September 2014 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

MAVEN & MOM schedule
by Wiggins Patrick 18 Sep '14

18 Sep '14

NASA TV is planning extensive coverage of NASA's MAVEN spacecraft at Mars this coming Sunday. Info here: http://www.nasa.gov/content/maven-status-updates/#.VBqG0Uv57JE India's Mars orbiter spacecraft arrives the following day. I can't find any published source of live coverage (maybe the BBC?) but here is the schedule: http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2014/09161033-mars-orbiter-… Good luck to both craft! patrick

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Wiggins to speak at aviation dinner
by Brent Watson 17 Sep '14

17 Sep '14

Congratulations, Patrick. I see you are speaking at the monthly dinner at Leading Edge Aviation at South Valley Regional airport (#2) on Tuesday evening. Kudos to you!

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NASA to Make Major Announcement Today About Astronaut Transport to ISS
by Wiggins Patrick 17 Sep '14

17 Sep '14

Not sure what's happening here. Could be interesting. Maybe they are going to go with Space X and the Falcon V2 sooner than planned? patrick > September 16, 2014 > NASA to Make Major Announcement Today About Astronaut Transport to the International Space Station > > NASA will make a major announcement today at 4 p.m. EDT regarding the return of human spaceflight launches to the United States. The agency will make the announcement during a news conference from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The event will be broadcast live on NASA Television and the agency's website. > > A brief question-and-answer session will take place during the event. Media will be able to ask more detailed questions related to the program in a teleconference shortly afterward. > > News conference participants at Kennedy are: > > - NASA Administrator Charles Bolden > - Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana > - Commercial Crew Program Manager Kathy Lueders > - Astronaut and former ISS Expedition crew member Mike Fincke

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Today's Dilbert
by Wiggins Patrick 16 Sep '14

16 Sep '14

Ever felt like this when defending science? http://www.dilbert.com/2014-09-16/ Grins, patrick

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Comet Jacques
by daniel turner 16 Sep '14

16 Sep '14

Comet Jacques will be crossing the Summer Triangle and making close passes to some familiar object in the next two weeks. Sept 14 near Albireo Sept 20 crosses the coathanger Sept 21 enters Sagitta This weekend even though it's a "full moon" weekend on the SLAS calendar, the moon will not rise until 10pm on Friday night and the sunsets at 7:40. So there is a good dark window in the early evening to catch a glimpse of the comet. DT

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Fwd: LEA Dinner and Class at South Valley Regional
by Wiggins Patrick 15 Sep '14

15 Sep '14

The flight school at West Jordan's Airport #2 have asked me to do my NASA talk there tomorrow (Tuesday) evening. Free admission and lots of free food. Open to all, pilots or not. See below for info. patrick Sent from my iPad Begin forwarded message: > Please join us this Tuesday (tomorrow) September 16th for our monthly Dinner and Class > at Leading Edge Aviation - South Valley. The Dinner starts at 6:00 P.M. > and the class will begin at 7:00 P.M. > > This month's guest speaker is Patrick Wiggins. Patrick has talked to thousands about astronomy through his work at Hansen Planetarium. Over the years, many people have seen Wiggins' name in newspaper articles about space, and many have also seen him on TV. When he retired as the planetarium's education specialist, he continued doing school visits and demonstrations as a NASA ambassador and for the University of Utah. Radio listeners might also remember him for his traffic and astronomy reports on KSL. Patrick has been named the recipient of this year’s NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest award NASA gives to non-government employees. > > > As always, Jackie will be making us a great dinner. Please bring your friends and family > for a great evening at the airport. R.S.V.P.s are always appreciated. > > I look forward to seeing you Tuesday. > > Scott Weaver > Leading Edge Aviation > 801-858-0042 > 7365 S. 4450 W. > West Jordan, UT 84084

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Parking for SLAS meeting (per Ann House)
by Wiggins Patrick 14 Sep '14

14 Sep '14

SLAS VP Ann House normally issues SLAS related releases but she finds herself without access to the internet tonight and ok'd my posting this. Those wishing to park on the U of U campus this coming Wednesday evening for the SLAS meeting will need to either have a parking permit or park at parking meters. An evening parking pass is available online for $2.00 and can be purchased by first registering at https://utah.t2hosted.com/cmn/newuser.aspx Once registered go to https://utah.t2hosted.com/cmn/auth_guest.aspx and purchase the permit. for Ann House, SLAS VP

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SLAS write in for President 2015
by Enid Norton 11 Sep '14

11 Sep '14

Hey SLAS members we have a new write-in for 2015 President!!! Joe Bauman =)

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Aurora alert
by Wiggins Patrick 11 Sep '14

11 Sep '14

This just in from S&T: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/observing-news/powerful-solar… I don't think I've ever seen Monty Python quoted in a science related news release before. :) patrick

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Will trade laser for food
by Wiggins Patrick 10 Sep '14

10 Sep '14

Going through my rarely used astronomy stuff I came across this green laser: http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/temp/laser.jpg Since I don't use it anymore since I got a more powerful one I figured I'd offer it up to whomever would like to buy my dinner at tomorrow's (Wednesday) SLAS board meeting (6:30 at the Denny's at 250 W 500 S). Any takers? patrick

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