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

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Do you see stereo?
by Canopus56 24 Sep '10

24 Sep '10

Patrick, The JPL Ephemeris program shows a significant TFOV difference on the order of arcmins for images taken at the same moment from Utah and Hawaii. I have not figured out the projection magnification, but including magnification, the stereoscopic effect would be within the human 1 arcmin detection tolerance. *********************************************** Date__(UT)__HR:MN R.A._(ICRF/J2000.0)_DEC *********************************************** Salt Lake City 2010-Sep-23 09:00 m 23 50 39.30 +03 58 23.6 Kihei-AMOS Remote Maui Exper. Site Earth 399 2010-Sep-23 09:00 m 23 52 57.06 +04 15 32.5 The difference in the 0.025 value mentioned upthread and JPL values refers to the arctan of 6,000 miles/240,000 miles ratios. For very small angles, the half arcsin approximation is used. The arcsin value of 1/2 times 0.025 ratios is also 0.0125 _radians_. For very small angles, radians nearly equals ratios. The 0.0125 radians still have to be converted into degrees ( 0.0125 x 180/pi) which equals a topocentric parallax between the observing points of approx. _0.7 degrees_ or 43 arcmins. This is approximately the apparent position distance shown in the JPL Horizon's data. The parallax is evident in the image: the terminator on the right-hand lunar southeast limb (lower right quadrant) image is not in the same place as in the other image. The terminator difference is subtle, but it is there. Pulling a 3D effect out of the images will be difficult because of soft focus problems in both images. Red/blue anaglyph or "wobble" stereo projection may be more effective, but I suspect that soft focus will defeat both. http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/temp/stereo01.jpg I recommend repeating the experiment but concentrating on a higher magnification image of a portion of the lunar terminator that includes terrain with a lot of relief. E.g. - http://lpod.wikispaces.com/May+27%2C+2010 As others have noted, you may still have to rely on supplemental synthetic parallax using Photoshop. Concentrate on making a red/blue anaglyph similar to this: http://lpod.wikispaces.com/August+11%2C+2008 - but I recommend using lower magnification than a full Moon - something between a full Moon magnification and the August 11 2008 LPOD image. E.g. see the May 27 2010 LPOD. You and Rick might try a series of terminator photos starting at a one-quarter terminator shot and increasing magnification down to a 100 km crater level. I suspect that there is some inverse relationship between the degree of magnification applied and the success of the stereoscopic effect. Other examples use: 1) "wobble" stereoprojection ( two blinking gifs, alternating by 1/2 sec intervals) where two images are taken from the same observing point and the baseline separation providing the parallax is created by taking images at two different times. This method is never fully satisfactory because lunar libration always distorts the angle relative to the observing point at which the images are taken. The wobble projection technique can also be done using two observing point images. See "Cleomedes" image at Astrominsk http://objectstyle.org/astronominsk/Moon/Moon_stereo_en.htm 2) "red/blue" anaglyphs using the single observing point diurnal image method. This method also suffers from the libration distortion. E.g. - http://sfire.astroclub.kiev.ua/uploads/moon-2010/copernicus_stereo.jpg 2) A fully synthetic parallax image is made where a 2D image is fabricated by projecting one image into a 3D sphere and then digitally rotating the sphere. Other examples: http://lpod.wikispaces.com/June+14%2C+2010 http://sfire.astroclub.kiev.ua/uploads/moon-2010/copernicus_stereo.jpg http://lpod.wikispaces.com/May+27%2C+2010 http://objectstyle.org/astronominsk/Moon/Moon_stereo_en.htm Link page to guides http://the-moon.wikispaces.com/Anaglyph Synthetic parallax example http://www.lpod.org/archive/LPOD-2004-10-02.htm 3D Full Moon - synthetic parallax http://www.flickr.com/photos/bufivla/3191152679/ 3D Full Moon - synthetic parallax http://astroanarchy.blogspot.com/2010/05/one-more-anaglyph-redcyan-3d-moon.… - Clear Skies, Kurt

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Do you see stereo?
by Patrick Wiggins 24 Sep '10

24 Sep '10

Rob on Maui and me here in Utah got some shots of the Moon tonight. Both of us were using C-5s operating at 1,250mm f/10. He has one of those pesky j-o-bs to go to in the morning so he wasn't able to stay up long enough to process and send me his first rate stuff (hopefully he'll be able to do that later today) but he did send one of his test images earlier in the night. When I put one of my shots next to his test shot I think I'm seeing stereo. But maybe not. Here's the image: http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/temp/stereo01.jpg Anyone else seeing any signs of stereo? Mine (on the left) was taken at 0900 UTC while his test shot was taken about 0630. The ones he's sending later today were taken at the same time as mine. Thanks, patrick

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New-old images
by Kim 22 Sep '10

22 Sep '10

Hi all. I couldn’t make it to SLC for tonight’s SLAS meeting, but I did use the time well – posted a couple of scanned images of some older photos I have in my collection. I’m particularly proud of this one: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=3836. For what it’s worth: I’m glad to hear so far that none of our friends have lost property in the machine gun fire. I pray for safety for all and that there will be no more homes lost to the fire. Our skies have been obscured by smoke from the Twitchell Canyon fire. These fires should be a reminder to all that we live in a desert and should be a little careful. Something the folks at Camp Williams seem to have forgotten this time. Kim

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Sun is Smoking
by Jay Eads 20 Sep '10

