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

2011 MD
by Patrick Wiggins 26 Jun '11

26 Jun '11

Sometimes I think the folks with Clear Sky Clock have a crystal ball. Yesterday it said SPOC would start getting a few clouds a bit after sunset, thick clouds around 11 and then clear off by 1. So what happened? Thin clouds came in a bit after sunset, thick clouds just as the star party officially ended at 11 and as I was coming out of ATS at Denny's about 1 it was nice and clear. Nice. Clear skies mean a clear shot at 2011 MD. Much brighter this morning and really zipping across the sky. Really has me looking forward to catching it tomorrow (Monday) morning just as it's nearing Earth. Just too bad it will be closest when it's daylight here. FYI, I hope to have tonight's 2011 MD animation posted within the next few hours. patrick

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Bad Ptolemy Cluster
by Canopus56 26 Jun '11

26 Jun '11

Kim asked: > Any idea why it's called Ptolemy's cluster? Might be a good story there. The cluster is naked eye and was first documented by Ptolemy in 136AD in his stellar catalogue in the Algamest as id no. 567 with the description ``following the sting of Scorpius and nebulous''. http://seds.org/messier/xtra/Bios/ptolemy.html Ptolemy also recorded the Beehive Cluster (M44) and another currently popular binocular object - the Coma Berenices Cluster, which is visible above Salt Lake during this time of the year. Clear Skies - Kurt

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Help
by jayleads＠gmail.com 25 Jun '11

25 Jun '11

We are at Lakeside and it is cloudy. Anyone look at a satillite image and tell us if it is going to clear up. Thanks, The Desperate 3 Sent from my LG phone Troy Davidson <clandaith(a)gmail.com> wrote: >I'm open to either one and looking forward to it. I need to compile a >list of objects to shoot for. > >See you there. > >++++++++++++++++++ >Troy Davidson, KF7MTE >www.istroyworking.com > > > >On Fri, Jun 24, 2011 at 5:32 PM, Joe Bauman <josephmbauman(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >> Hi Troy, It's either Lakeside or Pit 'n' Poll, depending on which Jay prefers. Hope to see you there. Best wishes, Joe >> >> >> >> >> ________________________________ >> From: Troy Davidson <clandaith(a)gmail.com> >> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> >> Sent: Friday, June 24, 2011 7:39 AM >> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Wolf Creek Pass >> >> Jay and Joe, where are you planning on going to? I would love to come >> join you guys. I need to put my new 6SE to the test. >> >> ++++++++++++++++++ >> Troy Davidson, KF7MTE >> www.istroyworking.com >> >> >> >> On Thu, Jun 23, 2011 at 6:54 PM, Joe Bauman <josephmbauman(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >>> Great! I'd like to join you. Either place is OK with me. Thanks, Joe >>> >>> >>> >>> ________________________________ >>> From: Jay Eads <jayleads(a)gmail.com> >>> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> >>> Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2011 4:41 PM >>> Subject: >> Re: [Utah-astronomy] Wolf Creek Pass >>> >>> Yes, Joe, I'm planning on Pit n Pole or Lakeside. Right now it is Pit n >>> Pole. It's our anniversary today and we are celebrating it with what we >>> call low cost style, picnic today and flying a kite (it was fun), dinner, >>> then tomorrow we have some plans for the area but Saturday night I am >>> observing with her blessing. >>> >>> Richard, >>> >>> I would agree with you on that. I expect muddy and snow but it will be worth >>> a look anyway . . . >>> >>> On Thu, Jun 23, 2011 at 3:05 PM, Joe Bauman <josephmbauman(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >>> >>>> Jay, are you still planning for Pit 'n' Pole Saturday night? Thanks, Joe >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> ________________________________ >>>> From: Richard Tenney <retenney(a)yahoo.com> >>>> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> >>>> Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2011 2:59 PM >>>> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Wolf Creek Pass >>>> >>>> Interested in your report Jay. My suspicion is that off road it's gonna be >>>> snowy/muddy, but I'm hoping otherwise.../R >>>> >>>> --- On Thu, 6/23/11, Jay Eads <jayleads(a)gmail.com> wrote: >>>> >>>> From: Jay Eads <jayleads(a)gmail.com> >>>> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Wolf Creek Pass >>>> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> >>>> Date: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 8:23 AM >>>> >>>> Highway 35 is open and I found something new (for me at least, sure many >>>> here know about it) that Commuter Link at UDOT located here at >>>> http://www.commuterlink.utah.gov/ has a camera mounted at the pass. It >>>> looks like most of the snow has left so I think on Sunday I am going to >>>> take >>>> a casually drive up Highway 35 and see what the off road conditions are >>>> like. It would be nice in July to be able to go up and use Wolf Creek, or >>>> if conditions allow, I may use it at the end of this month. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> 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 >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> 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 >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> 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 >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> 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 >>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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 >>> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 >> > >_______________________________________________ >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

