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

Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA gets pwned online (Colbert)
by Jim Gibson 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

Actually I think NASA got ganked instead of pwned. If NASA was dominated by a player of similar level or rank then they would have been pwned. But, if a player is dominated repeatedly by a player or players of higher level then the player is said to be ganked. The fact that there were so many means NASA got ganked because it says that NASA got pwned “by a comedian and a wave of online voters.” That’s a gank. Jim --- On Tue, 4/14/09, Kim <kimharch(a)cut.net> wrote: From: Kim <kimharch(a)cut.net> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA gets pwned online (Colbert) To: "'Utah Astronomy'" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 1:00 PM Too obscure for me... > -----Original Message----- > From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy- > bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Howard Jackman > Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 12:54 PM > To: Utah Astronomy > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA gets pwned online (Colbert) > > Erik actually stumbled upon its origins but Patrick spelled it correctly > here from the "urban Dictionary" is the definition > > > > 1. > pwned > > > > > A corruption of the word "Owned." This originated in an online game called > Warcraft, where a map designer misspelled "owned." When the computer beat > a player, it was supposed to say, so-and-so "has been owned." > > Instead, it said, so-and-so "has been pwned." > > It basically means "to own" or to be dominated by an opponent or > situation, especially by some god-like or computer-like force. > "Man, I rock at my job, but I still got a bad evaluation. I was pwned." > > OR > > "That team totally pwned us." > > Howard > > --- On Tue, 4/14/09, erikhansen(a)TheBlueZone.net > <erikhansen(a)TheBlueZone.net> wrote: > > > From: erikhansen(a)TheBlueZone.net <erikhansen(a)TheBlueZone.net> > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA gets pwned online (Colbert) > To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 12:47 PM > > > > I think he pressed p rather than o, making it "owned". I know a typo > from Patrick is extraordinary, it must be old age catching up with him. > > > Would someone mind explaining to me what "pwned" means? Does it mean to be > > "patrick-wiggined" and if so, what does that entail? ;-) > > > > Kim > > > >> -----Original Message----- > >> From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com > >> [mailto:utah-astronomy- > >> bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Patrick Wiggins > >> Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 2:04 AM > >> To: utah astronomy listserve utah astronomy > >> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] NASA gets pwned online (Colbert) > >> > >> NASA gets pwned online > >> > >> http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1349/1 > >> > >> 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://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php > >> Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com > >> > >> No virus found in this incoming message. > >> Checked by AVG. > >> Version: 7.5.557 / Virus Database: 270.11.54/2056 - Release Date: > >> 4/13/2009 5:51 AM > >> > > > > No virus found in this outgoing message. > > Checked by AVG. > > Version: 7.5.557 / Virus Database: 270.11.56/2058 - Release Date: > > 4/14/2009 > > 6:17 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://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 > > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.557 / Virus Database: 270.11.56/2058 - Release Date: > 4/14/2009 6:17 AM > No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.557 / Virus Database: 270.11.56/2058 - Release Date: 4/14/2009 6:17 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://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Telescope donation
by JayLEads 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

