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

M57 +73PSW-3
by daniel turner 27 Mar '13

27 Mar '13

Mark your calendar for early evening May 7. Their will be a close encounter between the Ring nebula and periodic comet 73P. The comet will be close to earth so its exact position in the sky will depend stongly on your location on the globe. Go to spaceweather.com and use the link at the bottom of the page for "Observable Comets". 73p is in the list and includes orbital elements and a link for daily ephemerides. DT __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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32" video experiements
by Chuck Hards 10 Sep '09

10 Sep '09

I was joined by Bruce Grim and Roger Butz on the SPOC 32" scope Thursday night for the first trials with the high-def camcorder connected to the scope. The Orion bracket proved adequate. I may augment it a bit if time permits, but it will work as-is. The seeing was terrible and we were forced to use the scope at it's lowest power, about 180x, with the camera in afocal mode and using my UO 55mm Limited-Editon Plossl, but at that power the views were at least aesthetically satisfying. This is much too low for the LCROSS event; successfully imaging the debris cloud is very much dependant on good seeing at the time of impact. Even a visual sighting would be difficult in seeing such as we had Thursday night. A higher moon will help, as will an early-morning impact time. Panning the scope and fine-adjusting the FOV was simple and intuitive using the hand paddle while watching a 7" flat panel monitor set-up next to the keyboard and computer monitor at the operators station. The 3" monitor on the camcorder itself can also be used. I recorded several test-pans, touring the terminator and other interesting features on the lunar surface. It was noted that if we play station WWV while imaging, we can have precise timings for all recorded events since the camcorder records a stereo audio track as well. Comments by observers will also be recorded. I have a remote mic that plugs-into the camcorder if needed, for better placement than the internal mic on the camcorder. The telescope drive failed before we could image Jupiter or any DSO's, so further tests on fainter and smaller objects must await the repaired drive. Bruce has sent the buggy components in for factory repair. Contact him for detailed info on the problem. There was nothing noted during these tests that preclude imaging the LCROSS debris cloud, but further tests on fainter objects are needed, as well as tests when the atmosphere is steadier. The camcorder sequences are much sharper than the Meade Electronic Eyepiece can provide, plus it is a color chip. The Meade E.E. is monochrome. I will post some stills captured from the video sequences as well as a test video clip in coming days, when I get the time. Many thanks to Bruce and Roger for helping me with this test! I may bring the video equipment to the star party Saturday night the 29th. Bill Kennedy and I will be operating the 32" in star-hopping mode, using the synchronous motor RA drive backup designed and installed by Bruce for just such an occassion. Dec adjustment will be by hand.

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Aerials of SPOC
by Patrick Wiggins 01 Sep '09

01 Sep '09

Here are a couple of shots I got of SPOC yesterday (Saturday) just before the star party: http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/temp/2009aug29/DSC_0112.jpg http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/temp/2009aug29/DSC_0115.jpg I know the white vehicle is Bill Cowles'. Who does the red one belong to? Cheers, patrick

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Homemade Telescopes? Filmmaker looking for props
by Richard Tenney 31 Aug '09

31 Aug '09

Danielle, I'm CC'ing the Utah Astronomy mailing list for takers (I actually live about an hour south of SLC). Hopefully there are plenty that might be interested; I'll let them reply to all... What is the film, out of curiosity? Regards, /Rich --- On Mon, 8/31/09, Danielle Clemenza <danielleclemenza(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > From: Danielle Clemenza <danielleclemenza(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: Homemade Telescopes? > To: > Date: Monday, August 31, 2009, 1:21 PM > Hi > there, My > name is Danielle, and I am a cinematic > art director from Los > Angeles.The > reason I am writing is because I will be art directing > a feature > film in the Salt > Lake City area, and we are currently searching for > unique looking astronomical props-- homemade telescopes in > particular. (any other sort of astronomyhomemade gear as > well.)Does > your society happen to have any of these that we may be able > to rent from you for a fee? If not, would you happen to > have any recommendations of somewhere in the area that > might?Thank > you so much for your time! I look forward to hearing from > you soon.Best,Danielle > Clemenza > > >

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Fw: Re: Homemade Telescopes? Filmmaker looking for props
by Richard Tenney 31 Aug '09

