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

Saw the new nova this morning
by Dave Gary 21 Mar '15

21 Mar '15

I’m pretty sure I saw the new nova this morning. Easy to see with binoculars. I could just barely see it naked-eye (averted vision). I’ll monitor it over the next couple of days (if it’s not too cloudy). Dave

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Comet Q2 Lovejoy 03/13/2015 ˜22:00
by Dave Gary 20 Mar '15

20 Mar '15

Quick photo of Comet Q2 Lovejoy last night. The bright star to the right of the comet is Gamma Cassiopeiae (Navi). It is variable binary with the brighter star having a magnitude of +2.18 and the dimmer companion having a magnitude of +10.88. I think the dimmer companion star is at about the 3 o'clock position...very faint. A satellite passed through the field of view to the right of Gamma Cassiopeiae. The diffuse light in the left corner of the photo is the shadow caused by my neighbor's tree. Improvements need to be made to the Driveway Observatory. Now, where's that chain saw? https://www.flickr.com/photos/78046474@N06/16605088147/in/photostream

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The Salt Lake Astronomical Society Needs Your Help!
by Ryan Simpkins 19 Mar '15

19 Mar '15

One of the challenges any volunteer operated non-profit faces is deciding where to allocate resources. SLAS has developed a survey that will help us understand how to better serve the local astronomical community. By filling out this survey you will be supplying us with critical data we need to ensure SLAS remains a vibrant organization for years to come. All Salt Lake City area astronomers are invited to participate. Start here: https://csbsutah.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_7U0tDmu9DNUGGX3 The survey ends on Friday (3/27). Please do not delay your response. Your participation is greatly appreciated! -Ryan Simpkins SLAS, Vice President --------------------------- (This survey was made possible by a generous donation of time and resources from SLAS volunteers and Salt Lake City based Emperitas Services Group.)

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] White light solar viewing with a Herschel wedge
by Bruce Hugo 16 Mar '15

16 Mar '15

Hey Chuck, I have a 2" Lunt wedge. The wedge comes with in intrinsic ND inside the body (downstream from the partially silvered mirror) and a second ND is attached to the reducer. I purchased mine used. Mine came with two ND filters for the reducer. One for visual and one for photography. The photo ND lets more light through. I've used yellow, green and baader contrast filters in conjunction with the wedge. Each seems to add contrast and aid in sunspot viewing. The Utah Orchid Society has an orchid show the Saturday of our first Winchester outing, so I won't be able to make it. I'll be at the following sun parties though. I'll bring all my toys and we can compare. Bruce Hugo

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White light solar viewing with a Herschel wedge
by Chuck Hards 16 Mar '15

16 Mar '15

How many of you who are using a Herschel wedge for white-light viewing are also using an IR & UV blocking filter ahead of the wedge?

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Nova spotted in Sagiittarius
by Stan Martin 16 Mar '15

16 Mar '15

http://www.universetoday.com/119395/new-binocular-nova-discovered-in-sagitt… Steve "Stan" Martin

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Telescope pier
by dalel2112＠yahoo.com 15 Mar '15

15 Mar '15

Hi all, Havent posted in a while. Thought this is a good time. We moved to Grantsville last fall, which meant I had to leave my observatory behind. This also means I get to build another one. I picked up a few new hobbies along with the move. One is scale modeling, which consequently led to airbrushing. I am no artist, but I like what an airbrush can do. Thought I would share a bit. Looking forward to this yeqr at the observatory. Dale W. Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

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I think this is where they got the idea for those concrete navigation arrows
by Dave Gary 15 Mar '15

15 Mar '15

> https://www.flickr.com/photos/78046474@N06/16640152359/in/album-72157651378… <https://www.flickr.com/photos/78046474@N06/16640152359/in/album-72157651378…>

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Polarizing filter needed
by Chuck Hards 13 Mar '15

13 Mar '15

Before I order one, does anyone local have a variable-density eyepiece polarizing filter they'd like to sell? Either 1.25" or 2". Contact me with price and specifics if so, I've got the cash in hand if you want to unload one. Thanks!

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Ka-Boom!
by Wiggins Patrick 13 Mar '15

13 Mar '15

In case you've not seen it yet, Siegfried got a great video of this morning's test fire at ATK: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=783073001770404&pnref=story patrick

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