October 2009 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Private Star Party calendar
by Jay Eads 22 Oct '09

22 Oct '09

Lowell, Please contact me when you can. Let me know if you need my email address since I can't find yours. No views last night. Maybe tonight before another storm on Saturday . . . sigh . . . On 2009-10-21 23:55, Craig Smith wrote: > It would be nice to have one central calendar, and that is a good name! I > personally like to observe with others. > > On Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 3:59 PM, Jay Eads <jayleads@???> wrote: > > > Lowell, > > > > Sounds like we have the same idea. I just wanted a place for people to sign > > up and go to a location in small groups to observe that isn't a club, no > > dues etc., no officers. Just want to promote people viewing. I'd love to be > > on your email list, but I looked on this list serve here and couldn't find > > your email. Mine is JayLEads@ > > I think we could coordinate rather easily. Let me know. I have to go now > > since I'm heading out tonight (not great conditions but I need to get some > > open cluster work done and if conditions allow a few galaxies and want to > > take a look up in Al Maz and Sacianteni in Auiriga since I've been doing > > that visually). > > > > > > On 2009-10-21 21:29, Lowell Lyon wrote: > > > In reply to Jay Eads: > > > > > > I have been gradually growing an email list with the eventual goal of an > > intermountain regional network of those who like to go out by themselves or > > with a few others for private viewing. I have registered with the State of > > Utah the name Intermountain Astronomy Group with the acronym of IMAG for > > "image". My hope is for a website and a means where people can post where > > and when they want to go out together with other amateurs under a dark sky > > and enjoy observing together. I like the Google calendar idea and maybe we > > can coordinate efforts somehow. Intermountain Astronomy Group is not a > > club, will have no dues and no constitution. I would like to see amateurs > > from throughout Utah and beyond catch on to the idea of communicating with > > each other about when and when to go out under dark skies for private > > get-togethers. If you or anyone would like to be on my email list for now, > > please communicate with me. Thank you. > > > > > > Lowell Lyon > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > > Utah-Astronomy@??? > > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php > > Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com > > >

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Dark Sky star party sites
by Debbie 22 Oct '09

22 Oct '09

What motel did you stay at? I'd like to go up there next summer to escape the heat of St George. Debbie On Thu Oct 22 10:14 , 'Lowell Lyon' <bolide(a)sisna.com> sent: >Hello: > >I have star gazed from Canyonlands, Arches, Natural Bridges, the Wedge Overlook, etc. over the years. The reason I have settled on Capitol Reef National Park is that it is just as dark as anywhere else I've been in southern Utah. From my house in the Cottonwood Heights/Sandy area, it takes me just as long to drive to the Wedge Overlook as it does Capitol Reef. Capitol Reef however, is paved road all the way to the actual observing area and there are campgrounds or motels just a few miles away from the official observing area we use at Panorama Point. Capitol Reef also is available from March through October with little worry about bad roads or bitter cold as the elevation is just a bit higher than Salt Lake at around 5,000 feet. I love to visit all of the other parks and remote areas in southern Utah, yet for dark skies and convenience, it's hard to beat Capitol Reef. That's just my experience, yet talk with other SLAS member who have star gazed from various places and you'll probably get the feedback that Natural Bridges, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef have offered just about as good a dark sky view as anywhere, with Capitol Reef perhaps being the most convenient for private dark sky parties. Thanks. > >Lowell Lyon >_______________________________________________ >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.slas.us/gallery2/main.php >Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Private Observing Calendar?
by Debbie 22 Oct '09

22 Oct '09

Joe, If I were you I'd buy one of those Kendrick dual plug batteries. I have a single plug battery that I've used since 2001 and it has worked well for me. Here is the link. http://www.kendrickastro.com/astro/battery.html We are planning on going back to the Kolob site on November 14th. If you are interested, give me an email or phone call. I hope to do some winter observing and view some galaxies in the constellation Fornax. By the way, Jim's generator did not bother me. I was too busy looking at galaxies and star charts to notice the noise. I just hope the weather cooperates next month. Debbie On Wed Oct 21 20:57 , Joe Bauman <josephmbauman(a)yahoo.com> sent: >Thanks, Daniel, but I'm pretty much stuck with my ST402 for now. -- Joe > >--- On Wed, 10/21/09, daniel turner outwest112(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > >From: daniel turner outwest112(a)yahoo.com> >Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Private Observing Calendar? >To: "Utah Astronomy" utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> >Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 3:11 PM > > > >--- On Wed, 10/21/09, Joe Bauman josephmbauman(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > >> From: Joe Bauman josephmbauman(a)yahoo.com> >> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Private Observing Calendar? >> To: "Utah Astronomy" utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> >> Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 10:43 AM >> Going out with others would be >> wonderful -- but unless the place has electricity, it won't >> work for me. I try to do astrophotography (I'm not that good >> but I know I can improve), and that requires my laptop. No >> laptop made has batteries that last very long, I'm >> convinced. If I could find a heavy-duty battery that I could >> plug into my laptop, that would allow me to image among >> others. But until I find that kind of battery or a place >> with power, I am forced to use my generator. That would be >> extremely annoying for others nearby. -- Joe >> >Joe: > >You may want to consider the alternative form of astrophotography. Using one of the new DSLR's. I watched Rob Taylor capture an astounding picture of M33 from SPOC last Friday. He did it with a Orion Atlas powered by a small 12 volt pack and his Canon camera using only internal battery and software. No laptop, no generator, no guiding, no filer wheel, and his set up and take down were about 30 minutes each. The monchrome CCD tied to a high speed external computer is getting to be the choice for those with an observatory that stays set up and ready to go. DSLR's have made astounding progress in the last 2 years and they deserve good close look. > >DT > > > > >_______________________________________________ >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.slas.us/gallery2/main.php >Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com > > > > >_______________________________________________ >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.slas.us/gallery2/main.php >Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Visiting Utah Next Spring
by Jay Eads 22 Oct '09

