January 2008 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

National Center for Science Education
by Patrick Wiggins 20 Jan '08

20 Jan '08

I just watched a program on the University of California Television channel (Dish Network channel 9412) about the Science vs. creationism debate. That led me to the speaker's website: http://www.natcenscied.org Interesting site with very current information. patrick

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ST-11 trailer
by Patrick Wiggins 20 Jan '08

20 Jan '08

For those (ok, like me) who enjoy Star Trek I see the trailer for the next movie (due out in December) is online: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ8AKEHTAGs Not very good quality. Hopefully once it's released officially that will change. "Peace and long life." patrick :)

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Jupiter Moons - wink on-off on eclipse shadow event?
by Canopus56 19 Jan '08

19 Jan '08

Hi, Kurt, here. I've switched over to my generic astronomy newsgroup id. >From the 2008 RASC handbook, I am working up an ephemeris list of opportunities to view Jovain Moons as they exit or enter eclipse shadows. What I expect to see in small refractors or binos is a Jovian moon to simply disappear or appear while it is some distance from Jupiter. I am doing this as my own personal observing project for 2008, but also was thinking that such a list might be useful for local scout clubs and astronomy parties, since it is the type of observation that a young boy or girl easily could do with binoculars from an urban setting. Do the Jovian moons wink in or out of visibilty as the enter or leave Jupiter's eclipse pattern? Or are the Jovian moons faintly visible while they are in Jupter's eclipse shadow? If so, beginning at what apeture? - Kurt, SLASer ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping

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New AAVSO observation format
by Kurt Fisher 17 Jan '08

17 Jan '08

The AAVSO adopts new formats for submitting observations for inclusion in the AAVSO database: http://www.aavso.org/news/newformats.shtml This ones a major change. - Kurt _______________________________________________ Sent via CSolutions - http://www.csolutions.net

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] New Gallery
by Kurt Fisher 17 Jan '08

17 Jan '08

Cynthia asked, > Also, anyone still want the wiki? Is it being used? I have not moved it yet > but if it's being used I'll move it as well. Cynthia, I'd take your cue from SLAS management on that one. Although in three months the wiki pages got about 12,000 page hits, there doesn't seem to be enough interest from the club to support it. On and off of the "Observing Resources" page there are a number of 2008 ephemeris resource tables. On that basis alone, I'd suggest perserving it for the rest of 2008. - Kurt _______________________________________________ Sent via CSolutions - http://www.csolutions.net

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Video camera on sale ($80)
by Patrick Wiggins 17 Jan '08

17 Jan '08

Supercircuits ( http://www.supercircuits.com/ ) has their 600 line, . 0003 Lux, PC164C video cameras on sale for $80. This is the same camera I use for videoing occultations. patrick

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Green laser pointers
by Chuck Hards 17 Jan '08

17 Jan '08

Speaking of lasers: This month I ordered a *10mw* green laser pointer from Beta Electronics for *$119.97*. They also still sell the 20mw unit, the same really bright one I have had for years, and that Guy used to have, currently priced at $149.97. Some of you saw my 20mw at SPOC last year side-by-side with Bob's "Potato Masher" 50mw unit and recall that it was only slightly dimmer, at only 1/3 the cost and considerably more compact. This is the one that tested at about 3000 lux brighter than the "Lucky Duck" 20mw laser. Their "GPA5" 5mw unit is now on-sale for $89.97. The remote switch is available for 19.00and it should work on any standard green laser pointer. Shipping cost to UT was $6. I don't recomment any "3-5mw" green laser pointer because the beam is just too anemic for any use except under dark skies, and standing close to the beam axis. You also don't save much money by going with the dimmer unit, only ten bucks. http://www.betapointer.com/

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] First Look at Mercurys Prev iously Unseen Side
by Kurt Fisher 16 Jan '08

16 Jan '08

Here's a nice computer enhanced version of the new Mercury farside image by lunar expert Chuck Wood, along with his commentary on some of the more obvious features. http://the-moon.wikispaces.com/LPOD+Jan+16%2C+2008 A wondferful, historic image. - Kurt _______________________________________________ Sent via CSolutions - http://www.csolutions.net

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Re: First Look at Mercury s Prev iously Unseen Side
by Kurt Fisher 16 Jan '08

16 Jan '08

Patrick, I'm sure Dr. Chuck just ran it through Maxim DL, AIP4Win or Meade Autostar with a basic contrast stretch. Who knows what else might be revealed by some adventuresome amateur image processer? - Kurt _______________________________________________ Sent via CSolutions - http://www.csolutions.net

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First Look at Mercury’s Previously Unseen Side
by Patrick Wiggins 16 Jan '08

16 Jan '08

http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/gallery/sciencePhotos patrick

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