You really can find anything on eBay these days
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3611062497&category=4 0129 Fred Orrell Digital Theater Division Evans & Sutherland Corp 600 Komas Drive Salt Lake City, Utah 84108 My phone: 801-588-7415 My email: forrell@es.com
Fred, What was the item up for bid? It seems to have been pulled. dlb On Wednesday, June 4, 2003, at 03:57 PM, forrell@es.com wrote:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/ eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3611062497&category=40129
Fred Orrell
Digital Theater Division
Evans & Sutherland Corp
600 Komas Drive
Salt Lake City, Utah 84108
My phone: 801-588-7415
My email: forrell@es.com
Hello Everyone... I am a software engineer that has a lot of background in advanced 3D graphics and data managment...Over the past few weeks, I have been kicking around and idea that I think could greatly enhance the NEO detection process by using the army of ameteur astronomers. As I am fairly new to this hobby, I would really appreciate your feed back on a letter that I have drafted. I was planning on sending this letter to Ron Baalke, Near-Earth Object Webmaster Jet Propulsion Laboratory Pasadena, California. I have included my letter below. For starters, I would really like to get your initial opinions of my idea and also get some feed back as to whether any of you might have a better contact for me to approach. Thanks, JohnRen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ron, My inquiry to you today is concerning grant programs that can be established through Nasa for the detection of NEOs. I have been professionally employed as a Software Engineer for almost 20 years. Many of my recent projects have dealt specifically with advanced 3D graphics. I have recently been in charge of a complex data management system that organizes and versions large quantities of 3D data. We call this system MOG. Despite the popularity of acronyms at Nasa, I regret to inform you that MOG is not an acronym...it's name is derived from 'transMOGrifier' from Calvin and Hobbs. MOG processes incoming data and then catalogs and versions it within it's archives. MOG uses resource distribution so that the work load of data processing can be distributed to different computers. MOG was built to assist the workflow of large scale projects that require massive quantities of complex preprocessed 3D data. While I was wrapping up several lingering issues with this system, it dawned on me that a similar system could greatly enhance the ability to detect NEOs. After spending a great deal of time investigating various aspect of commercially sold telescopes and investigating the CCD technology available for those scopes, I feel that it is very feasible to develop a web based database that would enable amateur astronomers to be able to contribute to NEO detection on a scale never before devised. Using a similar system to MOG, CCD images along with the sky coordinates could be submitted by amateur astronomers world wide via the web. Each submitted image would first be scrutinized to make sure that it matched the coordinates by comparing it's layout to a master image of the same sky coordinates. Once the image has been verified to be accurate, the system would then search for possible NEOs within each submitted image. When the system detects a possible NEO, it would attempt to match it's movement and trajectory by comparing it to other submitted images. Using the resource distribution features, we would be able to distribute this work load to computers all over the world. Eventually, I would like to see fully automated client side software developed. This software could in real-time get new coordinates from the web, align the telescope, capture a CCD image and then submit that image back to through the web. With the right client-side software, amateur astronomers could leave their computers and scopes running for hours at a time or even all night long. By having the system assign desired sky coordinates, it wouldn't take that many participants before the entire sky could be covered. It would be important to have something in place to be able to award proper credit to each amateur astronomer for their images that are used in locating actual NEOs. With the proper recognition, I could see participation in this program becoming a very prestigious thing. With my many years of experience in 3D application design and data management, I have the background necessary to see such a project through to completion. I am also surrounded by many other very talented colleagues with similar backgrounds. If there is any interest from Nasa to develop such a system, I would like the opportunity to present a proposed budget for establishing a qualified team for it's development. Although this software has certain marketable potential, I would much rather see this developed with grant money and offered freely to the amateur astronomer community. I look forward to your reply, John Renstrom
Go for it. I think it is a good idea, and you should pursue it. Contact Jerry Foote and find out what he is doing with his patrol telescopes. This is a similar network for variable star data collection. Brent --- JohnRenstrom@Hotmail.com wrote:
Hello Everyone...
I am a software engineer that has a lot of background in advanced 3D graphics and data managment...Over the past few weeks, I have been kicking around and idea that I think could greatly enhance the NEO detection process by using the army of ameteur astronomers.