31 Aug '09

--- On Mon, 8/31/09, Danielle Clemenza <danielleclemenza(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > From: Danielle Clemenza <danielleclemenza(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: Re: Homemade Telescopes? Filmmaker looking for props > To: "Richard Tenney" <retenney(a)yahoo.com> > Date: Monday, August 31, 2009, 4:24 PM > Thank > you very much! The project is called AREA 51-- > it's about a young man who is intrigued by > extraterrestrial life, and breaks his way into Area 51. > The homemade telescopes would be used in his at-home > observatory. :) > > > --- On Mon, 8/31/09, Richard Tenney > <retenney(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > From: Richard Tenney <retenney(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: Re: Homemade Telescopes? Filmmaker looking for > props > To: "Danielle Clemenza" > <danielleclemenza(a)yahoo.com> > Cc: "Utah-Astronomy" > <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Date: Monday, August 31, 2009, 3:17 PM > > Danielle, I'm CC'ing the > Utah Astronomy mailing list for takers (I actually live > about an hour south of SLC). Hopefully > there are plenty that might be interested; I'll let > them reply to all... > > What is the film, out of curiosity? > Regards, > /Rich > > --- On Mon, 8/31/09, Danielle Clemenza <danielleclemenza(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > From: Danielle Clemenza <danielleclemenza(a)yahoo.com> > > Subject: Homemade Telescopes? > > To: > > Date: Monday, August 31, 2009, 1:21 PM > > Hi > > there, My > > name is Danielle, and I am a cinematic > > art director from Los > > Angeles.The > > reason I am writing is because I will be art > directing > > a feature > > film in the Salt > > Lake City area, and we are currently searching for > > unique looking astronomical props-- homemade > telescopes in > > particular. (any other sort of astronomyhomemade > gear as > > well.)Does > > your society happen to have any of these that we may > be able > > to rent from you for a fee? If not, would you happen > to > > have any recommendations of somewhere in the area > that > > might?Thank > > you so much for your time! I look forward to hearing > from > > you soon.Best,Danielle > > Clemenza > > > > > > > > > > > > >

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Using photometry to find skybrightness above the LCROSS impact site and Brightness of Impact Cloud
by Canopus56 31 Aug '09

31 Aug '09

I have made a substantial revision to my modification of the Schaefer 1993 Qbasic program for model sky brightness in mpsas at the lunar limb during the LCROSS impact. The revised Qbasic program is available at: http://members.csolutions.net/fisherka/astronote/observed/LCROSS/occvis_slc… http://tinyurl.com/l38vj9 An instruction sheet and parameter entry tips are at: http://members.csolutions.net/fisherka/astronote/observed/LCROSS/SchaeferOc… http://tinyurl.com/mrasdn The correction fixes computation errors and the model now responds to light pollution inputs. Modeling analysis using the modified Qbasic program indicates that just on the bright side of lunar polar termination and just above the polar limb, sky brightness will be about 14.7 MPSAS. This is a favorable contrast with the LCROSS team's single frequency brightness of the ejecta curtain at 3.0 mpsas. Based on this modeling, lunar glare should not prevent observing or imaging the LCROSS impact. But this is a model, not real data. Confirmation of the level of lunar glare above the south lunar pole by imaging-based differential photometry on Sept. 9 is recommended. Modeling indicates that light pollution in an urban environment may be a factor reducing one's ability to see the ejecta curtain. It is recommended that observer travel to rural or dark sky sites to observe the impact. Corrections and criticisms on the modified model are welcomed. Clear Skies - Kurt

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Shuttle-ISS overflights for next week
by Canopus56 30 Aug '09

30 Aug '09

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Any interestest: Moonless Jupiter at SPOC?
by Jay Eads 30 Aug '09

30 Aug '09

Patrick, I will commit to show up to observe this out at SPOC. Just need to know a time. If anyone wants a ride from near Herriman I have a Nissian Altima that can hold four comfortably. Jay On 2009-08-30 07:27, Patrick Wiggins wrote: > Here's what S

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Using photometry to find skybrightness above the LCROSS impact site and Brightness of Impact Cloud
by Canopus56 30 Aug '09

