July 2006 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

News, 15 JUL 2006
by Patrick Wiggins 15 Jul '06

15 Jul '06

News, Saturday, 15 July 2006 SPOC Tonight, Snowbird Monday SLAS will be opening SPOC tonight (Saturday) to the public. If you'd like to help out with some needed weeding (only 1 has volunteered so far...), please show up at 8:00. Dave Bernson's talk starts at 8:30 and general observing begins around 9:30. Monday evening SLAS will conduct a star party for a convention at Snowbird. Some will observe from down below while others will ride the tram to the summit. SLAS members who show up with a scope will receive a free dinner and, provided at least 10 SLASers show up with scopes, SLAS will receive a $500 donation rain or shine. Sign up at the link below and please show up for dinner even if it's raining. Tonight: http://slas.us/DisplayEvent.asp?EventID=895 Monday: http://slas.us/displayevent.asp?EventID=845 +++++ NASA'S Space Shuttle Discovery Set to Land Monday Commander Steve Lindsey and his crew onboard the Space Shuttle Discovery will complete their mission, STS-121, with a landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2006/jul/HQ_M06115_DiscoverySet_to_land.html +++++ Senators Step In to Save Space Science The US Senate is moving to boost NASA's budget and restore funding for a host of space-science missions now on the chopping block. http://skyandtelescope.com/news/article_1757_1.asp +++++ Mars Rover Flight Director Report The focus over the past few weeks on both vehicles has been to finish the file upload. http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/videos/mer/flightdir071406/ +++++ Spirit to Get New Robotic Capabilities As Martian Winter Turns to Spring This week Spirit greeted the 900th day, or sol, of exploration on Mars. Spirit is healthy and continues to make science observations despite winter power limitations. http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status_spiritAll.html#sol897 +++++ Nine Years to the Ninth Planet, and Counting Nearly six months after launch, New Horizons has tested several of its science instruments, tracked an asteroid, and is closer to Jupiter than it is to the Sun. http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/overview/piPerspectives/piPerspective_current.php +++++ Spitzer Spots Building Blocks of Life in Supernova Remnant A team using the Spitzer Space Telescope and the 8-meter Gemini South infrared telescope in Chile have probed supernova 1987A's remnant and found the building blocks of rocky planets and all living creatures. http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/Media/happenings/20060714/ +++++ Landscapes From the Ancient and Eroded Lunar Far Side 14 July 2006 This image, taken by the advanced Moon Imaging Experiment (AMIE) on board ESA's SMART-1 spacecraft, shows a highly eroded highland area on the lunar far side, close to the equator. http://www.esa.int/esaMI/SMART-1/SEMDWNWALPE_0.html +++++ Your International Space Station photos This image of the International Space Station (ISS) against the darkness of space was captured by the crew of Space Shuttle Discovery as they approached for docking last week. http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMY46XAIPE_index_0.html +++++ NASA Marks 30th Anniversary of Mars Viking Mission Thirty years after the first successful landing on Mars by NASA's Viking spacecraft, the ambitious mission continues to evoke pride and enthusiasm for future space exploration. http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2006/jul/HQ_06279_Viking_anniversary.html +++++ Deep Impact Reveals Comet's Components The Fourth of July last year had some extra fireworks. NASA's Deep Impact spacecraft sent a hefty projectile into the body of comet Tempel 1. http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa003&articleID=000891F1-AEA2-14B6-… +++++ Russians Launch Inflatable Spacecraft Genesis 1 could pave the way for space hotels by 2015. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13828908/ First picture: http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/out_there/index.php +++++ NASA Hatches Plan to Save Shuttles From Vultures As the space shuttle Discovery rocketed away from Earth this July 4, errant pieces of foam weren't the only hazards worrying NASA scientists and astronauts. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/07/060714-shuttle-birds.html +++++ STS Update http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news/status-20060714.html +++++ Cassini Update http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/sig-event-details.cfm?newsID=674 +++++ ************************************************** ************************************************** Images and Data From Cassini-Huygens At: http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/images/latest/index.cfm http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/press-releases.cfm +++++ Information On The Mars Rovers At: http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html +++++ SLAS 2006 Star Party Schedule http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/LOCAL.HTML +++++ SSA / UMNH 2006 Southern Utah Public Star Party Schedule http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/STARPARTIES.HTML +++++ ************************************************** News is being sent to you because of your affiliation with the Salt Lake Astronomical Society or because you are subscribed to the Utah Astronomy Listserve. To unsubscribe please send your request to paw at wirelessbeehive dot com. Check out my NASA Solar System Ambassador web site at: http://www.umnh.utah.edu/utahsky and mirrored at http://utahastro.info/ For astronomy clubs in Utah see: http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/UTAHCLUBS.HTML For the Utah Astronomy Listserve see: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy ************************************************** -- Patrick Wiggins NASA Solar System Ambassador to Utah & NE Nevada paw at wirelessbeehive dot com http://www.umnh.utah.edu/utahsky http://utahastro.info/ 435.882.1209 801.918.9092

