January 2010 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

New astronomy podcast
by Patrick Wiggins 10 Jan '10

10 Jan '10

Some folks here might be familiar with the "Naked Scientist" podcast series. Earlier this month they started a new podcast about astronomy named, appropriately enough, "Naked Astronomy" (I'm thankful they didn't call it "Naked Astronomer"... <grin>): http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/show/2010.01.05 patrick

1 0

For Wayne Sumner - HI Star Student Astronomy Project
by Canopus56 09 Jan '10

09 Jan '10

- Kurt Two powerpoints presented at 8th AAVSO Conference - Nov. 2009 Download from http://www.aavso.org/aavso/meetings/fall09/fall09_papers.shtml ============ Hawaii Student/Teacher Astronomy Research (HI STAR) Outcomes (presentation in pdf) Support grade 7-11 students in Hawaii to conduct authentic astronomy research projects worthy of Science Fair entry. 2. Provide HI STAR alumni pursuing science and mathematics majors in college with summer research opportunities. 3. Establish an astronomy mentoring program to support the students undertaking Science Fair projects. We will discuss how we have been able to realize these goals due to having passionate, motivated 12-16 year old students, dedicated astronomer mentors, committed parents and teachers and other supporters for our program. Our major grant funding is over, but we will continue HI STAR. We continue to expand our program. We will have our HI STAR alumnus, Mimi Hang, now a sophomore at Mt. Holyoke College, discuss her research on Debris Disks in the AB Doradus Moving Group. She was fortunate enough to work at the Space Telescope Science Institute operated for AURA for NASA as an undergraduate researcher this past summer. Below is the abstract of her talk: The field of planetary science is quickly developing due to our appetite to learn more about the formation of our solar system and about planets around other stars. After the Jovian planets formed in our own solar system, it is believed that our solar system underwent a period of high dust production. For example, our terrestrial planets are thought to have formed from collisions between planetary embryos which includes the large collision that formed our moon when our solar system was ~50 Myr. These collisions formed more dust which swirled around our sun to become a debris disk. We can apply the model here to other star systems. Collisions between planetary embryos of other star systems must also produce high dust production and the dust grains are warmed by stellar light. These dust grains emit thermal infrared radiation which can be detected using space-based infrared telescopes such as the Spitzer Space Telescope (SST). However, it is important to note that the majority of these debris disks are not spatially resolved with current telescopes. The goal of this project was to figure out if there were any debris disks around the stars in the AB Dor moving group. In this project, the moving group AB Doradus was chosen because at 50 Myr and only 20 pc away from Earth, the stars in this association make for an extraordinary laboratory for inquiry of the end-stages of planetary formation. Data was obtained from the Spitzer Space TelescopeÕs FEPS Legacy MIPS observations. The approach was to (1.) reduce Spitzer data to measure the brightness of the stars at 24 and 70 microns, (2.) estimate the brightness of the stellar photosphere at those wavelengths and finally, (3.) to look for an excess in the infrared emission which would indicate thermal radiation from dust grains. The study revealed that about 21% of the stars measured in AB Dor have debris disks. However, only the star system of HIP 18859 had an excess at both 24 and 70 microns. Therefore, only HIP 18859 is guaranteed to have a debris disk based on the result of this study. =============== Also of background reading interest for Utah Astros for dealing with the upcoming 2012 hysteria - Kristine Larsen 20 min "Scientists Look at 2012": Carrying on Margaret Mayall's Legacy of Debunking Pseudoscience presentation in pdf In 1941 Margaret Mayall, the future director of the AAVSO, and Harvard colleague Bart Bok authored a critical study of astrology and its impact on society entitled "Scientists Look at Astrology." They chastised the scientific community for thinking the debunking of astrology to be "below the dignity of scientists." In contrast, they opined that it is one of the duties of scientists to "inform the public about the nature and background of a current fad, such as astrology, even though to do so may be unpleasant." Fast-forward 68 years in the future, and the astronomical community now faces a pseudoscientific enemy just as insidious as astrology, yet just as ignored by the general professional and amateur community as astrology had been when Mayall and Bok took up the charge in 1941. The pseudoscience in question is the well-publicized "prediction" that the Mayan calendar will end on December 21, 2012, causing the end of civilization in concert with one of a number of possible astronomical calamities, including (but not limited to) the gravitational pull of the center of the Milky Way (somehow enhanced by an "alignment" with our solar system), the near-approach by a mythical 10th planet (often named Nibiru), large-scale damage to the planet by solar flares larger than those ever recorded, or the shifting of the earth’s axis of rotation (often confused with a proposed sudden and catastrophic reversal of the earth’s magnetic polarity). As a scientific and educational organization, the AAVSO and its members have a responsibility to follow in Mayall’s footsteps, shining the light of reason and knowledge on the dark corners of ignorance which far too often permeate the Internet, radio and television programming, and recent films, most notably 2012. This talk will highlight some of the basic premises of the 2012 hysteria and suggest ways that the AAVSO and its members can use variable stars and the history of the AAVSO to counteract some of the astronomical misinformation which is increasingly promulgated by proponents of the 2012 pseudoscience.