30 Aug '09

On the question lunar glare and the LCROSS impact, it appears that Dr. Schaefer did an article on the faintest star visible before occultation on the bright limb in S&T. His articlle was also turned into one of the S&T BASIC programs available via the internet. Schaefer, B. E. A star's visibility just before occultation. Sky Telesc., Vol. 85, No. 1, p. 89 - 91 (S&T Homepage) Bib. Code 1993S&T....85...89S url: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1993S%26T....85...89S S&T DOS Program from 1993 http://media.skyandtelescope.com/binary/occvis.bas in http://www.skyandtelescope.com/resources/software/3304911.html How to run a DOS QBasic program on a Windows XP Computer http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/hobbyqanda/3399826.html The 1993 S&T DOS program by Bradley Schaefer can be used to predict the faintest star visible just above the lunar limb, I adapted the Schaefer lunar occulation program with parameters for the LCROSS Oct. 9 impact as viewed from Salt Lake City, Utah using a 10 inch Newtonian scope. Schaefer's occultation limiting magnitude program predicted that the faintest visible star just before occultation was 5.3 mags for my scope. This corresponds to a sky brightness of 19.7 MPSAS. Since the LCROSS team predicts the maximum brightness of the LCROSS impact cloud at 3.0 MPSAS, there is a good contrast index (6.6) between the moonlight glare sky-brightness just above the limb and the ejecta cloud. This modeling suggests that the LCROSS ejecta cloud should be visible in 10 inches of aperture notwithstanding the lunar glare problem. A web document explains who to set the parameters in the Schaefer lunar occultation limiting magnitude program to emulate the LCROSS impact cloud and observing conditions for your observing point. http://members.csolutions.net/fisherka/astronote/observed/LCROSS/SchaeferOc… http://tinyurl.com/mrasdn I have also made a modified the S&T DOS program to set the parameters for Salt Lake City observing circumstances. This can be used as a template for your local circumstances. http://members.csolutions.net/fisherka/astronote/observed/LCROSS/occvis_slc… http://tinyurl.com/l38vj9 This note reports the result is a model prediction and and not an actual measurement. The next date that the Moon will be illuminated at 71% and in a manner similar to the LCROSS impact is on Sept. 9 at 11UT (Sept. 9 at 5am MDT, 77%)) and Sept. 10 11UT (Sept. 10, 5am, 68%): Source: LTVT ephemeris data, topocentric W111.8 N41.8 Date-TimeUT libr_lat lib_long colong illumfrac 20090907 1130 -6.2 -5.5 128 92 20090908 1130 -6.2 -5.5 140.2 85.5 20090909 1130 -6.1 -5.4 152.3 77.3 20091009 1130 -3.5 2.8 158.2 70.9 Impact day 20090910 1130 -5.4 -5.1 164.4 67.7 20090911 1130 -4.4 -4.3 176.5 57.1 20090912 1130 -3.2 -3.3 188.7 45.8 Date-TimeUT Lunar age (days) 20090907 1130 18.1 20090908 1130 19.1 20090909 1130 20.1 20091009 1130 20.6 Impact day 20090910 1130 21.1 20090911 1130 22.1 20090912 1130 23.1 For Sept. 9 and 10 at 11UT times (Sept. 9 at 5am MDT, Sept. 10 at 5am MDT) in Salt Lake City, the Moon will be an altitude much closer the circumstances of impact - around 70 degrees. On Sept. 9 at 11:21UT there is graze of the north pole by ZC387 (SAO75476, HD16302 in Aries between Hamal and Botein), but at magnitude 6.9, it is too faint to be observed visually according to the Schaefer predicted model as it passes along the bright limb side. But as the star passes the pole and crosses a degree or two into the dark limb, it should become visible. I may run a test to see if SAO75476 can be observed or imaged. I will also be looking to see if the grazing star's visibiliy is consistent with Schaefer's model - it should not be visible until it just crosses to the dark limb. Occult 4 data for this graze is: Grazing Occultations near SaltLakeCity UT E. Longitude -111 53 24.0, Latitude 40 45 24.0, Alt. 1337m; Telescope dia 15cm; dMag 0.0 day Time P Star Sp Mag Mag % Elon Sun Moon Cusp angle Distance Azimuth Path formula y m d h m s No D v r V ill Alt Alt o km 09 Sep 9 11 21 38 Gr 387cG5 6.9 6.4S 77- 123 69 ** GRAZE: CA 2.7N; Dist. 19km in az. 339deg. [Lat =40.94+0.29(E.Long+111.89)] (For Utah locals: The graze coordinates across I-15 from the Farmington Bay Water Fowl Management Area, near either the Centerville Recreation Complex or Smoot Park). On August 28, the Moon was illuminated at 71% but reversed as to what will occur on impact on Oct. 9. Salt Lake was overcast and I was unable to take any images from which to make differential photometry measurements. The take away point is that based on this modelling of the lunar glare brightness above the south lunar pole on Oct. 9, even if LCROSS ejecta cloud has a brightness of 6 mpsas, the ejecta cloud should still have sufficient contrast against the lunar glare at the south pole should not prevent observing the cloud. This is an amateur note. Corrections and criticisms to the above are welcomed. Clear Skies - Kurt

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Any interestest: Moonless Jupiter at SPOC?
by Patrick Wiggins 30 Aug '09

30 Aug '09

Here's what S&T is saying about Jupiter next Wednesday night. Any interest in using the scopes at SPOC to watch this event? patrick On the night of September 2-3, 2009, a remarkable celestial event will take place. From 4:43 to 6:29 Universal Time on the 3rd (which is 10:43 to 12:29 a.m. MDT on the 3rd), a casual look at Jupiter through a telescope will show no moons at all. It's quite common for one of the four Galilean moons be hidden, and it's not rare to see only two moons. But only a few times in a century do all four moons hide simultaneously behind or in front of Jupiter.

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