November 2013 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Palomar Sky Survey on CD
by Wiggins Patrick 28 Nov '13

28 Nov '13

I just came across a 2 box set of 20 CDs containing the entire Palomar Sky Survey. I've not used them in a long time because the data are now available online. And I don't know if they will even work with today's computers (they date back to 1996). Here's some info: http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/1996/20/text/ If anyone is interested in acquiring the set let me know and we'll discuss options. Cheers, patrick

2 3

ISON lives (?)
by Wiggins Patrick 28 Nov '13

28 Nov '13

I just saw a news report that ISON made it through perihelion. Maybe we will get to see something after all.

2 1

ISON (?) Lives
by Jay Eads 28 Nov '13

28 Nov '13

ISON is dead. What is being seen is the dust left over from the nucleus. >From NBC News: "The comet may have fizzled, but scientists say sun-watching satellites are still seeing the dust left over from ISON swing around in a gravitational arc as it dissipates. "Dust continues to move around the orbit, just as it should," Pesnell told NBC News. The arc is visible in imagery from NASA's STEREO and SOHO satellites. "Yes, something came out from behind the occulter," Battams said in a Twitter update. "Pretty certain there's no nucleus, though." That accounts for at least some of the half-mile-deep pile of material that scientists thought the comet contained. http://www.nbcnews.com/science/comet-ison-vanishes-puff-mystery-it-goes-aro… >From Sky&Telescope: "ISON's head — which swelled to brilliance just hours ago — seems in the latest spacecraft images to have faded right down to nothing at all. What's left is a long, thick streamer of a dust tail. The tail is destined to be flung widely across the sky as it comes out the other side of the Sun." A 2:10pm MST update states: *"4:10 p.m. EST:* The LASCO C2 coronagraph saw only the barest trace of material come out from behind its Sun-occulting disk after perihelion." Here's that 4:10pm EST image link. ISON remains are in the upper left of the Sun. http://soho.esac.esa.int/data/realtime/c2/1024/latest.html Phil Plait confirms there is material but nothing left of the nucleus/comet: http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy.html The hope . . . . SpaceWeather.com that reports something emerged, either a fragment of the comet or the dust material discussed above. Time will tell but I don't think this will be the GREAT comet the media, S&T, Astronomy and others built this up to be. http://spaceweather.com/

1 0

ISON
by Jay Eads 28 Nov '13

28 Nov '13

Looking like ISON has broken up and not survived its encounter with the Sun. Live feed at Google Hangout from NASA: https://plus.google.com/events/c8t7i5dbr1k50oq89giloiqe8rc

1 0

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Try some stretching
by Bruce Hugo 27 Nov '13

27 Nov '13

Thanks Patrick! Actually, that foreground glow is St. Ansgar, Iowa. Shhhh... don't tell anyone. I like your version better (sunset glow)! Bruce Nice. I really like the way you composed the shot with the trees and sunset glow in the foreground. patrick Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science. - Edwin Powell Hubble

7 7

Planetary Society's Comet ISON live blog
by Wiggins Patrick 26 Nov '13

26 Nov '13

Comet ISON live blog http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2013/comet-ison-live-blog.h… I just hope thee is something to blog about. FYI, Comet ISON reaches perihelion at 18:25 UT (11:25 MST) on Thursday, patrick

1 0

ISS Wed AM
by Wiggins Patrick 26 Nov '13

26 Nov '13

This from CalSky about tomorrow morning's excellent ISS pass. patrick Appears 6h14m47s -2.8mag az:314.4° NW h:22.2° Culmination 6h16m45s -3.9mag az: 35.0° NE h:70.1° distance: 441.6km height above Earth: 418.2km elevation of Sun: -14° Disappears 6h22m10s 2.9mag az:122.4° ESE horizon

1 0

Suggestion for SLAS photo contest next year
by Chuck Hards 26 Nov '13

26 Nov '13

To the SLAS board members who run the photo contest (I realize this isn't a SLAS list), the rules say that photos must be from the current year. I know that this rule was enforced "loosely" this year, but I want to suggest that it be ammended to photos taken since the previous contest deadline. This would formally allow photos taken after October through the end of the calendar year. No big deal, just trying to tie-up some loose ends and adjust the wording of the contest rules a tad.

2 1

ISON on Thursday
by Chuck Hards 26 Nov '13

26 Nov '13

Viewing any object so close to the sun must be done with extreme caution. I advise setting up in the shadow of a building, with the comet's position just visible past the obstruction. DO NOT set up where sunlight can enter the telescope or binocular inadvertantly. This type of thing is for seasoned observers only. And remember, there may be nothing at all to see. http://www.universetoday.com/106710/guide-to-safely-viewing-comet-ison-on-p…

1 0

Re: [Utah-astronomy] ISON may already be dead (Chuck Hards)
by Bruce Hugo 26 Nov '13

26 Nov '13

Sad, but not surprising. Will keep fingers crossed for a decent comet view after sweeping around the sun. Its a comet... you never know what you are going to get! Bruce >Interesting read on S&T website: >http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/home/Comet-ISON-Becomes-a-Nail-Biter-23…

3 2