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Mercury atomic clock keeps time with record accuracy
by Patrick Wiggins 14 Jul '06

14 Jul '06

Sometimes I wonder if it's possible to be too precise... Patrick ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The current version of NIST-F1--if it were operated continuously--would neither gain nor lose a second in about 70 million years. The latest version of the mercury clock would neither gain nor lose a second in about 400 million years. http://www.physorg.com/news72105805.html

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Fwd: Astro SPAM some may be interested in...
by Richard Tenney 13 Jul '06

13 Jul '06

Sorry to burden the lists with SPAM, but I thought some of you might be interested in this sort of thing... -Rich --- Daniel Walker <dwalker(a)octantis.cl> wrote: > From: "Daniel Walker" <dwalker(a)octantis.cl> > To: "Daniel Walker" <dwalker(a)octantis.cl> > Subject: Request for inmormation > Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2006 14:00:19 -0400 > > > > Hello, my name is Daniel Walker and I work for a > business incubator named > OCTANTIS in Chile, South America, (you can read > about us at www.octantis.cl > <http://www.octantis.cl/> ). Currently we are > incubating a "business related > to astronomy" and I would like to be given the > opportunity to contact you by > phone and have a little chat to get more information > about "astronomy > enthusiasts" needs. > > > > We would be very grateful if you could help us. > > > > The name of the business is Chilean Sky and it > facilitates the opportunity > of making astronomical observations directly from > the computer at home, > schools and universities or simply from any place > where internet access is > available by remotely taking control of a > professional telescope. The most > important condition which caused us to bring forward > this business idea is > the invaluable clarity of the sky of the Coquimbo > Region, Chile. Furthermore > we are the only service to observe the sky of the > southern hemisphere > online. In the future other regions in the north of > Chile, recognized all > over the world, might supplement our offer, due to > their favorable > conditions of making excellent astronomical > observations. Our offer gives > the possibility to see the cleanest skies of our > planet just by making a > click from distance. > > The service pleases the desire to acquire > astronomical knowledge and > experiencing adventure by gaining insights into > space, even within any > people's budget, providing an option for all > amateurs which do not have > ultimate access to the Coquimbo Region to make > astronomical observations and > take photos from their personal computer. > > > > If you don't have time for a phone contact it would > be useful if you give us > an idea of what would you be interested in or what > kind of service would you > require to be satisfied and to let us know how to > fulfill your needs as an > "astronomy enthusiast" and as a "remote controller" > of our Telescopes. > > > > > > Thank you very much for your time and concern, > Daniel Walker > > > > > > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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8/22/2006 Sunrise - planetary astrophoto opportunity
by Canopus56 13 Jul '06

13 Jul '06

P.S. - If you do go and look at this one, the Sun is trailing by about 10 degs. So be careful you do not get a sun light strike in an eyepiece. - Canopus56 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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8/22/2006 Sunrise - planetary astrophoto opportunity
by Canopus56 13 Jul '06

13 Jul '06

In planning for a another matter, I notice that at sunrise on 8/22/2006, Venus, Saturn, Mercury and a thin crescent Moon will all rise in a tight 8 degree group. This one is not listed in the RASC Observer's Guide. Might be worth marking your calendars. - Canopus56 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Invitation To SLAS Members
by baxman2＠comcast.net 13 Jul '06

13 Jul '06

We would prefer that registration for the RSDC be paid soon, being as we have a number of expenses connected with the conference. We also encourage partcipants to purchase the meals, in advance. The Ogden, Marriott will want advanced payment on meals a month in advance. Also,the RSDC will have key speakers after each meal. I would like to encourage Lowell Lyon to bring the RSDC to the attention of the 300 member mailing list. Sincerely, J. David Baxter baxman2(a)comcast.net

