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In today's media
by Wiggins Patrick 01 Nov '13

01 Nov '13

A couple of science related items in today's media. First an editorial in today's Tribune which seems encouraging but if I understand correctly not all "first world" countries were included in the study. Science scores a bright light for Utah schools http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/57053475-82/utah-students-countries-sc… And second from today's NPR Fresh Air program. Lots in the interview I found interesting but one thing I'd not thought about was how it's difficult to physically keep control of one's self in micro-gravity without the use of vision. Has me wondering if the same might be said about being in freefall (I think I'll try that with eyes closed and see what happens). Astronaut Chris Hadfield Brings Lessons From Space Down To Earth http://kuer.org/post/astronaut-chris-hadfield-brings-lessons-space-down-ear… patrick

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Aliens have nothing to gain from Earth
by Wiggins Patrick 01 Nov '13

01 Nov '13

From today's Chronicle. patrick Aliens have nothing to gain from Earth http://www.dailyutahchronicle.com/?p=2594073

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Journey to the 1.8 Meter
by jcarman6＠q.com 31 Oct '13

31 Oct '13

I'm gratified to learn that Watson's 22" telescope not only survives but is in regular use. Recalling his arrival at star parties, the rest of us noted the white sonar tube attached to the roof of his vehicle. It looked like a MX missile and was believed to be Utah's answer to the need for a home defense system, a lthough it wasn't exactly covered by a concealed weapon's permit. Those damn Ruskies better not mess with us. W e take our second amendment VERY SERIOUSLY!!! On a more serious note, if the deal goes through with Chuck, more power to him, but if it doesn't how bout donating it to Bryce National Park? That was going to be my suggestion for Mr. 70 when even using it in Delta would be too cumbersome. Make the most of a dark sky site with a primo telescope. While on the subject of the 1.8 meter, if another attempt to visit and view through it in Herriman is set up, I would like to be included. Nothing stopped me from climbing the 18 foot ladder for the 22 and the chance to view through a 70 would be worth the climb again. Although I would probably have to climb higher than the rest by a rung or two because of my height (or lack thereof). Go figure, I actually brought this thread back to the subject listed (lol)

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] In today's media
by Kelly Ricks 31 Oct '13

31 Oct '13

Thanks for bringing the Fresh Air interview to my attention! I am impressed by Hadfield's candor, level-headedness, and ongoing expression of curiosity and openness to experience. ~Kelly > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 20:36:10 -0600 > From: Wiggins Patrick <paw(a)getbeehive.net> > To: utah astronomy listserve utah astronomy > <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Subject: [Utah-astronomy] In today's media > Message-ID: <32FD4C43-8259-4400-A221-CBBF31974136(a)getbeehive.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > A couple of science related items in today's media. > > First an editorial in today's Tribune which seems encouraging but if I > understand correctly not all "first world" countries were included in the > study. > > Science scores a bright light for Utah schools > > http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/57053475-82/utah-students-countries-sc… > > And second from today's NPR Fresh Air program. Lots in the interview I > found interesting but one thing I'd not thought about was how it's > difficult to physically keep control of one's self in micro-gravity without > the use of vision. Has me wondering if the same might be said about being > in freefall (I think I'll try that with eyes closed and see what happens). > > Astronaut Chris Hadfield Brings Lessons From Space Down To Earth > > http://kuer.org/post/astronaut-chris-hadfield-brings-lessons-space-down-ear… > > patrick >

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Aliens have nothing to gain from Earth
by Bruce Hugo 30 Oct '13

30 Oct '13

>They will need to destroy Earth for that Interstellar By-pass though. I'll keep my towel ready at all times. :-)

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Aliens have nothing to gain from Earth
by Bruce Hugo 30 Oct '13

30 Oct '13

The UFO's are just checking in to see if we've blow ourselves to oblivion yet so they can move in without resistance.

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70-inch field trip report
by Chuck Hards 30 Oct '13

30 Oct '13

Did you get a break in the clouds? See anything good? Impressions? I'm off to bed, 4 AM comes awfully fast. I'll read your reports in the morning.

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6-inch refractor (Was: Re: Journey to the 1.8 meter)
by Chuck Hards 30 Oct '13

30 Oct '13

I agree, Mat. Erik settled on a good all-around configuration. I have a few 6" refractor builds in the line-up as time and budget allow. My CGEM tripod may not extend high enough so I'll probably be making a new mount and tall wooden tripod, or seeing what the used market holds, when the time comes. Too, the CGEM might be able to handle the f/10, but isn't adequate for the f/15 Jaegers project. I may build a pillow-block mount for that one, using some of the old components Siegfried gave me (thanks again Ziggy!), if I don't go with a Gerrish permanently attached to the house, or a camera-obscura/Coude' setup going through the no-longer-used swamp cooler ducting up to the roof. Of course, most or all of this may have to wait until retirement, a few more years away. I heard through the grapevine that Steve Fisher sold his 8" D&G but kept his 6" (where are you, Steve, we miss you!). With refractors, seems that going from a 6" to an 8" is physically a much larger step than the same aperture increase with Newtonians. On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 4:28 PM, Hutchings, Mat <mat.hutchings(a)siemens.com>wrote: > A 6" refractor is a very nice scope. > >

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Mat's new 21 inch
by Chuck Hards 30 Oct '13

30 Oct '13

Which coma corrector are you going with, Mat? On Wed, Oct 30, 2013 at 8:39 AM, Hutchings, Mat <mat.hutchings(a)siemens.com>wrote: > I will probably go slightly faster than f4 just to make sure

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"missed during the shutdown": Spaceflight
by Wiggins Patrick 29 Oct '13

29 Oct '13

Nice to see that high on the list of things people missed during the recent @#$#&%$ in DC was spaceflight: http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/17/politics/government-shutdown-things-we-missed… patrick

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