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

Pluto geology
by Stephen Peterson 11 Jul '15

11 Jul '15

Geo is Earth in Greek. Pluto geology?? Maybe Plutology?

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Next Best Candidate for a Type I SN
by Jay inUT 11 Jul '15

11 Jul '15

Just thought I'd share in case those hunting for a SN are interested in setting their scope to scan this area. In M31 which has not had a visible SN since 1885 in SN 1885A there is a reoccurring Nova that is a confirmed Red Supergiant feeding material unto a White Dwarf that is aproachging the 1.44 mass limit before going into a Type Ia. The reoccurring Nova, M31N 2008-12a is located at RA = 00:43:26.66 Dec = +41:23:30.8 in M31, the Andromeda Galaxy. M31N 2008-12a has erupted in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. Here are some articles if anyone is interested: https://www.ras.org.uk/news-and-press/2663-erupting-every-year-and-on-the-b… http://www.astronomerstelegram.org/?read=6374 http://arxiv.org/pdf/1401.2905v2.pdf The Nova seems to peak around limiting magnitude 18.2 or 18.3 and goes up to LM 20 to 22. A very faint object. However, when it goes as a Type Ia it should be MUCH brighter than that. So if your scope wants to and can scan that low you can take a look a perhaps capture the next SN to be seen in M31 . . . or not as it could be close in astronomical terms but not so close in terms of a human lifespan. Still, a good place to go and watch to increase your odds. I will post more on a blog post later today or tomorrow about it, and where roughly, visually this object is located in case a visual observer wants to just get to know the star field around that area and watch for a bright object to boost up. Robert Evans in Australia btw has 42 confirmed visual supernova finds so a visual person can learn to hunt SN's and find them, just a lot harder . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Evans_(astronomer) http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/supernova-champ-makes-40th-fi… http://www.cabinetmagazine.org/issues/15/kastner2.php Older article: http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/sao/guest/evans/ Oh btw, I will post later on what I am doing and I know that SLAS has outreach at SPOC but we are at the New Moon Window this weekend so either tonight or tomorrow night I am heading out. We'll see as tonight is clear but the winds are blowing 10 to 20mph and I don't like the wind. It may be tomorrow night (people clear out then also). If your interested I will post where but most likely this weekend is Vernon. I may try for Wolf Creek later in the week, but will post if I do that. -- Thanks! Jay

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New Image of Pluto: 'Houston, We Have Geology'
by Wiggins Patrick 11 Jul '15

11 Jul '15

New Image of Pluto: 'Houston, We Have Geology' http://www.nasa.gov/feature/new-image-of-pluto-houston-we-have-geology patrick

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Yesterday's New Horizons update
by Wiggins Patrick 10 Jul '15

10 Jul '15

09 July daily briefing: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/newhorizons/main/index.html patrick

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Updated Television Coverage for Pluto Flyby
by Wiggins Patrick 10 Jul '15

10 Jul '15

It wont be long now... Go New Horizons! patrick Updated Television Coverage for Pluto Flyby http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-announces-updated-television-coverag…

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Perseids, SPOC Sun Viewing
by Jay inUT 09 Jul '15

09 Jul '15

Patrick, In terms of Sun viewing with the Bogdan: Yeah, if there was an afternoon scheduled that fit in with work or a weekend I would show up and I'd bring my own solar scope for viewing when the Bogdan is taken up. In terms of the Perseids, at new moon I am out in the field anyway observing so I usually will take a break and sit back and watch for some. Not something I will go out of the way for. Also depends on the weather of course. -- Thanks! Jay

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New Horizons
by Joan Carman 09 Jul '15

09 Jul '15

July 8th photos of Pluto and Charon. Still too far away for specific features, but things are beginning to be viewed with better resolution. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/pluto-and-charon-new-horizons-dynamic-duo Five days and counting down :)

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Perseids? SPOC Sun viewing?
by Wiggins Patrick 08 Jul '15

08 Jul '15

Looking for some opinions here. Preferably in time for this evening's SLAS board meeting. Item 1) Most here probably know that SLAS holds regular monthly public Sun viewing parties in SLC. What some may not know is that SLAS owns a .5 Angstrom (that means really good) hydrogen-alpha solar filter for use on the 200mm Bogdan refractor at SPOC. Incredible views! So, any interest in a) impromptu or b) scheduled afternoon Sun viewing events at SPOC? Item 2) With the peak of this year's Perseids (night of 12/13 August) coming only one day before new Moon is there any interest in an early morning Perseids watch?

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telescope advice for elderly friend
by Marlene Egger 07 Jul '15

07 Jul '15

Just before the Bryce astrofest, I visited a very old friend in Kingman AZ. He is 85 or maybe a little older. He has great dark night skies in his own backyard but not much cash, and he expressed a desire to own a telescope. He gets dizzy if he leans over too far, so a Dobsonian mount is out. But he and his son could wheel a telescope right out of their garage if needed. My many siblings would probably be willing to chip in buy a telescope for him, for $1000 or so. What advice can you give me? As a new stargazer myself, I have a lot of questions. How well can an elderly man generally see, when it comes to astronomy, and what does that mean for eyepieces? What would strike a balance between a simple learning curve and less effort to take a closer look at the sky? I think he would like looking at planets but would not stop there, as he says (and I agree) that the stars in his backyard are so bright that it looks like you can reach up and pluck them. However, these really are his later years: he is not going to start learning astronomy in any intensive way. He wants enjoyment, not 'lessons'. How can I optimize what he gets for the money? (Used equipment is a good idea, of course, but I need to know what to be looking for.) best regards, Marlene Egger

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Pluto
by Dave Gary 04 Jul '15

04 Jul '15

I looked at the series of dark and light areas in New Horizon's latest photos of Pluto's surface. It appears to be a message. I think it says "Kilroy was here". Damn that Kilroy. If not that, I'm going with Chuck's assessment. Dave

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