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

M57 +73PSW-3
by daniel turner 27 Mar '13

27 Mar '13

Mark your calendar for early evening May 7. Their will be a close encounter between the Ring nebula and periodic comet 73P. The comet will be close to earth so its exact position in the sky will depend stongly on your location on the globe. Go to spaceweather.com and use the link at the bottom of the page for "Observable Comets". 73p is in the list and includes orbital elements and a link for daily ephemerides. DT __________________________________________________ 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] Science Fair
by Michael Carnes 07 Jul '07

07 Jul '07

Don, you're cherry-picking your data. >I think there is still a controversy over how much economic development >contributes to global warming. While there is much yet to learn, the so-called controversy is largely clouding of the waters by those with an economic interest. Within the last month there's been renewed information of the rate of melting of the Greenland ice-sheet, in addition to melting in other zones, such as Mt. Kilimanjaro. Thousands of ice cores taken over the last century show that the ice goes back tens of thousands of years. If it had been as warm during the Roman era as your sources indicate, that ice would have melted then or would never have formed. Arctic permafrost that has been stable since the last ice age (as shown by the number of mammoths preserved in it) is rapidly turning to mush. Of course you can find a few scientists who disagree with this assessment, just like you can find a few scientists who don't like evolution. You can find a few scientists who believe in ghosts, in Sasquatch, in fairies, in alien abduction, and in all sorts of things. It is extremely rare in science that someone who goes against the grain is shown to be correct (Galileo, Kepler, etc). Most of them are just cranks.

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Minor planets
by Dale Hooper 18 Sep '06

18 Sep '06

Hi Patrick, I just got my minor planet observatory code today (G87)! - so I hope you don't mind a question or two. I saw your question on the mpml list and it made me curious. You were asking about problems with the MP images streaking higher than a certain magnitude. I thought it was okay to report the mid-point of the observation? I.e. it doesn't matter if there is some streaking if you get the mid-point position and time (or an end-point position and time). Are you observing NEO's or doing photometry? Is that why this would be more important? I'm more interested in Kuiper belt objects and main belt asteroids - so streaking wouldn't be as big an issue. But, I'm curious about why you needed to avoid streaks. Clear skies, Dale. P.S. I hope you don't mind me posting this here - I'm guessing that there are others that are interested in minor planet observing.

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Warning! Off Topic
by Kim 03 Sep '06

03 Sep '06

Y'all are the only folks I regularly keep in touch with, so I hope you don't mind if I share a thought or two unrelated to astronomy. I've been listening to some old tunes today. I set my iPod to "shuffle" and lo, Cat Stevens' "Peace Train" came on just as I was thinking about the war in Iraq and Mr. Bush's visit to Utah. I just hope peace can indeed be restored - sooner, rather than later. Another thing: It's such a nice day here in paradise, that I wanted someone else to know besides me. The world is still a beautiful place. It isn't entirely screwed, yet. (Sorry about the language.) OK - I'll conclude with an astronomy-related thought: The universe is a grand thing of which to be a part, no? Kim

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Re: News, 30 AUG 2006 - SMART 1 impact
by Patrick Wiggins 01 Sep '06

01 Sep '06

The first chance of impact is 11:41 MDT. At that time the Moon will be a few degrees above the western mountains. Weather permitting I'm guessing there will still be folks at SPOC at that time and no doubt many (all?) will be focused on the Moon. I plan on bringing a low light video camera and hope someone will let me hook it to their large scope. Patrick > Scratch that one - the impact is on Sept 2, Sat and > there is a SPOC party scheduled. - Sorry, Kurt Canopus56 <canopus56@???> wrote: >> Any plans to open SPOC for a special members only >> star party (as was done with Deep Impact)? >> >> We have a star party scheduled for Friday at >> Harmons. >> >> >> - Kurt

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News, 30 AUG 2006
by Patrick Wiggins 30 Aug '06

