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Vintage eyepiece case :)
by Richard Tenney 11 Dec '12

11 Dec '12

I found this charmingly amusing: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dynascope/photos/album/1619624759/pic/1918565…

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Comics
by Michael Wells 10 Dec '12

10 Dec '12

The North Rim is an awesome place for anything, especially night sky viewing. The nearest towns are 3 hours away, I spent the summer of '97 working there and loved it. Incidentally, it's also a good place to watch fireworks on the 4th. Sure, Williams is about 60 miles away, but they're really nice to watch quietly bloom in the sky. -------- Original message -------- From: Kim Hyatt <kimharch(a)cut.net> Date: To: 'Utah Astronomy' <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Comics At least they are correct about Bryce Canyon. I'm hoping the weather won't be as forecast for the Geminids Friday. Kim -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of D P Pierce Sent: Monday, December 10, 2012 2:00 PM To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Comics http://www.gocomics.com/theargylesweater Deloy _______________________________________________ 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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Comics
by D P Pierce 10 Dec '12

10 Dec '12

http://www.gocomics.com/theargylesweater http://www.gocomics.com/brewsterrockit http://www.gocomics.com/pickles Deloy

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Voyager 1 new discovery.
by Joe Bauman 10 Dec '12

10 Dec '12

Great, Don! ------------------------------ On Mon, Dec 10, 2012 11:15 AM MST Don J. Colton wrote: >Hi Joe, > >Telling my part in the Voyager Mission (or MJS77 - Mariner Jupiter Saturn >1977 mission as it was first called) wouldn't take more than about five >minutes unless I did some more research. But maybe I could come up with >some others things. I will think about it and if I think I could give >something that would merit a presentation I will contact you and Roger. > >Clear Skies, > >Don Colton > >-----Original Message----- >From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com >[mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Joe Bauman >Sent: Monday, December 10, 2012 9:16 AM >To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com >Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Voyager 1 new discovery. > > > >Don, these are really valuable insights into the space program and they're >fascinating. I don't want to push you into speaking if you don't want to but >I think you could come io with a great lecture. It would be cool to tie your >work with space exploration to your astrophoyography hobby, especially with >pics of your equipment and your space images. Congratulations on your >impressive accomplishments. -- Joe > > >------------------------------ >On Thu, Dec 6, 2012 9:09 AM MST Don J. Colton wrote: > >>Hi Patrick and Joe, >> >>I doubt anyone's finger prints are on the amplifiers since they were >>assembled in "clean rooms". I do have my name on a microchip on Mars >>since I also worked on the Viking Lander Mission as a negotiator for a >>change order. Watkins-Johnson also built the amplifiers for the Viking >>Lander. I can't remember whether they had a microchip with the >>participants names on the Voyagers. If they did, they probably would >>have asked for signatures after I left the program. >> >>Since I was a Deputy Program Manager for only a few months before being >>promoted to Head, Export - I don't have much to tell. What I do >>remember is we had a large flow chart on the wall and I would every few >>days check on each item and get a status report. We also had to >>subject the amplifiers (not the ones for the mission but duplicates) to >>all kinds of tests including vibration, radiation etc. They also >>required that many of the components were "potted" in a plastic type >compound to hold them immobile. >>JPL, who was the lead for NASA, had a permanent employee on site for >>the duration of the project. He was the "nitpicker of all nitpickers" >>and keep thinking of some new kind of worst case scenario. Our project >>(the amplifiers), which was cost plus, was originally budgeted for >>$3,000,000 but ended up costing $8,000,000 not because of any padding >>but because of all the additional testing JPL demanded. They >>considered the amplifiers as one of the critical components. Also, I >>would go around almost daily and question charges made by those working >>on the project. My boss, the Program Manager, was a very honest man >>and did not want anyone charging for time they did not actually spend on >the mission. >> >>In the early days of NASA the extreme care put into each program >>resulted in many successes. After the retirement of some of these >>"nitpickers", things got a little sloppy for a while due to new people and >budget constraints. >>Hence, the Hubble Problem and one the Mar's projects fiascos where the >>computer programmer had mixed up metric and English units. JPL in the >>1970's would have checked the Hubble mirror's figure 10 different ways >>and not relied on one flawed test. That I can guarantee, having worked >>with those people. >> >>Clear Skies, >> >>Don >> >>-----Original Message----- >>From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com >>[mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Joe >>Bauman >>Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2012 12:20 AM >>To: Utah Astronomy >>Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Voyager 1 new discovery. >> >>Don, I second that idea, especially if you could work in photos of your >>Voyager efforts as well as your stunning astrophotography. -- Joe >> >> >> >> >>________________________________ >> From: Wiggins Patrick <paw(a)wirelessbeehive.com> >>To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> >>Sent: Wednesday, December 5, 2012 12:15 AM >>Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Voyager 1 new discovery. >> >>On 04 Dec 2012, at 09:34, Don J. Colton wrote: >> >> As Deputy Program Manager for the radio amplifier portion of the >> Voyager spacecrafts, I saw firsthand how exacting NASA was in those >> days. The Traveling Wave Tube (TWT) amplifiers we used were subjected >> to every conceivable test and they are still working today! For more >> on TWT's see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traveling-wave_tube. >> >>Hi Don, >> >>Very impressive that you actually worked on the mission. >> >>Does this mean your fingerprints are now traveling in space? :) >> >>I would like to hear more about your experiences working on Voyager. >>Would you be interested in talking about them at a SLAS meeting? >> >>If so maybe Rodger could get you scheduled. >> >>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". >>_______________________________________________ >>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". >> >> >>_______________________________________________ >>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". > > >_______________________________________________ >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". > > >_______________________________________________ >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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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Voyager 1 new discovery.
by Joe Bauman 10 Dec '12

