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

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Last night's lecture
by Joe Bauman 12 Dec '18

12 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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Last night's eclipse
by Chuck Hards 02 Oct '15

02 Oct '15

We had a nice view from our front yard. The moon rose partially eclipsed as expected, into a thin cirrus layer but was into a patch of clear sky by totality. The moon was visibly darker at mid-eclipse than the last one, which was debated as having perhaps not been truly total. I was using my vintage 8x30mm Sans & Streiffe binocular which gave a pleasing image scale. Had to turn-in at mid-eclipse to get up early this morning for work. A nice way to end the current "eclipse season" of lunar eclipses. We have to wait a while for the next series, but at least we have Mars to look forward to in 2016.

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Fwd: Re: [Family] Fwd: Re: Last night's eclipse
by Larry Holmes 30 Sep '15

30 Sep '15

From our daughter in the Seattle area. Scroll down. 73 HereÂ’s a cool picÂ… 12029720_10153604945061788_4122851706764850935_o.jpg Kimberly Holmes VP, HR and Recruiting ____________________________________________ Picture (Device Inde#18FC3E Your Healthcare Information Technology Partners

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Lunar Eclipse--27 September 2015
by Dave Gary 29 Sep '15

29 Sep '15

This is the best I could get of the lunar eclipse. Too many clouds, too little patience. > https://www.flickr.com/photos/78046474@N06/albums/72157656906267473 <https://www.flickr.com/photos/78046474@N06/albums/72157656906267473> Dave

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Brace for impact
by Wiggins Patrick 27 Sep '15

27 Sep '15

Ace Publicist for SLAS Ryan Simpkins may have outdone himself. He reports that over 40,000 people have viewed SLAS's Facebook post about tonight's SLAS Eclipse Watch in Draper. He adds that thousands more have heard about the Watch via other media. Chances are our fun "little" eclipse watch at the Harmons in Draper (125 E 13800 S) is really going to get slammed tonight. Channel 4 will be there and channel 13 will be doing a live broadcast from there which will only add to the craziness. SLAS members and non-members alike are welcome (encouraged) to bring a scope and help out (and feast on the goodies Harmons will be providing). Better still the Clear Sky Clock for SLC is looking downright encouraging. Go lunacy! patrick

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End of the World
by Dave Gary 27 Sep '15

27 Sep '15

One nice thing about the “End of the World” scenario is Chuck and I won’t have to get up really early tomorrow morning to go to work. We may be able to sleep in a little and then go to work. End of the World...End of the World.....End of the World. I’ve been chanting this all week. Good thing I work alone. Dave

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Sunday morning conversation
by Joel Stucki 27 Sep '15

27 Sep '15

Question: Brother Stucki, do you think this blood moon tonight is a sign of some horrible disaster? Me: It certainly is. Question: What do you think is going to happen? Me: Clouds.

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Flat field
by Dave Gary 26 Sep '15

26 Sep '15

For those that image…what type of flat-field setup do you have? Did you purchase the setup or did you build your own flat-field box? What type of light source do you use? If anyone has instructions on how to build a simple flat-field light box any information (pictures would be nice) would be greatly appreciated. Make the descriptions simple. Something that someone who nearly failed shop class (really, I almost did) could understand. Failing that, give me all the technical low-down and I’ll get the wife to help me out so that it actually works when the project is completed. Dave

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Utah-Astronomy Digest, Vol 151, Issue 36
by Kathy 25 Sep '15