30 Aug '06

News, Wednesday, 30 AUG 2006 Nova Updated I received one more SLAS board candidate statement. I added it to the on line version. http://utahastro.info/slas/nova/so2006/NOVASO2006.HTML +++++ SMART-1 To Crash the Moon A European spaceship is about to crash into the Moon. Amateur astronomers may be able to observe the impact. http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/30aug_smart1.htm?list864576 +++++ SMART-1 Â‘Star TrackerÂ’ Peeks at the Approaching Lunar Surface While ESA's SMART-1 mission is running on its last orbits around the Moon the spacecraft 'star tracker' Â– or attitude camera - is taking exciting pictures of the ever approaching surface. http://www.esa.int/esaMI/SMART-1/SEMPFY5LARE_0.html +++++ AKARIÂ’s View on Birth and Death of Stars AKARI, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency infrared astronomical satellite with ESA participation, is continuing its survey of the sky. http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEM4TU5LARE_index_0.html +++++ Cassiopeia A - The Colorful Aftermath of a Violent Stellar Death A new image taken with NASA's Hubble Space Telescope provides a detailed look at the tattered remains of a supernova explosion known as Cassiopeia A. http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/newsdesk/archive/releases/2006/30/ +++++ Spitzer Celebrates Terrific Threes! In three terrific years, NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has peered into the heart of our Milky Way galaxy... http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/Media/happenings/20060825/ +++++ Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Nears End of Aerobraking NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has begun the final and fastest-paced portion of its "aerobraking" process of using friction with the top of Mars' atmosphere to shrink the spacecraft's orbit. http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mro/newsroom/pressreleases/20060825a.html +++++ Rare High Altitude Clouds on Mars Planetary scientists have discovered the highest clouds above any planetary surface. They found them above Mars. http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMC4JZ7QQE_index_0.html +++++ Closer and Closer to 'Victoria' Opportunity is healthy and located only 218 meters from the rim of "Victoria Crater." http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status_opportunityAll.html#sol913 +++++ Spirit Continues Mid-Winter Studies of Martian Rocks and Soil Spirit continued to make progress on the rover's winter campaign of science observations, acquiring microscopic images and data about rock composition... http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status_spiritAll.html#sol933 +++++ Traffic Jam on Mars When NASA launched a pair of rovers to Mars more than three years ago, no one ever thought the darn things would still be working by now... http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/ +++++ Key Stars Have Different Birthdays In a complex Universe, astronomers thought they had at least one simple system to tell them how stars are born. Turns out they were wrong. http://www.nature.com/news/2006/060821/full/060821-13.html +++++ Atlantis Rolls Back to Launch Pad Improving forecasts for Ernesto may allow for launch next week. http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2006/aug/HQ_06304_Atlantis_back_to_pad.html +++++ Toward Melanthius Cassini looks into the 245-kilometer wide crater Melanthius in this view of the southern terrain on Tethys. http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/images/image-details.cfm?imageID=2245 +++++ Opportunity Takes a Last Look at Rock Exposure Before Heading to 'Victoria Crater' NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity recently stopped to analyze an exposure of rock near "Beagle Crater," on a target nicknamed "Baltra." http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/press/opportunity/20060824a.html +++++ ************************************************** ************************************************** Free Telescopes For SLAS Members SLAS has several scopes available for free, long term loan to current SLAS members who have belonged to SLAS for at least 30 days. http://slas.us/membership_benefits.htm +++++ Images and Data From Cassini-Huygens At:s 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 +++++ ************************************************** ************************************************** Free Telescopes For SLAS Members SLAS has several scopes available for free, long term loan to current SLAS members who have belonged to SLAS for at least 30 days. http://slas.us/membership_benefits.htm +++++ Images and Data From Cassini-Huygens At:s 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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RE: Eyepiece Recommendations
by Lowell Lyon 30 Aug '06

