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

ISS Packet
by Stephen Peterson 17 Nov '10

17 Nov '10

Patrick, I haven't worked ISS Packet lately but will give it a try. As I recall and confirmed by the following link, packet is downlinked on the 145.800 MHz voice frequency when they are not doing voice. That is the ISS crew turns the radio to packet digipeater mode when they are not on voice. The packet uplink frequency is 145.990 MHz. The following link gives more info: http://www.amsatnet.com/iss.html. Steve

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wmo talk
by Gary Vardon 17 Nov '10

17 Nov '10

The talk at our last SLAS meeting about West Mountain Observatory was very interesting. I went to the web site. This is an example of taking virtual tours using the net. which is a good idea. Sincerely, Gary Vardon The book DO It Right will help you understand vital ideas leading to your greater success. GO to PublishAmerica.com Consulting For Profit is also available. Learn how to make money as a consultant.

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ISS Ham Radio
by Stephen Peterson 17 Nov '10

17 Nov '10

Glad to hear that Patrick found a 2 m ham radio to listen in on the ISS. Yes, the current crew on ISS is active on air and 2-way contacts are possible with a 5 watt radio if you are licensed. Two months ago the Dixie Amateur Radio Club set up a station at a boy scout gathering in Hurricane that enabled a dozen scouts to ask astronaut Doug Wheelock, in real time, questions about what life was like on the ISS. Several scouts subsequently expressed an interest in pursuing a career in science or engineering! It is now easier than ever to get your ham license, the technician class license requires only answering some easy regulatory and simple technical questions, code is no longer required for any class of license. Google UARC, DARC or contact me here or at ki7L(a)arrl.net for more information. I've been having fun with ham radio for 50 years! Steve

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Windows equivalent?
by Patrick Wiggins 17 Nov '10

17 Nov '10

Most here know I run mostly Macs, so you'll understand if I'm not quite up to snuff with Windows stuff. I do have one Windows machine running something called Home Edition XP (I understand it's old but it works for my purposes) which I have to use to control my mount and camera. I like to use keyboard shortcuts rather than have to grab the mouse whenever possible and have found that most of the Mac shortcuts are duplicated in Windows except Windows uses the Control key vs Macs using the Apple key. But there's one shortcut I use a lot but have not been able to find in Windows. If I want to close a document or window with the Mac I press Apple+W. Is there a similar combination of Windows keys that will do the same? Thanks, patrick

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] One-Way Ticket to Mars
by Debbie 16 Nov '10

16 Nov '10

If I get a terminal case of cancer, I'll sign up. It would be a better way to go than chemo in my opinion. Debbie On Tue Nov 16 13:08 , Chuck Hards <chuck.hards(a)gmail.com> sent: >I'll go to Mars to escape taxation by the King, you bet! > >On 11/16/10, erikhansen(a)thebluezone.net erikhansen(a)thebluezone.net> wrote: >> Hi All, >> >> The tribune ran a story today about a proposal to colonize mars. One way >> ticket, do or die. Any takers? >> They suggest it should be older astronauts and no women of child bearing >> age. The WSU scientist compared it to colonizing America. I guess the big >> difference would be early colonists had few concerns about breathable air >> and drinkable water. > >_______________________________________________ >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] Windows equivalent?
by Nate Jackson 16 Nov '10

16 Nov '10

alt+f4 From: Patrick Wiggins <paw(a)wirelessbeehive.com> To: utah astronomy utah astronomy listserve <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Cc: Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2010 2:47:54 AM Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Windows equivalent? Most here know I run mostly Macs, so you'll understand if I'm not quite up to snuff with Windows stuff. I do have one Windows machine running something called Home Edition XP (I understand it's old but it works for my purposes) which I have to use to control my mount and camera. I like to use keyboard shortcuts rather than have to grab the mouse whenever possible and have found that most of the Mac shortcuts are duplicated in Windows except Windows uses the Control key vs Macs using the Apple key. But there's one shortcut I use a lot but have not been able to find in Windows. If I want to close a document or window with the Mac I press Apple+W. Is there a similar combination of Windows keys that will do the same? Thanks, 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

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One-Way Ticket to Mars
by erikhansen＠thebluezone.net 16 Nov '10

16 Nov '10

Hi All, The tribune ran a story today about a proposal to colonize mars. One way ticket, do or die. Any takers? They suggest it should be older astronauts and no women of child bearing age. The WSU scientist compared it to colonizing America. I guess the big difference would be early colonists had few concerns about breathable air and drinkable water. Erik

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Opinions on Astro-Tech Refractor
by sfisher01＠comcast.net 16 Nov '10