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Observing on Saturday Night Location
by Jay Eads 25 Jun '11

25 Jun '11

I'm up for Lakeside if that works. Clear Sky Clock is showing clouds from 9:00p.m. until around 12:00a.m. clearing by 1:00a.m. To go to Lakeside though I would like to know that I am not going to be alone. If that's the case I'll head to the Pit. If no one responds by 5:00p.m. then I'll head to the Pit tonight and see how it goes. I will probably go to the Pit tomorrow night though it is a work night. Clear skies and I can observe til about 1:30a.m. and be home and unloaded by 2:30 and to work by 8:05a.m. only means a nap when I get home from work on Monday at 4:30p.m. I'm actually planning on either Tuesday or Wednesday night at the Pit also in case anyone wants to join me. -- Jay Eads

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Observing on Saturday Night Location
by jayleads＠gmail.com 25 Jun '11

25 Jun '11

If we cloud out I will do the Pit Sunday or Monday if you want Jorge. It is a liftle cloudy out here Sent from my LG phone Jorge Gutierrez <gotfoxx(a)hotmail.com> wrote: >-> I guess tonight is a no-go for me, had to get out of work late and im feeling exhausted, and its sort of late for a 2 hour drive (from provo) to an area I have never been to before and im sure I would get lost on the way there , I hope to go there some other time and with some time at hand to get ready, hope you guys have a good one. >On 2011-06-25 19:47, Jay Eads wrote: >> I'm up for Lakeside if that works. Clear Sky Clock is showing clouds from >> 9:00p.m. until around 12:00a.m. clearing by 1:00a.m. >> >> To go to Lakeside though I would like to know that I am not going to be >> alone. If that's the case I'll head to the Pit. If no one responds by >> 5:00p.m. then I'll head to the Pit tonight and see how it goes. >> >> I will probably go to the Pit tomorrow night though it is a work night. >> Clear skies and I can observe til about 1:30a.m. and be home and unloaded by >> 2:30 and to work by 8:05a.m. only means a nap when I get home from work on >> Monday at 4:30p.m. I'm actually planning on either Tuesday or Wednesday >> night at the Pit also in case anyone wants to join me. >> >> >_______________________________________________ >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

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Bad Ptolemy Cluster
by Canopus56 25 Jun '11

25 Jun '11

http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=4394 Ptolemy's Cluster is one of my favorite binocular objects, even though it is so close to the horizon as seen from Utah. This cluster is just outside the Sagittarius Arm gas wall towards the galactic center. This relatively close cluster (800 lyr) makes a nice size contrast with the more typically mid-distant open clusters like M23 (2,000 lyr) or the closer M45 (440 lyr) or the really close Ursa Major Moving Group (80 lyr). This bad M7 image was taken 6-20-2011 from a light polluted urban location and between clouds. Canon Xsi 450 f/6 10 secs 800 ISO on poor tracking mount. - Clear Skies Kurt

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2011 MD animation 2011 JUN 25
by Patrick Wiggins 25 Jun '11

