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

RE: [Utah-astronomy] Way OT
by Michael Carnes 22 Aug '06

22 Aug '06

> Our ancestors may have been shooting at each other. I had one distant relation who was hanged as a Confederate spy. Most of my other relations survived the war and were hanged as horse thieves instead. > I may have to check the SLAS constitution, but I think >that even southerners are permitted. Well, I lived in Massachusetts even longer, and I'm pretty sure northeastern liberal/vegetarians are excluded even more forcefully ;-)

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Obs ops. ISS at 8:38 pm; Jovian Spot Transit 9:23pm
by Canopus56 21 Aug '06

21 Aug '06

ISS overpass for SLC at 8:38; -0.3 mag across NW-N-NE sky. The sun sets at 8:18; the sky may be too bright for this one. The GRS transits at 9:23pm. Multiple planets beg at 5:30 am tommorrow morning per other post. - 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] Nominations (was Re: Way OT)
by Michael Carnes 21 Aug '06

21 Aug '06

> I've lived in the north, am pretty liberal >(at least compared to Guy and Siegfried) and been a veggie for years and >I've been allowed to sit on the board a number of times >(http://utahastro.info/temp/SLASBOD.XLS) Hmm. For the next building at SPOC, whaddaya think about the "Hillary Clinton Visitor Center"? The "Al Gore" weather station could be attached to the outside. Guy and Siegfried could head up the fundraiser. Sorry. Just couldn't resist.

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Way OT
by astrodeb＠charter.net 21 Aug '06

21 Aug '06

I just read a good novel on the Civil War. It is called "The Killer Angels" by Michael Shaara. It gives a good look at both sides of the conflict. Debbie ---- Michael Carnes <michaelcarnes(a)earthlink.net> wrote: > > >Hope I didn't offend anyone - again. If so, I apologize. > > Absolutely not. We just saw an open opportunity to tease you. > > Having grown up in the South (and yes, I did live in Atlanta for a little while in my late 20's), it's amazing how sensitive the region still is on the topic of Sherman and the Civil War. Most places, including Utah, have a touchy spot or two on some topic. But the Civil War is still alive in much of the South. It's a common argument in the South that the war was about state's rights and not about slavery. But of course it was about state's rights to have slaves. > > Sherman was a heck of a general, as was Robert Lee and Ulysses Grant (Stonewall Jackson on the other hand was a genuine nut-job). Too bad they were fighting each other. > > With history on our side, it's easy to debate the necessity of many acts of war. That's true whether it's Sherman's march, Hiroshima or the bombing of Dresden. Of course you don't have that luxury at the time. > > ------------------------- > So will you be formally announcing your candidacy tomorrow night? > > _______________________________________________ > 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] Way OT
by Michael Carnes 21 Aug '06

21 Aug '06

>Hope I didn't offend anyone - again. If so, I apologize. Absolutely not. We just saw an open opportunity to tease you. Having grown up in the South (and yes, I did live in Atlanta for a little while in my late 20's), it's amazing how sensitive the region still is on the topic of Sherman and the Civil War. Most places, including Utah, have a touchy spot or two on some topic. But the Civil War is still alive in much of the South. It's a common argument in the South that the war was about state's rights and not about slavery. But of course it was about state's rights to have slaves. Sherman was a heck of a general, as was Robert Lee and Ulysses Grant (Stonewall Jackson on the other hand was a genuine nut-job). Too bad they were fighting each other. With history on our side, it's easy to debate the necessity of many acts of war. That's true whether it's Sherman's march, Hiroshima or the bombing of Dresden. Of course you don't have that luxury at the time. ------------------------- So will you be formally announcing your candidacy tomorrow night?

