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

beautiful meteor
by Thomas Sevcik 03 Apr '06

03 Apr '06

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Incoming!
by diveboss＠xmission.com 27 Oct '05

27 Oct '05

NASA Science News for September 3, 2004 On September 8th, a daylight fireball will streak across the western United States. It's Genesis, returning samples of the Sun to Earth. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/03sep_genesisreentry.htm?list1153573

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Cycles
by Chuck Hards 06 Sep '05

06 Sep '05

One of the advantages of starting work at 6:00 am is that you get a sneak peak at upcoming winter skies. This morning marks the first time since last spring that I have seen Sirius. It's been visible earlier but this morning was the first time that eastern skies were clear when I happened to be looking. It was hoisting itself up above the Wasatch in the pe-dawn skies. It struck an ancient, visceral chord in my mind. Instinctively, I could sense the cold months ahead, spurred by this visual clue. Many, many years ago, the Little Mountain site was much better than it is today. There was unrestricted access to the flat parking area on the summit (now behind a locked gate) and amateur astronomers would gather there every clear Friday night in the summer. This was in the pre-SPOC days. The entire south side was bordered by telescopes. Bob Brundage would be there with his 4" refractor and occasionally his 12.5" reflector, Patrick would have his C-8, I had my 8" Astrola, Steve Jacobs would occasionally show-up with his 6" Dynamax, among many others. Even Bruce Grim would sometimes make an appearance. The skies were darker in those days as well- the Veil nebula was an easy object, and the Horsehead was glimpsed on rare occassions with 8" telescopes (and no LPR filters!). I remember how a chill would run down our spines as Capella rose, late at night in the northeast, promising colder nights in a few months. Rather a similar feeling to seeing Sirius this morning. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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OT: Hurricane relief
by Chuck Hards 04 Sep '05

04 Sep '05

Lets have some suggestions for how we can help Katrina victims as individual citizens. I'm on the digest version now, so it may take a day for me to see replies. Thanks! __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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New variable in M27
by Canopus56 01 Sep '05

01 Sep '05

The International Astronomical Union has issued a notice on a new variable star in M27, originally reported by the AAVSO on August 23, 2005. This one has dimmed from 13 down to 15-17 mags in the last week - so by now it's probably only a large aperature scope object. The nature of this new variable is unknown but is suspected to be a very long period (decades) cataclysmic variable - a drawf sucking accreted material off of a late stage main-sequence star. It may be useful to check your photos of M27 taken in the last few weeks for this rare variable outburst. AAVSO Alert 325 (8/23/2005) for 1955+22C VAR VUL 05 http://www.aavso.org/publications/alerts/alert325.shtml "CCD observers are urged to look for superhumps and possible WZ Sge-signature behavior to help confirm nature of this star." AAVSO Chart (f) photo http://www.aavso.org/cgi-bin/shrinkwrap.pl?path=/charts/VUL/VAR_VUL_05/VARV… IAUC 8591 (8/29/2005) http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iauc/RecentIAUCs.html (registered ip addresses only) >From the AAVSO website on what a WZ Sge variable star is: "WZ Sge and SU UMa, like all cataclysmic variables, are close binary systems consisting of a late-type star that fills its inner Lagrangian surface (stability limit for two components) and transfers material onto an accretion disk formed around the companion white dwarf." "The period of time from one superoutburst to the next is called the 'supercycle'. The supercycle lengths of the known SU Uma stars are mostly around a few hundred days, but a few systems have much shorter or much longer supercycles. The short-supercycle systems have become known as ER Uma stars, while the long-supercycle systems are called WZ Sge stars. ER Uma stars typically spend a third to half their time in superoutburst, with a supercycle of only 20-50 days. When not in superoutburst these stars show frequent 'normal' oubursts - about one every 4 days. In contrast, WZ Sge stars have supercycles that last decades, while normal outbursts are few and far between. WZ Sge itself has had a superoutburst at intervals of about 33, 32, and 23 years, and it has never been seen to undergo a normal outburst. Other WZ Sge type stars include AL Com and EG Cnc which have superoutburst intervals of approximately 20 years." http://www.aavso.org/vstar/vsots/0901.shtml - Canopus56 ____________________________________________________ Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

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New Image Posted - M33 Pinwheel Galaxy in Color
by Tyler Allred 01 Sep '05

