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

XX12i 2nd at Orion for $974.96
by JayLEads 25 May '10

25 May '10

Not related to anyone at Orion nor do I get a kick back or anything but I saw that Orion has a XX12i for $974.96 for sale which is a savings of around $325. Here is the link: http://www.telescope.com/control/clearance-center/telescopes-on-sale/ refurbished-orion-skyquest-xx12i-intelliscope-truss-dobsonian So if someone wants a mid size dob with intelliscope this XX12i is discounted. I was talking to someone at the star party last Saturday (a newer member) who wanted one so this may be the right price.

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Eyepiece focal reducer
by Canopus56 24 May '10

24 May '10

Chuck, I do own one but found them more useful for photography than for visual observing due to edge-of-TFOV distortion. The full benefit of the TFOV increase reduction cannot be obtained visually due to field stopping. The best use I have found for it is with a small chip CCD to compress two widely separate galaxies onto the smaller chip TFOV. For this use, the technologically with more expensive wide CCD chips is the current state-of-practice. I have also found it useful with smaller 60mm refractors (either used a finder scope or separately) for the limited purposes of 1) looking at comets with larger tails, 2) displaying the full face of the Moon at star parties or 3) displaying large clusters in one TFOV (e.g. Coma B or M8). I do not own bino viewers can have not tried a nose piece focal reducer with a bino viewer. My recollection is that these are positive lenses placed more than 1 f/l in focus and therefore require a lot of infocus travel to get them to work. I'll have to check my optics notes. - Kurt http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_fr1a.htm http://www.owlastronomy.com/barlows.htm http://telescopes.net/doc/2500/mftr/Orion/item/52066 http://telescopes.net/doc/2500/mftr/Farpoint/item/FP496

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Threat to Bryce
by erikhansen＠thebluezone.net 24 May '10

