March 2017 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Hovenweep Equinox Shadow
by BOB MARILYN 22 Mar '17

22 Mar '17

My wife and ! went to Hovenweep National Monument this weekend because the equinox was at 4:28 AM on Monday. I've been using the book "Living the Sky - The Cosmos of the American Indian" by Ray A. Williamson (1984) as my "guide" to solar alignments in native American ruins in the Southwest. I am just trying to get a sense of them, and not really analyze them. Due to the distance casual observers must keep from the ruins, most alignments aren't really visible to casual park visitors, anyway. I have no experience with archaeoastronomy, and I am just trying to relate my experience. I am not making any claims regarding an alignment, but I am posing that possibility, and asking for comments. In Hovenweep, the more widely known alignments are for the winter and summer solstices. I am aware of the following equinox alignments: Hovenweep Castle - sunset Unit-Type House - sunrise Cajon - sunrise and sunset Holly - I think most references say that the petroglyph panel is a summer solstice event, but "The Grand Circle Tour" by Michael Royea says it also denotes the equinox. I don't know. I was only able to witness one location at sunset. Accompanying photos are available here. https://1drv.ms/i/s!AvBZjnVxo1n0vmvK_3tMzoXj6rR9 I don’t know how the panoramic photo will show on the screen, but you might have to click on it to open it to the full width to read all my labelling. Since the Cajon ruins sounded most promising, that's where we went on Sunday evening, just about 9 hours before equinox. Two buildings are aligned in such a way that the equinox is said to be the only time that either of them does not cast a shadow upon the other at either sunrise or sunset, alternatively due to the season. At sunset on Sunday, this wasn't exactly right, for which Williamson gives an explanation perhaps due to the Anasazi counting days between solstices rather than the exact equinox, but I did see an alignment that I have not seen mentioned in either book, or anywhere else I've looked - a shadow from the edge of the west building that evenly bisected the light beam passing thru the door of the east building and portrayed on the far wall. It was very transient, but I found it amazing because it was totally unexpected, even though the effect was dampened by a cloud layer on the horizon and light diffusion due to an obscuring bush. It came and went quickly enough that by the time I tried to take a photo (7:01 PM), the sunlight had faded even on the exterior wall. After that, the cloud layer on the horizon prevented any more solar shadows before sunset (7:27 PM, I think). What I have labelled the "shadow casting corner" wall appears to have broken down to where it is only about 3 feet high today. Its base is at a higher elevation than the ground level of the east building, so it casts a shadow further than if they were at the same level. If this wall itself was higher, its shadow would have cast a continuous vertical line thru the doorway of the east building. As it is, it cast a stepped shadow that I tried to outline on one of the photos, the step identifying the top and side of this corner. To watch this shadow inside the far wall of the east building, my own shadow partly obscured it, but back-sighting to the sun directed my eyes to this corner. I attempted yesterday to send an email to Dr. Williamson, to see if this has been recognized before, but if I don't hear from him, I don't know who else to ask. This was my first trip to Hovenweep, and spent only 8 hours there, so I am only casually familiar with the architectural features of the other buildings, so my following observations can't be trusted. With that in mind, the walls of Hovenweep structures are typically flat, with no protruding or cantilevered rocks. I found it unusual that both of these buildings had cantilevered rocks on the corners that are nearest each other, and I wonder if there is a significance or just a coincidence. And the windows at other Hovenweep ruins are typically perpendicular to the walls. The ones I've labelled as possible solstice portals are the only ones I noticed to be purposefully diagonal, and in the general directions of the solstices. I wonder if all of these features (door, portals, etc.) are original, or reconstructed, because the walls appear to have been patched and stabilized. Altogether, I have more questions than answers, but left Hovenweep having had a fun experience Bob Grant Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows 10

3 3

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Liver & Onions Time Again
by Chuck Hards 22 Mar '17

22 Mar '17

Thanks for the good wishes, everyone, I'm on the mend. The allergy specialist could find nothing yesterday after a standard scratch-test series. But the hives have gone away and only a little itch remains, I'm back at work. Slept for 8 glorious hours last night, the first time since Thursday. For those of who who need to carry an Epi-pen, I got two of them at CVS pharmacy for only $9.99 with my insurance and an online coupon. So if you've been paying hundreds of dollars for them, know that there are some cost-saving strategies available. Let's go ahead and cast April 1st in stone for L&O, glad Rich can make it up and Enid could clear her schedule! If you haven't RSVP'd yet, please let me know how many in your party before the 31st, so I can reserve our table. Thanks again!

2 2

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Liver & Onions Time Again
by Richard Tenney 21 Mar '17

21 Mar '17

I *may* be able to swing the 1st, but the 8th would work better for me, FWIW. I agree, I very much enjoy these gatherings! /R From: Chuck Hards <chuck.hards(a)gmail.com> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Sunday, March 12, 2017 1:45 PM Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Liver & Onions Time Again How about Saturday, April 1? I see nothing on the SLAS calendar for that day. Please reply if that date will or won't work for you. From now on, if a SLAS, UVA, or OAS club officer or representative attends (or any other Utah club), I'd like to allow them time to update us on current events in their respective clubs. And I would also like to increase the frequency of L&O meetings this year, if everyone else is on-board with the idea. We're not getting any younger, and I so love the time we spend together. It means a lot to me. Give me your input please. Thanks gang! _______________________________________________ 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".