1 0

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Warner Valley WX
by Canopus56 09 Jan '10

09 Jan '10

Stephen, Thanks for the directions to the site at Fort Pearce ( 37.007453, -113.411056 ). Looks like a great spot. I have added a link to the location at a Utah Astro Dark Sky Site list map on Google maps, so us northern out-of-towners can find it. http://tinyurl.com/ybds2rz I'll leave it posted unless it's a private site you want to keep for locals only. (In Google maps, activate the "Photos" option and Google Maps will bring up tourist pics of the historical landmark and dark sky site vicinty.) Any wind problems since it's near the San Juan? Any user conflicts with the nearby ATV site? The road inbound road looks like it's maintained county class B graded for two-wheel drive. Any four-wheeling gotcha spots? Limiting magnitude to the east with St. Geo to the west? Hope it's warmer than up here in Salt City. Thanks again. - Kurt P.S. - datum Fort Pearce does not come up in Google Maps but is listed in Topo USA: Name: Fort Pearce City/Town: Hurricane State: UT (Utah) ZIP Code: 84737 US County: Washington County Category: Manmade Landmark (Landmark) Coordinate: N37° 0.482', W113° 24.714' 37.007453, -113.411056

1 0

Warner Valley WX
by Stephen Peterson 09 Jan '10

09 Jan '10

Ft. Pearce is in the Warner Valley and has weather (WX) much like St. Geo. There is a light bloom from St. Geo. but if the atmosphere is clear it is not too bad. Personally, I'd stay on the dirt road and not turn towards Ft. Pearce. That way you remain on the E. side of the valley along the Hurricane Cliffs. Plenty of places to pull over on short side roads. Use one of the hills to the W to act as a light shield. Astrodeb may be out that way that weekend as well. Our house is in Cliffdwellers (917 W 3450 S) please stop by and say hello.

1 0

Directions to Ft. Pearce
by Stephen Peterson 08 Jan '10

08 Jan '10

Make your way to Hurricane, signed exit I-15 # 16, I think. In "don't Taser me" Hurricane turn S. at 700 W (Chevron station). Obey the speed limit!!! Stay on 700 W about 3 mi and just past the orchards turn right at the 'God Bless America' & Sand Hollow sign. Road goes W then S. Go straight S past Cliffdwellers and eventually the sky park. At the S end of the sky park the paved road turns into gravel/dirt. About a mile + watch for a sign indicating Ft. Pearce and or dinosaur tracks. Head W. Stay on the main road generally heading SW then W. Some wiggles and eventually (ca 7 mi) the road will 'T' with a sign 'Dinosaur tracks' pointing E and 'Ft. Pearce' pointing W. The dinosaur site is less than a mile and one could set up there in or near the parking area. If you head W to the Ft. (another 1-2 mi) there ll be a sign that points S (left) to a parking area. My guess is that is where the campers might be. If you proceed W another half mi or less you will see a sign just W of the turn off (S) to the actual Ft. There is a parking area that also could be a setup site. Further W on the main road a sand dune may be blocking the road which heads W to St Geo. If windy dust will be a major issue. Please..not responsible if you get lost. Cell service may not be available, carry water, etc. I'll be available daylight hours on 801 712-8071, free guide service that weekend!

2 1

Getting a dob ...
by Craig Smith 08 Jan '10

08 Jan '10

I posted this on cloudynights but would like any advice you all could give as well. I've had 2 8" SCTs and now own a 6" SCT for numerous reasons. But now I'm would like to trade it in for a dob. I want something not too heavy though as I have a back problem, ideally under 35 lbs for the heaviest component. My top options are: - Zhumell Z10, but I talked to them and they can't give me a net weight for just the tube though, and the shipping weight for the tube is 50 lbs! - Orion XT10, either intelliscope or not, have to decide. To upgrade the classic to the features that come with the intelliscope it's not far behind in price. But I would have to get scope gripps for adjustable tension; not sure if that's an option for the intelliscope. Both of these are quite a bit more money that the Z10 comparably equipped. Anyway, a couple other options have me thinking. The slower f-ratio of the 8" scopes is attractive to me (less sensitive to eyepieces and collimation). Only Discovery seems to make a 10" f6, and although they are a bit heavier, I think the quality would be worth the money. They have long wait times now though, but I suppose I wouldn't use it as much until summer anyway. OPT sells an 8" f9 that is interesting, but no 10". The other temptations are the Orion XX12i or Meade Lightbridge 12. Initially I didn't want a truss tube, as it would be more hassle to set up and I would for sure have to recollimate every time. I do notice a definite difference between by 6 and previous 8s, and I was hoping to at least get a 10. It is very tempting to double my aperture, but I don't want something that I won't get out because it's a hassle. So what do you recommend? Thanks.

