September 2021 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Morning Comets: 6 September 2021
by Dave Gary 01 Oct '21

01 Oct '21

I got up early on the 6th of September to image these comets. It was a very nice early morning at the Driveway Observatory in St. George. I added a couple of other images just for fun. https://flickr.com/photos/78046474@N06/sets/72157719787878051 Dave

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Lakeridge Jr High School star party Oct 13th
by John M. Craig 23 Sep '21

23 Sep '21

Hi Folks, Got my annual request from the science teacher at Lakeridge and we've fixed on Wednesday October 13th as the target date. It turns out the kids don't have school the following day (end of term or something--never had those when I was that age). As we get close enough to follow the weather we may shift it around a bit. The moon will be at 1st Quarter but with Jupiter and Saturn and the odd star cluster, we should be able to show some things that'll be of interest. This is an informal event and if you'd like to participate, just email me directly or, if we've texted before, you can send me a text. You're also welcome to just show up. As we get closer to Oct 13th, I'll be in contact with those who have told me they are planning to be there. And perhaps one more general announcement. Just BTW, I'd be happy to help with a star or sun party for any school in Utah County or fairly nearby if you know of a school that might be interested you can have them contact me or if you have something planned, let me know and I'd be pleased to help if I can. Clear (and dark) Skies, John

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Lots of solar activity
by John M. Craig 23 Sep '21

23 Sep '21

Hi Folks, Lots of activity on the sun today and likely to continue for the next few days. I haven't checked out a white-light view (have to do that over the weekend), but I'm sure 2872 near the center of the sun and 2871 in the south would both be quite impressive. Best h-alpha views I've had this cycle. 2871 has apparently produced some flares in the past 48 hours. 2 more active regions should rotate around to the near side in the next couple of days. That'd be the most active regions on the near side I've been aware of this cycle. If you have the gear for solar observing, looks like a great few days. John

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Design/machining help needed
by John M. Craig 07 Sep '21

07 Sep '21

Hi Folks, I'm at least considering redoing the backplate (and perhaps mirror support) for my 10" RC Cass (whose spider and 2ndary holder I just replaced). Anyone interested in offering some design advice or know anyone who might be? Assuming I can come up with a decent design, will also need some machining done. Suggestions on where to go for that? Thanks for any advice you might have, John

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Free spider & Cass-type 2ndary holder
by John M. Craig 07 Sep '21

07 Sep '21

Hi Folks, I hope I'm not violating tradition or actual rules here, but I have some gear that I'm happy for someone to have if anyone could use it: A Novak spider with 2 attachment sockets at the end of each vane (so good for a heavy 2ndary). Vane diameter 11 13/16 " Vane width at hub 1 9/16" Mounting hole separation 1/2" Solid aluminum hub with concealed riveted vanes Hub accepts a 5/16 2ndary holder shaft The 2ndary holder is for a 4" diameter Cass-type 2ndary and has 3-point loosen/tighten type hex-head adjustments. Holder can accommodate large range of thicknesses of 2ndary (up to way thicker than seems reasonable--I used a fair amount of spacing material for my 1/2" thick 2ndary). If you're interested in either or both pieces, email me directly. I can send you pictures if you like. If pickup is impractical, I'm happy to arrange to mail it, but it'd be at your cost. If I don't hear back in a few days, I'll post it on CloudyNights. Ciao friends, John

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Great view of Jupiter last night
by John M. Craig 06 Sep '21

06 Sep '21

Hi Folks, I don't know what combination of things led to the amazing seeing last night up on the Nebo Loop, but Jupiter was particularly spectacular. I am quite sure I've never seen that much detail visually ever before--certainly not through my 6" so-called ED APO refractor. Saturn looked great too with it's retinue of Titan and it's medium-sized moons Dione, Tethys, Enceladus, & Rhea. I wish I'd known where to look for Mimas, it might have been visible too. For whatever reason, the seeing wasn't quite as stable just that much further west from Jupiter, but during moments of clarity, the Cassini division was clear and it was easy to see color bands on Saturn itself. We had the fun of having a local camp host drive up and when offered a look, hopped right out of his car and joined us for the rest of the session. Over the years I've noticed that there are relatively few people who will approach and ask what you are looking at or some other leading question--hoping you'll invite them to take a look. But, when people are offered, they're often quite enthusiastic. One recent time we were up there on Nebo Loop at the Beaver Dam Overlook (a great spot with the only light dome being to the west and northwest) the folks who came and looked after we offered game several of us papayas--I promptly forgot about the one I'd be given and since I didn't unload the gear from the van right away, it had turned into a sticky mess in the heat. Oops. Good viewing all! John

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