6 6

Borrow an eyepiece near Moab?
by Ian Glenn 20 Mar '17

20 Mar '17

Just wondering if any fellow Utah astronomy lovers are out near Moab? I drove down here from SLC with 4 other people and my 6" dob but forgot all my eyepieces! If anyone is willing to loan (or sell on the cheap?) even an old plossl that would be amazing! Long shot but I thought I'd ask! Thank you! Ian Glenn SLAS member

3 3

Liver & Onions Time Again
by Chuck Hards 12 Mar '17

12 Mar '17

How about Saturday, April 1? I see nothing on the SLAS calendar for that day. Please reply if that date will or won't work for you. From now on, if a SLAS, UVA, or OAS club officer or representative attends (or any other Utah club), I'd like to allow them time to update us on current events in their respective clubs. And I would also like to increase the frequency of L&O meetings this year, if everyone else is on-board with the idea. We're not getting any younger, and I so love the time we spend together. It means a lot to me. Give me your input please. Thanks gang!

3 2

Board Meeting of SLAS
by Joe Bauman 08 Mar '17

08 Mar '17

Dear Astro-folks, tonight is the SLAS board meeting and all members are invited. Also, non-SLASers who would like to see us in action are welcome. The meeting officially starts at 7 p.m. in the back room of Denny's Restaurant, 250 W. 500 South, Salt Lake City, but those wishing to eat and/or socialize should plan to arrive about 6:30. A highlight will be my showing a video that we're entering as part of our ZAP grant package, produced by member Kathy Terry. It's impressive, really showing off our club. Thanks, Joe

1 0

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Amateurs image gravitational lensing
by chuck.hards 07 Mar '17

07 Mar '17

Dale, I'm sure your images will blow us away! Can't wait, this is exciting stuff. What amateurs do today would have been dissertation material a generation ago. And in some cases, it still is! Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone -------- Original message --------From: Dale Hooper <dchooper5(a)gmail.com> Date: 3/7/17 12:54 PM (GMT-07:00) To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Amateurs image gravitational lensing If you want to see some that *aren't* curved streaks, take a look at these that are discussed in another Cloudy Nights thread: http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/492969-is-gravitational-lensing-visible-t… This discusses a free downloadable atlas called the Galaxy Trios and Triple Systems atlas maintained by Alvin Huey. It has a "sub-atlas" that discusses "bright" gravitationally lensed quasars. His atlas can be found at: http://faintfuzzies.com/Files/GalaxyTrios-v6.pdf These quasars range from magnitude 14.4 to magnitude 21.5. They include Einstein's Cross (Peg), Double Quasar (UMa), Cloverleaf Quasar (Boo), etc. I'm planning on trying to image some of these this year. Clear skies, Dale.

1 0

Amateurs image gravitational lensing
by Chuck Hards 07 Mar '17

07 Mar '17

This it pretty darn cool. Amateurs pushing the envelope. http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/568883-smiling-lens-gravitationally-lense…

5 6

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Solar filters for telephoto lenses
by Thomas Sevcik 05 Mar '17

05 Mar '17

Thanks Jared, I know most all in SLAS probably works with a Nikon or Canon brand and I've studied the various lenses and filters combos. I work with Canons myself. Love my 60Da. I was just trying to get a feel of those who's in the club that may be considering capturing the eclipse with a second (or maybe a third) camera other than the one they'll be using for shooting through their telescopes. However, we'll still have those without a clue with their Sony's, Fujifilms, Kodaks, and Panasonics etc, with God-only-knows what filter will screw into the front end of their lens. One guy couldn't even remember the brand of camera he owned, let alone knowing what size of filter he was looking for. It's going to get VERY interesting in the next few months at the planetarium! LOL! Best! Tom Sevcik

1 0

Solar filters for telephoto lenses
by Thomas Sevcik 04 Mar '17

04 Mar '17

Anyone out there anticipating using point-and-shoot or DSLR's for the August 21st total solar eclipse? Here at the Clark Planetarium I'm working with the store manager in preparing an order for threaded optical film filters to screw onto the front of your camera's lens or telephoto lens. These full-aperture thin film solar filters allow only a safe amount of light which allows your camera to have a full view. Made from .002” thick black plastic polymer, it is extremely durable, high-quality material. There is a natural looking yellowish-orange image when viewing the sun or when taking pictures. The following sizes are available (in millimeters); 37 - 40.5 - 43 - 46 - 49 - 52 - 55 - 58 - 62 - 67 - 72 - 77 - 82. I need to get anyone's input by this Wednesday as we'll only order 2 to 3 in each size unless we hear that there's a higher demand for a particular size. Prices range from $49 on the small end to $69 for the largest filter. Reply back to this message or email me at; sfv1ts(a)hotmail.com. >From fellow SLAS member, Tom Sevcik

2 1