December 2005 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Re: Re: [Utah-astronomy] M34 Image posted
by astrodeb＠charter.net 20 Dec '05

20 Dec '05

Joe, This picture was taken on November 20th when it was quite balmy. The temperatures were above normal in November until we got the artic blast. I haven't been out at all in December but hope to try to do some imaging after Christmas. The weather does not look too promising until the 26th of Dec. It is best to wear thermal underwear and layered clothing in the winter. Also, hand warmers are very helpful. Also, it gets dark so darn early that we are usually done by midnight before the lowest temps arrive. Hence, we get more sleep when we do winter observing. Now this will make you green with envy. We are thinking of going down to AZ next month for some warmer weather. Check this out. http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/allergies/weather/tenday/USAZ0180?x=2… If you get some time off, get your but down here and start observing. You won't want to go back though. Well, got to get some sun now. Debbie > > From: Joe Bauman <bau(a)desnews.com> > Date: 2005/12/19 Mon PM 01:17:24 MST > To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] M34 Image posted > > fact, it's so unfair you get to stargaze in the winter that it makes > see red, and I can't see the keyboard, & mistype words like unfair. > -- So where's that special computer key, Guy? Best wishes, 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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Off-Topic: Penn. I.D. decision is out
by Canopus56 20 Dec '05

20 Dec '05

In a Dec. 20 opinion, a U.S. District Court judge in the Pennsylvannia "Intelligent Design" trial has ruled that intelligent design may not be included the Harrisbourgh school cirriculum. The 139 page decision can be downloaded for free using the following link. The link will probably only stay active for a week. Memo. Op. dated Dec. 20, 2005. Kitzmiller v. Dover. Civil No. 04cv2688. U.S.D.C. Middle Dist. Penn. http://www.realcities.com/multimedia/philly/inquirer/KRT_packages/archive/k… A similar rejection of I.D. theory occured in the Northern District Court for Georgia in January 2005 in Selman v. Jackson. Mem. Op. dated 1/13/2005. Selman v. Jackson. Civil No. 1 02-CV-2325-CC. U.S.D.C. N.D.Ga. 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 432. - Canopus56 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Spica occultation
by Chuck Hards 19 Dec '05

19 Dec '05

Is anyone planning to observe the Spica occultation on Christmas morning? Looks like it will happen at about 6:35 or so, MST. We are near the southern limit so while technically it won't be graze, it will be darn close for SLC. This would be a good event to record on video, re-emergence especially. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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String Theory & ID
by Patrick Wiggins 18 Dec '05

18 Dec '05

It's a gray Saturday afternoon and I just found myself reading a piece on string theory and something caught my attention that I thought some in this little community of ours might like to comment on. One of the things (if not the primary thing) that many of us have against ID is that little or none of it is testable. But now I'm reading that some are saying the same about string theory? So, my question is: Can ST be tested and if not, should we hold ST to the same standards as ID? Happy solstice, Patrick

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Moon dog
by Howard Jackman 17 Dec '05

17 Dec '05

Hey did anyone else see that impressive Moon Dog this morning? (or last night depending on your schedule.) I got home from some very early morning Christmas shopping around 1:30am ( Hey Walmart's actually tolerable at 1am) and noticed it very nearly directly overhead. The Halo just touched Mars on the east and Procyon (I believe) to the north quite a view since the clouds were moving quickly and although they were fairly thin and uniform, there was just enough variation in thickness and height that they would cause rays and shadows to form and rotate in and out of the Moon Dog. Pretty cool! It's been awhile since I've seen one. I'm guessing we'll have some snow soon, I heard somewhere probably from Mark Eubank on the news once that a Moon Dog indicates precipitation ~70% of the time. Anyone else ever hear something like this or know of any hard studies about it? Merry Christmas! Howard __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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New Images Posted - Utah Golden Eagle
by Tyler Allred 15 Dec '05