24 May '10

>Well, I suppose that was before the plants in Utah were built, the damage to Utah's environment has already been done. That is some good news, but these plants and the coal being mined still goes to California. Still, 80% of IPP plant goes to California and was originally built for California. California will continue to burn coal in Utah for electricity, although it is good news that it will not increase. I do doubt Natural Gas will be an inexpensive energy source for much longer, everybody seems planning to increase its use. Don is right about California restrictions on plants outside their > borders. The expansion of the IPP coal-fired plant near Lynndyl, Millard Count, was canceled because California is the recipient of most of the electricity from the plant -- and after a new law, California would not allow importation of new power from a coal-fired plant anywhere, even in Utah. -- Joe > > --- On Mon, 5/24/10, erikhansen(a)thebluezone.net > <erikhansen(a)thebluezone.net> wrote: > > From: erikhansen(a)thebluezone.net <erikhansen(a)thebluezone.net> > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Threat to Bryce > To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Date: Monday, May 24, 2010, 10:22 AM > >>"I am curious who is the end customer since I have been told that >> California > only allows natural gas generation for new power projects." > > Don, I am sure that is a correct statement, but it probably means projects within their borders. > Outside of the state, our most recent coal plants (delta and four corners) > were built for California demand not Utah. I recall the four corners pollution was the first visible from space, that has hurt the skies in SW > Utah, the haze greatly increased. The selling point are jobs, but I would > think jobs could be created by other means, S Utah would be great for solar. These plants are of much greater benefit to California (we should at least tax the power going to California rather heavily) than Utah for they allow continued unsustainable growth there. California should be increasing use of solar panels on roofs and develop other things as well (wind and tidal power) > > I believe the statement is a half truth of half lie, take your pick. > > Erik > > > > > I am curious who is the end customer since I have been told that >> California >> only allows natural gas generation for new power projects. >> I think we need a buffer area around all the national parks and ten miles >> is >> not enough. I am just as worried about light pollution as dust. Is the >> operation going to be 24 hours a day? >> The federal regulations for reclaiming strip mines are very stringent and >> you are required to restore the land to its natural state with before and >> after photographs and replanting native vegetation but I am not sure if the >> State requirements are as strict and there are no significant >> requirements >> for private land. >> -----Original Message----- >> From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com >> [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of erikhansen(a)thebluezone.net >> Sent: Monday, May 24, 2010 9:20 AM >> To: Utah Astronomy >> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Threat to Bryce >>>My biggest problem is this will not go to power for Utah, it will go to >> California so they can circumvent clean air regulation. Tourism is important to S Utah this can only hurt that. >> Don't forget BP has assured us the environmental harm is exaggerated. We get what we deserve, explain it to your children and grandchildren. >> We humans sure seem determined to ruin everything of beauty on this >>> planet. My friend in Fla. says he can SMELL the oil in the gulf, and he's >>> 10 miles from the coast. >>> --- On Sun, 5/23/10, Jay Eads <jayleads(a)gmail.com> wrote: >>>> From: Jay Eads <jayleads(a)gmail.com> >>>> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Threat to Bryce >>>> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> >>>> Date: Sunday, May 23, 2010, 3:23 PM >>>> Another article on this from last >>>> fall in the DNews at >> http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705345869/Environmental-groups-challenge- strip-mining-permit-near-Bryce-Canyon-National-Park.html >>>> "David Nimkin, southwest regional director for the National >>>> Parks >>>> Conservation Association, also opposes the permit because >>>> of the impact it >>>> will have on the park. He asserts that the clean air, night >>>> skies and views >>>> would be threatened *by dust and light pollution generated >>>> by the mine*." >>>> Strip mining operates 24/7 and the lights used at night >>>> look like Las Vegas >>>> if you have ever seen this back east. Not a good thing for >>>> the skies at >>>> Bryce. >>>> Here is a M 4600 working at night and as the narrator says >>>> at the beginning >>>> "lights up like daytime." Imagine several of these machines >>>> operating that >>>> close to Bryce, I do think it will have an impact. >>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpRVgVHXOco >>>> On Sun, May 23, 2010 at 1:34 PM, <erikhansen(a)thebluezone.net> wrote: >>>> > No comment! >>>> > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> > Yes, I do believe this will put Bryce at risk as well >>>> as the area around >>>> > > it. >>>> > > Funny things about it as the article alludes to. >>>> What worries me more are >>>> > > the comments that people are leaving behind. >>>> Wrong place to mine. I hope >>>> > > the Feds refuse to allow the company to expand >>>> and that they perhaps step >>>> > > in >>>> > > on this one since it threatens Bryce. >>>> > > >>>> > > On Sun, May 23, 2010 at 11:45 AM, Joe Bauman >>>> > > <josephmbauman(a)yahoo.com>wrote: >>>> > > >>>> > >> Hi Friends, This article has me worried about >>>> the wonderful >>>> > >> opportunities >>>> > >> for astronomy at Bryce. I suspect a strip >>>> mine only ten miles away would >>>> > >> kick up enough dust to degrade the seeing. >>>> What do you think? -- Joe >>>> > >> >>>> > >> >>>> > >> http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700034412/Utahs-first-strip-mine.html >>>> > >> >>>> > >> >>>> > >> >>>> > >> >>>> > >> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> > >> 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 >>>> > >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> 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 >> _______________________________________________ >> 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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Abell 2151 - The Hercules Cluster
by Tyler Allred 24 May '10

24 May '10

Hi all. I have been focusing on luminance-only images lately. I am enjoying just running the camera all night on a single object and collecting as much data as possible. I ran the camera last night on the Hercules Galaxy Cluster (Abell 2151). This area of the sky is packed with galaxies in just about every orientation and form. If you look closely, the entire image is simply filled with galaxies. This image is fun to peruse. Take a look, here: http://www.allred-astro.com/gpage8.html Be sure to click in a few times to get the full version. Cheers, Tyler

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Seeing spots
by Patrick Wiggins 24 May '10