10 Dec '12

Don, these are really valuable insights into the space program and they're fascinating. I don't want to push you into speaking if you don't want to but I think you could come io with a great lecture. It would be cool to tie your work with space exploration to your astrophoyography hobby, especially with pics of your equipment and your space images. Congratulations on your impressive accomplishments. -- Joe ------------------------------ On Thu, Dec 6, 2012 9:09 AM MST Don J. Colton wrote: >Hi Patrick and Joe, > >I doubt anyone's finger prints are on the amplifiers since they were >assembled in "clean rooms". I do have my name on a microchip on Mars since >I also worked on the Viking Lander Mission as a negotiator for a change >order. Watkins-Johnson also built the amplifiers for the Viking Lander. I >can't remember whether they had a microchip with the participants names on >the Voyagers. If they did, they probably would have asked for signatures >after I left the program. > >Since I was a Deputy Program Manager for only a few months before being >promoted to Head, Export - I don't have much to tell. What I do remember is >we had a large flow chart on the wall and I would every few days check on >each item and get a status report. We also had to subject the amplifiers >(not the ones for the mission but duplicates) to all kinds of tests >including vibration, radiation etc. They also required that many of the >components were "potted" in a plastic type compound to hold them immobile. >JPL, who was the lead for NASA, had a permanent employee on site for the >duration of the project. He was the "nitpicker of all nitpickers" and keep >thinking of some new kind of worst case scenario. Our project (the >amplifiers), which was cost plus, was originally budgeted for $3,000,000 but >ended up costing $8,000,000 not because of any padding but because of all >the additional testing JPL demanded. They considered the amplifiers as one >of the critical components. Also, I would go around almost daily and >question charges made by those working on the project. My boss, the Program >Manager, was a very honest man and did not want anyone charging for time >they did not actually spend on the mission. > >In the early days of NASA the extreme care put into each program resulted in >many successes. After the retirement of some of these "nitpickers", things >got a little sloppy for a while due to new people and budget constraints. >Hence, the Hubble Problem and one the Mar's projects fiascos where the >computer programmer had mixed up metric and English units. JPL in the 1970's >would have checked the Hubble mirror's figure 10 different ways and not >relied on one flawed test. That I can guarantee, having worked with those >people. > >Clear Skies, > >Don > >-----Original Message----- >From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com >[mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Joe Bauman >Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2012 12:20 AM >To: Utah Astronomy >Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Voyager 1 new discovery. > >Don, I second that idea, especially if you could work in photos of your >Voyager efforts as well as your stunning astrophotography. -- Joe > > > > >________________________________ > From: Wiggins Patrick <paw(a)wirelessbeehive.com> >To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> >Sent: Wednesday, December 5, 2012 12:15 AM >Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Voyager 1 new discovery. > >On 04 Dec 2012, at 09:34, Don J. Colton wrote: > >> As Deputy Program Manager for the radio amplifier portion of the >> Voyager spacecrafts, I saw firsthand how exacting NASA was in those >> days. The Traveling Wave Tube (TWT) amplifiers we used were subjected >> to every conceivable test and they are still working today! For more >> on TWT's see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traveling-wave_tube. > >Hi Don, > >Very impressive that you actually worked on the mission. > >Does this mean your fingerprints are now traveling in space? :) > >I would like to hear more about your experiences working on Voyager. Would >you be interested in talking about them at a SLAS meeting? > >If so maybe Rodger could get you scheduled. > >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". >_______________________________________________ >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". > > >_______________________________________________ >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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End of the World Star Party
by Michael Wells 10 Dec '12

