! Rich --- Chuck Hards <chuckhards(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Hi Brent: > > Today is one of those days when I long for the > simplicity of the pre-digital age...I have spent 1/2 > an hour on a reply which disappeared when I hit > "send". So, assuming this one gets through, here's > the condensed version. (I can hear the cheers...) > > You are one of the few people I know who have been > at > this game longer than I, in addition to being one of > my early mentors, so I owe you the benefit of the > doubt. Guys like you and Bruce are my astronomy > "professors". > > It could be that your eye, brain, or both, are > capable > of discerning low-contrast details without a > filter...after all, all the color "data" is present > in > the white-light view. If this is so, you are an > extremely fortunate individual...and perhaps it's > learned behavior- can be picked-up by anyone who > devotes the time to training their eye, honing their > observational skills. If you are up for it, we > should > look into this. > > I'll bet that it's been 20 years, at least, since > we've observed together. I'd like to do it again > this > year-lets get together when I'm between contracts at > work. > > If enough people are interested, we could do this as > a > "filter seminar", (pros, cons), including LPR, > neutral > density, polarizing, etc. > > Chuck > > > --- Brent Watson <brentjwatson(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > Chuck, > > > > I agree, we should observe together. It would be > > good > > for me to see the advantages you see. The other > > observers are the folks here that you know. > > > > As for a color perception problem, the FAA is > > somewhat > > rigorous in their color perception tests. I have > no > > problem passing any of them. I also have a series > > of > > color tests that you can bring up on your > computer. > > If you'd like a copy of them let me know and I'll > > forward them to you. These old eyes of mine are > > seeing less color with fainter objects, though. > > > > Brent > > > __________________________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up > now. > http://mailplus.yahoo.com > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] Saturn
by Kim Hyatt 21 Jan '03

21 Jan '03

I've been successful observing the Encke division on only one or two occcasions. The first time was way back in the summer of 1989 (as I recall) when Saturn occulted a 5th magnitude star in Sagittarius. (Remember, anyone?)I used my 10" Newt at 280x for some of the best planetary views I've ever had. The Encke division was difficult to hold, but become most obvious to me (then quite the neophyte) when the rings passed in front of the star. Afterwards, knowing what to look for, Encke was easy to spot during moments of excellent seeing.

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] Saturn
by David Dunn 21 Jan '03

21 Jan '03

The Cassini division was real crisp and clear. I saw some kind of gap happening outside of Cassini. It was real unsteady and was only visible for short times so I can't be sure what I was seeing. It could have even been some kind of turbulance. -----Original Message----- From: Chuck Hards [mailto:chuckhards@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2003 1:51 PM To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Saturn --- David Dunn <david.dunn(a)albertsons.com> wrote: > I spent most of the time Friday night looking at > Saturn without a filter. I > used my 8" f/7. It was real steady at 143X. I had > the Enke division (might > have been the minima) popping in and out of focus. I > was too impatient for > the 284X view. Dave, are you sure you you saw the Enke gap (in the A ring itself), and not the Cassini division? 143X, IMO, is insufficient magnification to see the Enke division, although at that power, the Cassini division (between the A & B rings) is obvious. Saturday night, at powers up to 300x (near the diffraction limit for my 6") there wasn't a hint of the Enke gap or minima, though the image was rock-steady and crisp. Chuck __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] Saturn
by David Dunn 21 Jan '03

21 Jan '03

I use filters quite a bit when viewing planets. I like the 80A and 82A (med and pale blue) for Jupiter. I use the 82A for Saturn. I use 21 (orange) and 25 (red) on Mars. I also use the 80A on Mars for the polar caps. I have also used the Moon filter on Jupiter and Venus. Last Friday night I used #47 (Violet) on the moon. It seemed to bring out the rays from Tycho and Copernicus. I spent most of the time Friday night looking at Saturn without a filter. I used my 8" f/7. It was real steady at 143X. I had the Enke division (might have been the minima) popping in and out of focus. I was too impatient for the 284X view. I got tired of moving the scope so often. I guess I will need to make an equitorial platform. I also need to finish moving the mirror on my 10" f/10 so that I can crank up the power. I redid the mirror cell because it was difficult to collimate and now I need to move it 1/2" so that I can reach focus. Dave -----Original Message----- From: Chuck Hards [mailto:chuckhards@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2003 11:52 AM To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Saturn I noticed Saturday night that the banding on Saturn was made much more visible when I used a pale-blue filter; contrast was enhanced as well. The filter is so mild that a color shift was not noticed. The crepe ring's visibility was not reduced. A couple of Mars oppositions ago, I noticed a similar effect, with a somewhat denser blue filter. Even with the filter, Mars was so red to begin with, that the filtered view was almost "natural", with contrast much enhanced to boot. Anybody else using filters for planetary viewing? Chuck __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy

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Another Cave...
by David Bennett 21 Jan '03

21 Jan '03

Hi Folks, If you haven't figured out already I'm a bit of a Cave fanatic and have found another mirror for sale (10" f/5...I could make binoculars :-) on Astromart for some lucky soul: http://www.astromart.com/viewad.asp?cid=147528 This one even comes with a Cave 2.14" Secondary. Have a look!