As I am fairly new to this hobby, I would really appreciate your feed back on a letter that I have drafted. I was planning on sending this letter to Ron Baalke, Near-Earth Object Webmaster Jet Propulsion Laboratory Pasadena, California.
I have included my letter below. For starters, I would really like to get your initial opinions of my idea and also get some feed back as to whether any of you might have a better contact for me to approach.
Thanks, JohnRen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ron,
My inquiry to you today is concerning grant programs that can be established through Nasa for the detection of NEOs.
I have been professionally employed as a Software Engineer for almost 20 years. Many of my recent projects have dealt specifically with advanced 3D graphics. I have recently been in charge of a complex data management system that organizes and versions large quantities of 3D data. We call this system MOG. Despite the popularity of acronyms at Nasa, I regret to inform you that MOG is not an acronym...it's name is derived from 'transMOGrifier' from Calvin and Hobbs. MOG processes incoming data and then catalogs and versions it within it's archives. MOG uses resource distribution so that the work load of data processing can be distributed to different computers. MOG was built to assist the workflow of large scale projects that require massive quantities of complex preprocessed 3D data. While I was wrapping up several lingering issues with this system, it dawned on me that a similar system could greatly enhance the ability to detect NEOs.
After spending a great deal of time investigating various aspect of commercially sold telescopes and investigating the CCD technology available for those scopes, I feel that it is very feasible to develop a web based database that would enable amateur astronomers to be able to contribute to NEO detection on a scale never before devised.
Using a similar system to MOG, CCD images along with the sky coordinates could be submitted by amateur astronomers world wide via the web. Each submitted image would first be scrutinized to make sure that it matched the coordinates by comparing it's layout to a master image of the same sky coordinates. Once the image has been verified to be accurate, the system would then search for possible NEOs within each submitted image. When the system detects a possible NEO, it would attempt to match it's movement and trajectory by comparing it to other submitted images. Using the resource distribution features, we would be able to distribute this work load to computers all over the world.
Eventually, I would like to see fully automated client side software developed. This software could in real-time get new coordinates from the web, align the telescope, capture a CCD image and then submit that image back to through the web. With the right client-side software, amateur astronomers could leave their computers and scopes running for hours at a time or even all night long. By having the system assign desired sky coordinates, it wouldn't take that many participants before the entire sky could be covered.
It would be important to have something in place to be able to award proper credit to each amateur astronomer for their images that are used in locating actual NEOs. With the proper recognition, I could see participation in this program becoming a very prestigious thing.
With my many years of experience in 3D application design and data management, I have the background necessary to see such a project through to completion. I am also surrounded by many other very talented colleagues with similar backgrounds. If there is any interest from Nasa to develop such a system, I would like the opportunity to present a proposed budget for establishing a qualified team for it's development.
Although this software has certain marketable potential, I would much rather see this developed with grant money and offered freely to the amateur astronomer community.
I look forward to your reply, John Renstrom
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com
http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
__________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM). http://calendar.yahoo.com
John, Given the wide variety of scopes, tracking abilities, and CCD imagers out there, it seems like your plan would need a minimum requirements package for those wishing to participate, some fairly good training, and coordination of which areas of the sky are being covered. I suspect there aren't too many of us around with the kinds of imaging skills that would produce worthwhile, consistent image data as a first hurdle to consider. The verification of received images sounds like it would be a fairly tedious and time consuming task. And the automation you describe for feedback and control would require something fairly sophisticated and consequently costly. You're not thinking of having everyone running a Paramount connected to the web are you? Or does your proposal perhaps include upgrades for commercial GPS goto scopes? Lastly, it seems to me you don't want to include too many details in your proposal to NASA, or someone there may run with your idea in-house and never bother to tell you if it had merit or not. My $.02, Rich --- JohnRenstrom@Hotmail.com wrote:
Hello Everyone...
I am a software engineer that has a lot of background in advanced 3D graphics and data managment...Over the past few weeks, I have been kicking around and idea that I think could greatly enhance the NEO detection process by using the army of ameteur astronomers.
As I am fairly new to this hobby, I would really appreciate your feed back on a letter that I have drafted. I was planning on sending this letter to Ron Baalke, Near-Earth Object Webmaster Jet Propulsion Laboratory Pasadena, California.
