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

Re: [Utah-astronomy] How dim of objects can I see?
by Jay Eads 12 Dec '08

12 Dec '08

Hello Gary, I'm in Herriman and from my backyard I have seen the following items (starting from August to December): The three stars of the summer triangle, Arcturus, M28, M22, M25, M17, M18, M24, M21, M28, M8, M6, M57 (multiple times), M16, M103, NGC663, NGC 654, NGC 225, M42, M43, M41, M31, M32, M45, M15, M21, M2, M20, M21, NGC 869, M29, M11, Almach (wonderful double to view), M33 failed to find, M97 failed to find, M51 failed to find, M106 failed to find, M101 failed to find (probably too low in the atmosphere and I was still too new in finding objects), M52, M71, M27 (multiple times), M72, M73, NGC 6818, M34, NGC 6826, M26, NGC 7009, M36, M37, M38, M42 (multiple times) M43, M103, NGC 659, NGC 457, NGC 436, M52, Venus (multiple times to observe the phases and sketch) Jupiter (in August and Sept it looked better higher up), M32 M101 and M33, the Double Cluster in Pereus, M76, NGC 7914, Hades, M36, M1, M38, NGC 2392, M35, NGC 7662 Blue Snowball, NGC 1023, M78, M41, M50, M46, M47 to list some of them. I haven't listed the doubles I have bagged or some of the other NGC's. Anyway, I listed these to let you know that you can see em from the valley or at least from my backyard in Herriman. If you ever want to link up if the weather gets good again let me know. I also would like to take the class for SLAS Observatory when the time commitment is up. Jay On 2008-12-10 06:32, Gary Logan wrote: > Thanks Erik (and all) for the responses. > > I appreciate the advice. I am getting more familiar with the constellations. > And have just added a pair of binoculars to my Christmas list. > > The Urban list looks great. And I definitely want to see the SLAS > Observatory and probably take a class. (No I've never been at the U, or > Poison Control) > > Gary Logan > ____________________________________________________________ > > > | ... > | > | Planetary Nebulae are excellent in the Grim 32". I would > | recommend taking the observatory classes offered by SLAS. > | > | Planetary Nebulae seem less effected by light pollution, I > | cannot see galaxies or diffuse nebulae of same magnitude > | > | ... > | > | http://www.astroleague.org/al/obsclubs/urban/urban.html > | > | Are you Gary Logan formally from Poison Control at the U? > | > | Erik > > >

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Dear Santa:
by Chuck Hards 12 Dec '08

12 Dec '08

Photobucket works well, is free, and they have an integral image-resizing service for those who don't have the capability on their own computer. Great image and video file hosting service. On Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 4:55 PM, Rob Ratkowski Photography < ratkwski(a)hawaii.rr.com> wrote: > Hi Rich > > > I'll see what I can do here about getting an image up right now we > have a good tropical storm going and FINALLY a good amount of rain. >

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Dear Santa:
by Canopus56 12 Dec '08

12 Dec '08

Let's try that in English - For Ken Warner, Ken, would you email me regarding possibly installing Gallery Remote 1.5 on the SLAS server? I am considering volunteering to do the install. - Kurt canopus56(a)yahoo.com http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=7130&package_id=31958 ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Canopus56 <canopus56(a)yahoo.com> To: Utah Astronomy List Serv <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, December 12, 2008 1:13:08 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Dear Santa: For Ken Warner, Ken, would you email regarding possibly installing Gallery Remote 1.5 on the SLAS server? I am considering volunteering to the install. - Kurt canopus56(a)yahoo.com http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=7130&package_id=31958

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Dear Santa:
by Canopus56 12 Dec '08

12 Dec '08

For Ken Warner, Ken, would you email regarding possibly installing Gallery Remote 1.5 on the SLAS server? I am considering volunteering to the install. - Kurt canopus56(a)yahoo.com http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=7130&package_id=31958

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Dear Santa:
by Chuck Hards 12 Dec '08

12 Dec '08

What piece of astro-gear, book, software, etc., would you like Santa to leave under your Christmas tree? I've been good this year. He's already delivered an Orion 100mm ED refractor (the price has dropped considerably as they phase-out the unit). What's on your list?

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Dear Santa:
by Chuck Hards 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

Great shot, I'd seen the completed pier but with the scope on there it gives it a sense of scale. Is that structure on the hill a water tank, or some kind of cosmic-ray catcher, maybe? Have you noticed how the soil up there looks just like Martian soil? On Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 6:26 PM, Rob Ratkowski Photography < ratkwski(a)hawaii.rr.com> wrote: > Well Chuck > > > I took your advise and signed up at Photobucket I think this is the link > > http://s399.photobucket.com/albums/pp78/808caver/ > > so if you cannot access it let me know and I'll send the photo > > >

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The perfect after-work urban astronomy small scope set up
by Canopus56 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

What low-price point small goto scopes would you recommend for after-work urban astronomy emphasizing doubles, lunar and planetary observing? In continuation of my question on the iOptron SmartCube, my observing objectives for 2009 involves returning to my 2007 program of after-work observing from the Salt Lake Valley and practicing on a nightly basis. Of SLAS ideal urban setups, I'd have to list Charlie Green who has imaged down to mag 14 from a permanently mounted background observatory. My own situtation is a little different. I rent and do not own. Although I have set up my 10" outside my back door, like expensive camera gear, telescopes seem to be some type of catnip for the local juvenile deliquents. I have a neighbor who is home during the day and reports to me when the local after school jds are walking around testing doors and windows. (This is a relatively upscale Avenues neighborhood.) This kind of activity seems to be correlated to whenever I set up the large telescope outside. I have been considering a small scope setup for after-work double star, lunar and planetary observing. The key criteria are light weight, setup and align in under 5 minutes and - goto capability. I consider goto to be a must feature for light-polluted urban astronomy, since too much time can be lost doing right-angle slews where there are minimal or no reference stars to traverse between a bright nearby alignment star and the target. For this purpose, I have used both straight alt-az mounted refractors and currently am trying the EQ1 manual small reflector with manual slewing. Since I came into a free but fundamentally sound 4 1/2" reflector, I was thinking in terms of buying a light-weight mount with goto capability. The other obvious option is an ETX with an egg-beater mount. Since in part, much of the future of amateur astronomy is inherently urban astronomy under light polluted skies, what are the best options for a small grab-n-go goto mounted scope that does not involve conspicous consumption overpricing. Clear Skies - Kurt

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Dear Santa:
by Chuck Hards 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

And me there to hand you Coronas and generally assist! *;o) * On Wed, Dec 10, 2008 at 10:39 PM, Rob Ratkowski Photography < ratkwski(a)hawaii.rr.com> wrote: > My Burgess 127mm F8 set up for solar work today at the summit on the new > pier > >

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Saturn - rings on edgge
by Canopus56 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

Saturn is visible in the predawn hours at a high altitude in Leo. The rings are nearly edge on. --0-- - Kurt

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] iOptron SmartCube with 4 1/4 inch refractor
by Canopus56 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

Thank you for the responses. It would still generally be interesting to see one of the iOptron Smart Cubes with the internal plastic gears or the new mid price range alternative - the CubePro - which is the same as the Cube A and E but has metal internal gears. (The third model is the Mini-Tower which is rated at 25lbs but costs $800.) Perhaps if a club member has one, they can bring it to the January SLAS meeting for a quick group demo. - Kurt

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