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] Saturn
by Paul Witte 21 Jan '03

21 Jan '03

I do, here is my favorite website that goes over the various colored filters & their best uses: http://sciastro.net/portia/advice/filters.htm ---------- From: Chuck Hards Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2003 11:52 AM To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Saturn I noticed Saturday night that the banding on Saturn was made much more visible when I used a pale-blue filter; contrast was enhanced as well. The filter is so mild that a color shift was not noticed. The crepe ring's visibility was not reduced. A couple of Mars oppositions ago, I noticed a similar effect, with a somewhat denser blue filter. Even with the filter, Mars was so red to begin with, that the filtered view was almost "natural", with contrast much enhanced to boot. Anybody else using filters for planetary viewing? Chuck __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy

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FS: Televue Nagler 9mm Type I
by Paul Witte 21 Jan '03

21 Jan '03

I am selling a Nagler 9mm Type I eyepiece (this is the one with a 1/4" barrel and a 2" skirt). It is in superb, barely used condition. I'd love to keep it but it's a tad too heavy for my 10" dob so I need to replace it with the Type 6 which is about half the weight. Includes original box/packaging/caps & paper insert. Asking $185. Email: questort(a)attbi.com or Phone 377-8448. --Paul

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] Shuttle reentry update
by David Dunn 20 Jan '03

20 Jan '03

Bob, I have been down to Parowan gap and stayed over night a couple of times. There is a dirt road that leaves the highway to the left (south) just before you get to the petroglyphs. If you drive maybe 25 yards down the dirt road you will pass a fence line. We usually camped just on the other side of the fence. A couple of us from OAS are planning on going down there as well so we may see you there. I guess since it is new moon I will bring a telescope or two. Dave -----Original Message----- From: Marilyn Smith [mailto:bob-marilyn@worldnet.att.net] Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2003 12:22 AM To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Shuttle reentry update Patrick- My wife, Marilyn, and I are making tentative plans to go down south for that. However, we would be driving down on Friday afternoon in our camper. Never having been there, I thought that Parowan Gap might be a good spot to catch the re-entry, if we can find an appropriate place to park/camp that night. We'd plan to make a weekend of it (depending upon weather), including seeing the petroglyphs at Parowan Gap and cross country skiing/snowshoeing/hiking near Delano Peak, east of Beaver, and maybe a visit to the ghost towns of Frisco and Newhouse. We'd return Sunday afternoon. Bob Grant ----- Original Message ----- From: "Patrick Wiggins" <paw(a)trilobyte.net> To: "utah astronomy listserve" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, January 17, 2003 10:36 PM Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Shuttle reentry update > I just received a map showing STS-107's predicted reentry ground track across Utah. > > Find a small version at http://planet.state.ut.us/files/107ENTRYSM.JPG > > And a larger version at http://planet.state.ut.us/files/107ENTRYLG.JPG > > The black line represents the track as plotted by my contact at JSC. I've added > red, blue and green lines showing how high the orbiter will reach above the horizon. > > Green = 20 degrees > Blue = 45 degrees > Red = 70 degrees > > As you may have seen posted here, Brent Watson is looking for folks to fly down > with him. > > I'm undecided about my mode of transport but if I do decide to drive down I-15 > is there anyone out there that would care to caravan with me? > > Patrick > paw(a)trilobyte.net > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] Dr. H. Jess Brown
by Kim Hyatt 20 Jan '03

20 Jan '03

Thanks, Chuck, for a touching tribute to a teacher who obviously had an impact on you - personally and professionally. While I never knew of him, I honor you for the respect you've shown. Would that all teachers were respected as much by their students. -----Original Message----- From: Chuck Hards [mailto:chuckhards@yahoo.com] Sent: Monday, January 20, 2003 1:09 PM To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Dr. H. Jess Brown "If I have seen further than others, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants." It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Dr. H. Jess Brown, who taught me science and chemistry as a student at East High, back in the '70's. "Doc" Brown was one of those science teachers who knew how to make the subject interesting. His love of teaching and learning was always obvious to those who studied under him. I have no doubt that several of my high-school chums chose science careers due to Doc Brown's infectious enthusiasm for the subject, and effective teaching methods. His lifetime was one of service to his fellow man through science. Please take the time to read his obit, on-line at desnews.com. Ad Astra, my old teacher, my old friend. You have done well, and now it's time to rest. Chuck Hards __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] Strange Email from a viewer!
by Kim Hyatt 20 Jan '03

20 Jan '03

I, too doubt that cosmic ray events would produce the reported phenomena. It appears to me that this person saw two different things: The summertime "sightings" sound like distant lightning. Anyone who has spent some time under the night sky, especially during summer, has seen such lightning, even when there are no local storms/clouds visible. As for the event "north of Salt Lake" that the viewer witnessed recently, I suspect (1) aurora borealis (northern lights) (2) Thiokol? or (3) military flares, such as those we have frequently seen from Lakeside and Rush Valley. Anyone else? BTW, I put LGM at the very bottom of my list - or rather not on the list at all. Just in case it comes up... -----Original Message----- From: Chuck Hards [mailto:chuckhards@yahoo.com] Sent: Monday, January 20, 2003 10:09 AM To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Strange Email from a viewer! Someone could contact the control tower at SLC Int'l, see if they noticed anything. My thoughts lean toward a man-made explanation, perhaps military testing or training, maybe escpecially bright burn-off flares from the refineries. If natural, could be a "mini-comet" burning-up in the atmosphere, followed by a terminal burst(s), or a cluster of them. I doubt that a cosmic-ray event could produce a visible event beyond a dim glow, but even this could be easily verified by the U of U physics dept., if they still have their cosmic-ray observatory in operation. C. "I used to be all messed-up on drugs, now I'm all messed-up on the Lord." Cheech & Chong --- Kim Hyatt <khyatt(a)smithlayton.com> wrote: > Years ago I observed numerous similar events. > However, I was indoors and > under the influence of some rather extraordinary > illegal substances. Then went to "Laser Floyd", right? ;) __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy

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