Here are some things to consider. One, Clark has offered a program whereby a teacher and students from about 6th grade up can attend a week long program at Clark during the summer. Both students and teachers have to write an essay on why they should be selected and Clark selects. Both groups learn about the telescope, the differences between a reflector and a refractor, the constellations and how to identify the main ones (spending time in the dome); they build a base for a dob, learn how to align the dob and then students receive an Orion XT6 Dob with Starry Night, Uncle Al's, laser collimator and a cap to do it manually, and whatever eye pieces come with the XT6 (currently it is the Orion Sirius Plossl 25mm but in the past they got the 10mm and the 25mm) and a 9x30? finder. Teachers get an XT8, Telrad, 9x50 RA finder, the EP's, Starry Night Pro, and all the training. This year they don't know if the funding will be there like in the past. All I'm told is to watch their website. My goal was to have some of my students apply for this summer (I have about 8 that want to, and 1 where funding is an issue but I would cover that if he gets in) so they can get their own scopes. As far as getting teachers there are about 3 openings per class and about 3 or 4 classes depending on funding. So that is one way to get some scopes into people's hands. Cost is $100 for students and teachers (a steal just for the scope) or if they go to a Title 1 school the fee is waived I believe. I know for the program at my school I have purchased the two scopes we use where my students run the scopes themselves. Two scopes just doesn't cut it in letting 12 or more students get involved in the process of using them, so they work in groups of 3 to figure out location of objects on a star map to what they are seeing in the EP. The others do some work with binoculars. I let my students run the scopes once they have passed on doing so both in class and in the field. I do change out the EP's though as I have some I know will be careful and some I'm not sure about so it has been easier to do that. Though I trust my students, an eyepiece could become misplaced and lost so its easier if I retain control of that and the case. I have a couple students that I cannot allow them to use the scopes based on their behaviors and choices at school and a meeting with them and their parents explains this with no problems. In one case it actually got a student to modify their behavior and do their work to earn the right to run the scope which they have. Here are some issues I see with teachers and the loaners. Time scope is out. I wouldn't want it for a month if someone else needs or wants it. Picking one up the weekend before and returning it the next weekend would be easiest I would think and allow it to be used at a star party unless they are doing more than one in a couple of weeks. Next, students using them or teacher only? If I borrow one from SLAS that is one I would feel I would need to run unless someone says differently since I or the school/program doesn't own it. Or if a student has passed on using the scope can they operate it under the direction of the teacher? Loss of equipment would have to be considered since I know this was an issue in the past and we would have to have a system whereby that doesn't occur. I have a NASA kit from the A.S. of the Pacific on distance in the galaxy and the universe that I have used at my school, a star party and now at two other schools (need to report the latest one to Troy) and they go over quite well. Wonderful resources. I would think that if we linked the kits we have to the Utah State Core for Science at various grade levels we could get some teachers coming in that way. Finally, one thing we haven't mentioned is perhaps offering a binoculars session at a School Star Party or even at SPOC. Many parents have binoculars that they can bring and as we know they are a good starting point for looking at the sky (I did that last night with a pair of 10x50's) and getting to know them. I use four pair of binoculars with the kids not on the scopes per above. We could start with USOE but I also think after USOE we hit the districts with their science specialists up on arranging times and location for a class and they can cover several districts, like Weber, Ogden and Davis, Jordan, Granite and Salt Lake, etc. in a class. That would get the word out more and if the district specialist promotes it, usually teachers will attend. Anyway, I think there is a good opportunity here to promote knowledge to the public and to get some people hooked on the hobby and on science in general. Just some thoughts.

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Telescope donation
by JayLEads 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

Chuck, I'll be taking you up on that offer! I got Ann's email from the SLAS roster so as long as that is current . . . Thanks, Jay On 2009-04-14 20:55, Chuck Hards wrote: > I used to own 2 of these, am very familiar with them; sold the most recent > one to Roger Butz. If you need any help repairing/restoring it, I am > volunteering. > > Ann can be reached at: annchouse@??? > > On Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 2:52 PM, JayLEads <jayleads@???> wrote: > > > Troy D. thanks again! Okay, I need some help and usually I am very tech > > savoy. Is there a email list around here so I know how to contact Ann? > > > > >

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Telescope donation
by JayLEads 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

Troy D. thanks again! Okay, I need some help and usually I am very tech savoy. Is there a email list around here so I know how to contact Ann? On 2009-04-13 17:29, Ann House wrote: > I am with Rodger on this, that was a wonderful gesture Troy D. > > Jay, get in touch with me and I will hand it over to you. Chuck had more > knowledge on the scope than me. He is correct that it is a 4.25" (5" tube) > and a 3-legged pedestal base - technically not a tripod, I guess. > > As far as getting the message out to teachers about our loaner-scope > program, SLAS hasn't done much in that area. We could do more. We could > contact the Science Specialist with the Utah State Office of Education. In > my professional life, I supply resources and do teacher training each summer > for the Economic and the Family and Consumer Science Specialists. If that is > of interest to amateur astronomy groups, we could approach the USOE and > offer our resources. We could even to teacher training at their summer > conferences. > > Troy S. and I are cataloging the Night Sky toolkits which can be checked out > by SLAS members. These would be a wonderful resource to science teachers as > well. > > -A >

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Telescope donation
by Wayne Sumner 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

