January 2015 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Comet Q2 Lovejoy with Tail
by Dave Gary 09 Jan '15

09 Jan '15

Nothing like Rob’s photo, but at least I’m starting to see a little bit of a tail on Comet Lovejoy. Dave https://www.flickr.com/photos/78046474@N06/sets/72157650210354745/

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M82 and Microwave Popcorn [video]
by Ryan Simpkins 08 Jan '15

08 Jan '15

One of my favorite astronomy related YouTube channels is Deep Sky Videos. The creator, Brady Haran, produces videos for some of the most popular science channels on the Internet. His Deep Sky Videos channel takes viewers behind the scenes and in to one-on-one interviews with astronomers, cosmologists, and serious amateurs. Today he posted an interesting video about M82. I thought it might be nice to share it in case you hadn't run in to his videos before. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0PgDIHBs7s Brady often posts 'un-cut' segments from his interviews. He has added additional content regarding M82 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzLQuvIbyko -Ryan

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Excellent ISS pass tomorrow (Thursday) morning
by Wiggins Patrick 08 Jan '15

08 Jan '15

This from NASA for northern Utah: +++++ Time: Thu Jan 08 6:54 AM, Visible: 6 min, Max Height: 77 degrees, Appears: WSW, Disappears: NE +++++ patrick

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Lovejoy now
by Wiggins Patrick 08 Jan '15

08 Jan '15

Just had a look at Comet Lovejoy. Pretty easy to spot in 11x80s. Tried getting some pictures but the inner coma is so bright it washed out the images. Sure to image better for those with wide field imaging capabilities. Currently about 1/3 of the way up the SE sky from here in N. Utah. patrick

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Telescope mirror cleaning
by Richard Tenney 06 Jan '15

06 Jan '15

Someone recently posted the following in the Criterion Dynascope email forum re: mirror cleaning, that I thought some of you might find useful/interesting. I had never heard of this stuff (and it's probably overkill, but what the heck)... "The best possible soap is Kodak PhotoFlo, which was designed as a last rinse for photographic film. It is the essence of all dish soaps, minus anything else. Still available from B&H and Adorama. Useful anytime you want to avoid water spots, like clear shower panels. It has to be diluted in distilled water 200:1 so a pint goes forever." FWIW,/Rich

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Can Spring be Far Off?
by Chuck Hards 06 Jan '15

06 Jan '15

Wow, Spica is on the meridian before sunrise already, and Orion is setting in the west at dawn. Spring is coming, hold on just a little longer!

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Comet C/2014 Q2 Lovejoy
by Bruce Hugo 04 Jan '15

04 Jan '15

Thanks for the photos Dave! Man, that thing is moving! Bruce Hugo

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Comet Q2 Lovejoy (01/03/2015~22:00 MST)
by Dave Gary 04 Jan '15

04 Jan '15

I purposely overexposed this photo to try to get a look at the tail of the comet. Moon is so bright any tail features are completely lacking in detail. This was the best I could get. If Moon was at its new phase I think one could see the tail extending to the left at about the nine-o'clock position. I could be dreaming, though. The cold froze my brain last night. Joe's correct...this winter imaging is hard on us old folks. This was a 45-second exposure through the William-Optics 81mm Gran Turismo scope, SBIG 8300C CCD camera, iEQ30 mount. Unguided, no dark subtraction, no bias, no flats. https://www.flickr.com/photos/78046474@N06/16009282607/in/set-7215765011852…

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Comet C/2014 Q2 Lovejoy
by Dave Gary 03 Jan '15

03 Jan '15

Here's some quick and dirty photos I got of C/2014 Q2 Lovejoy last night. The bright star to the left is Rigel. These photos were 6 to 8-second exposures with an SBIG 8300C (3X3 binning) and a Meade 10-inch LX200 Classic scope. I took the photos over about a 20-minute period starting at 23:11 and ending around 23:34. Notice how far the comet has moved during the imaging time. This thing is really moving. https://www.flickr.com/photos/78046474@N06/sets/72157647748981933/ Dave

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Sheena leaving the Tribune
by Wiggins Patrick 03 Jan '15

03 Jan '15

I was saddened to hear from Sheena McFarland that she is leaving the Tribune to take up a new job at the U. As many here know, Sheena is one of the few print reporters in the state with a serious interest in astronomy and willing (and able) to write stories about it including coverage of local astronomy events. While I wish her the best in her new job, I fear astronomy is going to take a hit in the Trib. patrick

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