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

Re: [Utah-astronomy] L&O Subcommittee Activities
by Ray Druian 23 Apr '12

23 Apr '12

Let's vote Patrick off the island. -- Thanx, *Ray *

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solar filters
by erikhansen＠thebluezone.net 23 Apr '12

23 Apr '12

For those wishing to buy solar filter for eclipse, this company has all sizes in-stock and ready to ship. http://www.astrozap.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=31

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Goldilocks meteors
by daniel turner 23 Apr '12

23 Apr '12

We all remember the Apollo 13 drama where the crippled ship had to return to the earth hitting the atmosphere at a precise angle. Too steep an angle and the ship would generate too much heat from the friction of the air and cook the contents, as in too hot. Too shallow an angle and the ship would not slow down enough and would just punch through the curve of the atmosphere and keep going into deep space, as in too cold. The just right orbital insertion would make the ship slowly spiral down following the curve of the earth for over 90 degrees of longitude and splash down without cooking the inhabitants. Meteors follow the same orbital fates but are subject to some unfortunate myths that need to be busted. Myth one is that the shower only occurs at a single point in time. Facts are you can see meteors days to weeks before and after the showers “peak”. But our busy schedules and digital calendars only allow us one hour windows that must be booked weeks in advance when it’s impossible to predict what the weather will be. Myth two is that you have to wait until after midnight when the radiant is high above the horizon. This puts it into people’s sleep schedule which means they won’t even try to look. This last weekend in the early evening at SPOC some of us witnessed some spectacular fire balls. These were slow burning Lyrid meteors that began at the zenith and blazed of toward the southwest. Vega was just peaking its head up over the northeast horizon so these were hitting the atmosphere sideways and spiraling down slowly over a large 90 degree arc of longitude. One of them even lost its bright plasma envelope and turned into a dull red mars like point that slowly faded as it skipped of the atmosphere and returned to deep space, too cold. As we were packing up to leave around midnight people started showing up at SPOC because they had heard about the shower on the evening news. They were going to look only after midnight and only on one night. They missed the good stuff. DT

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] solar filters
by erikhansen＠thebluezone.net 23 Apr '12

23 Apr '12

>You are right the off-axis filters are quite a bit less expensive. Thousand Oaks 8" full ap is almost $140 off axis $90. Here are a couple of pros and cons of an off-axis filter, in my view: > > Pros > The filter would be smaller so should be less expensive > Since it is off axis, there would be no diffraction spikes from the > spider, but we are talking the sun, so this is pretty much a non issue. > > Cons > Smaller aperture so less theoretical resolution > Dimmer views, but again we are talking the sun, so this is pretty much a > non issue > > Personally, I would recommend a full aperture filter. If you are good > with your hands, or want to come to an ATM session, you can easily make > your own filter cell for a film type filter. If you do opt to come to an > ATM session, you can take a look at my DIY solar filter cell for my 8" > dob. > > Mat > > -----Original Message----- > From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com > [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chrismo > Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 1:25 AM > To: Utah Astronomy > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] solar filters > > I'm thinking about getting a glass filter for my 8" dob. Should I use an > off-axis for this? I don't understand what difference it makes tho. Can > anyone shed some light on this? Thanks! > > On Sun, Apr 22, 2012 at 10:09 PM, Joe Bauman > <josephmbauman(a)yahoo.com>wrote: > >> William, I would go with the outside diameter of the sun-ward side of >> the >> tube. Don't cut it close by thinking you only need to cover the glass >> part. >> Also, you never use a filter over the eyepiece because the concentrated >> light would break it. The correct filter must keep almost all of the >> sunlight from entering the tube in the first place. -- Joe >> >> >> >> ________________________________ >> From: william baker <baker464b(a)yahoo.com> >> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> >> Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2012 10:04 PM >> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] solar filters >> >> When figuring out which filter to go with, what to you measure on you >> telescope, the inside diameter, or the outside diameter of the lip of >> the >> scope? Just want to make sure I order the correct one the first time. >> >> Bill >> >> >> >> ________________________________ >> From: "erikhansen(a)thebluezone.net" <erikhansen(a)thebluezone.net> >> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> >> Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2012 12:43 PM >> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] solar filters >> >> > It is where I got my Baeder Solar Filter for my Lumicon 80mm. Nice >> filter good workmanship. >> > >> > >> > I have and >> > know others who have. I found them to be reputable and safe.Steve >> > >> > >> > > Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2012 09:32:05 -0700 >> >> From: baker464b(a)yahoo.com >> >> To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com >> >> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] solar filters >> >> >> >> Have you purchased anything from this company? >> >> >> >> >> >> ________________________________ >> >> From: "erikhansen(a)thebluezone.net" <erikhansen(a)thebluezone.net> >> >> To: Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com >> >> Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2012 9:39 AM >> >> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] solar filters >> >> >> >> For those wishing to buy solar filter for eclipse, this company has >> all >> >> sizes in-stock and ready to ship. >> >> >> >> >> >> http://www.astrozap.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=31 >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> 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". >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> 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". >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > 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". >> > >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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". >> _______________________________________________ >> 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". >> _______________________________________________ >> 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". >> > _______________________________________________ > 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". > > This message and any attachments are solely for the use of intended > recipients. The information contained herein may include trade secrets, > protected health or personal information, privileged or otherwise > confidential information. Unauthorized review, forwarding, printing, > copying, distributing, or using such information is strictly prohibited > and may be unlawful. If you are not an intended recipient, you are hereby > notified that you received this email in error, and that any review, > dissemination, distribution or copying of this email and any attachment is > strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please > contact the sender and delete the message and any attachment from your > system. Thank you for your cooperation > > _______________________________________________ > 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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Attn L&O aficionados
by Patrick Wiggins 23 Apr '12

