September 2004 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Genesis update
by Patrick Wiggins 22 Sep '04

22 Sep '04

I just (1640 MDT) recieved this from NASA. Patrick Donald Savage Headquarters, Washington Sept. 8, 2004 (Phone: 435/831-3957) DC Agle Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. (Phone: 818/393-9011) RELEASE: 04-292 GENESIS MISSION STATUS REPORT The Genesis sample return capsule entered Earth's atmosphere at 9:52:47 MDT and entered the preplanned entry ellipse in the Utah Test and Training Range as predicted. However, the Genesis capsule, as a result of its parachute not deploying, impacted the ground at a speed of 311 kilometers per hour (193 mph). The impact occurred near Granite Peak on a remote portion of the range. No people or structures were anywhere near the area. "We have the capsule," said Genesis project manager Don Sweetnam of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. "It is on the ground. We have previously written procedures and tools at our disposal for such an event. We are beginning capsule recovery operations at this time." By the time the capsule entered Earth's atmosphere, the flight crews tasked to capture Genesis were already in the air. Once it was confirmed the capsule touched down out on the range, the flight crews were guided toward the site to initiate a previously developed contingency plan. They landed close to the capsule and per the plan, began to document the capsule and the area. "For the velocity of the impact, I thought there was surprisingly little damage, said Roy Haggard of Vertigo Inc., Lake Elsinore, Calif., who took part in the initial reconnaissance of the capsule. "I observed the capsule penetrated the soil about 50 percent of its diameter. The shell had been breached about three inches and I could see the science canister inside and that also appeared to have a small breach," he said. The safety of recovery personnel has been the top priority. The capsule's separation charge had to be confirmed safe before the capsule could be moved. The recovery team is in the process of preparing to move the capsule to a clean room. The Genesis mission was launched in August 2001 on a journey to capture samples from the storehouse of 99 percent of all the material in our solar system -- the sun. The samples of solar wind particles, collected on ultra-pure wafers of gold, sapphire, silicon and diamond were designed to be returned for analysis by Earth-bound scientists. JPL manages the Genesis mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington. Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Denver, developed and operated the spacecraft. JPL is a division of the California Institute of Technology. For more information about Genesis on the Internet, visit http://genesismission.jpl.nasa.gov/ -end-

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Methane and Water on Mars
by diveboss＠xmission.com 22 Sep '04

22 Sep '04

Patrick, You do know that this is further proof that men ARE from Mars. The tell tale sign of man's presence, or former presence as in this case, is the lingering odor of methane. And with man's propensity to fish, boat, jet ski and scuba, it would stand to reason that the heaviest concentrations of this lingering odor, would be in an area where there was once water. Now if they can detect the presence of barley and hops, they may have the unimpeachable proof that Mars once had a thriving night life as well... ;) Guy Quoting Patrick Wiggins <paw(a)trilobyte.net>: > News, Tuesday, 21 SEP 2004 > > > > Water and Methane Maps Overlap on Mars: A New Clue? > > Recent analyses of ESA?s Mars Express data reveal that concentrations of > water > vapour and methane in the atmosphere of Mars significantly overlap. > > http://www.esa.int/export/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEML131XDYD_0.html > +++++

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The good die young
by Chuck Hards 21 Sep '04

21 Sep '04

http://skyandtelescope.com/news/article_1353_1.asp _______________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today! http://vote.yahoo.com

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OT: Sky Captain
by Chuck Hards 20 Sep '04

20 Sep '04

My HIGHEST recommendation for: Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. Excellent movie. Zeppelins, giant killer robots, rocket ships, ornithopters, this flick has it all. Best movie I've seen all year. Wow. Back to astronomy. Or garlic or whatever. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail

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Bowling ball drop.
by David Dunn 20 Sep '04

20 Sep '04

It looks like we wont have to do the bowling ball drop. Genisis made a good crater sample. Does anyone on the list know where it landed? I wonder if they will be able to salvage any science from it. Thanks, David Dunn 801-961-3253

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Sad news from Kodak
by Patrick Wiggins 18 Sep '04

18 Sep '04

As one who still likes to imprint photons on photographic film I find this news from Kodak to be sad news indeed. Not that it surprises me, but it's still seems like a sad situation. http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040916062748.gc5yl4tn.html Patrick

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Midweek Wolf Creek report.
by Debbie 17 Sep '04

17 Sep '04

I may be able to leave my scope on Jim's property near Kolob Reservoir next year. It would be nice to leave it up there for a few days at a time. The only thing that worries me is that some animal is going to mark their territory on the scope. Great report, Debbie > [Original Message] > From: Joe Bauman <bau(a)desnews.com> > To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Date: 9/16/2004 1:21:08 PM > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Midweek Wolf Creek report. > > Great report! -- Joe > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Near End of Week West Desert Report.
by Debbie 17 Sep '04

