- Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Tomorrow's SLAS meeting
by Chuck Hards 18 Feb '14

18 Feb '14

I see that Caroll Iorg, AL President, is the scheduled speaker. Does anyone know if he has a specific topic? Or is this going to be a general talk about the AL? Anybody know when Tyler is going to do his follow-up talk? Thanks!

1 0

Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival, June 25-28, 2014
by Don J. Colton 15 Feb '14

15 Feb '14

The Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival, June 25-28, 2014 will be a fabulous event this year. The Keynote Speaker will be Australia's award-winning photographer and amateur astronomer Alex Cherney. For more details about Alex see http://vimeo.com/terrastro. Details about the festival can be found at http://www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/astrofest.htm. Again, we appreciate the efforts of Kevin Poe and his ranger team for planning another great festival. We are also hoping to have Mike Clements and his 70" telescope at the festival. If you would like to participate as a volunteer I need the following information emailed to me at djcolton(a)piol.com: 1. First and Last Name. 2. Vehicle Make 3. Vehicle License 4. Telescope kind and size. 5. Do you want free camping? Free camping will be provided in the park. I also need to know if you will be bringing a trailer or motor home since we try to put them in the North Campground subject to availability. 6. Nights you would like to volunteer. The last bus from the public star party usually leaves around 12:30 AM. After that you are free to remain and observe for yourselves until dawn. We will have a white light exit for those who wish to leave at 1 AM. Please be sure to provide all of the above requested information. Contact me at djcolton(a)piol.com if you have any questions. Clear Skies, Don Colton Bryce Public Star Party Coordinator (801) 244-9291 (cell)

4 3

Sir Isaac Newton's First Reflector Telescope
by Dale Hooper 14 Feb '14

14 Feb '14

This is a short video about Sir Isaac Newton's first reflector and its mirror that some of you may find interesting. http://www.nethawk.tv/2014/02/sir-isaac-newtons-first-telescope/ Clear skies, Dale.

4 4

Nancy Holt obituary
by Joe Bauman 13 Feb '14

13 Feb '14

This is from the New York Times on the Feb. 8 death of Nancy Holt: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/12/arts/design/nancy-holt-outdoor-artist-die… Because her Sun Tunnels are a great astronomical work of art in our own state, I feel SLAS should somehow celebrate them, maybe with a trip for a star party at the site. I feel bad about her loss, as I was one of those she talked with and seemed to like. The site is a special one, combining the Utah desert, astronomy and art. Thanks, Joe

2 2

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Collimation of SCT with artificial star
by Bruce Hugo 11 Feb '14

11 Feb '14

I saw an article on using a ball bearing as an artificial star years ago. Very interesting! I've never tried it before. Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2014 09:57:29 -0700 From: "Erik Hansen" <erikhansen(a)thebluezone.net> To: Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Collimation of SCT with artificial star Message-ID: <6e6494c0a7aa8d9f9f3c1de1a4f8a5d8.squirrel(a)webmail.thebluezone.net> Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1 http://www.leif.org/mikael/collimation.html

1 0

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Out of focus?
by Bruce Hugo 11 Feb '14

11 Feb '14

Cool! Thanks Dave. I'll be trying out the Bob's Knobs when we have a clear night on a weekend when I have free time... when (if ever) that alignment happens! LOL! Or... it will be with the Hubble artificial star on a weekend when I have free time... hmmm... a bit better chance! Bruce Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2014 10:59:01 -0700 From: Dave Gary <davegary(a)me.com> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Out of focus? Message-ID: <9441B06A-8D65-44FD-BE00-BD61101C2CE2(a)me.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 Bruce, I have Bob?s Knobs on the 10-inch Meade. I?ve never collimated with a laser, but with a star you?re out-of-focus when you do the collimation. It takes me about 10 minutes to do a decent collimation with Bob?s Knobs and a star if I think the scope needs it. Before I got Bob?s Knobs it was a pain and took me about 30 minutes, at least. You have to have better finger dexterity than me to mess with those small Allen wrenches in the dark. Dave

1 0

Collimation of SCT with artificial star
by Erik Hansen 11 Feb '14

11 Feb '14

http://www.leif.org/mikael/collimation.html

2 3

Jean Texereau RIP
by Dale Hooper 10 Feb '14

10 Feb '14

Another giant of the ATM world, Jean Texereau has passed away. He is the author of, "How to Make a Telescope" which is still being published by Willmann Bell. Mr. Texereau was not quite 95 - so he lived a good long life. Clear skies, Dale.

1 0

Out of focus?
by Dave Gary 10 Feb '14

10 Feb '14

Bruce, I have Bob’s Knobs on the 10-inch Meade. I’ve never collimated with a laser, but with a star you’re out-of-focus when you do the collimation. It takes me about 10 minutes to do a decent collimation with Bob’s Knobs and a star if I think the scope needs it. Before I got Bob’s Knobs it was a pain and took me about 30 minutes, at least. You have to have better finger dexterity than me to mess with those small Allen wrenches in the dark. Dave

1 0

Re: [Utah-astronomy] congrats to Patrick, featured on tonight's KSL news at 10
by Bruce Hugo 10 Feb '14

10 Feb '14

Congratulations Patrick! Your SN discovery was also announced on Classical 89 this morning!

1 0