23 Apr '12

http://www.garfield.com/comics/vault.html?yr=2012&addr=120422 :)

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Tunguska wannabe
by jcarman6＠q.com 23 Apr '12

23 Apr '12

Looks like Utah missed a good one. http://mycenturylink.com/news/read.php?rip_id=%3CD9UA5NJ80%40news.ap.org%3E…

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Sagittarius Supernove
by erikhansen＠thebluezone.net 23 Apr '12

23 Apr '12

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/home/Nova-Erupts-in-Sagittarius-14… Anyone looked at this?

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Observing Saturday
by Joe Bauman 23 Apr '12

23 Apr '12

Thanks Don, I have thought about that. It wouldn't be too hard to scrape toghether a bunch of my old blobs. Best wishes, Joe ------------------------------ On Mon, Apr 23, 2012 9:12 AM MDT Don J. Colton wrote: >Joe, > >As I have said before, you need to write a book about your observing >adventures. > >Clear Skies, > >Don > >-----Original Message----- >From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com >[mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Joe Bauman >Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2012 1:43 PM >To: Utah Astronomy >Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Observing Saturday > >Erik, Jay was just reporting on our little observing trip Friday-Saturday >night to western Utah, not anything about SPOC. Sorry about the confusion. > >As Jay said, I had mechanical issues. Actually, more than only mechanical. I >like to set up and have my cables straightened out before the light leaves >the sky. However, I didn't manage that this time. As a result, my work table >looked like a spaghetti bowl with cables. My flashlight was running out of >batteries, which made the table even dimmer. Jorge provided light from his >flashlight, but it didn't quite work because he wasn't always pointing where >I was looking. This went on for hours, as I kept trying to get my focuser to >work. At long last I realized that certain components for the focuser and >the guider were transposed. I got them straightened out but then I was >unable to slew because the worm that drives the right ascension gear had >become loose. This was most evident when I had loaded the 'scope with a fair >amount of weight -- guide scope, guide scope camera, main camera, etc. >Desperately, I tried unloading the scope, so that I could get it aligned >and then load it carefully. But it wouldn't even slew correctly in a >stripped-down condition. At that point I just gave up; I know what's wrong >and I know how to tighten the worm, but the telescope has to be taken off >the tripod and wedge, and that wouldn't work at night. I'll take it apart >and fix it today or tomorrow. > >HOWEVER: The night was beautiful and the company superlative. (Chris didn't >even get mad when I threw my bag of warm clothes in the back of his vehicle, >then climbed into the driver's seat -- thinking it was my Jeep. As if that >wasn't embarrassing enough, I thought I saw my keys on the seat and stucl >them in my pocket. Shortly after that I realized I was in the wrong vehicle, >got my clothes out, and apologized. A little later folks started searching >for Chris' keys and I realized I had pocketed them. So I had to say what >happened, and I felt like an extreme fool. But nobody ridiculed me.) > >The highlights of the night were being with really good amateur astronomers, >talking, and looking through Jay's 14" at the Eyes (which I had planned to >photograph) and through Mat's 20" (I think) at the Owl. I also saw a >wonderful galaxy field through Jay's, M104, a section of Markarian's Chain. > >Cold and discouraged, I slunk back into my Jeep (which is also back and >which I had parked a little earlier near the spot where Chris eventually >parked, though I had moved it before he arrived). I read the new Stephen >King novel 11/22/63 on my Kindle until after 3. When I finally fell asleep >my cell phone dragged me to consciousness; I answered it as someone hung up. >I called the number back and it was a recording for something like >Intermountain Auction, apparently ready to take my bid. So of course getting >back to sleep was an awful, uncomfortable chore. > >-- That's my little report