17 Sep '04

Looks like Jim and I are going up to his property tonight. I'm hoping to view M31 through his binoviewer and his 25" Obsession. I'm going to try to take a picture of my 15" next to his 25" when we get set up. I feel aperature challenged when I look through that 25". I'll post the pictures in the gallery probably Sunday. I think I solved my problem of protecting my scope in the daytime. I forgot I had a scopecoat from AstroSystems because I rarely use it. I used it once I think up at Mark Dakins house. It will shield the scope from the heat, dive-bombing birds, dogs, cats, or thundershowers during the daytime. It is a good investment to protect the scope. As far as mosquitos go, try putting on some fresh garlic on your neck and face. That will keep mosquitos and everybody else away from you. It's also non-toxic. Debbie > [Original Message] > From: Chuck Hards <chuckhards(a)yahoo.com> > To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Date: 9/17/2004 2:35:39 PM > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Near End of Week West Desert Report. > > > --- diveboss(a)xmission.com wrote: > > > > I felt optically inferior next to Daniels 17" scope. > > I'm sorry, make that > > SEVENTEEN AND A HALF inch scope. ;) What's a half > > inch among friends? > > Actually, everyone forgets to subtract their edge > bevel. Most folks are surprised to find that their > clear aperture is sometimes almost 1/4" less than the > stated size. My own, old, old 17.5" mirror has a > clear aperture of ~17.35" when the bevel is > subtracted. I'd be willing to bet that Daniels isn't > a true 17.5" too. Hope that doesn't ruin his day. > > > > > > > __________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage! > http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Midweek Wolf Creek report.
by Debbie 16 Sep '04

16 Sep '04

I almost forgot to tell everyone to beware of skunks when driving down from Wolf Creek. I had to hit the brakes to avoid hitting one last month. It would be hard to get a skunk smell out of a car. Debbie > [Original Message] > From: Debbie <astrodeb(a)earthlink.net> > To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com>; Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Date: 9/16/2004 3:05:00 PM > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Midweek Wolf Creek report. > > That is true in regard to the animals. I'm going to talk to Jim later > and see if we can just leave everything in his trailer. That way the > scopes are protected from the sun, wind, dust, or whatever is out > there.He has a concrete observing pad which makes it nice to load and > unload. > In November, I think I'll just leave the scope at Jim's house when > we are going to be observing for a few days. I would of left it there last > night but we were planning to go up his property today for some darker > skies. > > Debbie > > > > [Original Message] > > From: <diveboss(a)xmission.com> > > To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > > Date: 9/16/2004 2:44:55 PM > > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Midweek Wolf Creek report. > > > > Here's what you do Debbie, mark the scope and the site yourself first > thing. > > Drink a lot of coffee or coke and mark as many bushes as you can, in a > > circle, around where you plan to put your scope. No self respecting animal > > in their right mind would come near anything that wreaked of a humans > > scent. Many years ago I accidentally peed on myself and no one would come > > near me for a long time so I know it works... ;) Good luck. > > > > Guy > > > > > > > > Quoting Debbie <astrodeb(a)earthlink.net>: > > > > > I may be able to leave my scope on Jim's property near Kolob Reservoir > > > next > > > year. It would be nice > > > to leave it up there for a few days at a time. The only thing that > > > worries > > > me is that > > > some animal is going to mark their territory on the scope. > > > > > > Great report, > > > > > > Debbie > > > > > > > > > > [Original Message] > > > > From: Joe Bauman <bau(a)desnews.com> > > > > To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > > > > Date: 9/16/2004 1:21:08 PM > > > > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Midweek Wolf Creek report. > > > > > > > > Great report! -- Joe > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > > > > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > > > > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > > > > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > > > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > > > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > > > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Midweek Wolf Creek report.
by Debbie 16 Sep '04

16 Sep '04

That is true in regard to the animals. I'm going to talk to Jim later and see if we can just leave everything in his trailer. That way the scopes are protected from the sun, wind, dust, or whatever is out there.He has a concrete observing pad which makes it nice to load and unload. In November, I think I'll just leave the scope at Jim's house when we are going to be observing for a few days. I would of left it there last night but we were planning to go up his property today for some darker skies. Debbie > [Original Message] > From: <diveboss(a)xmission.com> > To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Date: 9/16/2004 2:44:55 PM > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Midweek Wolf Creek report. > > Here's what you do Debbie, mark the scope and the site yourself first thing. > Drink a lot of coffee or coke and mark as many bushes as you can, in a > circle, around where you plan to put your scope. No self respecting animal > in their right mind would come near anything that wreaked of a humans > scent. Many years ago I accidentally peed on myself and no one would come > near me for a long time so I know it works... ;) Good luck. > > Guy > > > > Quoting Debbie <astrodeb(a)earthlink.net>: > > > I may be able to leave my scope on Jim's property near Kolob Reservoir > > next > > year. It would be nice > > to leave it up there for a few days at a time. The only thing that > > worries > > me is that > > some animal is going to mark their territory on the scope. > > > > Great report, > > > > Debbie > > > > > > > [Original Message] > > > From: Joe Bauman <bau(a)desnews.com> > > > To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > > > Date: 9/16/2004 1:21:08 PM > > > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Midweek Wolf Creek report. > > > > > > Great report! -- Joe > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > > > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > > > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > > > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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