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

Red Light Myth
by Jay Eads 30 Aug '10

30 Aug '10

While listening to some 365 days of Astronomy PodCasts while grading today, I listened to one on Red Light and Night Vision. The author has the podcast as an article on her website located at http://www.alicesastroinfo.com/ . She sites a US Navy study from the 1980's to lead off the article: "Red light has been used because it is well established that subsequent dark adaptation is faster than with any other color. However, the magnitude of this advantage depends on the intensity of the adapting light. … The measure that has typically been used to show this phenomenon is the time required to detect pinpoints of light at absolute scotopic threshold–that is, the individual’s maximum sensitivity. Although this is undoubtedly of great importance at times, it is probably true that in most practical situations the observer is required to operate at something less than maximum sensitivity and to detect targets quite different from spots of light." Alice further quotes a website located here on the myth of the Red light: http://stlplaces.com/night_vision_red_myth/ "Experimentation shows a L.E.D. with a peek around 700nm seems to work best (perceived as a deep red). Note that red may be fatiguing to the eyes." Alice also states that based on the US Navy's stud, one must be fully dark adapted for a red light to benefit and that using a red light source helps "but only if you’re going stargazing in an extremely dark place. If you’re stargazing from within a city, you will likely never be somewhere that dark." I invite anyone to look at the sites, they are interesting I think. So what color light do you use when you observe in your backyard? Is it red, is it white or something else? What light do you use in the field if you need one? Does using a red light really help at a site like SPOC or a backyard where there is so much white light coming into the field from the surrounding neighborhood? Can such sites truly allow for full dark adaptation? I have my opinion but would like to see what others both do and what their opinions are.

10 14

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Capitol Reef
by rob.taylor＠digis.net 29 Aug '10

29 Aug '10

No, this is strictly a private event, the Park is not involved and probably won't even know or care that we will be there. There may be an occasional visitor wandering by but that will be about it. Be prepared to focus on some great observing and astrophotos We are all on our own for sleeping arrangements. I think several of us are staying at the Best Western just outside (East)of Torrey but there's nothing formal. I will be there, we'll be at Panorama Point starting Friday night, the weather looks good so far. Hope to see you there. Bob Taylor --- kimharch(a)cut.net wrote: From: "Kim" <kimharch(a)cut.net> To: "'Utah Astronomy'" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Capitol Reef Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:03:48 -0600 Would someone who knows please respond: Is the star party next weekend at Capitol Reef a public event, and if so, are entrance fees and/or camping fees being waived? Kim A. Hyatt Architect P.O. Box 124 Mt. Pleasant, Utah 84647 Tel: 435.462.9207 Fax: 435.462.5013 Mobile: 801.631.5228 kimharch(a)cut.net Architectural Design ▪ Historic Preservation _______________________________________________ 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

1 0

Squiggly lines are good
by Patrick Wiggins 28 Aug '10

28 Aug '10

I've heard it said that those who take pretty pictures get excited by pictures while those that take data get excited by squiggly lines. A couple of nights ago I spent the night taking single images once a minute for about 5 hours. Ok, not that exciting. But then I reduced the data and fed them into an online site that works with exo-planets and got the following squiggly lines. http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/temp/wasp3b01.jpg Excitement reigns! I still find it amazing that even someone with my amateur equipment is able to detect the passage of a planet in front of a star 727 light years away. I mean, put another way, the event I imaged actually happened in the year 1283. Wild! BTW, just for fun I googled "what happened in 1283" and found that was the year the prince of Gwynedd became the first person executed by drawing and quartering. :) At any rate, what's say we get a few more folks on this list to take data (MUCH easier than making pretty pictures)? Carpe Noctem! patrick

4 4

Labor Day Astronomy Programs at Great Basin National Park
by Kelly_Carroll＠nps.gov 28 Aug '10

