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

astro math
by daniel turner 14 Sep '11

14 Sep '11

I just lifted this picture from spaceweather.com. It shows a whimsical picture of a type often seen around the harvest moon. http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=4683 Its fun to shoot pictures like this but I like to figure out how far the camera was from the subject. It's easy but involves a little math. The wheelbarrow bed is about 40 inches long and the moon looks to be about 3/4th of that wide. We know that the moon is about a half degree wide. half a degree time pi and divided by 180 gives .0087 radians. One over radians gives 144. That times the 30 inches the moon appears to be wide give 3437.7 inches. Divided by 12 gives 286 feet. thats the rough distance between the camera and the wheelbarrow. Some times the subject is much farther away, like a climber on the side of a mountain or a car on a hillside. but the point is that the picture contains the information you need to find where the camera was at the time of the photo. DT

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Flapjacks at SPOC
by D P Pierce 14 Sep '11

14 Sep '11

If I can get there and flapjacks are being done I will bring 3 or 4 dozen eggs to scramble. Deloy Pierce

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centerline importance
by erikhansen＠thebluezone.net 14 Sep '11

14 Sep '11

I pulled this of the internet, "annular eclipses, which do not result in the sky getting dark are just as productive in the Baily's Beads department. At the north graze zone, large beads are seen (just the opposite from a total solar eclipse) and from the south graze zone, tinier beads will be detected. If you have ever tried to capture 2nd and 3rd contacts of an annular eclipse from the centerline, you probably have been very disappointed. Those contacts are ill defined and while beads can be seen, they are generally so short-lived and hard to isolate that photos do not do them justice. But just move up into the graze zone and you will have an entirely wonderful surprise and still be contributing to the solar radius definition program of IOTA. The beads are just aas prolonged as during a total eclipse and even though the central eclipse does not take on a Bull's Eye effect as seen at the center, central eclipse is still just as impressive!" moral of the story anywhere within the "zone" will be worthwhile and different things are visible in north and south "graze zones".

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Eclipse simulations
by Chrismo 14 Sep '11

14 Sep '11

Good afternoon listies, I've created a series of animations using Stellarium. Here's the video: http://www.facebook.com/v/2471495546164 Chrismo

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Eclipse survey
by Patrick Wiggins 14 Sep '11

14 Sep '11

Hi fellow SLAS members, Y'all might have noticed the unofficial survey posted here last week about folks' intentions regarding next year's annular eclipse. Some (though not many) responded. Thanks to all who did. SLAS members should have received an official SLAS Blast earlier today from SLAS prez Rodger Fry asking basically the same question. Please respond to the Blast, even if you had previously gave your opinion here. SLAS really needs to get an idea about members' plan so Rodger can plan accordingly (specifically, if few people want to take the bus there's no sense in chartering one). So, again, please reply to today's survey from Rodger, even if you already replied to the one posted here last week. Clear skies, patrick

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Joe on NASA-TV / Kepler announcement
by Patrick Wiggins 14 Sep '11

14 Sep '11

I was just watching the replay of yesterday's NASA press briefing when who should come on the line asking a question but our very own Joe Bauman. first time I've ever heard anyone on a NASA press conference that I knew. :) And for those who may not have heard: NASA To Announce Kepler Discovery At Media Briefing Tomorrow (Thursday) http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2011/sep/HQ_M11-192_Kepler_Briefing.html patrick

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North American Eclipses
by Craig Smith 14 Sep '11

14 Sep '11

I was thinking next year's eclipse might literally be a once in a lifetime event, as there hasn't been one near me in my lifetime so far and that's been a long time. But I didn't realize there will be a total eclipse in 2017 in Idaho (I didn't even realize there were ever total eclipses up here), another annular in 2023, and a total right here in 2045. OK, the latter is a ways off, but I guess it's still worth catching next year's annular with a total coming up just 5 years later?

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] 2012 Annular Eclipse -observing it-
by Chuck Hards 14 Sep '11

14 Sep '11

I've started collecting hardware and optics for a batch of 50mm white-light solar scopes. These will use Baader mylar, and I may install the filter material internally, immediately behind the objective, to protect it and guarantee that the scope can't accidentally be used on the sun without the filter. The scope will probably include an inexpensive eyepiece, and 1/4-20 tripod mounting block. You'll be able to use it on a tripod or telescope mount. At this point I'm undecided whether to use an inexpensive 1.25" star diagonal, or simply make the diagonal integral to the OTA. Image scale will be very similar to the PST. I will probably use a longer FL objective in order to allow using a longer FL eyepiece (better eye relief). I may also be able to supply a kit or partial kit, for the do-it-yourself ATM, at reduced cost. Plans are to start getting them into the hands of owners this winter, well in advance of the eclipse in May. Any leftovers will be donated to SLAS, if they want them. The small size will make it an excellent travel-scope for eclipse chasers. Note that these will also be very handy for the Venus transit, as well as an inexpensive scope you can keep stashed at the office for lunchtime peeks at the sun, without worrying about losing a pricey astro toy to theft. Let me know if you want to "subscribe" and reserve one. I'm trying to keep the cost at under $25 each but we'll see how generous the Scrounger gods are in coming months, maybe I can do better. I'm only charging what the materials cost me, nothing for labor. No down payment required. But if you want one, reserve it early because the entire production run may only be a dozen or two units. Or just one or two, if nobody wants one. In which case I'll have a bunch of 50mm objectives for the next swap meet, lol.

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Do not open No Subject email just posted to Utah-Astronomy
by Patrick Wiggins 14 Sep '11

14 Sep '11

A message was just posted to the list with (no subject) in the subject line. It appears to link to some sort of online banking. Looks suspicious. Smells a bit phishy. Probably best if you just delete it. I've emailed the person from who's address it came to see if it is legitimate or if their email account has been hacked. patrick UA CoAdmin

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School Solar Party on the 23rd.
by Daniel Holmes 14 Sep '11

14 Sep '11

Gang, my daughter's school is having an equinox party for the 23rd. The 6th grade class has been studying the axis and the seasons, and would like a short lesson on the equinox. The teacher's working on the lesson--she's even got a small Skyquest with a white light filter to let the kids observe the sun. She asked me if I could help out as well. I could use about 3-5 more white light and H-alpha scopes to be setup from about 9-12:30 am on the 23rd of September. Is anyone available? It's at the Salt Lake Arts Academy, 845 S, 200 E in Salt Lake. If you can come, I'd sure appreciate it--email me at danielh(a)holmesonics.com and I can give even more details. In the past, the kids have known enough about the equinox and seasons, but were dazzled by seeing sunspots and prominences that it sorta took over. The teachers were pleased though--getting the kids interested in the sciences is the point. 3 periods of 35 kids per period (I think there are 2 classes per period). Thanks, Dan -- Daniel Holmes, danielh(a)holmesonics.com "Laugh while you can, monkey boy!" -- Lord John Whorfin

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