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

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Private Observing Calendar?
by Canopus56 21 Oct '09

21 Oct '09

> Kurt if you or anyone else wants the locations that I put into > my Google Earth for the observing locations I'd be happy to > email them as I don't think I can do attachments here. If you have a pre-built kmz file, I would appreciate a copy. Email it to (spaces added to defeat the list privacy filter) c a n o p u s 5 6 at y a h o o dot c o m Thanks - Kurt P.S. > 40 degrees 12' 26.23" N, 112 degrees 16' 04.15 W Thanks for the GPS coordinates. Someone here had graciously provided a set of photos of a driving tour to the site, but I was having trouble tying that to a map location.

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Star Party at Kolob Canyons section of Zion NP
by dustynebula＠juno.com 21 Oct '09

21 Oct '09

The Horizons are elevated and the seeing is horrible in Zion canyon. However, Observation Point and Angels Landing are two of my very favorite hikes. Dave ---------- Original Message ---------- From: Ann House <ann(a)annhouse.org> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Star Party at Kolob Canyons section of Zion NP Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:47:54 -0600 Debbie, Have you ever set up your scope in Zion NP? It would be warmer than Bryce and Kolob Canyon and camping is possible as are rooms in town. I didn't get in much night sky viewing this past year and going to Zion would extend my season. We could help celebrate Zion's 100th year. Do you still have private star parties in Snow Canyon? -A _______________________________________________ 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 ____________________________________________________________ Find Top-Rated Home Pros Local home improvement pros for any project. Free bids, no obligation! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=hZowkPdeqESa-Houv6QhPwAAJ1BS9…

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Private Observing Calendar?
by Jay Eads 21 Oct '09

21 Oct '09

Also, here is the correct address for the Calendar, I think . . . still learning this. http://www.google.com/calendar/render?tab=mc or go to Google Search and then look up in the left corner where it says Web Images Videos etc. until it says More with an arrow down. Click the arrow down for calendar and then search for Utah Astronomers to view the calendar. .It's a public calendar so you can see it. If you email me or respond that you want access I'll add you so you can add or modify events to make your own. Figured out relatively easily how to share the sites I have in Google Earth. Here is a link if you want to overlay the white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, black outdated model of light pollution to Google Earth to see where your locations are. http://www.umich.edu/~lowbrows/guide/google/269838-ArtificialNightSkyBright… Kurt if you or anyone else wants the locations that I put into my Google Earth for the observing locations I'd be happy to email them as I don't think I can do attachments here. Someone let me know if you can get to the calendar or if I need to add your email address (doesn't have to be a gmail address to be added). Craig has been added a couple of months ago and I know he can see and add events. Jay On 2009-10-21 21:05, Jay Eads wrote: > Kurt, > > I have most of the observing sites from OAS, SLAS and the BYU group on > my google maps. As tech savy as I am I have never taken the time to > figure out how to share a google map, though I'm sure if I spent 10 > minutes I would have it figured out. My google map shows these > coordinates for Pit n Pole: > > 40 degrees 12' 26.23" N > 112 degrees 16' 04.15 W > > If anyone wants to know any other perhaps I should list them out and > put that together in one place. > > Jay > > On 2009-10-21 19:47, Canopus56 wrote: > > Jay, Great idea for using those collaborative google apps. Does > anyone have a GPS reading for the location of Pit N Pole? - Kurt > > > > > > > > > > > >

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Frisco Peak Observatory - First light image
by Patrick Wiggins 21 Oct '09

21 Oct '09

As was announced at the SLAS meeting last night the U's Frisco Peak Observatory had first light Thursday night. Professor Wayne Springer was kind enough to email a copy of the very first image taken that night. I've posted it here: http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/temp/frisco1stlight.jpg He added: "The attached image of NGC891 was the first image obtained on the telescope at Frisco Peak....It was a randomly selected object near zenith at the time. NGC891 is a spiral galaxy in the Andromeda constellation. Its apparent magnitude is 10.8., apparent dimensions 13.5 arcmin x 2.5 arcmin. The light traveled 27.3 million years on its way to our telescope and imager.... 5 120 sec exposures. no darks or bias yet. -35 C temp. Taken by Paul Ricketts with minimal processing... We can also see this well through an eyepiece!!!" "The following we night we imaged a couple dozen more objects." He went on to say that they will be posting stuff at www.physics.utah.edu soon. Wow!!! patrick

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Private Star Party calendar
by Lowell Lyon 21 Oct '09

21 Oct '09

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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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Private Observing Calendar?
by Jay Eads 21 Oct '09

21 Oct '09

Kurt, I have most of the observing sites from OAS, SLAS and the BYU group on my google maps. As tech savy as I am I have never taken the time to figure out how to share a google map, though I'm sure if I spent 10 minutes I would have it figured out. My google map shows these coordinates for Pit n Pole: 40 degrees 12' 26.23" N 112 degrees 16' 04.15 W If anyone wants to know any other perhaps I should list them out and put that together in one place. Jay On 2009-10-21 19:47, Canopus56 wrote: > Jay, Great idea for using those collaborative google apps. Does anyone have a GPS reading for the location of Pit N Pole? - Kurt > > > > >