10 Dec '12

HI, I'd like a few more details on this. I'm still new to my telescope, and not yet proficient enough to confidently say that I can find anything but the moon after setting it up and have people counting on me. :-) How do the star parties work? Do people set up their scopes and someone organizes what objects to observe, or does it all rely on the scope's owner? I would really like to participate as something more than just an observer, but I also don't want to be the person who is constantly having to tell everyone 'Just a sec, a-l-m-o-s-t there...', if everyone understands what I mean. If we're all kind of on our own, then I would greatly appreciate anyone who could help me out. I also understand if an event like this really isn't the time to be taking someone else's time to ask for a lot of help. Eventually I'll be confident enough to say that I can handle this on my own, but it's my first scope and I'm just starting to learn. No matter the outcome, I will definitely be there with my family, and I am really looking forward to the ed of the world. Thanks guys. Mike Wells

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Weird??!!
by Ray Druian 10 Dec '12

10 Dec '12

One day last week, I think Wednesday, a member of this august list published a note to the effect that Woot.com had Celestron Planetarium thingies for a very attractive price. I went ahead and ordered one. Having purchased from them before, I knew that it would take about two weeks and that it would arrive in a carton with tape around it that says "Woot." On Friday a package arrived from Amazon. Since I had a birthday right around then, I figured that it was a gift from my brother. Wrong! It was my Celestron Planetarium thingie, and it arrived two days after I ordered it, and not from the folks from whom I ordered it. I think this is absolute proof that the world is indeed about to end. -- Thanx, *Ray *

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] OT, metrics -- was Re: Patrick scores again!
by Michael Wells 09 Dec '12

09 Dec '12

Pure and simple, metrics is a scientific system of measurement, it's not some kind of dirty trick. There is no reason to use SAE except for the stubborn American factor. -------- Original message -------- From: Joe Bauman <josephmbauman(a)yahoo.com> Date: To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] OT, metrics -- was Re: Patrick scores again! Yes, of course Patrick is right, I was joking about not knowing what the metric system is; I can even convert metric figures into our own system, usually. But it's time for metric-centrics to realize that they lost that battle long ago. And they lost with good reason, in that it's not native to our country and nobody should try to foist a foreign system onto us. If the rest of the world does it differently, so what? I haven't seen any big loss to our economy because of it. If it's easier to figure out volume using metric, again, so what? I'll happily use fluid ounces instead of mm. My point is, this is a little like the rotten attempts at Indian schools -- which children from reservations were forced to attend -- to make students speak English, which included punishing them for using their own languages. The argument undoubtedly was made that the children couldn't succeed in America if they didn't understand English. It was still a cruel practice and has been pretty much universally contemned. Well, there's not even that argument to be made for metric: we do very well, thank you, without using it.Thanks for letting me blow off steam -- Joe PS: That is a great picture of Pahvant Butte and a fine write-up. I've hiked inside it, and I remember the remains of some huge windmill are there. _______________________________________________ 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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Re: [Utah-astronomy] End of the World Star Party
by Michael Wells 09 Dec '12

09 Dec '12

Sweet, thanks guys. I've been wanting a closer look at Jupiter, since it's been so prominent lately. I'll see everyone then, weather permitting. -------- Original message -------- From: Wiggins Patrick <paw(a)wirelessbeehive.com> Date: To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] End of the World Star Party On 09 Dec 2012, at 19:09, Michael Wells wrote: > HI, I'd like a few more details on this. I'm still new to my telescope, and > not yet proficient enough to confidently say that I can find anything but > the moon after setting it up and have people counting on me. :-) As a followup to what Rodger just said, this month's star party will feature the Moon early in the evening and Jupiter the whole time. So no need to worry about finding things. The public loves the Moon and they like Jupiter too. 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".

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comic
by D P Pierce 09 Dec '12

09 Dec '12

http://www.gocomics.com/ziggy Deloy

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