February 2011 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

M57 +73PSW-3
by daniel turner 27 Mar '13

27 Mar '13

Mark your calendar for early evening May 7. Their will be a close encounter between the Ring nebula and periodic comet 73P. The comet will be close to earth so its exact position in the sky will depend stongly on your location on the globe. Go to spaceweather.com and use the link at the bottom of the page for "Observable Comets". 73p is in the list and includes orbital elements and a link for daily ephemerides. DT __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] useless facts
by sfisher01＠comcast.net 07 Mar '12

07 Mar '12

Never? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Spencer Ball" <spencer(a)spencerball.com> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2010 1:27:05 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] useless facts We'll never see past the cosmic microwave background, much less see light from clear all the way around. Spencer Ball -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of sfisher01(a)comcast.net Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2010 1:12 PM To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com Subject: [Utah-astronomy] useless facts I read this on the usless facts gadget on my desktop. I'm not sure I understand it. Care to comment? A sunbeam setting out through space at the rate of 186,000 miles a second would go in a gigantic circle and return to its origins after about 200 billion years. _______________________________________________ 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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End of the Planisphere?
by Jay Eads 04 Mar '11

04 Mar '11

I'm kinda of on an astronomy kick since the weather continues not to be good for visual observing. So I just got done reading an article that talks of learning the constellations and the article got me thinking. I learned the constellations with a planisphere and from time to time I will still use one. However, in the article the author talks how he had a group of novice astronomy students out and each had a copy of the Edmund's Scientific Planisphere. Some also had SkySafari, StarMap and Distant Suns on their cell phones and they found the constellations and objects far quicker than those using the planisphere. Thus the author came to the conclusion that cell phones and apps are probably on the verge of replacing the planisphere as the tool used for finding constellations and other deep sky objects, especially for the younger generation. One of my observing friends is in his 20's and he uses Distant Suns in the field all the time. So the question I ask is do you use a traditional planisphere (and I could say atlas since some of these aps go down quite deep) or are you still an old book, atlas, planisphere type of guy? It also leads to an interesting thought which is what will be the tools of the amateur astronomer say in 20 or 30 years? -- Jay Eads

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Winter Star Party at Great Basin National Park
by Kelly_Carroll＠nps.gov 03 Mar '11

03 Mar '11

I have not found dew to be a large problem here; but I do use a dew shield in the winter. As for warmth, I will keep the visitor center open to warm up and we will have as much hot water as anyone can use, oh, and the hot chocolate, tea, coffee, and cider will be on us. --kelly Kelly Carroll Great Basin National Park http://www.nps.gov/grba/ Experience your America

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Watching the Shuttle Launch from 30,000 feet
by Jay Eads 28 Feb '11

28 Feb '11

Not sure if everyone has seen this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE_USPTmYXM&feature=player_embedded It's the launch of Discovery this week as viewed from a passenger jet flying in the area. Rather an interesting view. -- Jay Eads

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] End of the Planisphere?
by Wayne Sumner 28 Feb '11

28 Feb '11

I still teach my high school students how to use a planisphere (most have never seen one!). Once they get the hang of it, they seem to enjoy it, too. There are lots of things you can do easily on a planesphere that might be more difficult on an iphone such as predicting what time a constellation will rise on a certain date, or when a certain constellation will be highest in the night sky. I always introduce my Edmund Scientific planispheres to the students by telling them I got them really cheap because of a misprint getting east and west reversed! Some always catch on to my teasing when we finally put them overhead and they notice that east and west are correct. Concepts such as zenith, circumpolar, and meridian are easily taught with planispheres. I buy them in boxes of 25 for about $50 (plus another $10 shipping) for my astronomy classes, which means I can let every student check out their own. It will be a few years before iphones get that cheap. By the way, as I point out constellations and stars with my green laser at star parties, it's always fun to ask those with iphones how I'm doing. They make great backups when I have a senior moment and forget a name. Wayne A. Sumner Math/Physics/Astronomy/Engineering Boy's Tennis Coach Northridge High School Davis School District (801) 402-8610 >>> Patrick Wiggins 02/27/11 4:36 PM >>> As much as us old timers complain about it, it is the way of the future. And certainly not just in astronomy. Light aircraft are now being sold with iPads built into the console replacing old fashioned "steam gague" instruments and the FAA recently approved using iPads to replace paper charts even in big aircraft (one airline exec reported replacing all the paper charts in his airplanes with iPods will remove about 50 pounds of charts and binders from each aircraft). I'm not thrilled about having computer screens glaring at true dark sky sites. But I have to admit that they do work well so, as with any other illuminated device, as long as they are shielded I'm ok with them. patrick On 27 Feb 2011, at 12:06, Jay Eads wrote: > I'm kinda of on an astronomy kick since the weather continues not to be good > for visual observing. So I just got done reading an article that talks of > learning the constellations and the article got me thinking. I learned the > constellations with a planisphere and from time to time I will still use > one. However, in the article the author talks how he had a group of novice > astronomy students out and each had a copy of the Edmund's Scientific > Planisphere. Some also had SkySafari, StarMap and Distant Suns on their cell > phones and they found the constellations and objects far quicker than those > using the planisphere. Thus the author came to the conclusion that cell > phones and apps are probably on the verge of replacing the planisphere as > the tool used for finding constellations and other deep sky objects, > especially for the younger generation. One of my observing friends is in his > 20's and he uses Distant Suns in the field all the time. So the question I > ask is do you use a traditional planisphere (and I could say atlas since > some of these aps go down quite deep) or are you still an old book, atlas, > planisphere type of guy? It also leads to an interesting thought which is > what will be the tools of the amateur astronomer say in 20 or 30 years? > > -- > Jay Eads _______________________________________________ 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] Winter Star Party at Great Basin
by Kelly_Carroll＠nps.gov 28 Feb '11