16 Nov '10

Ann: Good morning. Craigs mount is a Celestron ASGT series mount. It is a modification of the CG5. I have seen it at the solar parties. It is a very nice mount for a "smallish" refractor. It's only short fall is that it really works better with an extension in the pier rather than raising the legs to a height that is good for a refractor. It is my opinion that the mount will handle the weight and length of a nice 5" refractor for visual use. I know that you guys are not into imaging at least at this time. Lowell Lyon made a similar change several years ago although not for the same reasons. He sold his Meade LX200 12" and bought a Celestron OTA on a CGE mount like mine. I think the OTA was a 14" but wouldn't guarantee it. He found that although it was much heavier in total it was also much easier to handle because it was in bite size pieces. I went essentially from a 12" SCT to a 5" William Optical Refractror and I will tell you that it takes some adjustment in your observing preferences. Those faint fuzzies will be smaller and dimmer but you will open up a whole new world if you have a mind to. The double cluster won't hardly fit in the field of view in my 6" but the image of Plato the first day after first quarter moon is just hard to describe. There are a number of 4" and 5" refractors around SLAS and here in the valley, I have no doubt that if you can get the mount setup we could find a nice OTA to try on it for you one clear night. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ann Blanchard" <a.blanchard(a)ugs.utah.edu> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2010 8:45:04 AM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Opinions on Astro-Tech Refractor Thanks we do also have an computerized equatorial mount that Celestron sold as some kind of deal for $700 with a 5 or 6" or??" scope (sorry, I can't remember) and the mount is, I believe, a CG5 and while it is nice and heavy, Craig and I can each take an end and carry it. The 11" CPC only has a handle on one side for some perverse reason and it weighs about 65 pounds, so I can't really help with it. He hasn't done imaging, it doesn't work with the 11" and I think he would just like to try some moon shots and stick with admiring the gems the other folks in the club spend such time and care creating. We do love the images in the 11 inch, but if it comes down to going out or not, I guess compromise is the answer. So, if he is not doing imaging, do you think the CG5 could support the 130? Thanks for your advice, if it comes from another Craig, it's got to be good! -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Craig Smith Sent: Monday, November 15, 2010 10:07 PM To: 'Utah Astronomy' Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Opinions on Astro-Tech Refractor Excuse my ignorance, but does he do imaging, and has he used equatorial mounts? I hurt my back a while ago lifting my SCT as well. I've tried a number of things, including smaller SCTs, EQ-mounted SCTs, and refractors. I love refractors, but do miss the resolution of larger scopes. And larger refractors such as the 130 will still require a substantial mount, perhaps more so than an 8" SCT. For the most part there isn't anything really good that's really light, but they all distribute the weight differently. Some day I hope to try a dob .... Another Craig -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Ann Blanchard Sent: Monday, November 15, 2010 8:31 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Opinions on Astro-Tech Refractor Craig has hurt his back lifting our 11" Celestron CPC and is looking at two Astro-Tech refractors as alternative possibilities for a while (looking at prices, he still believes in Santa too). Anyway, have any of you owned, used one of these or do you know of a web site that might trusted that reviews them? They are the AT106 106m f/6.5 or the AT130 10mm F/6 . He found them on page 65 of the Sky and Telescope. I really appreciate any advice on them you can give, thanks! _______________________________________________ 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

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Joe's blogs and darkrooms
by Debbie 16 Nov '10

16 Nov '10

Joe, I also love reading your blog. M74 is an easy star-hop just east of Eta Piscium. By the way, do you ever talk about double-stars in your blog? When I show people double stars, they are often amazed at the pretty colors of the stars. Haven't seen much about double stars in Sky and Telescope lately, maybe next year. Debbie On Mon Nov 15 20:43 , Joe Bauman <josephmbauman(a)yahoo.com> sent: >Thank you, Steve. -- Joe > >--- On Mon, 11/15/10, Stephen Peterson scpki7l(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> From: Stephen Peterson scpki7l(a)gmail.com> >> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Joe's blogs and darkrooms >> To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com >> Date: Monday, November 15, 2010, 6:15 PM >> Joe keep it up, I read and enjoy them >> but on this portal! As a film >> photographer of almost 60 years I recently moved my >> darkroom (HC-110B, hypo, >> Dektol and all) to Hurricane along with the rest of >> the furniture. >> Something about the small of fixer!! I have a freezer full >> of Fuji Quick >> Loads so hope to keep going for a while. Digital is great >> for >> astrophotgraphy but let us all keep film going! I used to >> write a column for >> PhotoVision Magazine but it went under 7 years ago due to a >> lack of interest >> in film. So Joe keep going as long as you can!! >> >> Steve >> _______________________________________________ >> 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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Opinions on Astro-Tech Refractor
by Ann Blanchard 16 Nov '10

16 Nov '10

Craig has hurt his back lifting our 11" Celestron CPC and is looking at two Astro-Tech refractors as alternative possibilities for a while (looking at prices, he still believes in Santa too). Anyway, have any of you owned, used one of these or do you know of a web site that might trusted that reviews them? They are the AT106 106m f/6.5 or the AT130 10mm F/6 . He found them on page 65 of the Sky and Telescope. I really appreciate any advice on them you can give, thanks!

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