on observing on the night of Friday-Saturday. > > > >From: "erikhansen(a)thebluezone.net" <erikhansen(a)thebluezone.net> >To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> >Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2012 1:00 PM >Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Observing Saturday > >>This begs the question: Is the Grim fixed and operational? no word from >SLAS BOD's on the subject. > > > >I am heading out again tonight. Last night was just wonderful. M104 >> showed itself probably the best I have ever seen it in the 14. I was >> able to capture 18 objects from my list and sketch about 8-10 of them >> (I need to check). Tonight promises to be even better. We had Jeff, >> Mat, Josh, Joe and Chris, a visitor from Raliegh NC with us. Joe had >> a mechanical issue so didn't get any imaging in and he can talk to >> that. Temperatures were mild out on Forest Road 006, LM was around >> 7.0 to 7.2 out there and it was nice and dark. Lots of RVers around >> but no campfires and no disturbances, just nice and quiet. >> >> I also got a great view of NGC 4038/39 the antenna galaxies and one >> tidal tail was seen coming off NGC 4038 (need to check my notes). >> Chris saw that with me. After Joe's equipment broke down he wanted to >> see the eyes so I star hopped to the pair of galaxies known as the >> Eyes and they stood right out next to their elliptical monster pair. >> Just a tremendous night. I'll post more details sometime in the week >> on my blog. >> >> Tonight I want to go back to Vernal as we had no humidity and the >> temps were just wonderful. Let me know if you want to join me out there. >> Everyone got there fine using my directions from my blog. Oh, the >> sites had grass on them and that was nice (wild grass) and a surprise >> for Joe that Joe can mention. Then there was this thing about playing >> musical cars and disappearing keys . . . >> >> -- >> Jay Eads >> _______________________________________________ >> 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". >> > > > >_______________________________________________ >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". >_______________________________________________ >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". > > >_______________________________________________ >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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Observing Saturday
by Jay Eads 23 Apr '12

23 Apr '12

I am heading out again tonight. Last night was just wonderful. M104 showed itself probably the best I have ever seen it in the 14. I was able to capture 18 objects from my list and sketch about 8-10 of them (I need to check). Tonight promises to be even better. We had Jeff, Mat, Josh, Joe and Chris, a visitor from Raliegh NC with us. Joe had a mechanical issue so didn't get any imaging in and he can talk to that. Temperatures were mild out on Forest Road 006, LM was around 7.0 to 7.2 out there and it was nice and dark. Lots of RVers around but no campfires and no disturbances, just nice and quiet. I also got a great view of NGC 4038/39 the antenna galaxies and one tidal tail was seen coming off NGC 4038 (need to check my notes). Chris saw that with me. After Joe's equipment broke down he wanted to see the eyes so I star hopped to the pair of galaxies known as the Eyes and they stood right out next to their elliptical monster pair. Just a tremendous night. I'll post more details sometime in the week on my blog. Tonight I want to go back to Vernal as we had no humidity and the temps were just wonderful. Let me know if you want to join me out there. Everyone got there fine using my directions from my blog. Oh, the sites had grass on them and that was nice (wild grass) and a surprise for Joe that Joe can mention. Then there was this thing about playing musical cars and disappearing keys . . . -- Jay Eads

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dew shield needed
by Kim 22 Apr '12

22 Apr '12

Hi all. My movers seem to have hidden from me the dew shield for my 8-inch SCT. I am getting tired of looking for it and I think I'll just buy a replacement. Anyone on the list have one they want to part with? Kim

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