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

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Last night's lecture
by Joe Bauman 11 Dec '18

11 Dec '18

Brent, speaking of the ISS, I have wondered if it could be put into an orbit that continuously cruised between Earth and Mars. When it swung by Mars it could drop off and retrieved crews. I don't see how the radiation would be any worse than the ISS crews are already exposed to. ------------------------------ On Wed, Feb 25, 2015 8:18 AM MST Brent Watson via Utah-Astronomy wrote: >I attended the lecture last night on trajectories. It was really a good, stimulating talk. Thanks for passing the word along. >There were some interesting side comments made about our launch capabilities and the Mars One effort. Mr. Adamo was not at all enthusiastic about the Mars One effort. His opinion is that the effort is doomed because there is not really a way to assure that folks going there would be safe - primarily from radiation. He has done some work with a former flight surgeon on designing a spacecraft to go to Mars. Their result is that in order to get sufficient shielding (using a water jacket), the spacecraft's mass would be around 380 metric tons. That is for a small crew, probably only about 5 members. For a point of comparison, the ISS mass is 400 metric tons. He made the comment that an astronaut who made this trip could only go to space once in this craft, and then he would be at the limit of radiation exposure for his life. The NASA limit is an increased risk of developing cancer of 5%. >That brings us to our current launch capability. Our latest heavy lift rocket - the one we are currently developing - will have the capability to lift 130 metric tons to a very low earth orbit. So low, in fact, that it would burn up at perigee. The Apollo 17 Saturn 5 rocket lifted 140 metric tons into earth orbit -- higher than the new rocket will go. (I am sorry, but my mind will not allow me to recall the name of our currently being designed rocket.) Recall that it took several dozen shuttle launches to assemble the ISS. The Mars One vehicle would require either a hugely more massive launch rocket or a similar effort to build the craft. >As I mentioned, it was a very intellectually stimulating lecture and did involve several ordinary differential equations. They were nicely explained in English by Mr. Adamo. This was the first time I have seen some real math put to Kepler's laws. There were many charts showing what it takes to leave the earth and go to the moon or Mars. It was a very well done lecture. >The above is my recollection of the lecture, and may not actually represent the opinions of Mr. Adamo. It is only my interpretation of what he said. He knows his stuff, that is apparent. Thanks Patrick and Dr. Sohl for passing the word along. >_______________________________________________ >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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Replacement for nexstar+ handcontrol
by Jeff Smith 05 Dec '15

05 Dec '15

Recently the hand controller took some damage and is no longer operational. Does anyone know of a way to calibrate a Celestron CGEM without a nexstar+ hand controller? Is it possible to hook a laptop directly up to it to calibrate and slew? Thanks for your suggestions.

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C90 for sale
by Chuck Hards 30 Nov '15

30 Nov '15

Selling a vintage Celestron C90 Maksutov. Classic, collectable orange-tube model, comes with Celstron 6x20mm finder. This is the unmounted version, with tripod mounting block for attachment to any mount or tripod. Takes .965" accessories or a hybrid diagonal. No eyepieces or accessories included, can supply a hybrid diagonal at extra cost so you can use 1.25" eyepieces. In very good condition for it's age and a good performer, I often showed Saturn and Jupiter to guests with it. Also makes a terrific telephoto, packs a long focal length into a compact package. Includes factory dust cap. First $90 takes it. Can deliver within a short drive of Granger, or meet you halfway somewhere, or deliver it at the SLAS Solstice Party. Thanks!

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Comet C/2013 US10 Catalina
by Dave Gary 29 Nov '15

29 Nov '15

Took the little 6-inch scope out this morning and looked at comet Catalina. It’s pretty bright. I got out on driveway a little later than expected and by the time I got the scope on target it was 06:34. The sky was starting to get pretty bright. I was bummed at first (the sky was quite bright) and was resigned to the fact that I was a few minutes late and a dollar short. I took a look through the eyepiece and there it was. Averted my vision a little and it looked brighter. This one should be pretty good viewing here in St. George toward the middle of December. When I’m off I’ll try to get some photos. Dave

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15x70mm binocular for sale
by Chuck Hards 27 Nov '15

27 Nov '15

I'm selling my Galileo 15x70mm binocular. It's a good ten years old but is in excellent condition, very well cared-for, in perfect collimation, excellent multi-coatings. Dust caps and soft case included, all it's missing is the tiny plastic cap that goes over the mounting thread hole, but that hole must be uncovered for use on a tripod or parallelogram anyway. The first $40 gets them. I can deliver them to you in a ten-mile radius of Granger, meet you somewhere halfway within that radius, or hand them over to you at the SLAS Solstice Party. Thanks!

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Comet Catalina
by Chuck Hards 24 Nov '15

24 Nov '15

If anyone is up this early, it appears that comet Catalina has experienced a sudden, massive brightening. I am observing a coma as large as the full moon, and bright enough to punch through the urban light pollution. It is very obvious in the eastern sky, to the lower left of Venus & Spica. Any other reports are appreciated.

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Adios, S&S Optika
by Chuck Hards 18 Nov '15

18 Nov '15

After 43 years, I was saddened to learn that S&S Optika is closing their retail store. http://www.sandsoptika.com/locationhours I'm not sure if this means they will continue with an Internet presence, but one more brick-and-mortar retailer is gone. Also heard that Gary Hand has closed the Hands On Optics retail store.

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Good Observing Sites Near Ogden
by Paul Johnson 17 Nov '15

17 Nov '15

I am just getting back into astronomy and looking for a good place to take my telescope during the winter. I normally go to Antelope Island since I am just a few minutes from there. The gate closes at 6pm for winter hours now so I was hoping there would be a few suggestions from folks on this list. Thanks for the help.

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Nice scope for sale on KSL
by Chuck Hards 17 Nov '15

17 Nov '15

Good price for a 13.1" Dob, on an equatorial platform: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=218&ad=37376322&cat=&lpid=3&search=telescope&ad_cid…

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Adieu
by Wiggins Patrick 12 Nov '15

12 Nov '15

Hi all, Just letting folks know that now that many posts are going here and on SLAStalk that I'm signing off here. Clear skies! patrick

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