01 Sep '05

Hi all. I finally got some imaging in last night. I decided to get color data to go with my previous postings from Wolf Creek. I went to Heber Valley and added RGB and Ha data to my earlier version of the Pinwheel Galaxy. I think it turned out pretty good..... it may be my personal favorite image in my collection. It is the perfect object for my Tak in Newt mode. Large size and low surface brightness are a good combination for a fast newt. Let me know what you think. I am always interested in getting feedback on my astro-images. I hope someone enjoys them. Here is the link to the Thumbnail version: http://www.utahastronomy.com/album16/Utah_Astronomy_M33_LHaRGB Click the image to see the larger version. Cheers, Tyler

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Looking for Opinions
by Cynthia Blue 01 Sep '05

01 Sep '05

I'm just curious what the general thoughts are of those on the list. I'd appreciate some input... you all can reply onlist or privately to me if you like. Has the subject matter on the list moved away from Astronomy too much for your liking? Do you not read most of the emails from the list anymore? Would you prefer to snuff out the political/evolutionary/etc content, and just read about Astronomy? Thanks! Cynthia

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Re: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Sunrise over Kanab, UT
by astrodeb＠charter.net 31 Aug '05

31 Aug '05

We have had clear skies here since last week. I've been out star gazing every other day since Thursday. I think the monsoon season is over. I needed to sleep last night but I'm going up to the Kolob site tonight. Guy, if you are ever down here, give me a call. The views are awesome up at Kolob Reservoir. There is no electricity up there. It doesn't get any better for viewing. Debbie > > From: diveboss(a)xmission.com > Date: 2005/08/31 Wed AM 09:52:27 MDT > To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Sunrise over Kanab, UT > > That's a great picture... I hope it clears. ;) > > > > Quoting Dale Hooper <Dale.Hooper(a)sdl.usu.edu>: > > > The astronomy picture of the day, for today, is a "local" one. Sunrise > > over Kanab, UT > > > > > > > > http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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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End the Day with ISS Overpasses - for Sept 05
by Canopus56 31 Aug '05

