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

Glob cluster omega Cen observing reports
by Canopus56 17 May '09

17 May '09

A few weeks ago, Lowell reported on observing omega Cen from Natural Bridges. For the last two weeks, I have been on a family business trip to Tuscon and northern Arizona, finishing up with driving back on Highway 89 through central Utah. The following are my notes on the most northerly observing point from which globular cluster omega Cen can be seen in Utah. In summary, checking with a planetarium program, omega Cen should be visible from any southeast high ridgeline at Bryce National Park that drops off into Tropic and the Escalante basin during the June 17 to 19 Bryce Astronomy festival. Picture and News Story on omega Cent April 2008 http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2008/14/full/ Glob cluster omega Cen (NGC5139, 36' at 3.7 mag and 4.85 kparsecs distance and 26.3 parsecs true dia) is the showcase king of globular clusters. If it is something you have not seen, it is worth the effort to drive and catch a glimpse even though it will only be a few degrees off the southern horizon. To repeat Lowell's emphasis, the northern hemisphere showcase clusters currently visible (M4 in Sco at 36' and mag 7 and 2.2 kpc distance and 10.2 parsec true dia; M13 in Her at 23' and mag 5.8 and 7.7 kparsecs distance and 25.7 parsec true dia) pale in comparision to omega Cent. Under a ZLM 6.0 sky, omega Cen looks about four or five times the size of M13. Where M13 and M4 are faint smudges in binoculars, omega Cen takes up 1/3 the short dimension of a binocular view. The depth of stars and density at half-maximum are greater than either M4 or M13. In an antiquated 60mm refracter at 100x, it filled the entire eyepiece. At all observing points described below, omega Cen was only 2 to 4 degrees off the southern horizon. Even so, it was an overwhelming impressive site. During the Bryce Astronomy Festival, civil twilight will end at about 9:25pm MDT. At that time, omega Cen will be just past due south transit and at an alitude of about 4 degrees. At astronomical twilight, NGC5139 will be at about 3.5 degrees in altitude above the southern horizon. The easiest way to find omega Cent is sweep with binoculars south to the horizon from iot Cen or west from zet Cen. Or sweep south-west-west from a naked eye triangle asterism formed by phi Cen, mu Cen and nu Cen (within the Cen constellation figure). Once located, I found the easiest method to reacquire the cluster was to note its azimuth relative to a tree or other object on the horizon and then sweep up from the horizon. Recent research indicates that omega Cen may not be a true globular that formed with the Milky Way. Like M54 - the core of another captured galaxy remnant - the Sagittarius Dwarf Galaxy, omega Cent may the stripped remnant of another galaxy that the Milky Way captured and cannibalized. See Hubble org article above. Based on motion studies of stars in omega Cen, it is thought there is a medium sized black hole at its center. Observing notes: Because I flew to Tucson at the start of the business trip and drove back at its conclusion, I was principally using 7 x 50 binoculars instead of a telescope. Mon, May 11, 8pm Arizona ST, from the turnoff road to Biosphere 2 about 25 miles northeast of Tucson, AZ. omega Cen acquired with 7 x 50 binos about 3 degrees off the south-southeast horizon. Thurs., May 14, 8:30pm AST, from about 10 miles north of Overgaard, Arizona in north central Arizona (100 miles south of Flagstaff), omega Cen acquired with borrowed 900mm fl 60mm dia refractor about 3 degrees off the south-southeast horizon at 100x. Sat-Sun, May 16 10pm to midnight MDT, on Highway 89. Using 7 x 50mm binos, I stopped along Highway 89 every 10 miles while traveling north from Kanab to the I-70 junction. This stretch of road has an unique grade - it is "always rising" grade for about 150 miles. The main limitation in acquiring omega Cent in central and southern Utah is interference from mountains surrounding the Highway 89 valley. (Mileposts on Highway 89 do not pair directly with those on I-15. Milepost 170 on HIghway 89 corresponds to about milepost 120 on I-15. ) Terrain blockages ended between milesposts 90 near the Long Valley Junction (the intersection of Highways 89 and 14) through milepost 170 near Thompsonville, Utah. There is a blocked stretch for about 10 miles around Spry, Utah. The altitude of Highway 89 varies from 6000 to 9000 feet between mileposts 90 and 170. Omega Cent was specifically visible at the junction of Highways 89 and 12. Highway 12 is the turnoff to Bryce. Presumably, any point on the east side of Bryce National Park where the land falls off to Tropic, Utah would be unobstructed to the southeast and omega Cent could be seen. Beyond milepost 170, Highway 89 north to the I-70 junction enters a narrow winding canyon, blocking the omega Cen view. I tried several times to acquire omega Cen along I-70 and north on I-15 outside of Cove Fort. The mountains blocked the terrain at all points north of Thompsonville on Highway 89. Clear Skies - Kurt

