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

New Moon Alternative
by Dave Bennett 23 Aug '08

23 Aug '08

For those not able to travel to either Capitol Reef or Natural Bridges for the upcoming new moon/holiday weekend, might I suggest Wolf Creek as a 'local' alternative (if it hasn't been already)? If you've never been, Wolf Creek is a great summer site at 9890ft past Kamas, Francis, & Woodland. Even during holiday weekends there is usually good camping amongst the trees near the stargazing site. Maps and pics available in my Wolf Creek pages at: http://homepage.mac.com/dlbennett/PhotoAlbum4.html http://homepage.mac.com/dlbennett/PhotoAlbum5.html Regards, Dave Bennett

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No sunspots
by Gary Vardon 23 Aug '08

23 Aug '08

I observed the sun seven times since July3, 2008 through today and saw no sun spos. Sincerely, Gary Vardon -----Original Message----- From: Kim A. Hyatt Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 4:39 PM To: 'Utah Astronomy' Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Ooops! Carol Evans, test manager for the parachute system said, "A failure of set-up parachutes is actually one of the most common occurrences in this sort of test." Well, thank heaven it's no more serious than that. I'm sure future astronauts are just tickled that it's such a common failure. You gotta love bureaucrats. Kim -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of diveboss(a)xmission.com Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 4:25 PM To: Utah-Astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Ooops! Patrick, did you pack that chute? http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,408761,00.html _______________________________________________ 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://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.6.6/1627 - Release Date: 8/22/2008 6:48 AM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.6.6/1627 - Release Date: 8/22/2008 6:48 AM _______________________________________________ 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://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] International cooperation
by Wayne Sumner 22 Aug '08

22 Aug '08

Wow! What a great idea for teaching parallax to my astronomy students at Northridge! Did you do any calculations to see what the expected parallax angle would be? Any compensation for atmospheric refraction differences? Great work, Patrick. Wayne A. Sumner Math/Physics/Astronomy/Engineering Boy's Tennis Coach Northridge High School Davis School District (801) 402-8610 >>> Patrick Wiggins <paw(a)wirelessbeehive.com> 08/22/08 12:46 AM >>> Those who were at the SLAS meeting the other evening may have heard me mention I've been working with a high school student in Korea who is doing a project on parallax. She is in Korea and has remote access to a telescope in Hawaii (not one of Rob's on Haleakala). She was looking for someone in the continental US to shoot pictures of a minor planet at the same time she was. It took two attempts before we got the communications bugs worked out but last night we succeeded. See the result in the lower right hand corner of of this page: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com/main.php?g2_itemId=10620&g2_page=2 While the target was too far away to show any obvious parallax it was still a fun project and just goes to show the fun things one can attempt these days. patrick _______________________________________________ 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://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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Ooops!
by diveboss＠xmission.com 22 Aug '08

22 Aug '08

Patrick, did you pack that chute? http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,408761,00.html

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Gort, Klaatu barada nicto remake
by erikhansen＠TheBlueZone.net 22 Aug '08

22 Aug '08

Sorry Dave, looks like KR has more than a cameo, at least Jane Fonda isn't in it. Looks like a Christmas time release. "The Day the Earth Stood Still" remake trailer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD9qO-JWu6Q&feature=related

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International cooperation
by Patrick Wiggins 22 Aug '08

22 Aug '08

Those who were at the SLAS meeting the other evening may have heard me mention I've been working with a high school student in Korea who is doing a project on parallax. She is in Korea and has remote access to a telescope in Hawaii (not one of Rob's on Haleakala). She was looking for someone in the continental US to shoot pictures of a minor planet at the same time she was. It took two attempts before we got the communications bugs worked out but last night we succeeded. See the result in the lower right hand corner of of this page: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com/main.php?g2_itemId=10620&g2_page=2 While the target was too far away to show any obvious parallax it was still a fun project and just goes to show the fun things one can attempt these days. patrick

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Gort, Klaatu barada nicto remake
by Patrick Wiggins 21 Aug '08

21 Aug '08

As some of you may have heard a member of SLAS will be showing the sci- fi classic The Day the Earth Stood Still at this Saturday's star party at SPOC. Ought to be fun. On the other hand, while at the multiplex today I learned a remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still will be released later this year. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970416/ I sure hope they do a better job with it than was made with the remake of War of the Worlds. I feel a disturbance in the Force... patrick

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Bryce Canyon
by erikhansen＠TheBlueZone.net 20 Aug '08

20 Aug '08

Hi All, I just received the September issue of the "Reflector", Rodger's article about Bryce is featured. With the Nova in black and white this article might be an item for your scrap books. Good photos by Siegfried, SLAS is also prominently recognized. Good work Rodger! Erik

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Obs Notes: Venus and Mercury at sunset 8-17 to 8-23
by Canopus56 20 Aug '08

20 Aug '08

The current Sky and Telescope calendar has a pretty good animated chart for the conjunctions on this pass of Mercury throughout August and leading up the 4 planet wide angle grouping at dusk on Sept. 1 and Sept. 2. http://media.skyandtelescope.com/video/Planet_animation.mov - Kurt

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Obs Notes: Venus and Mercury at sunset 8-17 to 8-23
by Canopus56 20 Aug '08

20 Aug '08

Watched Venus and Mercury on night of 8/18 for a just a few minutes at 8:44 MDT, about 20 minutes after local sunset with 20x70 binos. Both Venus and Mercury have moved further from the Sun and Mercury has much improved contrast with a telescopic view. Mercury is not visible naked-eye. Both are visible within about 1.2 degs or one ep view. Looks like Mercury will overtake Venus on 8/21 and be in oonjunction. 8/19 was clouded out. - Kurt

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