May 2019 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Auroras
by Joe Bauman 30 May '19

30 May '19

Those with an interest in auroras may wish to read my latest blog. Patrick Wiggins: thanks again for the tip-off in 2001, which I mentioned in the blog. It created nice memories. -- Joe Bauman https://the-nightly-news.com/blog/auroras

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Astronomy Day
by Joe Bauman 20 May '19

20 May '19

I'm proud of the University of Utah for its celebration of Astronomy Day, May 11. It's great that the U. engages the public in real learning about astronomy. Here's my report of our friend Paul Ricketts' presentation about black holes that day. https://the-nightly-news.com/blog/blog-78-anatomy-of-a-monster -- Joe Bauman

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Mirror Quality
by Brent Watson 16 May '19

16 May '19

Hi Shoshana, Indeed silver will give higher reflectivity than aluminum, but it oxidizes quickly and the reflectivity deceases quickly. Silvered mirrors in some environments need to be re-coated multiple times per year. Around here it would more likely be annually. Mike Clemmens silvers the mirror on the 70 inch. You can check with him for details. (I hope I spelled his name correctly.) Aluminum that has been overcoated with silicon monoxide is a great alternative. The reflectivity can approach 92% or 93%. You will not be able to tell the difference between aluminum and silver. The overcoated aluminum will also last for many years. The big question is the accuracy of the curve on the mirror. It is easily tested if you have the right equipment. Lacking a tester, you want to make sure that stars snap into focus, and that the images are not fuzzy when the scope is focused. You need a night with good seeing to do this. Alternatively you can look at terrestrial objects at least five miles away on a still day. Summer isn't good for this viewing because of heat waves. You can minimize this by checking the focus early in the morning before the sun rises. You can also look at the out-of focus disks of a star and make sure that the illumination is uniform. Make sure that both inside and outside of focus there are no brighter nor darker rings of light. All of this being said, you may not have access to the telescope to perform these tests. The seller may have certification that the mirror meets at least 11/8 wave accuracy (the Rayleigh criterion). If not you may not know until you can use the scope on a good night. Hope this helps and doesn't confuse. Brent............................................................................................................................................................................................................. Telescope purchase questions (Truss tube Dob with go to and tracking) Hi everyone! Well, if there are no more stars, I'm retiring, lol. j/k So, I'm in the market (so far at this time) for a go to Truss Tube Dob with tracking. (for the purpose of OBSERVING....not photography) With less experience than you folks, I am asking anyone who can assist me some questions: 1. Mirror quality (what should I look for)....noticed some are 'aluminum coated for brighter images'. Etc...., some have fans, etc. 2. Go to programs. Companies have different software.....synscan....etc. Wondering about reliability also....re: tracking 3. Looking for a collapsible one....so larger sizes ok. Seems like some have a counterweight option and a more minimal base (not like heavy disks as Lightbridge) 4. What company is the most reliable with good customer service? 5. Some of the newer trusses look great but don't seem to have go to. 5. I'll be watching Memorial Day sales, been watching Cloudy Nights..... 6. Not in an extreme rush.....wanting to get good quality at a good price (doesn't everyone?) 7. Will also add a telrad or finder I might be able to carry 70 lbs on my back, lol Thanks for your time and attention:)....again THANK YOU All the best, Shoshana If there is a local rep who can explain features and benefits and compare across vendors, that's an idea also:)

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Utah-Astronomy Digest, Vol 195, Issue 9 Tel. purchase questions
by Sue Ellen Ebertz 15 May '19

