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

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Seeking suggestions for repairing RH dome
by Chuck Hards 07 Mar '12

07 Mar '12

On Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 1:18 PM, Rob Ratkowski Photography < ratkwski(a)hawaii.rr.com> wrote: > I think you all have to decide how much $$ to be spent and how much of a > PITA factor it is. That was my first post on the subject. I'm glad to read that Kim is starting to think my way regarding welding. I've been thinking about it today, and it could probably be done in one long weekend. As one seam is sandblasted, the welder goes to work while another is prepped. Safe scaffolding is going to be biggest hurdle. Finally, a painter follows-up with primer and a couple of topcoats of good exterior grade paint.

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Rip Snortin Sunspot Area 1429
by D P Pierce 07 Mar '12

07 Mar '12

http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/sunspots/ http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-03-sun-unleashes-powerful-x-class-solar.ht… Deloy Pierce

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New Titanic Theory-the Moon did it!
by D P Pierce 07 Mar '12

07 Mar '12

http://news.yahoo.com/sank-titanic-scientists-point-moon-181342953.html Deloy Pierce

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Seeking suggestions for repairing RH dome
by Patrick Wiggins 07 Mar '12

07 Mar '12

The results of today's inspection of SPOC's Refractor House dome are not encouraging. Basically, water sprayed on the outside poured right through to the inside. Leaks everywhere and lots of them. No wide gaps. Just cracks wide enough to let water through. Many located on the vertical seams between the gores, around the door and where the dome joins to the flat part of the roof. We figure at the very least we're going to have to remove the existing cracked caulk and reapply. What a job that's going to be. But looking to the future we're wondering what might be done to more permanently seal the leaks. Strips of fiberglass? Ideas? Rodger is going to speak with Ken about calling another SPOC committee meeting. But until the situation is resolved we'll be without the refractor this year. patrick

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I H8 SPOC
by jcarman6＠q.com 06 Mar '12

06 Mar '12

All the following is said in jest .... His posts in December about the mining brought numerous nasty posts and several people leaving the board. He missed it all with pneumonia. Now he brings up the rent a bus issue, with all its intendent nastiness and lost board members. It has now been extended to a new thread about SPOC with much nasty potentional in the offing. I nominate Kim Hyatt as the official "Can of Worms Opener." Kim - your job here is done. And I don't H8 SPOC, geez, give him a break he is almost 80 years old. Live long and prosper - FOREVER!!!

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OT for UA birders
by D P Pierce 06 Mar '12

06 Mar '12

Kim, Your observation of a kestrel killing a sparrow reminded me they were once called sparrow hawks. All I have ever seen them eat are mice and voles. I love watching them and harriers because they can hover. Deloy Pierce

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Seeking suggestions for repairing RH dome
by Chuck Hards 06 Mar '12

06 Mar '12

I was going suggest fiberglassing the ENTIRE dome, so that delamination wouldn't be an issue. Similar to your suggestion, Rob. Messy, though. On Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 12:55 PM, Rob Ratkowski Photography < ratkwski(a)hawaii.rr.com> wrote: > Yes pool is played with acoustic. > > How about a paint on white roof sealant?? Or apply a bonding sheet and > paint over with a waterproof sealant, this would form a solid dome cover, > this was dome to Mees Observatory and should last 50 years. > > > Rack'em up >

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Seeking suggestions for repairing RH dome
by Chuck Hards 06 Mar '12

06 Mar '12

On Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 11:39 AM, Rob Ratkowski Photography < ratkwski(a)hawaii.rr.com> wrote: > there is an acoustic sealant Isn't that what you play pool with? Acoustic? ;-)

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OT for UA birders
by Steve Fisher 06 Mar '12

06 Mar '12

Utah Astronomy friends. Could one of you who is a birder offer me a little bit of help off topic. I took a picture of one lonely lil' bird at This is The Place Park a couple of days ago. This was at 800mm and some digital zoom. (I love my new camera) I can't seem to find out what kind of bird he is. I'd appreciate your letting me know if you know. Thanks in advance. Steve http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=4884

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Image Stabilizing Binoculars
by Nancy Matro 05 Mar '12

05 Mar '12

My husband and I will be spending 25 days in Ecuador and want to buy a good pair of image stabilizing binoculars so that we can enjoy the night sky. I've read lots of reviews, including Gary Seronik's review and Cloudy Nights plus others, and am still debating which ones to buy. I'm considering Canon 10x42L, 15x50 and 18x50. The 10x42 has a wider field of view at 6.5 degrees but I'm concerned that 10x may not be a high enough magnification. My concern about the 15x and 18x is the field of view (4.5 degrees and 3.7 degrees respectively) - will we be able to find what we're looking for which small field of view? I can't find anywhere in the Salt Lake City area to actually get my hands on any of these binoculars to actually try them so it looks like I'll be ordering and then returning ones I don't want. (Cabela's MIGHT have a pair but I can't get the binocular department to answer the phone....) BTW I'm a birder so I'm hoping to put these to use while birding but that's not a main decision point. Does anyone on this list own a pair of IS binoculars and would you recommend what you have? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Nancy Matro

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