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News, 19 AUG 2006
by Patrick Wiggins 21 Aug '06

21 Aug '06

News, Saturday, 19 AUG 2006 SPOC Star Party Tonight Dave Bernson to speak from 7:45 to 8:45. Observing starts at 8:45. http://slas.us/displayevent.asp?EventID=847 +++++ SLAS Will Need New Chief SLAS president Lowell Lyon reports he will not be running for reelection. Those interested in standing for the top job (or any other SLAS board position) need to file their candidacy with SLAS Secretary/Treasurer by the end of next Tuesday's general meeting. +++++ Hubble Sees Faintest Stars in a Globular Cluster NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has uncovered what astronomers are reporting as the dimmest stars ever seen in any globular star cluster. http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/newsdesk/archive/releases/2006/37/ +++++ Satellites to Study the Sun The STEREO mission will improve understanding of the solar eruptions that can send a billion tons of the sun's outer atmosphere hurtling into space. http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2006/aug/HQ_06294_STEREO_press_packet.html +++++ SMART-1 Impact: Last Call for Ground Based Observations If you are a professional or amateur astronomer and want to contribute to the final phase of the SMART-1 mission, join ESA on the impact ground observation campaign. http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/SMART-1/SEMTU0Z7QQE_0.html +++++ NASA Chief Justifies Cuts During Session at USU Mike Griffin, NASA's administrator, was feisty in defending the space agency's deep cuts in science projects during a question-and-answer session Monday at the Utah State University Small Satellite Conference. http://deseretnews.com/dn/view2/1,4382,645193239,00.html +++++ NASA Announces Briefings to Discuss Space Station Missions NASA will hold two media briefings next week on the current and next missions to the International Space Station. http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/news/releases/2006/J06-090.html +++++ New Horizons Salutes Voyager As New Horizons cruised toward the edge of the asteroid belt and a date with Jupiter, the spacecraft that revolutionized our knowledge of that giant planet more than 25 years ago made history again this week. http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/news_center/news/081706.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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Astrologers Unfazed By New Planet Plans
by Patrick Wiggins 21 Aug '06

21 Aug '06

A bit of early morning humor: "Star signs and astrology charts would not be much affected if three new planets are added to the solar system, experts said Friday." http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Astrologers_Unfazed_By_New_Planet_Plans_9… pw

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RE: [Utah-astronomy] IAU Draft
by Seth Jarvis 20 Aug '06

20 Aug '06

Sedna's an interesting case. It ranges far beyond the Kuiper Belt in its 12,000 year orbit. While it doesn't quite extend as far as the conventionally defined inner regions of the Oort Cloud, I've read that some astronomers think the Oort Cloud's dimensions need to be adjusted to account for Sedna. So... If you're from the "OC" and you're just briefly (i.e., for a few centuries) slumming in the Kuiper Belt, I don't think the IAU is going to let you call yourself a planet. Seth -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+sjarvis=slco.org(a)mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+sjarvis=slco.org@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Darin Christensen Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 5:23 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] IAU Draft where would "Sedna" fit in this draft? _______________________________________________ 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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Change in the IAU wind?
by Patrick Wiggins 19 Aug '06

19 Aug '06

I just heard from a guy who is in Prague for the IAU conference, spending much of his time involved in the whole "what's a planet?" debate. He said the majority of the people at the meeting are opposed to the definition of planet proposed earlier this week because it abolishes the definition of planet which has been used in the last 2500 years or so, and it is in fact not a definition of planet but a mess of sub-definitions and special cases to obtain what some wanted (i.e. Pluto and "Xena" as planets, Pluto-Charon as double planet...) Then I read in Space.Com that another proposal has been put forward that would reclassify Pluto as something called a dwarf planet leaving us with 8 "real" planets (in which case I've been right about agreeing with Brian Marsden and the Hayden all along <grin>). Of course this is going to cause havoc for those publishers and toy makers that are already proceeding with plans to change their products to 12 planets (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/2006-08-16-planets-textbooks_x.h…) One item (that I think was meant to be funny) I read today noted that since the Moon is receding from the Earth and since the 1st IAU proposal used center of mass to define planethood, then the Moon will eventually be a planet (albeit in a few billion years). And the beat goes on... Patrick p.s. for Utahns, "Planet" Ceres rises about 9 this evening and transits about 1:30 tomorrow morning.

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Heaven and Earth
by Patrick Wiggins 18 Aug '06

18 Aug '06

Nice contrast between the starry background and the fiery foreground. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/08/060817-volcano-ecuador.html Hmmm, I wonder if our very own Rob Ratkowski might get a similar shot using Kilauea? Patrick

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