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News, 13 JUL 2006
by Patrick Wiggins 13 Jul '06

13 Jul '06

News, Thursday, 13 July 2006 Star Party Saturday A reminder that SLAS will be opening both buildings at SPOC this coming Saturday evening, the 15th for a free public star party. http://slas.us/displayevent.asp?EventID=845 +++++ Pre-Star Party Weeding? Anyone interested in doing a bit of pre-star party weeding this Saturday starting about 8:00 p.m.? Should not take more than an hour if we can get 4 or 5 folks to help out. If you can help, please reply to paw(a)wirelessbeehive.com. +++++ Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys Resumes Exploring the Universe After a brief hiatus, the Advanced Camera for Surveys aboard NASAÂ’s Hubble Space Telescope is back in business, probing the far reaches of space in a quest to understand the true nature of the universeÂ’s most dominant constituent: dark energy. http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/newsdesk/archive/releases/2006/36/ +++++ Controlling Robots that Search for Mars Life As part of ESA's ambitious, long-term Aurora exploration programme, ExoMars will search for traces of life on Mars. http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMOQEL8IOE_ind +++++ The SMART-1 Way - Giving the Moon Some Great New Looks During its 15-month science mission at the Moon, ESA's SMART-1 returned up to 1000 images per week, whose analysis is still keeping the scientists busy. http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMGA4XAIPE_index_0.html +++++ Getting Closer to 'Victoria Crater' Opportunity is healthy. This week, Opportunity continued uplinking its new flight software load and driving toward "Victoria Crater." http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status_opportunityAll.html#sol867 +++++ SMART-1 view of crater Sulpicius Gallus This mosaic of three images, taken by ESA's SMART-1 spacecraft, shows the area close to the Sulpicius Gallus crater on the Moon. http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMGV5XAIPE_index_0.html +++++ Rings Occulting Titan Titan shines beyond the rings like a brilliant ring of fire, its light gleaming here and there through the gaps in Saturn's magnificent plane of ice. http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/images/image-details.cfm?imageID=2195 +++++ Predicting Solar Eruptions Explosions from the Sun could be deadly for astronauts traveling to the Moon or Mars Â— and no one knows when they will blow. http://skyandtelescope.com/news/article_1754_1.asp +++++ Sub-Millimetre Astronomy in Full Swing on Southern Skies The Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) 12-m sub-millimetre telescope lives up to the ambitions of the scientists by providing access to the "Cold Universe" with unprecedented sensitivity and image quality. http://www.eso.org/outreach/press-rel/pr-2006/pr-24-06.html +++++ Flying Over the Cloudy World On 20 April 2006, after its first 9-day, elongated orbit around Venus, ESAÂ’s Venus Express started to get closer to the planet, until it reached its final 24-hour long orbit on 7 May. During this time, and up to today, the spacecraft has been working relentlessly. http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEM9A3XAIPE_index_0.html +++++ Should We Flood the Air With Sulphur? A soon-to-be-published paper by a Nobel laureate will seriously consider injecting sulphur into the stratosphere to combat climate change. http://www.nature.com/news/2006/060710/full/060710-9.html +++++ TV and Web Coverage of Shuttle Discovery NASA is providing round-the-clock coverage of Discovery's flight to the space station. http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2006/jul/HQ_M06111_121_coverage.html +++++ ************************************************** ************************************************** Images and Data From Cassini-Huygens At: http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/images/latest/index.cfm http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/press-releases.cfm +++++ Information On The Mars Rovers At: http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html +++++ SLAS 2006 Star Party Schedule http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/LOCAL.HTML +++++ SSA / UMNH 2006 Southern Utah Public Star Party Schedule http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/STARPARTIES.HTML +++++ ************************************************** News is being sent to you because of your affiliation with the Salt Lake Astronomical Society or because you are subscribed to the Utah Astronomy Listserve. To unsubscribe please send your request to paw at wirelessbeehive dot com. Check out my NASA Solar System Ambassador web site at: http://www.umnh.utah.edu/utahsky and mirrored at http://utahastro.info/ For astronomy clubs in Utah see: http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/UTAHCLUBS.HTML For the Utah Astronomy Listserve see: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy ************************************************** -- Patrick Wiggins NASA Solar System Ambassador to Utah & NE Nevada paw at wirelessbeehive dot com http://www.umnh.utah.edu/utahsky http://utahastro.info/ 435.882.1209 801.918.9092