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Centaur hydrogen fuel dump movie
by Canopus56 21 Oct '09

21 Oct '09

Jonas Förste's of Jakobstad, Finland, movie of a Centaur fuel dump and the "expanding gas bubble" from a weather satellite manuver widely seen over Europe a couple of night agos. From spaceweather.com http://spaceweather.com/swpod2009/19oct09/forste.mov - Kurt Other things up in the night Ares I-X launch next Tuesday http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2009/10/20/Ares-I-X-rocket-arrives-at-launc… Kennedy Space Center live feeds for launches http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/elv/ Kurt's hyperlinked Upheaval Dome Bibliography http://fisherka.csolutionshosting.net/astronote/observed/Upheaval/Bibliogra… Short list of key articles (at bottom of): http://canopus56.wikispaces.com/UpheavalDome List of impact features observable from the south rim viewing area at Upheaval Dome: * Radial or listral faults in Wingate Sandstone * Massive Wingate blocks and displaced and embedded in Chinle Formation * Fractured Kayenta Formation (use binoculars) on the rim at the northeast drainage exit from the Dome * Verge or circular faulting in the Upper Moenkopi formation of the central uplift * melted White Rim sandstone dikes and clast near the central tower of the central uplift in the lower Moenkopi formation * in the far north distance, the outer ring of Navajo sandstone where microscopic particles were found that have multi-planar deformations. These multiple plane micro-fractures can only be caused by meteor impacts and not by terresterial forces. Other impact features to look for on Dome trails: * In the Kayenta formation between the inner and outer impact rings - perpendicular fracturing * In the Wingate sandstone walls west of the viewing area - inelastic of offset fractures * On the floor of the Dome when walking into the central uplift from the west - Weirdly "melted" White Rim sandstone blocks and extruding from the lower Moenkopi formation - White Rim sandstone clasts

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Private Observing Calendar?
by Canopus56 21 Oct '09

21 Oct '09

Jay, Great idea for using those collaborative google apps. Does anyone have a GPS reading for the location of Pit N Pole? - Kurt

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Antikythera Mechanism
by Joe Bauman 21 Oct '09

21 Oct '09

This is old news but still interesting. Some friends and I were discussing the Antikythera Mechanism the other day, and I hunted up two videos produced by the science magazine Nature.The mechanism is the most amazing astronomical computer known from antiquity. If you missed them when they came out back in 2008, here are the videos, parts one and two, courtesy of YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiQSHiAYt98&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znM0-arQvHc&feature=channel -- Best wishes, Joe --- 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, 12:41 PM Jay, it would be great to join up someday. My favorite spot that's not too far away is the Wedge. Toilet facilities are even available. If you can put up with my generator, my computer screen (which is generally red to protect night vision) and my big fat self, you'll always be welcome! Same for any of our other friends. -- Joe --- On Wed, 10/21/09, Jay Eads <jayleads(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Jay Eads <jayleads(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Private Observing Calendar? To: "Utah-Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 12:03 PM Joe, I politely disagree . . . when I went with David Rankin his generator did not bother me and I just set up about 10 yards f from him so no biggie. Actually it was really cool to see what he does and I hope we can go out again. I sketch so I use a faint red light when I do that so your computer screen would not bother me. I would welcome the opportunity to tag along with you! The question is can you put up with a fat middle age visual observer . . . . BTW, I was going to tell you last night but I was sick your blog from awhile back about the sheriff at SPOC, yep, still there. Got hit on by him about 2 weeks ago but its good to know he is watching the grounds at SPOC. On 2009-10-21 17:43, Joe Bauman wrote: > 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 > > --- On Wed, 10/21/09, Jay Eads <jayleads@???> wrote: > > From: Jay Eads <jayleads@???> > Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Private Observing Calendar? > To: utah-astronomy@??? > Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 11:04 AM > > 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@group.c… _______________________________________________ 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 Jay Eads 21 Oct '09

21 Oct '09

Joe, I politely disagree . . . when I went with David Rankin his generator did not bother me and I just set up about 10 yards f from him so no biggie. Actually it was really cool to see what he does and I hope we can go out again. I sketch so I use a faint red light when I do that so your computer screen would not bother me. I would welcome the opportunity to tag along with you! The question is can you put up with a fat middle age visual observer . . . . BTW, I was going to tell you last night but I was sick your blog from awhile back about the sheriff at SPOC, yep, still there. Got hit on by him about 2 weeks ago but its good to know he is watching the grounds at SPOC. On 2009-10-21 17:43, Joe Bauman wrote: > 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 > > --- On Wed, 10/21/09, Jay Eads <jayleads@???> wrote: > > From: Jay Eads <jayleads@???> > Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Private Observing Calendar? > To: utah-astronomy@??? > Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 11:04 AM > > 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@group.c…

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