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

Rant
by Chuck Hards 09 Jul '10

09 Jul '10

I'm a very late-comer to the world of serious commercial telescopes. Having been a die-hard ATM since 1968, it's only recently that I have purchased a commercial instrument larger than 4.25" aperture. Maturity, a paid-off mortgage, a raised kid, and no car loans makes a huge difference in a person's life. Too, the world of amateur astronomy has changed hugely in the last half-century, thanks to commercial advances; a fact that many new-comers (anybody who got serious after about 1979, in my book...deal with it, newbs) fail to grasp. When I started in this hobby, if you didn't have much "disposable income", you had no choice but to be a creative ATM and world-class scounger. The nine-year-old kid in 1967 who was looking at Messier objects from the back yard in a 60mm departement-store refractor was the typical entry-level amateur astronomer. A 4.25" Newtonian was "heavy artillery" in those days. Fast-forward about 40+ years. For various reasons best left off-list, I find myself very interested in Celestron SCT's, after a span of over 40 years. However, I have a complaint. I just received my C-6 OTA (only $379, BN, with free shipping...holy cow!) and with it came a 75-page manual. However, only ONE PAGE was dedicated to the OTA. The entire remainder was about the mount, general astronomy info, and FILM astrophotography. Come on, Celestron. It's 2010. Time to re-write the manuals. Past time. WAY past time. Thanks for your time, ladies and gentlemen of Utah-astronomy. (gets down off soapbox)

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Libration Summary Chart for Lunation 1083 July Aug 2010
by Canopus56 09 Jul '10

09 Jul '10

A lunar libration summary chart for lunation 1083 (7-11 to 8-10). http://fisherka.csolutionshosting.net/astronote/libration/Latest.jpg Historical charts are available in directory: http://fisherka.csolutionshosting.net/astronote/libration/ The Moon continues in its seasonal low altitude phase. No imaging opportunities above 60 degrees altitude from 41 North latitude. Clear Skies - Kurt

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tonight at SPOC
by Chuck Hards 09 Jul '10

09 Jul '10

I just had to cancel my reservation on the 32" scope at SPOC tonight, so if any qualified operators would like to use it, it's first come, first served on the reservation board at the SLAS Website. Only qualified, paid-up Grim scope operators and SLAS members may reserve the telescope. You know who you are. I wanted to let folks know since I had to cancel on short notice. BTW, seeing was farily good last night, once the air steadied down. We had some nice views until clouded-out around midnight.

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Giant leap
by Patrick Wiggins 09 Jul '10

09 Jul '10

Man to try to break sound barrier with his body http://www.aopa.org/aircraft/articles/2010/100707stratos.html?WT.mc_id=1007… Reminds me of when Pete Conrad (Apollo 12) said "Man, that may have been a small one for Neil, but that's a long one for me." patrick

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NASA Art Winners and Finalists
by Jay Eads 09 Jul '10

09 Jul '10

Saw this in my email today and thought I would share. These are the winning entrants for the NASA Art contest focused on the man returning to the moon. Posted back in March. Some very talented young people here I think. Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsGpK-sdKSY&feature=related Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmFmbRIOTJ4&feature=related

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Once more to the Pit
by Jay Eads 09 Jul '10

09 Jul '10

Thanks Joe, How was Bryce? On 2010-07-09 00:37, Joe Bauman wrote: > Fine report, Jay. Best wishes, Joe > > --- On Thu, 7/8/10, Jay Eads <jayleads@???> wrote: > > From: Jay Eads <jayleads@???> > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Once more to the Pit > To: "Utah-Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@???> > Date: Thursday, July 8, 2010, 2:36 AM > > When we arrived it was very cloudy at 8:00p.m. We set up and by 10:30, clouds were gone as the sun had retired for the evening. It was a great evening with low humidity and great views. My new scope worked like a charm and we enjoyed the views greatly. M51 in particular showed much in terms of detail and structure, both arms very evident as was most of the bridge. > > On 2010-07-07 23:09, Jay Eads wrote: > > There is a group of us, about 6 to 7 that are heading to the Pit > > tonight if anyone is interested in joining us. Humidity will be low > > until around 4:00a.m. and then it goes up to around 60% but > > temperature should prevent dew. Should be a very good night according > > to Clear Sky Clock. > > > > I am looking at Wolf Creek next Monday and Tuesday night for new moon > > as the forecast is great for those two nights. > > > > > > > > > >

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Once more to the Pit
by Jay Eads 08 Jul '10

08 Jul '10

When we arrived it was very cloudy at 8:00p.m. We set up and by 10:30, clouds were gone as the sun had retired for the evening. It was a great evening with low humidity and great views. My new scope worked like a charm and we enjoyed the views greatly. M51 in particular showed much in terms of detail and structure, both arms very evident as was most of the bridge. On 2010-07-07 23:09, Jay Eads wrote: > There is a group of us, about 6 to 7 that are heading to the Pit > tonight if anyone is interested in joining us. Humidity will be low > until around 4:00a.m. and then it goes up to around 60% but > temperature should prevent dew. Should be a very good night according > to Clear Sky Clock. > > I am looking at Wolf Creek next Monday and Tuesday night for new moon > as the forecast is great for those two nights. > > >

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Once more to the Pit
by Jay Eads 07 Jul '10

07 Jul '10

There is a group of us, about 6 to 7 that are heading to the Pit tonight if anyone is interested in joining us. Humidity will be low until around 4:00a.m. and then it goes up to around 60% but temperature should prevent dew. Should be a very good night according to Clear Sky Clock. I am looking at Wolf Creek next Monday and Tuesday night for new moon as the forecast is great for those two nights.

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Test 2
by Jay Eads 07 Jul '10

07 Jul '10

It's working! On 2010-07-07 04:33, Kelly_Carroll wrote: > > Test 2 > > >

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Test 2
by Kelly_Carroll＠nps.gov 07 Jul '10

07 Jul '10

Test 2

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