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

Solar Eclipse 1991 - Brian Ottum
by J E CARMAN 30 Aug '11

30 Aug '11

The internet is AMAZING. I have found Brian Ottum, the author/creator/photographer of the VHS tape recently uploaded to youtube by Steve Fisher. He is in Michigan and has been for the last 20 years. EVEN MORE AMAZING as in small astronomical world, he spent 34 days this past summer volunteering at Bryce Canyon. He brought telescopes and showed 4000 people the sun and night time objects. AND he hooked up with our Kim Hyatt (the star of the video), who is now working down there as the preservationist of the buildings and such. They did some hiking and whatnot. Brian has obviously maintained his interest in astronomy and is very active in his local club in Michigan called “The Low Brow Astronomers.” He is pleased to have the video uploaded on youtube and is looking forward to seeing it in a digital format. Amazing!!!! Joan Carman

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pleasant night at Lakeside - mostly just a rambling blog, disguised as an email
by Chrismo 30 Aug '11

30 Aug '11

Hello all! I just returned from Lakeside, and it was a very nice night out! I arrived a little after 10 pm and it was quite breezy, but that died down after a while and the warm air made for very pleasant viewing. No bugs to speak of, which is also a plus. As I've made abundantly clear, I'm a hack, so I spend most of my time accidentally observing. Most recently my main interest has been Comet Garradd, mostly because I know how to find it. Using that as my jumping off point, I was delighted to see M71, and since I was in the neighborhood, M29 the Dumbbell Nebula. I met a fellow out there last year sometime who showed this object to me, but at the time I was still too inexperienced with my equipment to find it on my own. What a difference a year has made for me. I also got some great views of Jupiter tonight. About an hour after it appeared, the atmospheric conditions calmed down and made for reasonably sharp viewing. Jupiter is one of my long-time favorites, and it's the only thing I really remember having much of an interest in while taking Astronomy 100D at Ohio University - recently named the "#1 Party School in America." This dubious honor is the reason that I do not have a degree. Anyway, I usually just pick a patch of sky and use Stellarium to see what Messier and NGC objects are in it, then try to locate them. I am usually intrigued by galaxies and nebulae, but after that encounter with M71, I'm broadening my horizons. I got M57 the Ring Nebula in Lyra tonight. First time for that and it was oh-so-cool. I should probably lay off the Monster Energy Drinks, they seem to make me ramble on needlessly. By the way, my niece is visiting from Cincinnati in 3 weeks, and we're going to Bryce, Zion and Grand Canyon (9/18-9/21). I'm planning to lug the telescope along. Does anyone have one of those nifty and possibly illegal high-power green laser pointers I might be able to borrow for a couple days? I'd be willing to leave my cat as collateral, or some cash if you'd rather. Good night! Chrismo

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8 inch mirror
by Chrismo 29 Aug '11

29 Aug '11

This was just posted on ksl.com... Precision ground 8 inch mirror for telescope<http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=17025810&cat=&lpid=&search=telescope> Orem, UT<http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=17025810&cat=&lpid=&search=telescope> 8" precision ground mirror for a telescope. Free to whoever would like to come pick it up. Call Bill at 801-885-6947 (my dad). http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=17025810&cat=&lpid=&search=telescope

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] at least tomorrow night looks nice...
by Jorge Gutierrez 29 Aug '11

29 Aug '11

One would hope so, unless you really really like lightning, and rain, and floods, and cloudy skies, at least you get that feeling that normally there are a few days of nice weather following the bad ones.. > > >On 2011-08-29 05:25, Chrismo wrote: > http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2417309831555.2146031.1215656729

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at least tomorrow night looks nice...
by Chrismo 28 Aug '11

28 Aug '11

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2417309831555.2146031.1215656729&l…

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Comics
by D P Pierce 28 Aug '11

28 Aug '11

http://www.gocomics.com/stonesoup http://www.seattlepi.com/comics-and-games/fun/Pardon_My_Planet/ Deloy Pierce

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Most oft used scope (Was: Solar Eclipse 1991)
by Siegfried Jachmann 28 Aug '11

28 Aug '11

I don't agree with the "best telescope is the one you use" line. I think there are absolutes. On Aug 27, 2011 4:38 PM, "Steve Fisher" <iotacass1(a)hotmail.com> wrote: > > Another country heard from. ;) > > From: paw(a)wirelessbeehive.com >> Date: Sat, 27 Aug 2011 16:32:26 -0600 >> To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com >> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Most oft used scope (Was: Solar Eclipse 1991) >> >> Ok Steve you can quit waiting now. :) >> >> On 27 Aug 2011, at 16:12, Steve Fisher wrote: >> >> > If you believe the same "wise man" that I often quote. The best scope is the one that gets used most! I'm thinking that would be my 6" f/12. Although a refractor created in 1915 has probably had the most use over all. I'm also aware of a 200mm Brandt that gets used very often somewhere nearby. (waiting for Patrick here)Steve >> >> If we don't limit it to refractors, I know of a 350mm S/C that's been used on 97 nights so far this year. >> >> Which tells me over half the nights this year have been cloudy. Depressing. >> >> patrick >> _______________________________________________ >> 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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Solar Eclipse 1991
by J E CARMAN 27 Aug '11

27 Aug '11

I met with Steve Fisher today and he has the VHS tape. He should be uploading the program within a few days on youtube. Hope others who view it might recognize other people. I swear the back of the head as seen in the airplane cabin is Bob Brundidge. Also, it is Cindy Dodds formerly Raetz and it is not Alpine Stringham and now the true identity escapes me. The time lapse at the very end of the tape shows Venus not Jupiter (duh) and you should stay through to the end to see that. It was very well done. Special note to Steve – It was a real pleasure to meet you. I look forward to comparing refractors in the future, but, just to let you down easy, my refractor is best Also, I did a google search for Brian Ottum at home and got a different listing. Apparently there is a Brian Ottum who is a member of the”low-brow astronomers” in Michigan (where the Brian Ottum you found works). There was no e-mail address for Brian, but I did find one for the club president, so I am e-mailing him. This Brian is very active in amateur astronomy, so I am pretty convinced that I found him (so easy – thank you internet). Joan

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Couldn't wait
by Steve Fisher 27 Aug '11

27 Aug '11

Well here is the direct copy of Brian Ottum's home video of the trip to La Paz. I recognize some familliar faces and I'll be some of you can pick out more of them than me. I'll do a little editing and try to get some of the flutter out and I will cut the 20 second test patern at the start for sure. I apologize in advance for that. Check it out at, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QeVVE8ohbY More later.

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Next Friday and Saturday
by Jay Eads 27 Aug '11

27 Aug '11

Ok, I have never observed from the Wedge Overlook and the forecast for next weekend looks just outstanding. So Mat and I are going to try something new and go to the Wedge Overlook next Friday and I may stay on Saturday or I may drive up from the Wedge to Wolf Creek on Saturday (yes, lots of miles). If your up to the trip to the Wedge let me know here. Joe I believe you observe from site 18, is that correct? Also I know there are bathrooms there by some campsites, which ones are there and what are the crowds like on a major holiday weekend there? -- Jay Eads

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