28 Feb '11

No problem Joe. I'll charge them up. Kelly Carroll Great Basin National Park http://www.nps.gov/grba/ Experience your America Hi Kelly, Count me in. Could you please charge up those batteries? I still haven't calculated how much juice my computer will need, but will try to do it soon. I have something I can use as a homemade dew shield. Many thanks, Joe

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Winter Star Party at Great Basin National Park
by Kelly_Carroll＠nps.gov 27 Feb '11

27 Feb '11

Joe, There is no a convenient electrical outlet to use. However, I have a couple deep cycle batteries you could use - all you would need to bring is a inverter. Just let me know and I'll get them charged. Kelly Kelly Carroll Great Basin National Park http://www.nps.gov/grba/ Experience your America Hi Kelly, Is there an electrical connection where the star party will be held? Thanks, Joe

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Winter Star Party at Great Basin National Park
by sfisher01＠comcast.net 27 Feb '11

27 Feb '11

Jay: Good to hear. I'm thinking I'll brave the cold and head on out if the weather looks good. I'll look forward to seeing you, Joe and maybe some others there. I was at GBNP last September for the star party and really enjoyed myself. While I prefer overnight lows nearer 40°. I'm in desperate need of a good night out. Hope others will join us. Steve ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jay Eads" <jayleads(a)gmail.com> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2011 12:21:10 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Winter Star Party at Great Basin National Park If the weather is cooperating, I am planning on heading out next Saturday. On Sun, Feb 27, 2011 at 12:16 PM, Joe Bauman <josephmbauman(a)yahoo.com>wrote: > Thanks, Kelly -- I'll check power consumption and let you know! Best > wishes, Joe > > --- On Sun, 2/27/11, Kelly_Carroll(a)nps.gov <Kelly_Carroll(a)nps.gov> wrote: > > > From: Kelly_Carroll(a)nps.gov <Kelly_Carroll(a)nps.gov> > > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Winter Star Party at Great Basin National > Park > > To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > > Date: Sunday, February 27, 2011, 12:12 PM > > Joe, > > > > I have two - a 60 and 75 amp hour - which should power a > > laptop all night. > > > > --kelly > > > > Kelly Carroll > > Great Basin National Park > > http://www.nps.gov/grba/ > > Experience your America > > > > Hi Kelly, Thanks! I have a generator but it would be > > annoying to anyone > > else at a star party. Do you think the batteries could > > power my laptop all > > night? I have other batteries that I use for other needs, > > but it's the > > laptop that's an electrical hog. I think I have an inverter > > too, but if not > > I could buy one. Best wishes, Joe > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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 > -- Jay Eads _______________________________________________ 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] End of the Planisphere?
by Canopus56 27 Feb '11

27 Feb '11

Joe wrote: > The good old Tricorder! How's this for folk etymology? I meant that literally, not figuratively. Wikipedia describes the fictional Star Trek tricorder as ``a multifunction handheld device used for sensor scanning, data analysis, and recording data. . . . The word "tricorder" is a portmanteau of "tri-" and "recorder", referring to the device's three default scanning functions: GEO (geological), MET (meteorological), and BIO (biological)." It is reasonable to foresee that in our increasing paranoid country that in the near future 5G or 6G phones like include sensors for detecting and recording the presence of radiation, explosive an biological hazards. For medicine, they will incorporate a medical app and sensor that records and monitor's the owner's health, or for older persons, alert medical providers or EMT providers to a pending heart attack or diabetic loss of consciousness. Continuously running mini-cam analysis of persons in your immediate vicinity, coupled with face recognition software and internet databases, will alert you to the presence of nearby persons with felony or child abuse criminal histories or people wearing parole digital tracking leg bands. For meteorology, instead of just displaying weather maps, they will incorporate weather sensors that when coupled to online weather warning systems will alert you in terms of real time meter distances of approaching high-wind squall lines. For geology, incorporated motion and low-frequency sound sensors, coupled to internet regional earthquake warning systems, will alert you to approaching earthquake ground waves, thus giving the user valuable life-safe second lead times to take cover or exit a building. (I believe I saw on a recent PBS NOVA that researchers are already experimenting with this last idea in the earthquake prone Bay Area.) At the very least, I can sell the preceding paragraph to _Discover_ magazine or _Popular Mechanics_. -:) Clear Skies - Kurt

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