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Local Place/Person to buy a Telrad
by JayLEads 17 May '09

17 May '09

Thanks everyone! I'll be calling Brent on Monday hopefully I can get one by the end of the week. Looks like a great night tonight so clear and calm skies to anyone going out . Haven't checked the jet stream but I think were okay. Late last night/early a.m. I got up and was viewing Ursa Major and then in Scorpius and it was rather nice to see that old friend making its way back. Saw Sagittarius also as I was getting ready to wind down. Guess summer is right around the corner. Cheers, Jay On 2009-05-17 22:53, Roger Butz wrote: > Jay,Try Brent Watson in bountiful utah. You can contact them at 800-363-9540 801-363-9540 or at www.sky-spot.com. Great people, and an original member of SLAS.Roger > > --- On Sat, 5/16/09, JayLEads <jayleads@???> wrote: >

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Albireo: a double star?
by Canopus56 17 May '09

17 May '09

> I found this a few years ago in the 1978 edition of Burnham's (Burnbaum's) Celestial Handbook Vol. II, page 754, third paragraph: "Albireo is believed to be a physical pair, although no evidence of ortibal motion has been detected since the first observations of F.G.W. Struve in 1832." Orbit diagram - Sixth Catalogue of the Orbits of Visual Binary States http://ad.usno.navy.mil/wds/orb6/PNG/wds19307+2758a.png Sixth Catalogue of the Orbits of Visual Binary States Data - search for "19307+2758" - 213.8 year orbit http://ad.usno.navy.mil/wds/orb6/orb6orbits.html Sixth Catalogue COlumn descriptions http://ad.usno.navy.mil/wds/orb6/orb6text.html#description Orbit study that is the basis for the 6th Orbit Catalogue Entry http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2008AN....329...54S The CCDM lists Albireo as a triple http://vizier.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/VizieR?-source=I/274 Wikipedia entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albireo Albireo as a Triple Star (Haven't pulled this one) Webb, T. W.; McAlister, H. A.; Worley, C. E.; Burnham, S. W.; Aitken, R. G. SKY AND TELESCOPE V. 59, P. 210, 1980 (S&T Homepage) http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1980S&T....59..210W Clear skies - Kurt

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Local Place/Person to buy a Telrad
by Roger Butz 17 May '09

17 May '09

Jay,Try Brent Watson in bountiful utah. You can contact them at 800-363-9540 801-363-9540 or at www.sky-spot.com. Great people, and an original member of SLAS.Roger --- On Sat, 5/16/09, JayLEads <jayleads(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: JayLEads <jayleads(a)gmail.com> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Local Place/Person to buy a Telrad To: "Utah-Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Date: Saturday, May 16, 2009, 9:23 AM I need to pick up a Telrad for a dob I use with my students. If I remember right there is someone locally that sells them in Bountiful. I don't have the information anymore and am wondering if someone knows it so I could purchase one. I prefer to support locally if possibly and it is probably easier. Thanks. Jay _______________________________________________ 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] New Class of Black Holes
by Joe Bauman 17 May '09