25 Jun '11

Animation made from 45-60 second exposures, each taken 60 seconds apart, between 0644 and 0824 UT today (2011 JUN 25). A bit brighter than in yesterday's animation but still pretty faint. Moves from upper left to lower right. http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/temp/2011MD-02.GIF Details: C-14 operating at f/5.5, ST10-XME binned 3x3, -10°, clear filter. FOV ~18x26 arc minutes. North up, east to left. patrick 718

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Wolf Creek Pass UGH!
by Jay Eads 25 Jun '11

25 Jun '11

Well, I didn't have to wait til Sunday to get up to Wolf Creek. We went in the car up to Park City to do some things and then we agreed to drive up to Wolf Creek to have a picnic and then for me to take a look. I've posted on the trip over at my blog: http://jaysastronomyobservingblog.blogspot.com/ with images. I have to say, the Provo River was scary to watch. It is high and fast. I got out of the car once to take a couple of shots but stayed a good 10 feet back from the current bank. At Wolf Creek the sign that says Francis or Hanna and the mileage has about 2 to 3 feet of snow around it and if you head over to the blog you can see the campground entrance. I'd like to hear what others have to say about an estimate to when the snow is melted and the ground is both dry enough and stable enough to handle being driven on. I think we have a good 3 to 4 weeks before the snow is gone but I haven't calculated anything. I will say IF the site opens up the mosquitos and the bugs will be out in full force of numbers this year! Bottom line, stay away from the rivers that are bringing down this snow pack. Other take away, this winter of dreary clouds will have a longer impact on where some view than anything I think. I look forward to the comments of those who have used the site far longer than I have. One local said this is only the second time he has seen the water this bad in 40 years. -- Jay Eads

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] More on 2011 MD
by Canopus56 25 Jun '11

25 Jun '11

Using Patrick's 718 observatory code with Sun below horizon, Moon below horizon, Object about horizon Date UT R.A., J2000 Coords, az, alt, V 2011 06 27 030000 15 59 27.5 +23 34 24 121.7 58.2 14.5 Near sundown 2011 06 27 040000 15 53 28.2 +22 13 15 121.9 58.1 14.3 2011 06 27 050000 15 46 16.1 +20 31 09 122.0 58.0 14.5 Aft astro twilight 2011 06 27 060000 15 37 45.8 +18 21 27 122.1 57.9 13.9 2011 06 27 070000 15 27 49.1 +15 35 04 122.2 57.7 13.6 2011 06 27 080000 15 16 10.4 +11 58 38 122.3 57.6 13.4 2011 06 27 090000 15 02 15.9 +07 10 47 122.3 57.7 13.1 6-27-2001 at at 3 to 9 UT corresponds to Sunday night, 6-26, at 9pm to 3am. The computed V looks too faint to bother with visually, although predictions are not reliable for NEOs. Patrick, what is your estimate for a magnitude from your imaging? Do the above ephemeris positions look right? - Clear Skies, Kurt

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Lytro camera
by Canopus56 25 Jun '11

25 Jun '11

> I'm just curious if this will affect the field. The emphasis of the camera's new technology is to take short-exposure images and then have more image processing options based on the additional vector ray information. At a typical 1/200th sec terresterial exposure times, each vector ray is probably unchanging. In contrast, in high-end astrophotography, images are exposed for five or six minutes, repeatedly, and the resulting images are stacked. Given the long exposure times and that the images are subtley changing positionally over a five minute period, the question comes to mind whether vector ray deconvolution would work for astrophotography. Over five minutes each pixel detector's vector ray may be changing. The technology looks like a game changer for me and is based on an almost embarrassingly simple idea (as in ``Why didn't I think of that?'') - add another microlens for each pixel in order to deconvole the vector direction of each light ray. Then you can digitally recompose any slice of the image. Time to throw out my newly purchased Canon Xsi. For astrophotography, IMHO, it's impact will be moderate, even though the additional ray vector information will allow for even more detailed images at the amateur level. High end imagers here, like Rob Ratkowski, David Rankin and Tyler Allred, already are very skilled at making well-focused images over extended periods. It will be a matter of getting one of Lytro cameras and see what it can do. Maybe in practice, it will ``blow the doors'' off current imaging technology. Clear Skies - Kurt

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