25 Sep '15

I was out with binoculars in the foothills of Mt. Timpanogos early this morning. Fascinated with The Eyes peering at me. Mars and Regulus looked spooky. Venus was splendid! Found the Winter Hexagon and then looked at Orion Nebulae. My favorite is always the Pleiades. Looked at several clusters. I was sorry I hadn't set up my scope. The eastern skies were so clear. Morning glow was getting brighter so I went in. I think the sky would've been too light before Jupiter was above the almost 12,000 ft mountaintop. Will keep watching for it. Kathy > On Sep 25, 2015, at 8:46 AM, utah-astronomy-request(a)mailman.xmission.com wrote: > > Send Utah-Astronomy mailing list submissions to > utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > utah-astronomy-request(a)mailman.xmission.com > > You can reach the person managing the list at > utah-astronomy-owner(a)mailman.xmission.com > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Utah-Astronomy digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Flat field (Dave Gary) > 2. Re: Morning lineup (Joel Stucki) > 3. Re: Morning lineup (Chuck Hards) > 4. Re: Morning lineup (Joel Stucki) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2015 04:05:29 -0600 > From: Dave Gary <davegary(a)me.com> > To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Flat field > Message-ID: <F2A390A9-C7CA-4E17-9ED8-85CA795A06C2(a)me.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > For those that image?what type of flat-field setup do you have? Did you purchase the setup or did you build your own flat-field box? What type of light source do you use? If anyone has instructions on how to build a simple flat-field light box any information (pictures would be nice) would be greatly appreciated. Make the descriptions simple. Something that someone who nearly failed shop class (really, I almost did) could understand. Failing that, give me all the technical low-down and I?ll get the wife to help me out so that it actually works when the project is completed. > > Dave > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2015 06:39:45 -0700 (PDT) > From: "Joel Stucki" <joel.stucki(a)gmail.com> > To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Cc: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Morning lineup > Message-ID: <1443188385248.9fee8046@Nodemailer> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > I finally got up early to see this. Mars and Regulus are less than a degree apart and shine like two eyes looking at you, one red one blue. Venus dominates the eastern sky and is brilliantly bright. After a bit Juipter rises also with 3 of its moons trailing to the east. From my position I watched these rise over Mount Timpanogos. ?Mars is unimpressive through the scope as the atmosphere was not very stable and Mars is about as far from us as it gets. Jupiter is always fun but given the low position I was struggling to make out the cloud bands. Venus on the other hand was the best I have seen it. While there was some shimmer, you could make out the entire sphere with a large crescent brightly illuminated.? > > ? > > ?Also I was impressed to see Orion so high in the sky and the Pleiades past the Zenith. I had one of the best views of the Orion Nebula I have had from my light polluted back yard. I guess it pays to get up early. Now I just need to invest in a sling shot for my neighbors porch light. > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2015 08:11:14 -0600 > From: Chuck Hards <chuck.hards(a)gmail.com> > To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Morning lineup > Message-ID: > <CAHmuOYrEaVgsECEoZWeuKj1Av7+Gn_=p5pvwszYxpiKcd5yMRA(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Nice post, Joel, thanks. > > Mars and Regulus are slightly further apart than yesterday, but not much. > Closest approach must have been during daylight hours from the Western US. > A nice conjunction, though. > > Keep your eye on Mars for the next 8 months. Mars season comes in 2016 and > it's going to be moving fast and brightening up quickly as winter wanes. I > think I read that it will surpass 18 moa this opposition. Not as big as > possible but bigger than some recent ones. > > I may fire-up Brent's 22" Dob for that one, if we get a night of still air. > > > >> On Fri, Sep 25, 2015 at 7:39 AM, Joel Stucki <joel.stucki(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >> I finally got up early to see this. Mars and Regulus are less than a >> degree apart and shine like two eyes looking at you, one red one blue. >> Venus dominates the eastern sky and is brilliantly bright. After a bit >> Juipter rises also with 3 of its moons trailing to the east. From my >> position I watched these rise over Mount Timpanogos. Mars is unimpressive >> through the scope as the atmosphere was not very stable and Mars is about >> as far from us as it gets. Jupiter is always fun but given the low position >> I was struggling to make out the cloud bands. Venus on the other hand was >> the best I have seen it. While there was some shimmer, you could make out >> the entire sphere with a large crescent brightly illuminated. >> >> ? >> >> ?Also I was impressed to see Orion so high in the sky and the Pleiades >> past the Zenith. I had one of the best views of the Orion Nebula I have had >> from my light polluted back yard. I guess it pays to get up early. Now I >> just need to invest in a sling shot for my neighbors porch light. >> _______________________________________________ >> > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2015 07:46:01 -0700 (PDT) > From: "Joel Stucki" <joel.stucki(a)gmail.com> > To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Cc: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Morning lineup > Message-ID: <1443192361207.5389d92c@Nodemailer> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Yes. My charts are showing about 9:40 pm last night was their closest point at about 47' apart. At 6:30 this morning they were 48' 59". Yesterday they were 52' 44" at 6:30. ?So today should have been closest although the difference is very small and the angle between them has changed 43 degrees in that time. > > On Fri, Sep 25, 2015 at 8:26 AM, Chuck Hards <chuck.hards(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > >> Nice post, Joel, thanks. >> Mars and Regulus are slightly further apart than yesterday, but not much. >> Closest approach must have been during daylight hours from the Western US. >> A nice conjunction, though. >> Keep your eye on Mars for the next 8 months. Mars season comes in 2016 and >> it's going to be moving fast and brightening up quickly as winter wanes. I >> think I read that it will surpass 18 moa this opposition. Not as big as >> possible but bigger than some recent ones. >> I may fire-up Brent's 22" Dob for that one, if we get a night of still air. >>> On Fri, Sep 25, 2015 at 7:39 AM, Joel Stucki <joel.stucki(a)gmail.com> wrote: >>> I finally got up early to see this. Mars and Regulus are less than a >>> degree apart and shine like two eyes looking at you, one red one blue. >>> Venus dominates the eastern sky and is brilliantly bright. After a bit >>> Juipter rises also with 3 of its moons trailing to the east. From my >>> position I watched these rise over Mount Timpanogos. Mars is unimpressive >>> through the scope as the atmosphere was not very stable and Mars is about >>> as far from us as it gets. Jupiter is always fun but given the low position >>> I was struggling to make out the cloud bands. Venus on the other hand was >>> the best I have seen it. While there was some shimmer, you could make out >>> the entire sphere with a large crescent brightly illuminated. >>> >>> ? >>> >>> ?Also I was impressed to see Orion so high in the sky and the Pleiades >>> past the Zenith. I had one of the best views of the Orion Nebula I have had >>> from my light polluted back yard. I guess it pays to get up early. Now I >>> just need to invest in a sling shot for my neighbors porch light. >>> _______________________________________________ >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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". > > ------------------------------ > > Subject: Digest Footer > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > https://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php > > ------------------------------ > > End of Utah-Astronomy Digest, Vol 151, Issue 36 > ***********************************************

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Equinox
by Chuck Hards 25 Sep '15

25 Sep '15

It came and went quietly. The nights are now longer than the days!

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