20 Sep '10

I'm sure Steve is fine, he may have had to evacuate but I think by looking at the map he was to the north of the line. I went up to Fort Herriman Middle School and took some pictures. You can see one of the homes that was burned from there. Very sad and very moving. Still hot spots in the area. I feel bad for those who have lost their homes but I also have to say that the when you see in person what the firefighters did last night, it is truly amazing. Three homes lost but about 30 more should have gone at least but they made their breaks and made their stands. Seeing what they accomplished and how close the fire came is amazing. One gentleman who was in the field at Fort Herriman Middle School told me he was there last night and as the fire came to the house that is alone in my pictures, it simply curved around the house and burned to the other side because of their efforts. Anyway, if your interested here is the link to the album: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=3813 On 2010-09-20 16:49, erikhansen wrote: > > I believe Steve is well West of Rose Canyon, I thought that was where > the fire was. > > > > No evacuation but I did see one home up in flames from a short distance > > and > > then through binoculars I can see homes where we use to live going up in > > flames. Everything is ready to go in the Pathfinder and the Altima if they > > knock on the door but where I am at I don't think that will happen. > > > > Can't say for Steve but I hope he and anyone else out here in Herriman is > > okay. The moon was a blood red for a while tonight. Makes you realize > > what > > is important. > > > > Craig, > > > > Actually that is a protostar emerging from its nebula! > > > > Be safe everyone! > > > > Jay > > > > > > On Sun, Sep 19, 2010 at 11:13 PM, Craig Smith <cs2560@???> wrote: > > > >> A little processing and you might convince people you have a > >> Hubble-rivaling > >> shot of a nebula. > >> > >> -----Original Message----- > >> From: utah-astronomy-bounces@??? > >> [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@???] On Behalf Of Jay > >> Eads > >> Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2010 6:07 PM > >> To: utah-astronomy@??? > >> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Sun is Smoking > >> > >> Not what you may expect, but with the fire from Ft. Williams coming > >> through > >> it was erie as we drove home from an afternoon up in the canyons of > >> American > >> Fork and such to see the light of the sun dim like during an eclipse. So > >> we > >> pulled over and the sun was blood red and we took these images through > >> our > >> digital camera. I think they are kinda of cool so I though I would share > >> them. > >> > >> First one: > >> > >> http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=3800 > >> > >> Second one: > >> > >> http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=3804 > >> > >> Third one: > >> > >> http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=3807 > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Utah-Astronomy mailing list > >> Utah-Astronomy@??? > >> 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@??? > >> 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 > >> > > > > > > > > -- > > Jay Eads > > _______________________________________________ > > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > > Utah-Astronomy@??? > > 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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URL for tonight's launch
by Patrick Wiggins 20 Sep '10

20 Sep '10

Launch now set for 21:32 MDT. Skies are clear so head out and look to the SW and see what (if anything) you see. http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av025/status.html patrick

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Sun is Smoking
by Jay Eads 20 Sep '10

20 Sep '10

Not what you may expect, but with the fire from Ft. Williams coming through it was erie as we drove home from an afternoon up in the canyons of American Fork and such to see the light of the sun dim like during an eclipse. So we pulled over and the sun was blood red and we took these images through our digital camera. I think they are kinda of cool so I though I would share them. First one: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=3800 Second one: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=3804 Third one: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=3807

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Hartley pix
by Patrick Wiggins 20 Sep '10

20 Sep '10

The wind finally died and the seeing improved enough to get a few shots of Comet Hartley. Here's a ZIP file containing one 6 minute exposure with a red filter and a 6 minute exposure with a clear filter. Both are FIT files so those who are so inclined can play with them. http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/temp/1039-2010sep20.zip Both were shot with the mount tracking the comet. patrick

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Vandenberg launch tomorrow
by Patrick Wiggins 19 Sep '10

19 Sep '10

An Atlas launch is scheduled for tomorrow night (Monday) at Vandenberg AFB, CA at 21:29 MDT. Assuming the conditions are right Vandenberg launches can be seen from here in northern Utah. The nearly full Moon will not help matters but on the plus side the exhaust plume will be back lit by the Sun if it gets high enough. I wouldn't go out of my way to watch but if you've got a low and clear SW horizon tomorrow evening you might want to spend a few minutes watching. patrick

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Lost
by Nate Jackson 18 Sep '10

18 Sep '10

Did anyone happen to find a Uniden BC246T handheld Scanner tonight? It is not in my vehicle where I had put it when I got to Harmons. Thanks

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ALCON 2011
by Lowell Lyon 17 Sep '10

17 Sep '10

Things are moving forward on ALCON 2011 at Bryce Canyon National Park, Wednesday, June 29th through Saturday, July 2nd, 2011. Our first official SLAS planning meeting will be on Thursday, September 30th at the home of Ann House at 7:30pm. Just in case any of you didn't know, the ALCON 2011 convention will be held at the same time as the annual Bryce Canyon astronomy festival. Room reservations at Ruby's Inn will be available by Mid-October. You will reserve these rooms through the Astronomical League's website at www.astroleague.org. The price will be $80 per night. Each room has two queen beds and is located in Ruby's Inn near the convention center facilities. There are specific things we'll need help with, so if you want to attend the meeting at Ann's home, please let Ann or me know. Those of you who attended ALCON 2002 at the University of Utah know what a big deal and event this really is. We're very excited to see the Astronomical League hold its national convention for the first time at a national park. There will be four days of speakers/workshops and vendors in addition to the public star parties across from the Visitor's Center as well as private viewing at Rainbow Point at the south end of the park. Astronomy and Sky & Telescope Magazines are both slated to participate and help promote the event. I have been doing some preliminary vendor presentations to OPT Telescopes, Software Bisque and Lumicon. We look forward to a fabulous event!! Thank you. Lowell Lyon, ALCON 2011 Co-Chair

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