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

Radio meteor recording attempt
by Canopus56 13 Dec '09

13 Dec '09

I made the following recording - a 10 or 15 (1 to 3 second) clips from SNOTEL frequency captured 8pm-12pm MST 12-12-2009 - as a first test for radio meteor observing: - Long url http://fisherka.csolutionshosting.net/astronote/observed/Meteors/20091212cl… - Tiny url link http://tinyurl.com/ybwfhlh The recording was made in FM mode on the SNOTEL master frequency at 40.530 mhz broadcast from Ogden using an PC-100 and a simple whip attenna. Although I am in the Avenues in SLC, the SNOTEL signal is not completely blocked. I'm not sure if I'm capturing meteors, airplanes or just static. Any pointers or comments would be appreciated. With respect to the August Persid shower and club member's trip to the Lon and Mary Watson Cosmic Ray Center, does anyone have a contact person or email at the Center that I could talk with about the transmitter they were using for radio meteor detection. Their press release states that in August "[a]t the Millard County Cosmic Ray Center, we will be watching the Perseids the old fashioned way - by patiently watching the sky - plus we will be using radar equipment to detect meteors by their reflection of TV transmissions." See url: http://www.telescopearray.org/ . I'm looking for a local over-the-horizon transmitter source between 40 to 60 mhz on which to listen for meteor reflections. Thanks - Kurt

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Annual utah astro slas notable events list
by Canopus56 13 Dec '09

13 Dec '09

Good picks. You've jogged my memory. This year I saw glob Omega Centauri (NGC 5139) from central-southern Utah. That would be my "bagged it" pick of the year - a glob as big as the full Moon. From today's tribune, we've probably got to add tomorrow morning's launch of WISE - the new Utah State University built infrared telescope. http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_13986001 - Kurt

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Anyone received renewal notice from Sky & Telescope?
by Patrick Wiggins 13 Dec '09

13 Dec '09

Hi all, Has anyone on this list got a renewal notice from Sky & Telescope? Specifically I would like to know the snail-mail address they are currently asking renewals be sent to. Many thanks, patrick

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Annual utah astro slas notable events list
by Canopus56 12 Dec '09

12 Dec '09

I was thinking of keeping a recap of local astronomy events for each year. My starting list for 2009 would include: 1) November Utah Fireball 2) LCROSS impact star party at SPOC 3) Terry Allred's Presentation on Astrophotography Techniques at the spring SLAS meeting 4) Opening of Wayne Sumner's high school observatory 5) Arrival of David Rankin 6) Patrick Wiggins acquisition of Stardust satellite passage 7) Roger Fry successful use of Meade satellite tracking software to track the ISS 8) Frisco Peak observatory 9) The Canary Group trip to Hawaii Other category ideas might be: 1) Best astrophoto not taken by Allred or Rankin 2) Best astrophoto taken by Allred or Rankin 3) Best Sky and Telescope article of the year 4) Best new astronomy book 5) Best comet of the year 6) Best observed solar event of the year 7) Other notable astronomical events of the year (eps Aur) 8) Best ATM project for the year 9) Memorable star parties If interested, please post to this thread. Peace - Kurt

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Spacewalking Astronauts Seen With a Backyard Telescope
by Patrick Wiggins 12 Dec '09

12 Dec '09

How long until someone on this list duplicates (or betters) this amateur achievement? http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/12/a-spacewalk-as-seen-from-earth patrick

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] KUER Broadcast on Light Pollution
by Canopus56 12 Dec '09

12 Dec '09

Erik, One key point that I did not hear in the broadcast was the American Medical Association's recent resolution asserting a possible increased risk for cancer and living in light polluted environments. If hypothesis is right - that changes the whole ballgame. - Kurt P.S. - My July 14 post here on that topic with supporting citations ============= I don't recall if Patrick covered this in the news, but last month the American Medical Association passed a resolution "Advocating and Support for Light Pollution Control Efforts and Glare Reduction for Both Public Safety and Energy Savings". The pertinent medical and safety justifications for the AMA's position is quoted below. (The footnotes do not appear to match up with their propositions, but citations to the all supporting evidence seems to be there. See the link to the full resolution.) With a "lead-stream" group like the AMA taking a stand, tt's a good sign on the LP issue front. Clear skies - Kurt U.S. Physicians Join Light-Pollution Fight http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/48814012.html AMA Resolution 2009-516 http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/475/refcome.pdf "Whereas, Streetlight glare causes decreased nighttime visibility by pupil constriction, and thus leads to diminished nighttime visibility and creates a safety hazard 1,2,3,4,5,6,7; and Whereas, Many older citizens are significantly affected by glare as the eye ages, leading to unsafe driving conditionsn 8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15; and . . . . Whereas, Light trespass has been implicated in disruption of the human and animal circadian rhythm, and strongly suspected as an etiology of suppressed melatonin production, depressed immune systems, and increase in cancer rates such as breast cancers 16,17,18,19,20,21,22; . . ." =============

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Simpson Springs Campground Observing
by Canopus56 12 Dec '09

12 Dec '09

Added to Simpson Springs Campground to my Google map for northern Utah observing sites. http://tinyurl.com/ybds2rz - Kurt

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KUER Broadcast on Light Pollution
by Canopus56 12 Dec '09

12 Dec '09

Patrick wrote: > News, Friday, 11 December 2009 > KUER: How Policymakers are Confronting Light Pollution (Features SLAS member Robert Taylor) > http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kuer/news/news.newsmain/article/0/0/15870… Nice going Rob. - Kurt

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Sky and Telescope renewal notices
by Lowell Lyon 12 Dec '09

12 Dec '09

Hello: I received my usual multiple please renew notices spread over several months. I chose not to renew this time. Thanks. Lowell Lyon

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Simpson Springs Campground Observing
by JayLEads 11 Dec '09

11 Dec '09

I saw on the story of that missing West Valley mother and wife that her husband claims to have gone camping at Simpson Springs Campground. They searched and no trace of camping or her. Hope they find her. On another note I noticed that this area might also be a good observing spot come spring, summer and fall (perhaps winter but the road is dirt so one doesn't want to get stuck out there). If you go to this website http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/salt_lake/recreation/ camping/simspson_springs.html and look at the upper right at the Simpson Springs Map it shows on the map of the general area, north of the campground a gravel pit. I wonder if that are some of the other areas on the map would be good areas? Anyone ever observed out here? Thanks for the input in advance.

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