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

All Sky Cam
by Patrick Wiggins 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

Anyone here happen to be familiar with this all sky cam? http://www.moonglowtech.com/products/AllSkyCam/SalesSheet.pdf There was talk at last evening's SLAS meeting about possibly installing one at SPOC for recoding meteors. But we were not sure how one goes about recording the images. Any thoughts? patrick

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The Challenges — and Dangers — of Amateur Astronomy in Afghanistan
by Daniel Holmes 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

Kinda puts the minor issues we have at SPOC into a new perspective... http://www.universetoday.com/87231/the-challenges-%E2%80%93-and-dangers-%E2… Dan

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Vesta
by Joe Bauman 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

Checking out this link from Patrick's News, it looks like Vesta has hosted some heavy-duty mining operations .... http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/dawn/multimedia/dawn-image-070911.html -- Joe

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Space beyond Earth (editorial)
by Patrick Wiggins 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

From today's S L Tribune http://m.sltrib.com/sltrib/mobile/52170734-82/space-future-alexandra-cars.h… Sent from my iPad

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Comet/ 2009 P1 Garradd
by Jay Eads 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

Just wondering if anyone has taken a look at this comet that is brightening? I've read two reports of a 10 and 12 inch dob seeing the comet and both tails, one with a sketch. Here is a finder chart. http://www.aerith.net/comet/catalog/2009P1/2009P1.html Sent from my iPad

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ATM session report and next month's planned date/time
by Hutchings, Mat (H USA) 13 Jul '11

13 Jul '11

Just a quick report on the July 9th ATM session at the Hutchings' optical shop (my garage): Craig and Mark attended and both were able to try "pushing glass" on my current 8" project. With their help, that mirror progressed through 320 grit, then 500, on to 12 micron and then just after the session, I finished up with 5 micron. It is now ready to be polished. Those of you who have made mirrors, know that now, the real work begins! I may keep this mirror like it is for now and work it only during the ATM sessions, so that attendees who have not worked a mirror can try it out. Any of you who are curious about making mirrors, don't be shy about working this one with me. Short of dropping the thing on the concrete, there is virtually nothing that you can do that will permanently harm the project. Next session there will likely be people working on dew zappers and I will continuing work on the 8". As usual, any other projects that any of you might want to bring and work on are welcome. The next session will be on August 13th from 9:00 to noon. I can easily go longer if any of you want to keep working your projects. Mat

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Bryce times
by Dale Wilson 12 Jul '11

12 Jul '11

Hi all, Just wanted to put in my 2 cents about Bryce. First....BEST OBSERVING EVER!! I have never had a better time with my 10". I've been there 5 out of the last 6 years and this was the best weather, trans, seeing, etc., I have seen there. Next, absolute kudos to Kevin Poe and most of his staff (I'll get to that) for their continuing support and organization to accommodate us. Also, it was great to meet new members and re-acquaint with others on the field, at the campsites, and at Alcon. I would also like to say thanks to all the guys who organized and executed the Alcon events. I witnessed tireless effort on their parts to make it a pure success. My only concern was that I had a run-in with Richard, the volunteer, ranger. I know he means well. However, he is coarse, abrasive and his people skills are sorely lacking. I feel we have established a rapport with Bryce and are for the most part, all professionals when we are on the field. Richard tends to treat us all like dumb cattle. I know many feel similarly. We don't need, or deserve to feel like kids on leashes. Otherwise, it's a great time their. Dale W.

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Attn ATM'ers
by erikhansen＠thebluezone.net 12 Jul '11

12 Jul '11

Surplus Shed is selling 5" f 6 Jaegers Objectives for a very good price http://www.surplusshed.com/pages/item/l10608j.html

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SPOC for 1 Neptune orbit? Also, from the funnies
by Patrick Wiggins 12 Jul '11

12 Jul '11

Tomorrow (Tuesday) finds Neptune 1 Neptunian year since it's discovery and located almost exactly where it was when discovered in 1846. Weather permitting I plan on going to SPOC about midnight tonight and using the refractor to spot Neptune and then to find the exact spot where it was on the night it was discovered. Anyone care to join me? And here (totally unrelated), from yesterday's funnies: http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/archive/2011/07/10 Grins, patrick

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20 years ago today
by Patrick Wiggins 12 Jul '11

12 Jul '11

It just occurred to me that it was 20 years ago today (11 July) that many SLASers watched what for all of us was the longest total eclipse of the Sun we'll ever see. Some boarded a chartered 737 for LaPaz, Mexico, some took the train to the Mexican mainland and a few jetted across the Pacific to Hawaii. And I've got the shirt and pix to prove it... http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/temp/lapaz1991.jpg Memories... patrick :)

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