Chuck, When I was an engineer doing school star parties I used to wonder why we couldn't get more teachers involved in astronomy. Now that I am a teacher, I wonder why so many teachers are involved in astronomy!! It takes a really dedicated teacher to make all the arrangements and come back to school ANOTHER evening for a star party. I had lots more free evenings as an engineer to do school star parties that I do now as a teacher! I've found that the same dedicated teachers call me back year after year to do star parties at their schools. Fortunately, I have enough telescopes to do them by myself, so the logistics are easy for me to handle, especially if it's cloudy and I have to reschedule with the teacher. Scheduling and hauling loaner telescopes back and forth from SLAS might make the difference between being able to do a star party and not being able to. For the teachers I serve, they just need to make one phone call or send one email and the arrangements are done. Just a thought. Jay also makes the excellent point that most teachers are not aware of this resource. Wayne A. Sumner Math/Physics/Astronomy/Engineering Boy's Tennis Coach Northridge High School Davis School District (801) 402-8610 >>> Chuck Hards <chuck.hards(a)gmail.com> 04/13/09 10:10 AM >>> I'm wondering why more teachers aren't making use of the exising SLAS loaner program. It's a heckuva resource. _______________________________________________ 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] NASA gets pwned online (Colbert)
by Howard Jackman 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

LOL you're just not "hip" enough Kim, btw the fact that I just used the word "hip" means that I'm not either... Howard --- On Tue, 4/14/09, Kim <kimharch(a)cut.net> wrote: From: Kim <kimharch(a)cut.net> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA gets pwned online (Colbert) To: "'Utah Astronomy'" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 1:00 PM Too obscure for me... > -----Original Message----- > From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy- > bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Howard Jackman > Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 12:54 PM > To: Utah Astronomy > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA gets pwned online (Colbert) > > Erik actually stumbled upon its origins but Patrick spelled it correctly > here from the "urban Dictionary" is the definition > > > > 1. > pwned > > > > > A corruption of the word "Owned." This originated in an online game called > Warcraft, where a map designer misspelled "owned." When the computer beat > a player, it was supposed to say, so-and-so "has been owned." > > Instead, it said, so-and-so "has been pwned." > > It basically means "to own" or to be dominated by an opponent or > situation, especially by some god-like or computer-like force. > "Man, I rock at my job, but I still got a bad evaluation. I was pwned." > > OR > > "That team totally pwned us." > > Howard > > --- On Tue, 4/14/09, erikhansen(a)TheBlueZone.net > <erikhansen(a)TheBlueZone.net> wrote: > > > From: erikhansen(a)TheBlueZone.net <erikhansen(a)TheBlueZone.net> > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA gets pwned online (Colbert) > To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 12:47 PM > > > > I think he pressed p rather than o, making it "owned". I know a typo > from Patrick is extraordinary, it must be old age catching up with him. > > > Would someone mind explaining to me what "pwned" means? Does it mean to be > > "patrick-wiggined" and if so, what does that entail? ;-) > > > > Kim > > > >> -----Original Message----- > >> From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com > >> [mailto:utah-astronomy- > >> bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Patrick Wiggins > >> Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 2:04 AM > >> To: utah astronomy listserve utah astronomy > >> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] NASA gets pwned online (Colbert) > >> > >> NASA gets pwned online > >> > >> http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1349/1 > >> > >> 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://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php > >> Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com > >> > >> No virus found in this incoming message. > >> Checked by AVG. > >> Version: 7.5.557 / Virus Database: 270.11.54/2056 - Release Date: > >> 4/13/2009 5:51 AM > >> > > > > No virus found in this outgoing message. > > Checked by AVG. > > Version: 7.5.557 / Virus Database: 270.11.56/2058 - Release Date: > > 4/14/2009 > > 6:17 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://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 > > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.557 / Virus Database: 270.11.56/2058 - Release Date: > 4/14/2009 6:17 AM > No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.557 / Virus Database: 270.11.56/2058 - Release Date: 4/14/2009 6:17 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://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA gets pwned online (Colbert)
by Howard Jackman 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