15 Dec '05

Hi all. I just added a couple of nice images of a Golden Eagle to my gallery. If you are interested in Utah's birds of prey you might want to check them out. They are quite nice. Here are the links: http://www.utahastronomy.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album18 <http://www.utahastronomy.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album18&id=Utah_A stronomy_Feeding_Golden> &id=Utah_Astronomy_Feeding_Golden and http://www.utahastronomy.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album18 <http://www.utahastronomy.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album18&id=Utah_A stronomy_Flying_Golden_Eagle> &id=Utah_Astronomy_Flying_Golden_Eagle I hope someone out there enjoys these images as much as I enjoy capturing them. Cheers, Tyler

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Re: Vaughn Parsons
by Chuck Hards 15 Dec '05

15 Dec '05

This illustrates the value of unsubstantiated gossip, my apologies for passing-on what appears to be just a rumor of IO closing it's doors. I believe it was Samuel Clemens who said "reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated". I am saddened to hear some of the stories of unhappy customers; I have never had a bad experience with IO, and have purchased no fewer than 3 mirrors from Vaughn. He has also helped me with testing optics not of his manufacture, at no charge, and has been a useful sounding board for some of my ideas. Without taking sides, I sympathize with those who state they have issues with IO, but I personally have never had a bad business transaction with Vaughn. I can understand the feelings of someone who may have issues, but if I may, it may be best to let the courts decide how to settle any differences and refrain from public criminal accusations. It only opens you up to libel if the court doesn't rule in your favor. Please understand that I am not taking sides. I don't have any first-hand information and just think it best to not let emotions interfere with what appears to be a matter for arbitration. I also hope that everyone concerned can get satisfaction. Thanks for the report, Steve. > From: "Steven L. Dodds" <steve(a)pcmw.net> > I have talked to Vaughn Parsons recently, and as > far as I know he is still > in business. He did take a job in Hawaii, but he > spends a few months there, > and he is back here for a few months. The last I > talked to him he was > planning on being back here before Christmas. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Photo Gallery Friday
by Cynthia Blue 15 Dec '05

15 Dec '05

We received notification from the power company that our power is going to be out temporariliy on Friday.. December 16th. Since I'll be at work all day, and don't want the server to crash on it's own dispite the UPS, I'm going to shut it down in the AM and then start it back up when I get home. So, the photo gallery won't be available tomorrow during the day. Sorry for the inconvenience! =) Cyn -- http://www.hexwitch.com Elsinore Lucilla Aurelius CGC Angel Pumpkin Spice Lady CGC CH Pembroke Faded Glory CGC NA NAJ NAC OJC 0-TG-N S-TN-N NGC Spirit Chasers Spice CGC

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Fw: [Utah-astronomy] Re: Vaughn Parsons
by Steven L. Dodds 14 Dec '05

14 Dec '05

Hello Everybody, I have talked to Vaughn Parsons recently, and as far as I know he is still in business. He did take a job in Hawaii, but he spends a few months there, and he is back here for a few months. The last I talked to him he was planning on being back here before Christmas. Steven L. Dodds Nova Optical Systems http://www.nova-optical.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Chuck Hards" <chuckhards(a)yahoo.com> To: "Utah-Astro" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 1:26 PM Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Re: Vaughn Parsons > Another questions is, who bought Intermountain Optics? > There was a lot of nice equipment there, last time I > visited the shop about 3 years ago or so. Including a > large aluminizing chamber. > > Steve Dodds, you know anything about this? Got some > new equipment in the garage? > > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around > http://mail.yahoo.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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Been too quiet here...
by Patrick Wiggins 14 Dec '05

14 Dec '05

It's been way too quiet here lately. So I'll toss this out and see if anyone bites (or "shoots" in Guy's case). Now ya gotta wonder what dumb/embarrassing thing someone did to cause them to think this up: This text message will self-destruct in 40 secondsÂ… http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8459 I, for one, can sure remember times when I wish there was an "unsend" button on my keyboard. Patrick

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