22 Oct '09

Roy, Here is a map of two locations, one the Wedge I know has stated they like observing from (haven't been there yet). http://slas.us/maps/woverlook.htm Click on it to enlarge. On 2009-10-19 17:48, Roy Troxel wrote: > Thanks, everybody, > > On your advice , I might just postpone the trip until May. May 14 is the new moon, so I figure a week before that date and a week after would provide optimum dark-sky viewing - without the frigid weather. (Correct me if I'm wrong :) > > Also, I want to avoid the tourist rush, which usually begins around June 1st. > > - Roy > On 2009-10-18 15:40, erikhansen wrote: > > > The Island District of Canyon Lands NP is good, along with Natural > > Bridges Ntl Monument. > > Yes, the winds can be high that time of year, I remember a spring at > > Island in the Sky with sustained winds well over 40 mph for about 4 days. > > You can experience all types of weather in April, including snow. > > > > > > Hi, everyone, and welcome from Baltimore, Maryland! > > > > > > I will be traveling through southern Utah in April and I'm curious about > > > dark sky sites there. The names I keep seeing are Moab, Arches and > > > Hovenweep Nat Monument. I will be bringing along my 12.5" Obsession. > > > > > > What is the weather like in April there? High winds? I know that can be > > > true of New Mexico. > > > > > > Many thanks in advance, > > > > > > Roy > > > > > > PS: I posted this question on Cloudy Nights, but I thought I would also > > > check with your mailing list. Thanks, again. > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > > > Utah-Astronomy@??? > > > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > > > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php > > > Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com > > > > > > > > > > >

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Cluster of galaxies in Aries
by David Rankin 22 Oct '09

22 Oct '09

This took a lot of exposure and some careful processing :) I couldnt find a lot of info on these galaxies, I did discover that NGC 678 is 120 + MLY away. Enjoy! http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=2590&g2_imageViewsIndex=1

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Private Observing Calendar?
by stormcrow60＠xmission.com 21 Oct '09

21 Oct '09

Hi Joe, Just a suggestion... have you considered an electrical car adaptor? You would need to run your auto for a length of time to recharge your laptop battery, but if parked far enough away, it would not be a problem. Jon

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Orionids anyone?
by Craig Smith 21 Oct '09

21 Oct '09

Any reports on the Orionids last night?

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Viewing Electronics
by Troy Davidson 21 Oct '09

21 Oct '09

After reading a few messages about Joe and his generator, I thought I would start a new email message about this. I have a netbook computer. This is one of those really small laptop computers. It has a 10.6" screen and the battery runs for about 6 hours. So when I'm out observing, I run Stellarium and have some music playing lightly. I got mine at Costco for $300 so they're pretty inexpensive. ++++++++++++++++++ Troy Davidson Am I working - http://www.istroyworking.com

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Private Observing Calendar?
by Jay Eads 21 Oct '09

21 Oct '09

A question to anyone. Craig and I have worked on a Google Calendar that is public whereby those added can put down private observing sessions with time and location and allow others to sign up to come also, or just show up. The purpose is to allow people in the hobby to coordinate private observing sessions. I know for some of us we have people we observe with but I think this might be a way to reach beyond formal events and promote observing with newer people. In checking it is my understanding that a private observing calendar like this can't be supported by a club because then each event becomes a club event with insurance liabilities. This is not outreach, this is not a public event and no OAS or SLAS member has to participate in it, this is just designed that if someone wants to go to X location, they can let others know when and where they are going so that others can see it and decide if they want to contact them to arrange to go together. I love observing alone, I also enjoy knowing there is another human body around even if we are doing our own lists or observing of an atlas page etc. Sometimes it helps to have someone else confirm what you think your seeing. Just wondering what people think of the idea. Remember you don't have to participate. If you want access to the calendar let me know (you'll need a gmail account). Once you have a gmail account (I don't get anything for you having a gmail account) you can add these events to your calendar or I'll give you access to the calendar. Here is what the calendar looks like: http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=92mmk1gs7849k29kn8170fiklk%40group…

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Private Star Party calendar
by Jay Eads 21 Oct '09

21 Oct '09

Lowell, Sounds like we have the same idea. I just wanted a place for people to sign up and go to a location in small groups to observe that isn't a club, no dues etc., no officers. Just want to promote people viewing. I'd love to be on your email list, but I looked on this list serve here and couldn't find your email. Mine is JayLEads@ I think we could coordinate rather easily. Let me know. I have to go now since I'm heading out tonight (not great conditions but I need to get some open cluster work done and if conditions allow a few galaxies and want to take a look up in Al Maz and Sacianteni in Auiriga since I've been doing that visually). On 2009-10-21 21:29, Lowell Lyon wrote: > In reply to Jay Eads: > > I have been gradually growing an email list with the eventual goal of an intermountain regional network of those who like to go out by themselves or with a few others for private viewing. I have registered with the State of Utah the name Intermountain Astronomy Group with the acronym of IMAG for "image". My hope is for a website and a means where people can post where and when they want to go out together with other amateurs under a dark sky and enjoy observing together. I like the Google calendar idea and maybe we can coordinate efforts somehow. Intermountain Astronomy Group is not a club, will have no dues and no constitution. I would like to see amateurs from throughout Utah and beyond catch on to the idea of communicating with each other about when and when to go out under dark skies for private get-togethers. If you or anyone would like to be on my email list for now, please communicate with me. Thank you. > > Lowell Lyon

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