31 Aug '05

The following are ISS overpass times for SLC during September from www.calsky.com. Also included is tonight's 8/31 overflight. There are no overpasses for the ISS for Bryce Canyon on 9/2 through 9/5: IIS Overpasses - Salt Lake City, Utah - September 2005 (with August 31) Wednesday 31 August 2005 21h10m55s ISS Appears 21h06m00s 3.0m az:235.4d SW Transit 21h10m55s -1.8m az:324.2d NW h:77.4d Disappears 21h13m27s 0.4m az: 50.7d NE h:13.2d Good zenithal track on star chart Nautical twilight: 21:04pm Sunset: 20:13 9/1/2005 Thursday Appears Â Â Â Â Â 20h08m23s Â Â 2.8m Â az:217.8d Â SW Transit Â Â Â Â Â 20h13m13s Â -1.5m Â az:138.3d SE Â h:41.4d Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â dist:517.6km Â alt:354.4km Disappears Â Â 20h18m05s Â Â 1.6m Â az: 59.0d ENE Sunset 20:01 Civil Twi 20:29 Astro Twi 21:38 Mid alt track on star chart 9/2/2005 Friday Close to Spica, Alp Â Vir (SAO 157923, HIP 65474 HD116658), mag=1.0. Separation: 0.624d Â Position Angle: 80.6d Appears Â Â Â Â Â 20h34m35s Â Â 3.5m Â az:243.2d WSW Transit Â Â Â Â Â 20h39m29s Â -0.8m Â az:327.1d NNW Â h:51.7d Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â dist:444.1km Â alt:355.3km Sunset 19:59 Civil Twi 20:27 Astro Twi 21:36 Disappears Â Â 20h44m01s Â Â 1.5m Â az: 50.2d Â NE Â h:1.9d Near zenithal track on star chart 9/3/2005 Saturday Appears Â Â Â Â Â 21h01m19s Â Â 4.5m Â az:266.2d Â Â W Transit Â Â Â Â Â 21h05m58s Â 1.0m Â az:336.6d NNW Â h:21.3d Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â dist:850.2km Â alt:356.2km Sunset 19:57 Civil Twi 20:26 Astro Twi 21:34 New Moon Disappears Â Â 21h09m23s Â Â 1.4m Â az: 39.9d Â NE Â h:4.9d Low alt track on star chart 9/4/2005 Sunday Appears Â Â Â Â Â 19h51m51s Â Â 4.1m Â az:245.8d WSW Transit Â Â Â Â Â 19h56m44s Â -0.4m Â az:328.0d NNW Â h:45.7d Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â dist:482.8km Â alt:355.1km Sunset 19:54 Civil Twi 20:10 Astro Twi 21:16 Disappears Â Â 20h01m39s Â Â 1.6m Â az: 50.4d Â NE Near zenithal track on star chart 9/5/2005 Monday Appears Â Â Â Â Â 20h18m34s Â Â 5.7m Â az:268.5d Â Â W Transit Â Â Â Â Â 20h23m10s Â 1.0m Â az:337.6d NNW Â h:19.9d Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â dist:889.6km Â alt:356.0km Sunset 19:54 Civil Twi 20:10 Astro Twi 21:16 Disappears Â Â 20h27m48s Â Â 1.7m Â az: 46.8d Â NE Low alt track on star chart 9/13/2005 Tuesday Appears Â Â Â Â Â 20h38m27s Â Â 4.3m Â az:313.4d Â NW Transit Â Â Â Â Â 20h43m03s Â 0.2m Â az: 21.6d NNE Â h:18.9d Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â dist:919.8km Â alt:355.5km Sunset 19:41 Civil Twi 20:08 Astro Twi 21:15 Two days after 1st Qtr Moon Disappears Â Â 20h44m15s Â Â 0.1m Â az: 53.3d Â NE Â h:15.3d Low alt track on star chart 9/15/2005 Thursday Appears Â Â Â Â Â 19h54m56s Â Â 4.0m Â az:313.3d Â NW Transit Â Â Â Â Â 19h59m34s Â -0.0m Â az: 22.5d NNE Â h:20.0d Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â dist:886.1km Â alt:355.1km Sunset 19:37 Civil Twi 20:05 Astro Twi 21:11 Disappears Â Â 20h02m27s Â Â 0.7m Â az: 80.3d Â Â E Â h:7.0d Low alt track on star chart 9/16/2005 Friday Appears Â Â Â Â Â 20h20m42s Â Â 4.4m Â az:309.6d Â NW Transit Â Â Â Â Â 20h25m37s Â -1.4m Â az: 32.0d NNE Â h:45.7d Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â dist:481.7km Â alt:354.2km Sunset 19:36 Civil Twi 20:03 Astro Twi 21:09 Disappears Â Â 20h27m24s Â -0.4m Â az: 99.5d Â Â E Â h:19.1d Mid alt track on star chart 9/17/2005 Saturday Appears Â Â Â Â Â 20h46m30s Â Â 5.0m Â az:302.1d WNW Transit Â Â Â Â Â 20h51m23s Â -1.1m Â az:220.7d SW Â h:48.4d Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â dist:461.4km Â alt:353.2km Sunset 19:34 Civil Twi 20:02 Astro Twi 21:07 Full Moon Disappears Â Â 20h52m25s Â -1.0m Â az:164.5d SSE Â h:30.8d Near zenithal track on star chart 9/18/2005 Sunday Appears Â Â Â Â Â 19h36m59s Â Â 4.0m Â az:309.1d Â NW Transit Â Â Â Â Â 19h41m54s Â -1.6m Â az: 32.8d NNE Â h:50.5d Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â dist:448.9km Â alt:353.8km Sunset 19:32 Civil Twi 19:58 Astro Twi 21:05 Disappears Â Â 19h45m58s Â Â 1.1m Â az:114.7d ESE Â h:3.6d Near zenithal track on star chart 9/19/2005 Monday Close to Arcturus, Alp Â Boo (SAO 100944, HIP 69673 HD124897), mag=-0.1. Separation: 0.136d Â Position Angle: 154.4d Appears Â Â Â Â Â 20h02m44s Â Â 4.8m Â az:301.2d WNW Transit Â Â Â Â Â 20h07m36s Â -0.6m Â az:221.4d SW Â h:42.9d Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â dist:502.0km Â alt:352.8km Sunset 19:31 Civil Twi 19:58 Astro Twi 21:03 Disappears Â Â 20h11m11s Â Â 1.0m Â az:144.7d Â SE Â h:5.5d Mid alt track on star chart - Canopus56 ____________________________________________________ Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

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Re: Looking for Opinions
by Chuck Hards 31 Aug '05

31 Aug '05

Sure, Rich, go ahead and send me his contact info. Thanks! > From: Richard Tenney <retenney(a)yahoo.com> > > I know Mark Dakins was once toying with a split ring > design for a new scope for a few years; don't know > if > he abandoned his plans when he built the 20" > TeleKit, > but you might want to contact him for ideas. Let me > know if you need his email address. ____________________________________________________ Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

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