October 2012 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Thursday's Mars Curiosity Rover telcon
by Wiggins Patrick 19 Oct '12

19 Oct '12

Find Thursday's telecon here: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/26248829 patrick

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Final public star parties
by Wiggins Patrick 18 Oct '12

18 Oct '12

A reminder that SLAS will host its final two public star parties of the season this weekend. This evening (Friday) at the Cougar Harmons http://slas.us/displayevent.asp?EventID=1848 Tomorrow evening at SPOC http://slas.us/displayevent.asp?EventID=1849 Y'all come! patrick

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three items
by Joe Bauman 18 Oct '12

18 Oct '12

Hi all, Topic 1, I promised to give a report on my most recent foray to the place we call Lakeside, so here it is. I was there Sunday night-Monday morning and the skies were gorgeous -- the cloud cover was nearly total after daybreak but the clouds caused no problems during the night. The dark was fine except toward Salt Lake and Wendover but the light domes weren't more than 10 or 15 degrees. The temperature was stuck at 40 all night, according to the Jeep's thermometer, but I don't know how accurate that is. A little star-twinkling didn't hurt my astrophotography, and it was thrilling to just look up and enjoy the scenery. The starlight was bright enough that I could hike around without using a flashlight -- was was especially fun was to see my distant Jeep materialize as a slightly darker form. I had no equipment failures and was pleased with the outing. But anyone without a 4WD vehicle should not attempt it, as the dirt road is unbelievably torn up and deeply rutted because of the new loose dirt that was dumped there. I started to slide on the way in. Topic 2, I need to apologize for getting up and walking out of the SLAS general meeting Wednesday night. The speaker, Prof. Barnes, was engaging and he discussed interesting topics. But my sciatica was tearing me up, sitting on that hard seat. I had to go home and lie down. Topic 3, Thanks to all who participated in the election and I will try to be a good vice president next year. I'm a little intimidated by Bob Taylor, because he did such an outstanding job that I may look lame by comparison. I hope he will offer me pointers and that others in the club will advise me too. Thanks, Joe

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Dark Sky Observing This Friday
by Jay Eads 18 Oct '12

18 Oct '12

There is a crescent moon that is gone by around 10:40pm tomorrow on Friday so I am taking my new scope out with its Zambuto and Prostar Secondary out to give it a shakedown at a dark site. Jeff, Mat and I ran through the scope last night and the views were tremendous. None of us had seen M103 with as much color, contrast as detail. I'm also out tonight but by myself and Dr. Richard Pogge from THE Ohio State Buckeyes . . . I'm already set up tonight on my recently acquired land which the wife and I purchased for a family retreat and for observing. Tomorrow I'm heading out again though to a public area though I am concerned about a lot of people being out. . I would like to actually go to the Forest Land in Vernon but there could be more people there due to UEA weekend. I will look at what those who go out there call the Owl Site or Site 1 on Forest Land OO6 ( see this link: http://goo.gl/maps/CUn0P and get there about 2:00pm tommorrow, and if that is taken, I'll be heading to a another site I like a tad better that is at the end of Forest Road 006 which can be seen at this link http://goo.gl/maps/rv7is (see the pictures in the link). If that site is taken then I'll go to this one on FR 586 which on the Forest Land is my personal favorite: http://goo.gl/maps/oVueF It is easy to get to either. Site 1: Go down FR 006 all the way to a gate and look to the wide open field on your right and set up where you want there. Site 2 Come down the main dirt road (Benmore Rd) going south to the Vernon Reservoir sign where you turn left to go to Vernon Reservoir or right to go towards FR 006. Go right (Harker Rd) and instead of turning left on FR 006 keep going straight to FR 586, and go left. Follow the road up, you'll eventually pass a RV or camping area next to some Junipers on the right, keep going and then you'll come to a wide, very wide open field to the right and a road that leads in there. The main roads converge here and continue into the canyon. See the url for directions above. If you'd like to spend a night at a dark site with a little elevation feel free to come on out. It will be a great time. Just dress warm, it is getting cool out here, mid to upper thirties for lows. Oh, if you come from SLC or the Tooele area, take State Route/Hwy 36 down to Vernon and look for the sign on 36 as they leave Vernon and turn left on a curve for the Vernon Reservoir. Go left there and follow the directions or go to my Google Map areas above and follow the directions.

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Can’t see Comet 168P/Hergenrother any longer
by Dave Gary 18 Oct '12

18 Oct '12

Went out around 20:30 MDT to look for 168P/Hergenrother. Looks as if it’s dimmed to where the 10” can’t pick it up any longer. I’ve kept track of it for the past few nights. A couple of nights ago it was becoming apparent that it was dimming considerably. Last night I couldn’t pick it out at all. It was fun while it lasted. Dave

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Need ride to SPOC
by D P Pierce 17 Oct '12

17 Oct '12

Hi, I need a ride to SPOC Saturday. My usuals are not available.. Deloy

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SLAS laser offer
by Chuck Hards 17 Oct '12

17 Oct '12

Does anyone know what the output rating is for the SLAS $10 green laser offer? I haven't seen any specifics sent-out for this, at all. Battery type would be useful, as well.

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New 14 inch scope with my new Zambuto Mirror
by Jay Eads 17 Oct '12

17 Oct '12

Over on my blog I have recorded how Dennis Steele built me a new structure based on the Albert Highe strut dobsonian design. It is a beautiful scope in my opinion and I cannot wait to get it out. I should have it on Thursday so I'll assembly it and test it in the backyard on Thursday. Friday I will either head to the Pit or out near Vernon for first light. Moon sets shortly after 10:40pm so I'll have some great objects to try out the structure and the mirror on. I had strings put on it (aircraft cable) to make it a virtual trust and so it doesn't have a truss strut flex causing collimation shift. There is none so that is wonderful. IF you want here is a link to my blog and you can scroll down to see the scope or to see how it was put together. I am rather excited. http://jaysastronomyobservingblog.blogspot.com/ Jay

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The Sun
by Chuck Hards 17 Oct '12

17 Oct '12

WOW! There is a really terrific prominence visible on the solar limb right now, if you have H-a capability. 2:31 pm MDT.

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Where astronomy terms come from
by D P Pierce 17 Oct '12

17 Oct '12

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

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