24 May '10

When I first looked at the SPOC Clear Sky Clock earlier today and saw it was calling for clearing skies today I questioned its accuracy. After all a quick look outside showed total overcast. But now, a few hours later the CSC is still calling for clear until midnight and I've been out observing the Sun under blue skies. Maybe I should apologize to the CSC's creator... :) At any rate, regarding seeing spots, I was delighted to see some very respectable spots on the Sun, right near its center. first sunspots I've seen in a couple of weeks. And switching to H-Alpha I saw two large prominences and a scattering of smaller ones. So, as planned, SPOC's Bogdan refractor will be open for Sun viewing this evening from 6 to 7 pm using the club's DayStar H-Alpha filter. Y'all come! patrick

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Shuttle "successor"
by Patrick Wiggins 23 May '10

23 May '10

Surveillance Suspected as Spacecraft’s Main Role http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/science/space/23secret.html Heavens Above is predicting some pretty good passes for Utah for this coming weekend. patrick p.s. Chuck, best not to shine your laser at it lest it shoot back. :)

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Seeing spots
by Canopus56 22 May '10

22 May '10

I'll be out at a little after 9pm to run the Ealing on some lunar targets, unless someone else already has it. - Kurt

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Patrick's next feat
by Steve FISHER 22 May '10

22 May '10

Patrick: Perhaps you could top this for your next act. Sorry for being off topic but it is 100% cloud cover. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r_CbFohB2o Steve

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Eyepiece focal reducer
by Chuck Hards 22 May '10

22 May '10

Has anyone used that 0.5X focal reducer designed for 1.25" eyepieces? They just thread-on eyepieces like a filter. I grabbed two of them on eBay from China for under $40 for the pair, thinking of a possible strategy for doubling my bino-viewer magnification range without buying more eyepiece pairs. No instructions or literature came with them at all. They just arrived yesterday and of course I can't try them out immediately. Maybe tomorrow on a terrestrial target.

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Observing Area in Wester Colorado
by erikhansen＠thebluezone.net 21 May '10

21 May '10

>>The Western Colorado Astro Club also observes at Rifle Gap State Park http://www.wcacastronomy.org/riflegap%20map.jpg and Highline Rec Area http://www.wcacastronomy.org/Highline%20State%20Rec%20Area.gif and Rabbit Valley Overlook http://www.wcacastronomy.org/ravam.gif I also noticed there is a star party June 11-13 at Colorado National > Monument > > http://www.wcacastronomy.org > > > Hi. >> The Ouray area is really nice, as is the area between Ridgeway and Placerville. There are a number of places to pull off the main road in a >> motorhome, and the skies would be really dark. Some of those side roads >> get >> really slick if it rains (due to the clay) so you would want to stay pretty >> close to the main drag. I can't give specific directions to a >> particular >> place, but I am certain that you could find a great spot. Also, from Placerville, you could follow the San Miguel River downstream toward the >> confluence with the Delores River. That entire area is spectacular. I have >> spent lots of time in that area, but I have always been working on the rivers, so I don't know of a perfect observing site. But, my sense is that >> it would be easy to find a great spot. That is my 2-cents worth. Cheers, >> Tyler >> -----Original Message----- >> From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com >> [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of erikhansen(a)thebluezone.net >> Sent: Friday, May 21, 2010 9:02 AM >> To: Utah Astronomy >> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Observing Area in Wester Colorado >>> The Winnebago sounds like the problem. He should limit himself to >> National Parks or Monuments. Probably by staying in So. Eastern Utah or Dinosaur Ntl Monument. >> Question for others here. Steve Coe a member of the Saguaro >>> Astronomy Club an author is looking for a place to camp and observe in Western Colorado. Here is what he is looking for : >>> "I am travelling in my RV this Summer and I am looking for a dark site in western Colorado. I know of the National Monument, but I would like to get a little further away from the lights of Grand Junction. >>> I will need a road good enough for the Winnebago and my tow car. I am travelling with Tom and Jeannie Clark, the former editors of Amateur Astronomy Magazine. So, a nice, big, dark, easy to reach meadow would be great. Somewhere around Ouray, maybe." >>> Just thought some with lots of experience here may have some insights. _______________________________________________ >>> 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 > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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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