Erik actually stumbled upon its origins but Patrick spelled it correctly here from the "urban Dictionary" is the definition 1. pwned A corruption of the word "Owned." This originated in an online game called Warcraft, where a map designer misspelled "owned." When the computer beat a player, it was supposed to say, so-and-so "has been owned." Instead, it said, so-and-so "has been pwned." It basically means "to own" or to be dominated by an opponent or situation, especially by some god-like or computer-like force. "Man, I rock at my job, but I still got a bad evaluation. I was pwned." OR "That team totally pwned us." Howard --- On Tue, 4/14/09, erikhansen(a)TheBlueZone.net <erikhansen(a)TheBlueZone.net> wrote: From: erikhansen(a)TheBlueZone.net <erikhansen(a)TheBlueZone.net> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA gets pwned online (Colbert) To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 12:47 PM > I think he pressed p rather than o, making it "owned". I know a typo from Patrick is extraordinary, it must be old age catching up with him. Would someone mind explaining to me what "pwned" means? Does it mean to be > "patrick-wiggined" and if so, what does that entail? ;-) > > Kim > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com >> [mailto:utah-astronomy- >> bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Patrick Wiggins >> Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 2:04 AM >> To: utah astronomy listserve utah astronomy >> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] NASA gets pwned online (Colbert) >> >> NASA gets pwned online >> >> http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1349/1 >> >> 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://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php >> Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com >> >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG. >> Version: 7.5.557 / Virus Database: 270.11.54/2056 - Release Date: >> 4/13/2009 5:51 AM >> > > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.557 / Virus Database: 270.11.56/2058 - Release Date: > 4/14/2009 > 6:17 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://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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NASA gets pwned online (Colbert)
by Patrick Wiggins 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

NASA gets pwned online http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1349/1 patrick

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Utah-astronomy] Space Station node may get awful name
by stormcrow60＠xmission.com 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

Ah come on... Colbert is the king of witty satire. Its not his fault everything he says is true. If anything the ISS toilet refuse should be dubbed "Limbaughs"... because that is all Rush spews out of his mouth. Jon

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] obs report
by Canopus56 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

Joe wrote: > For the first time I was definitely about to see a crater on the moon > without magnification -- Copernicus. Its light floor stood out clearly > from the darker mare regions surrounding it. I confirmed this by using the > binoculars, checking back and forth several times. I could almost, but > not quite, make out Tycho. I could see the curvature of the dark mare > to its left, but because Tycho is surrounded by bright material I > could not quite see it. Thank you for the report. That's an interesting report based on observing a lower-sun angle Moon on March 7 and differing surface contrasts from those that I saw on the near full Moon last night. Here's some more background on the detection of extended object contrasting spots. The Moon was near perigee last night on this lunation at around 367,000 km, the crater rim and crater floor of the 93km dia Copernicus at full Moon illumination was not seen naked eye. I did not expect to be able to see Copernicous naked-eye. At that distance, the crater rim subtends about 50 arcsecs or at most, 1 arcmin. (60 arcsecs is generally taken as the minimum size of two spots that can be distinguished. Other visibility patterns apply to the detection of a spot that contrasts with its background.) The bright full Moon illumination would also tend to washout any contrast distinction between Copernicus and its ejecta curtain. In comparision to the crater itself, the ~400km diameter Copernician ejecta curtain, and that of the smaller ~200-300km dia Aristarchus plateau were easily seen contrasting against the darker surrounding mare at around 4 arcmins in diameter. Most of the smaller mares are 4 to 7 arcmins in diameter (e.g. Serenitatis, Crisum, Humorum, etc.). R.N. Clark and Nils Olaf Carlin summarize Blackwell's 1940's research on the detection of an extended spot that contrasts with its background. Very small, but very bright half-arcmin spots can be seen against a relatively bright background. Printing off Clark's contrast spot chart - which includes spots down to about 3 arcmins - is an instructive practical eye test. Clark's Contrast Spot Chart http://clarkvision.com/visastro/omva1/low-contrast-spots-1-c.gif Clark's notes on use of the Contrast Spot Chart "If you print this chart at 300 dpi, and hold it at 30 inches from your eye, the 27 pixel diameter spots appear about 10.3 arc-minutes across. Viewing the chart in low room light gets near the right side of Figure 2.7b. For the low contrast spots, how large do they have to be to be seen (just above the threshold)? I tried some various lighting conditions and found a range of about 6 to 13 arc-minutes were needed to detect the low contrast spots (e.g. the 2 DN brighter than the background). I did the experiment before computing the spot sizes so I did not know what the outcome would be." Clark's Blackwell Surface figure http://clarkvision.com/visastro/omva1/plot.bl.surf.3d.s1.gif in: http://clarkvision.com/visastro/omva1/index.html Nils Olof Carlin's Blackwell surface figure http://www.bbastrodesigns.com/IMG00001.GIF in http://www.bbastrodesigns.com/blackwel.html The sun angle and the contrasts of craters and their curtains changes daily, so one day is not representative of another. Joe, that's a good catch. I'll have to pay more attention to the naked eye visibility of craters in the future. - Kurt

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