30 Aug '06

The reason that I like my Pentax eyepieces so much is the long eye relief. With my bad astigmatism I can leave my glasses on with any of the focal lengths and see the entire 65 degree field of view clearly. I have yet to look through any other eyepiece and see the whole field of view comfortably with my glasses on. I did indeed sell all of my Naglers and trade them in for Pentax eyepieces for this reason. For higher powers I still like the Meade Ultra Wide Angle eyepieces better than the Naglers I've looked through. I seem to get flatter, sharper images, yet I know that everyone's eyes are different. For the very best planetary views at higher powers, I feel it's hard to beat a high quality orthoscopic eyepiece with a 12.5, 9, or 6mm focal length. Thanks. Lowell

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Capitol Reef Report
by Michael Carnes 30 Aug '06

30 Aug '06

I'm a little surprised that someone hasn't beat me to this one. Here's a brief write-up of goings-on at Capitol Reef this past weekend: I was there for Friday and Saturday night. On Friday night, Ann House kicked off events by her lecture-demonstration in the park amphitheater. I wasn't able to sit in but for a few minutes, but she had several kids onstage with her and it looked like there were all having a blast. There was a quick change of plans for the first- night observing field. The rangers had picked out a field for us, but had neglected to remove the horses in sufficient time for nature to take her course. So we set up in the parking lot by the amphiteater. Except for some campground lights to the east and the occasional visitor with headlights, it was an OK substitution. Temperatures were great--I never needed more than a T-shirt (well, I did have on pants, too). The next morning found Ivo Stutznegger and David Bennett in the horse- field with shovels and rakes. After some well-applied elbow grease, the field was ready for viewing. I believe there was some solar viewing during the day, but I was busy being a tourist and missed it. Saturday night began with another lecture and then viewing on the preferred field. Views were obstructed by a high cliff to the east, but North, South and West were pretty good. It was a bit cooler. About the skies--they were pretty much what Tom Sevcik promised. Very, very dark. The North American Nebula was quite easy with the naked eye. The Dumbell (M27) was also visible unaided. With a bit of effort (and perhaps a little imagination), I could also just see M71. Sagittarius was fabulous--it's always nice to show those things to guests at star parties. Guests--at least at my scope--were local, French and German in about equal proportion. The Europeans were completely bowled over by the Milky Way. They constantly lamented their inability to see these sights from much of Europe. Since this was a first run for most of the park staff, it wasn't quite as polished as our Bryce productions. But the rangers enjoyed it. Let's hope it's just the first time of many. I'm hoping to have some snapshots posted perhaps later in the week. Michael Carnes MichaelCarnes(a)earthlink.net home.earthlink.net/~michaelcarnes

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] Eyepiece recommendations?
by Seth Jarvis 30 Aug '06

30 Aug '06

Michael & Kim, Thanks for taking the time to respond. I understand about exit pupils and the math behind focal lengths and such, but what I don't understand are the relative advantages of the various eyepiece designs on the market. Nagler vs. Plossl, that sort of thing. I agree that only a few eyepieces are needed. I've done more star parties than I can count with just one 17 mm Plossl and one 40 mm Plossl. Adding the 30 mm Ultrascopic was (pardon the pun) a real eye-opener. Naglers are impressively wide-angle, pricey, and heavy. Is there anything else that performs almost as well but doesn't cost a fortune? If not, then I just want to know that. Plossls are light, small, and cheap. What's intermediate between these and a high-end Nagler or Radian? Is there such a critter? Is an Orion Lanthanum an acceptable substitute for a Nagler, or will nothing less than the real McCoy suffice? I appreciate your opinions & recommendations. Seth

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weather and livestock report
by daniel turner 30 Aug '06

30 Aug '06

Monday night I tried for Wolf Creek. At sunset it was cold and cloudy, the only cloudy spot in the entire state. When a howling wind came up I decided to try the gravel quarry. On the way out I passed a herd of a thousand sheep heading for where I would have been set up. I don't think I'll go back to Wolf Creek this year. At the gravel quarry, I met Robert Fisher and family. It was dry, warm, and clear. DT __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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