2 2

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Winter observing
by JayLEads 06 Jan '10

06 Jan '10

Dave, I might be interested in heading south on Feb. 12th and 13th. Please drop me an email. In terms of anyone else, I am interested in heading south, southwest or southeast to spend a night or two observing. Let me know if you want company on a Friday or Saturday. I can leave on a Friday after 3:00p.m. (except for Jan. 25th through Feb. 15th when I'm off everyday). On 2010-01-06 16:15, Don J. Colton wrote: > I would appreciate directions to Fort Pearce and any other area you might > recommend. > > -----Original Message----- > From: utah-astronomy-bounces@??? > [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@???] On Behalf Of Dunn, > David > Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 8:09 AM > To: Utah Astronomy > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Winter observing > > We usually hook up with Debbie (a member of this list). She is checking > out some new sites for our February session. Another option is to go out > to Fort Pearce, which is where we have gone the last few years. The > issue with it is that we have had some 4X4 traffic out there so we are > looking for a better place. I can get you some directions if you want > them. > > Dave > > -----Original Message----- > From: utah-astronomy-bounces@??? > [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@???] On Behalf Of Craig > Smith > Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 7:49 AM > To: 'Utah Astronomy' > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Winter observing > > No, I don't have any specific plans. I figured others would know the > best > sites. > > Craig > > -----Original Message----- > From: utah-astronomy-bounces+cs2560=gmail.com@??? > [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+cs2560=gmail.com@???] On > Behalf Of Don J. Colton > Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 8:45 AM > To: 'Utah Astronomy' > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Winter observing > > "I'm considering heading down to St. George over the Martin Luther King > weekend. Anyone interested in getting together down there?" > > I will be down there during that weekend. I could probably observe at > least > one night. Do you have any observing site planned? > > Don Colton > > -----Original Message----- > From: utah-astronomy-bounces@??? > [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@???] On Behalf Of Craig > Smith > Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 9:48 PM > To: 'Utah Astronomy' > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Winter observing > > Thanks! > > I'm considering heading down to St. George over the Martin Luther King > weekend. Anyone interested in getting together down there? > > Craig > > -----Original Message----- > From: utah-astronomy-bounces@??? > [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@???] On Behalf Of Dunn, > David > Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 7:21 AM > To: Utah Astronomy > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Winter observing > > OAS is planning to go to St. George and observe in February. It will be > the > 12th and 13th. You are welcome to come and observe with us. > > Dave > > -----Original Message----- > From: utah-astronomy-bounces@??? > [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@???] On Behalf Of Craig > Smith > Sent: Sunday, January 03, 2010 12:23 AM > To: 'Utah Astronomy' > Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Winter observing > > I guess the nearest place with appreciably warmer winter temps is the > St. > George area? > > Craig > > > > > >

1 0

Dixie observing MLK weekend
by Stephen Peterson 06 Jan '10

06 Jan '10

All, I plan to be in our home, in Cliffdwellers, 5 mi S of Hurricane that weekend. The Fort Pearce site may have campers but I am sure we could find another dark sky site south or nearby. I'd be happy to reconnoiter as needed. Will work with astrodeb if possible. Best phone is 801 712-8071. Steve

1 0

Winter observing
by Craig Smith 06 Jan '10

06 Jan '10

I guess the nearest place with appreciably warmer winter temps is the St. George area? Craig

5 10

Nova in this evening's sky (Fwd from S & T)
by Patrick Wiggins 05 Jan '10

05 Jan '10

+++++ Nova in Eridanus This is an AstroAlert from Sky & Telescope. NOVEMBER 29, 2009 by Roger W. Sinnott An 8th-magnitude nova was discovered on November 25, 2009, by Koichi Itagaki of Yamagata, Japan. The new star lies in northeastern Eridanus, 6.9° west-southwest of Rigel. In an e-mail sent late on the evening of November 28th, Sky & Telescope Senior Editor Alan MacRobert writes, "Just spotted the nova in my 10x50 binocs on their wooden shoulder frame. Barely visible through the bright moonlight at about mag 8.4." The find was announced on CBET 2050, issued November 25th by the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Itagaki was using an 0.21-meter (8.3-inch) patrol camera, but within 15 minutes he secured a confirming image with an 0.60-meter reflector. The nova lies at right ascension 4h 47.9m, declination –10° 11' (equinox 2000.0). +++++ It'll be about 7 degrees to the upper right of Rigel as Rigel is rising this evening about 8. Well placed for viewing as it transits about 1 tomorrow morning, about 40 degrees above the horizon as seen from SLC. patrick

6 24