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Shuttle fans - SRB launch movie looking down
by Canopus56 13 Jul '06

13 Jul '06

At the NASA images/video page for the shuttle - http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/multimedia/index.html Check out the video from the camera mounted on the Solid Rocket Booster looking down during launch. It's labelled "STS-121 Right Forward Solid Rocket Booster Video". Runtime is about 4 minutes. It's pretty impressive. - Canopus56 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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News, 11 JUL 2006
by Patrick Wiggins 11 Jul '06

11 Jul '06

News, Tuesday, 11 July 2006 Russian Soyuz Flights To Cost NASA 12 Million Dollars A Seat NASA will have to pay $12 million (9-million euros) to use a Russian Soyuz rocket to reach the International Space Station next year... http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Russian_Soyuz_Flights_To_Cost_NASA_12_Mil… +++++ India Suffers Two Rocekt Setbacks IndiaÂ’s attempt to launch its heaviest satellite failed on Monday when the rocket carrying it went into a tailspin about a minute after blastoff and disintegrated, space officials said. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13801904/ +++++ 'Burns Cliff' in Color Stereo The panoramic camera on NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity captured a sweeping image of "Burns Cliff"... http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/press/opportunity/20060710a.html +++++ Possible Meteorites in the Martian Hills (False Color) From its winter outpost at "Low Ridge" inside Gusev Crater, NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit took this spectacular, color mosaic of hilly, sandy terrain and two potential iron meteorites. http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/press/spirit/20060710a.html +++++ Satellite Systems To Warn of Health Threats Satellite solutions can make all the difference to the efficiency of telemedicine. With this in mind, ESA is preparing a European telemedicine via satellite programme which will be of direct benefit to the healthcare community. http://www.esa.int/esaTE/SEM4EEA6CPE_index_0.html +++++ China To Transmit Pop Music From Lunar-Probing Satellite Beijing, China (AFP) Jul 10, 2006 - China will transmit 30 pieces of Chinese music to Earth next year aboard its first lunar-probing satellite, state media said. http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/China_To_Transmit_Pop_Music_From_Lunar_Pr… +++++ Europe Launches its First Polar-Orbiting Weather Satellite MetOp-A, the first member of a new family of European satellites designed to monitor the EarthÂ’s atmosphere from low Earth orbit, is to be launched from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, on 17 July. http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMUEFA6CPE_LPmetop_0.html +++++ China Successfully Tests New Rocket Engine China has successfully test-fired the engines of a new rocket that could launch its first manned mission to the moon... http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/China_Successfully_Tests_New_Rocket_Engin… +++++ TV and Web Coverage of Shuttle Discovery NASA is providing round-the-clock coverage of Discovery's flight to the space station. http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2006/jul/HQ_M06111_121_coverage.html +++++ ************************************************** ************************************************** Images and Data From Cassini-Huygens At: http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/images/latest/index.cfm http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/press-releases.cfm +++++ Information On The Mars Rovers At: http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html +++++ SLAS 2006 Star Party Schedule http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/LOCAL.HTML +++++ SSA / UMNH 2006 Southern Utah Public Star Party Schedule http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/STARPARTIES.HTML +++++ ************************************************** News is being sent to you because of your affiliation with the Salt Lake Astronomical Society or because you are subscribed to the Utah Astronomy Listserve. To unsubscribe please send your request to paw at wirelessbeehive dot com. Check out my NASA Solar System Ambassador web site at: http://www.umnh.utah.edu/utahsky and mirrored at http://utahastro.info/ For astronomy clubs in Utah see: http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/UTAHCLUBS.HTML For the Utah Astronomy Listserve see: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy ************************************************** -- Patrick Wiggins NASA Solar System Ambassador to Utah & NE Nevada paw at wirelessbeehive dot com http://www.umnh.utah.edu/utahsky http://utahastro.info/ 435.882.1209 801.918.9092

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How Many People Receive Regular SLAS email
by baxman2＠comcast.net 10 Jul '06

10 Jul '06

Dear SLAS: Could you please let me know how large your regular email mailing list is? I want to know how many people got contacted with my message. Sincerely, J. David Baxter SLAS Member 359-0251 baxman2(a)comcast.net

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