28 Aug '10

Hello all, I would like to invite you to spend a couple of dark nights with us at Great Basin National Park. We will be having public programs both Saturday and Sunday night (9/4-9/5) and would love the company. If you need any information you can email me at: kelly_carroll(a)nps.gov or call 775-234-7331. Best, --kelly

1 0

Endeavor Elementary
by Jay Eads 28 Aug '10

28 Aug '10

Saw this on KSL and thought it was very interesting . . . http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=12079231&hl=9

9 9

Aurora borealis - and more
by Kim 27 Aug '10

27 Aug '10

Hi all. I wish to report a recent observation of the aurora. I’m confident that no one else anywhere observed this particular event. It occurred last night. I dreamt it. It was sort of a spectacular amalgamation of all my favorite aurora sightings, from a night on Skyline Drive maybe 20 years ago to the great aurora in March of 20(01?) that I first saw while walking in the City then went to watch from Little Mountain with many others. Anyway, maybe it’s prophetic. (I’m hoping.) Over the next few days or weeks I will be posting to the gallery pics from this summer’s attempts as well as dredging up images from the past. I’ve already posted a few in the album I just created. Maybe you’ll enjoy. Kim

7 18

My first shots!
by Nate Jackson 27 Aug '10

27 Aug '10

I'm so excited! And I just can't hide it! (hmm I think there may be a song in there somewhere) I shot these with my Nikon D80 and a reverse mounted 100-300 Vivitar lense just held up to a 25mm Orion Plossl on my Orion xt8. I know there are who knows how many shots of Jupiter but hey I had to try. These were taken Tuesday night )full moon and all) up on the ridge at Wolf Creek Pass. There are some others on flickr if anyone is interested. http://www.flickr.com/photos/myfuneralcar1972/4931449260/ ________________________________

3 2

Amateur-Built Spacecraft Ready To Launch
by Patrick Wiggins 27 Aug '10

27 Aug '10

Amateur-Built Spacecraft Ready To Launch http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/1711-full.html#203173 Finger crossed, patrick

1 0

Moon shot
by Patrick Wiggins 27 Aug '10

27 Aug '10

A friend and I were out over the GSL last evening and I got this shot of the Moon rising over Antelope Island: http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/temp/2010AUG24/2010AUG24-08.JPG A moment later I got this one with the Moon reflecting off the underside of the wing: http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/temp/2010AUG24/2010AUG24-09.JPG Fun reflections but I like the first one better. And while I've got your attention, anyone able to explain the vertical stripes in this image which my copilot got with her cell phone's camera? I'm guessing the stripes are somehow being caused by the propeller but I can't figure how: http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/temp/2010AUG24/2010AUG24-07.JPG Carpe Noctem, patrick

4 7

Fw: Jasper 100mw Green Laser Module - 45% off!
by Richard Tenney 26 Aug '10

26 Aug '10

Spam that may be of interest to some of you... /Rich --- On Mon, 8/23/10, JasperLaser.com <info(a)jasperlaser.com> wrote: From: JasperLaser.com <info(a)jasperlaser.com> Subject: Jasper 100mw Green Laser Module - 45% off! To: "Richard Tenney" <retenney(a)yahoo.com> Date: Monday, August 23, 2010, 9:10 AM JasperLasers : Cool tools to your door! Dear Richard, Still salivating over that Jasper 100mw? You know, the 100% IR filtered, 20 mile + range green laser that's so bright it can light a match? Well, now's the time to buy! We've just marked the price down to $195 - a savings of over $150! We've only got a handful of modules to sell at this price, so act now before they're all gone. To place your order, simply visit JasperLaser.com where you'll find the price marked down accordingly. Best regards, The JasperLaser.com Team P.S. Worried that 100mw may be a little too much laser for you? Try the 50mw module - it's been reduced to $100! JasperLaser.com 4386 NW Crescent Valley Dr, Corvallis, OR 97330 — To order by phone call 877-388-7362

2 1