17 May '09

Hi Jim, Those are certainly great questions, and I have no answers. I don't know enough about the subject. Posting on the blog is great for me, because it lets folks know that there is interest in the blog, and sometimes dialogs start up where questions are answered. Best wishes, Joe --- On Sun, 5/17/09, jim Gibson <jimgibson0(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: jim Gibson <jimgibson0(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] New Class of Black Holes To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Date: Sunday, May 17, 2009, 7:57 AM Joe Interesting read. This is so new and weird to me that all I can do is formulate some dumb questions. Do black holes have a right-side-up? If so, then if 2 black holes approached each other, and one being up-side-down in relation to the other, would they be more likely to attract each other or repel each other? Are black holes and dark energy related? I don’t know where to post these questions; on here or on your blog. Jim On Wed, May 13, 2009 at 1:44 AM, Joe Bauman <josephmbauman(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Hi, My blog today is about a theorized new class of black holes -- rogue > black holes, as if the Milky Way didn't have enough to worry about! Here's > the URL > > http://www.deseretnews.com/blogs/1,5322,10000034,00.html?bD=20090513 > > -- PLEASE someone validate my existence by commenting! -- Best wishes, Joe > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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] Albireo: a double star?
by Joe Bauman 17 May '09

17 May '09

The APOD for Aug. 30, 2005, has this: Explanation: Sometimes, even a small telescope can help unlock a hidden beauty of the heavens. Such is the case of the bright double star Albireo. Seen at even slight magnification, Albireo unfolds from a bright single point into a beautiful double star of strikingly different colors. At 380 light years distant, the two bright stars of Albireo are comparatively far from each other and take about 75,000 years to complete a single orbit. The brighter yellow star is itself a binary star system, but too close together to be resolved even with a telescope. Albireo, pictured above, is the fifth brightest star system toward the constellation of the Swan (Cygnus) and easily visible to the unaided eye. -- If they take 75,000 years for one go-round, we can't see the motion. This makes it seem that NASA has concluded that they are a true physical binary, however. -- Joe --- On Sun, 5/17/09, M Wilson <astro_outwest(a)yahoo.com> wrote: From: M Wilson <astro_outwest(a)yahoo.com> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Albireo: a double star? To: "Utah astronomy blog" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Date: Sunday, May 17, 2009, 12:15 AM I found this a few years ago in the 1978 edition of Burnham's (Burnbaum's) Celestial Handbook Vol. II, page 754, third paragraph: "Albireo is believed to be a physical pair, although no evidence of ortibal motion has been detected since the first observations of F.G.W. Struve in 1832." Most of us, including myself, have been telling the public for years that the two were gravitationally bound. Looks like the proof is lacking or is Burnham's is out-of-date? _______________________________________________ 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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Albireo: a double star?
by M Wilson 17 May '09

17 May '09

I found this a few years ago in the 1978 edition of Burnham's (Burnbaum's) Celestial Handbook Vol. II, page 754, third paragraph: "Albireo is believed to be a physical pair, although no evidence of ortibal motion has been detected since the first observations of F.G.W. Struve in 1832." Most of us, including myself, have been telling the public for years that the two were gravitationally bound. Looks like the proof is lacking or is Burnham's is out-of-date?

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New Class of Black Holes
by Joe Bauman 17 May '09

17 May '09

Hi, My blog today is about a theorized new class of black holes -- rogue black holes, as if the Milky Way didn't have enough to worry about! Here's the URL http://www.deseretnews.com/blogs/1,5322,10000034,00.html?bD=20090513 -- PLEASE someone validate my existence by commenting! -- Best wishes, Joe

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Local Place/Person to buy a Telrad
by Wayne Sumner 17 May '09

17 May '09

Call Brent or Claudia Watson at Skyspot at (801) 295-9540, and tell them Wayne sent you! Wayne A. Sumner Math/Physics/Astronomy/Engineering Boy's Tennis Coach Northridge High School Davis School District (801) 402-8610 >>> JayLEads <jayleads(a)gmail.com> 05/16/09 10:24 AM >>> I need to pick up a Telrad for a dob I use with my students. If I remember right there is someone locally that sells them in Bountiful. I don't have the information anymore and am wondering if someone knows it so I could purchase one. I prefer to support locally if possibly and it is probably easier. Thanks. Jay _______________________________________________ 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] Local Place/Person to buy a Telrad
by JayLEads 17 May '09

17 May '09

Patrick, That's the one! Thanks so much. I'll give him a call on Monday. Jay On 2009-05-17 07:29, Patrick Wiggins wrote: > Hi Jay, > > I think you're talking about Brent Watson with SkySpot. > > I don't think he's on Utah-Astronomy at the moment but you should be > able to reach him via his website at http://www.sky-spot.com. > > patrick > > >

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