15 May '19

Telescope purchase questions (Truss tube Dob with go to and tracking) Hi everyone! Well, if there are no more stars, I'm retiring, lol. j/k So, I'm in the market (so far at this time) for a go to Truss Tube Dob with tracking. (for the purpose of OBSERVING....not photography) With less experience than you folks, I am asking anyone who can assist me some questions: 1. Mirror quality (what should I look for)....noticed some are 'aluminum coated for brighter images'. Etc...., some have fans, etc. 2. Go to programs. Companies have different software.....synscan....etc. Wondering about reliability also....re: tracking 3. Looking for a collapsible one....so larger sizes ok. Seems like some have a counterweight option and a more minimal base (not like heavy disks as Lightbridge) 4. What company is the most reliable with good customer service? 5. Some of the newer trusses look great but don't seem to have go to. 5. I'll be watching Memorial Day sales, been watching Cloudy Nights..... 6. Not in an extreme rush.....wanting to get good quality at a good price (doesn't everyone?) 7. Will also add a telrad or finder I might be able to carry 70 lbs on my back, lol Thanks for your time and attention:)....again THANK YOU All the best, Shoshana If there is a local rep who can explain features and benefits and compare across vendors, that's an idea also:)

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Star Registry runs out of stars!
by Chuck Hards 13 May '19

13 May '19

I got a good laugh at this one: http://www.derfmagazine.com/news/business/155.html

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Liver & Onions tomorrow, May 11
by Chuck Hards 10 May '19

10 May '19

Just a reminder to please RSVP before about 5PM tonight, so I can reserve our table for 1 PM tomorrow. It's shaping up to be a smaller than usual group, I'm guessing because of the steam train festivities in Ogden. We will have another L&O very soon, for the train enthusiasts with misplaced priorities. ;-) Thanks!

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Utah-Astronomy Digest, Vol 195, Issue 6 Sunspots
by Sue Ellen Ebertz 09 May '19

09 May '19

Thanks, John, I'll look as well. Best, Shoshana

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Sunspots!
by John M. Craig 09 May '19

09 May '19

Hi Folks, Some quite interesting H-a activity on the sun today: multiple active regions. My 80mm H-a scope shows two of them clearly; I may try adjusting the tuning some more and see whether any of the others show up. I haven't looked in white light, but one of the spots is large enough it's likely to show some pretty interesting detail in white light, I'd guess. Fewer clouds; more time at the eyepiece! John

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Lakeridge Jr High (Orem) Star Party on May 11th
by John M. Craig 08 May '19

08 May '19

Hi Folks, I know this conflicts with an SLAS Stansbury Park event, but if you're not planning on that and are interested, we're trying for Saturday the 11th for a student star party at Lakeridge Jr High in Orem. Looks like fewer clouds in the forecast as of today. We'll probably have about 40 kids and unfortunately we'll be dealing with high light pollution and possibly a fair amount of glare (it's never clear whether the school will get the outside lights turned off or not). With no bright planets, probably be looking at deep sky and doubles mostly. (I'm inviting some people not associated with the school and as long as we don't get crazy with it, it's probably fine to do so also.) If it's mostly cloudy and looks bad by 7:30 or so, use your judgment on whether to come. I'm planning to set up around 8 or 8:15. If it's clearing by 9 pm, then I probably will stay and see what happens. We'll be east of the school and I'm planning to set up on the track. If your gear's heavy and you don't want to move it that far, you could set up right in the parking lot northeast-ish of the school. The parking is off 900 S just east of 400 W. If you're coming on the freeway, the best exit is the UVU exit; go left on 400 W near the top of the hill. If you'd like a last minute go/no-go text message, let me know. John 801-360-7664

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Possible L&O date conflict
by Chuck Hards 07 May '19

07 May '19

It has been pointed out to me that many of our ranks are railroad buffs, and a historic steam engine is coming to Ogden on Saturday May 11th. Some have bailed on L&O in favor of the locomotive. So I put the question to the entire L&O group, do we want to go ahead with it on the 11th or postpone a week or two, to allow the railroad buffs to see the engine in Ogden? The Winchester park sun party is on the 18th, but as we start at 1:00 and they end typically at noon, that shouldn't be a conflict. We can also just go ahead with the 11th for whomever shows-up, but have another one in a couple of weeks after that. My work schedule is finally starting to lighten up a bit. Let me know, not much time left to decide. Thanks!

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