- Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

SLAS meeting parking
by Wiggins Patrick 10 Sep '14

10 Sep '14

As has been discussed here before, parking rules at the U of U may effect SLAS meetings. With free parking now not starting until 8:00 pm, those wishing to to attend SLAS meetings which start at 7:00 may have to pay for parking. One possible option would be to move the meetings to a new venue. I really don't like that idea but if that does come to pass, where to move to? Ideally any such meeting hall would be free, located in the Salt Lake Valley, able to handle up to 75 people, have a good sound and video projection system, be available once a month from 7:00 to 9:30 pm and have free nearby parking. Any ideas? patrick

8 17

The Discovery of a new type of Matter
by Jamie Bradley 10 Sep '14

10 Sep '14

The Discovery of a new type of Matter http://bit.ly/1rF8CXy Jamie B ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daily Quote: So, here's the plan: The next time we send someone to space, upon their return, everyone wear ape suits! _______________________________________________ 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".

2 1

Laniakea: Our Supercluster of Galaxies
by Dave Gary 09 Sep '14

09 Sep '14

This is interesting. http://irfu.cea.fr/laniakea Dave

1 0

Re: [Utah-astronomy] SLAS meeting parking
by Joe Bauman 09 Sep '14

09 Sep '14

I've been through the museum several times. I haven't seen their classrooms but every aspect that I have seen was nicely appointed. It's a good idea to check out the meeting rooms or classrooms first. But if they're OK I definitely would prefer that location. ------------------------------ On Mon, Sep 8, 2014 11:50 PM MDT Wiggins Patrick wrote: >As has been discussed here before, parking rules at the U of U may effect SLAS meetings. > >With free parking now not starting until 8:00 pm, those wishing to to attend SLAS meetings which start at 7:00 may have to pay for parking. > >One possible option would be to move the meetings to a new venue. I really don't like that idea but if that does come to pass, where to move to? > >Ideally any such meeting hall would be free, located in the Salt Lake Valley, able to handle up to 75 people, have a good sound and video projection system, be available once a month from 7:00 to 9:30 pm and have free nearby parking. > >Any ideas? > >patrick >_______________________________________________ >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".

3 2

Re: [Utah-astronomy] SLAS meeting parking
by Joe Bauman 09 Sep '14

09 Sep '14

Is that the Utah Museum of Natural History? It sounds like a natural (excuse pun) fit for us. I would prefer it to the present location. -- Joe ------------------------------ On Tue, Sep 9, 2014 1:35 AM MDT Wiggins Patrick wrote: >Hi Ryan, > >Yes, paying for parking could be an impediment for some so hopefully we can avoid that somehow. > >Moving the meeting start time to 8:30 did get mentioned but was not well received. In fact meetings were recently moved up from 7:30 to 7:00 because so many members wanted to start early. > >Would you be willing to look into the SLCC option and report on what you find at tomorrow's board meeting? > >As for the museum (Rio Tinto), they really like working with SLAS and have said before that meetings there could be a possibility. And they do have two rooms that could easily accommodate SLAS and parking there is free. > >If I remember correctly part of the reason meetings were moved to Wednesdays was because Wednesdays are the only days the museum is open late (until 9) and we might one day want to move up there. Maybe that time is now. > >patrick > > >On 09 Sep 2014, at 01:19, Ryan Simpkins <astro(a)ryansimpkins.com> wrote: > >> Having to pay for parking, even if it is only $2, might be confusing for new >> members and other visitors. It may also send the wrong message given the >> countless empty stalls in that lot after 6pm. Is there a downside to pushing >> the meeting start time to 8pm? >> >> For alternative options... The SLCC South City campus has a new expansion that >> is especially nice. The Redwood campus has facilities for large groups and >> often hosts conferences. Could one of these spaces work? Lastly, the SLCC >> Miller campus has facilities for rent to any group (if free accommodations can >> not be obtained). 45 could be seated for $120 for half a day. 90 can be seated >> for $185. It includes LCD projector, etc. To go from $0 to $1300/year for >> meeting space would probably be quite the shock to the budget. >> >> Another option might be the Rio Tinto center that houses the Natural History >> Museum of Utah. I understand we already have contacts with them. It may be >> worth asking. A third option is possibly Wheeler Farm. I am not sure they have >> the required facilities to host groups, however. >> >> -Ryan > >_______________________________________________ >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".

