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

Digital February S&T?
by Wiggins Patrick 27 Dec '12

27 Dec '12

I've tried downloading the new (February) issue of Sky and Telescope a few times both at home and at a local wifi hotspot. Every time it stops downloading at page 23. Has anyone here tried to download it with the same or better results? Thanks, patrick

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Shatner's World
by Ann House 27 Dec '12

27 Dec '12

I notice that William Shatner is coming to the U in January. It sounds interesting and, perhaps, I need to see this man in person. Capt Kirk has been a part of my life since I was a tweener (pre-teen). I was a tweener trekkie. And before you pass judgement, I am sure many of you were too! Here is the info on his show. If a few of us decide to go, maybe we can meet for dinner before the show. *Shatner's World - We Just Live In It* “This show is more entertaining than it has any right to be! William Shatner is much more than an actor – he’s a personality of galactic proportions!” –New York Post “Undeniably fun! An energetic look back at a lifetime spent living at the center of the universe.” –Entertainment Weekly William Shatner’s acclaimed one-man show takes audiences on a voyage through his life and career, from Shakespearean stage actor to internationally known icon, known as much for his unique persona as for his expansive body of work on television and film. Date: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 Time:7:30 p.m. Contact: Kingsbury Ticket Office<websales(a)kingsbury.utah.edu> 801-581-7100 Location:Kingsbury Hall - (view map) <http://www.map.utah.edu/index.html?find=4> Cost:$30 - $60 Website: http://kingsburyhall.utah.edu/performances/shatners-world-we-just-live-in-it -A

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Coment C/2012 S1 (ISON)
by jcarman6＠q.com 27 Dec '12

27 Dec '12

Well written article, the only thing missing is the current magnitude, but that's probably nit-picking. Its really nice to read such a good article in what appears to be a non-scienctific paper. Mad e me think of Hale-Bopp. That was spotted long before (and long after) its arrival. It was a joy to follow. Looks like 2013 is going to be a particularly fun year. Thanks for the post, we'll all be watching.

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Happy 13th Bak'tun
by jcarman6＠q.com 26 Dec '12

26 Dec '12

According to the Gregorian calendar it is December 21, 2012 aka 12/21/12. According to the Mayan long count calendar (they had several) it is 13.0.0.0.0. It is the "seating of the 13th Bak'tun." So HAPPY 13th BAK'TUN! The Mayan long count calendar has rolled over, just as the Gregorian calender does every 365/66 days. H mm you could think of the Mayan long count calendar as a Julian calendar, the dates just go on and on . It is equally important day because the Mayan civil calendar has also realigned. This calendar, similar to the long count, but of much shorter duration has also realigned. Both calendars are like wheel cogs within wheel cogs and eventually, the cogs realign. The civil calendar takes 52 years to realign and when it does, it is known as the "binding of the years." As the binding could occur more than once in a Mayan's life time, it too is a time of renewal and celebration. The night before the binding, all the fires throughout the city are extinquished. The astrologer/astronomer sky watchers watch the sky in earnest. Their target is the pleiades (not known by that name to them, but readily identifiable in all cultures that have existed on this planet :)). The small distinct grouping of seven stars reaches zenith. Now the sky watchers watch with baited breath. If the star grouping continues on into the night, toward the west (our term) then the years are indeed bound and their world will continue for at least another 52 years. And so they do and so it does. A sacrifice is made (yeah human - removal of the heart yada yada ) and the fires are relit. And so it is for us, the plieades reached zenith and set in the west - once again, the years have been bound and now the 13th Bak'tun is seated. It is a time of renewal and starting fresh. Hope all your "new year" resolutions (and dreams) come true. P.S. Sorry, Mr. Jachmann, I won't be collecting on the policy. Fortunately I didn't pay the ridiculous policy premium in the first place. ALL bets are off.

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Merry Christmas!!
by Larry Holmes 25 Dec '12

25 Dec '12

And to all a good night! 73 Larry & Carol Holmes

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Higgs-Boson Disproves the Big Bang Theory
by M Wilson 25 Dec '12

25 Dec '12

I was in a conversation with two others last night when the subject of the "God Particle" [Higgs-Boson] came up. Both were in unanimous agreement that its discovery blew-to-bits the Big Bang Theory. I questioned that supposition, as I haven't read any articles that made such a claim. Does anyone on this list know how these two came to that conclustion?

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Higgs-Boson Disproves the Big Bang Theory
by Michael Wells 24 Dec '12

24 Dec '12

I thought that it was supposed to have the opposite effect? I'm interested in the answer as well. -------- Original message -------- From: M Wilson <astro_outwest(a)yahoo.com> Date: To: Utah astronomy blog <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Higgs-Boson Disproves the Big Bang Theory I was in a conversation with two others last night when the subject of the "God Particle" [Higgs-Boson] came up. Both were in unanimous agreement that its discovery blew-to-bits the Big Bang Theory. I questioned that supposition, as I haven't read any articles that made such a claim. Does anyone on this list know how these two came to that conclustion? _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options".

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Happy 13th Bak'tun
by jcarman6＠q.com 24 Dec '12

24 Dec '12

M. Wilson - points well made :) :) :) (as in many smiles) The Mayans were already in substantial decline by the time of Columbus's discovery. The Aztecs were also starting to decline. The Aztecs were to the Mayans, as the Romans were to the Greeks. The Mayans/Greeks created the culture and the Romans/Aztecs adopted it as their own. The conquistadors came for the gold and the priests burned the books (anywhere they found them). Hmm, the Vikings were a little too far north to have any influence, but ya never know :) Merry Christmas to all!

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Happy 13th Bak'tun
by jcarman6＠q.com 24 Dec '12

24 Dec '12

I'm with Watson on this - PAY UP!!! Joe, point well made :) However, the apostrophe comes from my friend the Mayan expert, so I don't think it is so much of an apostrophe as a "pronunciation" mark. :)

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Happy 13th Bak'tun
by jcarman6＠q.com 24 Dec '12

24 Dec '12

Erik, right you are. However, you need to add to that the catholic priests, who, finding a paganist, barbarick civilization, christenized them by burning all the books (codexes). The priests did such a good job that only 5 pieces of codexes remain. Brent: Damn and I just confessed I didn't pay the premium. Do you think he noticed?

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