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My “42”. It makes sense, now.
by Dave Gary 28 Dec '12

28 Dec '12

http://www.nature.com/news/brain-cells-made-from-urine-1.11985

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Happy 13th Bak'tun
by Ray Druian 28 Dec '12

28 Dec '12

Chuck hards noted that "I'm not too fond of corn, beans, and squash, anyway." I pretty much agreed with him, except for corn when it's popped, and beans when they're baked. Then, in my late twenties [I was born and raised in Chicago, and was thus culturally deprived regarding foods once eaten by Mayans], but then, finally, I discovered chile con carne (that didn't come from Cincinnati [Yucch!]), and tortillas. In those pre Taco Bell days, I began to develop a fondness for Mexican food. In spite of all the "Americanized" Mexican fast food chains, (my first "burrito" was a Taco Time crisp meat burrito. In spite of them being totally alien to any real burrito that I've had since, I still like them), I find the combinations exciting and complementary, even though I have a religious prohibition against eating meat and milk products at the same meal, I can still get by -- I just have to leave the cheese off my tacos and burritos and I think they taste great that way. Besides, we have to credit the Mayans with NOT having invented the Twinkie. BTW, when I was a little kid, Hostess made cupcakes and Twinkies in packages of two for a nickel. Then, overnight, the Twinkies were suddenly injected with some kind of ultra-sweet white glop, and the cupcakes were likewise changed, but they also had a strip of white slime drawn across their chocolate frosting. I haven't bought Hostess products in many years, but I think that when they went out of business earlier in the month, those twofers cost a buck or more! Icky-poo-poo-poo! If the Mayans had still been around when Hostess first slimed up their perfectly good products, I'm sure they would have done all in their power to keep the world from continuing to revolve and rotate, and the world would have come to an end many years before this one. -- Thanx, *Ray *

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON)
by Tyler Allred 28 Dec '12

28 Dec '12

I apologize to everyone. This bad weather is all my fault. My carbon fiber sandwich tube finally arrived from Germany and the fully-assembled scope is sitting uselessly atop the Paramount in my observatory. I expect the bad weather to continue indefinitely. Tyler On 27 Dec 2012, at 10:39, Dave Gary wrote: > By the way, who purchased or received astronomic equipment for Christmas? The weather down here in St. George has been quite nasty for observation. I know one of you guys screwed it up. Tyler, did your new equipment come in? > _______________________________________________ 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".

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space station
by Larry Holmes 28 Dec '12

28 Dec '12

Perhaps between the "partly cloudy" and "scattered snow showers" one might catch a glimpse. 73 SpotTheStation! Time: Fri Dec 28 6:29 PM, Visible: 5 min, Max Height: 79 degrees, Appears: NW, Disappears: ESE

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Digital February S&T?
by Wiggins Patrick 27 Dec '12

27 Dec '12

I've tried downloading the new (February) issue of Sky and Telescope a few times both at home and at a local wifi hotspot. Every time it stops downloading at page 23. Has anyone here tried to download it with the same or better results? Thanks, patrick

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Shatner's World
by Ann House 27 Dec '12

27 Dec '12

I notice that William Shatner is coming to the U in January. It sounds interesting and, perhaps, I need to see this man in person. Capt Kirk has been a part of my life since I was a tweener (pre-teen). I was a tweener trekkie. And before you pass judgement, I am sure many of you were too! Here is the info on his show. If a few of us decide to go, maybe we can meet for dinner before the show. *Shatner's World - We Just Live In It* “This show is more entertaining than it has any right to be! William Shatner is much more than an actor – he’s a personality of galactic proportions!” –New York Post “Undeniably fun! An energetic look back at a lifetime spent living at the center of the universe.” –Entertainment Weekly William Shatner’s acclaimed one-man show takes audiences on a voyage through his life and career, from Shakespearean stage actor to internationally known icon, known as much for his unique persona as for his expansive body of work on television and film. Date: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 Time:7:30 p.m. Contact: Kingsbury Ticket Office<websales(a)kingsbury.utah.edu> 801-581-7100 Location:Kingsbury Hall - (view map) <http://www.map.utah.edu/index.html?find=4> Cost:$30 - $60 Website: http://kingsburyhall.utah.edu/performances/shatners-world-we-just-live-in-it -A

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Coment C/2012 S1 (ISON)
by jcarman6＠q.com 27 Dec '12

27 Dec '12

Well written article, the only thing missing is the current magnitude, but that's probably nit-picking. Its really nice to read such a good article in what appears to be a non-scienctific paper. Mad e me think of Hale-Bopp. That was spotted long before (and long after) its arrival. It was a joy to follow. Looks like 2013 is going to be a particularly fun year. Thanks for the post, we'll all be watching.

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Happy 13th Bak'tun
by jcarman6＠q.com 26 Dec '12

26 Dec '12

According to the Gregorian calendar it is December 21, 2012 aka 12/21/12. According to the Mayan long count calendar (they had several) it is 13.0.0.0.0. It is the "seating of the 13th Bak'tun." So HAPPY 13th BAK'TUN! The Mayan long count calendar has rolled over, just as the Gregorian calender does every 365/66 days. H mm you could think of the Mayan long count calendar as a Julian calendar, the dates just go on and on . It is equally important day because the Mayan civil calendar has also realigned. This calendar, similar to the long count, but of much shorter duration has also realigned. Both calendars are like wheel cogs within wheel cogs and eventually, the cogs realign. The civil calendar takes 52 years to realign and when it does, it is known as the "binding of the years." As the binding could occur more than once in a Mayan's life time, it too is a time of renewal and celebration. The night before the binding, all the fires throughout the city are extinquished. The astrologer/astronomer sky watchers watch the sky in earnest. Their target is the pleiades (not known by that name to them, but readily identifiable in all cultures that have existed on this planet :)). The small distinct grouping of seven stars reaches zenith. Now the sky watchers watch with baited breath. If the star grouping continues on into the night, toward the west (our term) then the years are indeed bound and their world will continue for at least another 52 years. And so they do and so it does. A sacrifice is made (yeah human - removal of the heart yada yada ) and the fires are relit. And so it is for us, the plieades reached zenith and set in the west - once again, the years have been bound and now the 13th Bak'tun is seated. It is a time of renewal and starting fresh. Hope all your "new year" resolutions (and dreams) come true. P.S. Sorry, Mr. Jachmann, I won't be collecting on the policy. Fortunately I didn't pay the ridiculous policy premium in the first place. ALL bets are off.

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Merry Christmas!!
by Larry Holmes 25 Dec '12

25 Dec '12

And to all a good night! 73 Larry & Carol Holmes

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Higgs-Boson Disproves the Big Bang Theory
by M Wilson 25 Dec '12

25 Dec '12

I was in a conversation with two others last night when the subject of the "God Particle" [Higgs-Boson] came up. Both were in unanimous agreement that its discovery blew-to-bits the Big Bang Theory. I questioned that supposition, as I haven't read any articles that made such a claim. Does anyone on this list know how these two came to that conclustion?

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