2 1

The History and Practice of Ancient Astronomy
by Ryan Simpkins 08 Sep '14

08 Sep '14

Does anyone have this book? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0195095391/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_i1?pf_rd_… I'd like to try my hand at building some of the experimental tools used by historical astronomers. I'm curious if this is a good book to use to explore the history of astronomy in a hands-on way. For anyone who has it, did you find the information complete enough to build projects from? Is there something better out there? -Ryan

4 4

This morning's New Mexico fireball
by Wiggins Patrick 08 Sep '14

08 Sep '14

Bright fireball this morning: https://vimeo.com/105559630 patrick

1 0

75.5 inch amateur telescope mirror
by Chuck Hards 08 Sep '14

08 Sep '14

For those who don't follow the ATM forum on Cloudy Nights, a fellow has just purchased a 75.5 inch Pyrex mirror blank from surplus. It's actually partially ground and he is now debating exactly what the final optical configuration will be. Could even be a Cassegrain with a Coude focus, to keep it short. He and Mike have talked on the phone quite a bit, I told Mike that he infected the guy, lol. The man with the 75.5" has ground mirrors almost half that size, so he's not a rank newbie. I'm just amazed at how amateurs keep pushing the aperture envelope. I'm pretty confident that before I die, some amateur will build a 100-inch telescope.

2 2

October's eclipses
by Wiggins Patrick 07 Sep '14

07 Sep '14

Hi all, I just posted this to my Facebook page but thought it might be a useful reminder here to. patrick A reminder that we in Utah will be treated to a couple of eclipses next month. First a total eclipse of the Moon during the early morning hours of the 8th and a partial eclipse of the Sun on the afternoon of the 23rd when just under half of the Sun will be covered. Eye protection for the Sun eclipse is mandatory. If you don't have proper eye protection already (sunglasses will not cut it nor will most welder filters) google "eclipse glasses" for lots of places you can buy them online. Also the Salt Lake Astronomical Society will be holding a Solar Eclipse Watch at the Natural History Museum of Utah. I'm pretty sure the museum will be selling eclipse glasses and the astronomy club will be providing free views of the eclipse through specially modified solar viewing telescopes. http://slas.us/displayevent.asp?EventID=2139

1 0

Cosmic visitor to wizzz Saturday/Sunday
by Wiggins Patrick 06 Sep '14

06 Sep '14

Folks here might have heard that a small "house sized" minor planet will be passing within ~40,000 km of Earth a few minutes past noon MDT on Sunday. That's only about 1/10th the distance to the Moon. Obviously we wont be able to see it at noon. However, we in Utah do have a chance of spotting it on approach late Saturday night and early Sunday morning. Happily there's a star party Saturday night at SPOC so the Grim should be available and using that we just *might* be able to see it. Here are the data calculated for SPOC by the Minor Planet Center: Date UT R.A. (J2000) Decl. Delta V Object Sun h m s Azi. Alt. Alt. 2014 09 07 040000 22 33 32.8 -19 45 13 0.0034 15.1 316 +17 -24 2014 09 07 050000 22 34 11.3 -20 06 30 0.0032 15.0 330 +23 -32 2014 09 07 060000 22 34 50.9 -20 30 34 0.0029 14.8 344 +28 -39 2014 09 07 070000 22 35 34.7 -20 58 02 0.0027 14.6 000 +29 -43 2014 09 07 080000 22 36 27.3 -21 29 46 0.0024 14.5 016 +27 -43 2014 09 07 090000 22 37 35.6 -22 07 09 0.0022 14.2 030 +22 -39 2014 09 07 100000 22 39 09.3 -22 52 12 0.0020 14.0 042 +14 -32 BTW, for some reason (can anyone here explain?) MPC's idea of azimuth is 180 degrees off what I think most of us use. So subtract 180 for the azimuth numbers listed to get ones most of us are more used to (i.e. where is says 330, subtract 180 to get 150 in the SE). See t'all tonight (Friday) at the Brickyard Harmons star party and tomorrow night at SPOC. patrick p.s. I think SLAS is still looking for someone to stand for next year's president. Any takers? To qualify you have to have been a member on 1 September.

5 6