I have included my letter below. For starters, I would really like to get your initial opinions of my idea and also get some feed back as to whether any of you might have a better contact for me to approach.
Thanks, JohnRen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ron,
My inquiry to you today is concerning grant programs that can be established through Nasa for the detection of NEOs.
I have been professionally employed as a Software Engineer for almost 20 years. Many of my recent projects have dealt specifically with advanced 3D graphics. I have recently been in charge of a complex data management system that organizes and versions large quantities of 3D data. We call this system MOG. Despite the popularity of acronyms at Nasa, I regret to inform you that MOG is not an acronym...it's name is derived from 'transMOGrifier' from Calvin and Hobbs. MOG processes incoming data and then catalogs and versions it within it's archives. MOG uses resource distribution so that the work load of data processing can be distributed to different computers. MOG was built to assist the workflow of large scale projects that require massive quantities of complex preprocessed 3D data. While I was wrapping up several lingering issues with this system, it dawned on me that a similar system could greatly enhance the ability to detect NEOs.
After spending a great deal of time investigating various aspect of commercially sold telescopes and investigating the CCD technology available for those scopes, I feel that it is very feasible to develop a web based database that would enable amateur astronomers to be able to contribute to NEO detection on a scale never before devised.
Using a similar system to MOG, CCD images along with the sky coordinates could be submitted by amateur astronomers world wide via the web. Each submitted image would first be scrutinized to make sure that it matched the coordinates by comparing it's layout to a master image of the same sky coordinates. Once the image has been verified to be accurate, the system would then search for possible NEOs within each submitted image. When the system detects a possible NEO, it would attempt to match it's movement and trajectory by comparing it to other submitted images. Using the resource distribution features, we would be able to distribute this work load to computers all over the world.
Eventually, I would like to see fully automated client side software developed. This software could in real-time get new coordinates from the web, align the telescope, capture a CCD image and then submit that image back to through the web. With the right client-side software, amateur astronomers could leave their computers and scopes running for hours at a time or even all night long. By having the system assign desired sky coordinates, it wouldn't take that many participants before the entire sky could be covered.
It would be important to have something in place to be able to award proper credit to each amateur astronomer for their images that are used in locating actual NEOs. With the proper recognition, I could see participation in this program becoming a very prestigious thing.
With my many years of experience in 3D application design and data management, I have the background necessary to see such a project through to completion. I am also surrounded by many other very talented colleagues with similar backgrounds. If there is any interest from Nasa to develop such a system, I would like the opportunity to present a proposed budget for establishing a qualified team for it's development.
Although this software has certain marketable potential, I would much rather see this developed with grant money and offered freely to the amateur astronomer community.
I look forward to your reply, John Renstrom
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com
http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
__________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM). http://calendar.yahoo.com
Given the wide variety of scopes, tracking abilities, and CCD imagers out there, it seems like your plan would need a minimum requirements package for those wishing to participate, some fairly good training, and coordination of which areas of the sky are being covered. I suspect there aren't too many of us around with the kinds of imaging skills that would produce worthwhile, consistent image data as a first hurdle to consider. Actually, from what I have seen so far, the quality of scopes and the CCD technology is already at an acceptable level for an automated process...This whole system would only be intended to locate possible NEOs...Any promising results would obviously have to be verified by the big boys toys...
My intention of having this thing fully automated would require a GoTo Scope...But, anyone cable of capturing a CCD should be able to submit their images...The system would just need to know the general sky coordinates and the time that it was caputered for it to be considered a useful image. It would be my desire to see this project developed with open technology so that the companies that are already developing software for scopes could build this API (Application Program Interface) right into their already developed software...All they need to get from the system would be a potential coordinate...Then they simply submit that image back to the system with a time index of when it was captured...
The verification of received images sounds like it would be a fairly tedious and time consuming task. And the automation you describe for feedback and control would require something fairly sophisticated and consequently costly. You're not thinking of having everyone running a Paramount connected to the web are you? Or does your proposal perhaps include upgrades for commercial GPS goto scopes? The verification process really doesn't concern me too much. I have already done similar things with my 3D processing tools. I would only have to look at the predominent stars/galixies and match them up to the master image...Once the predominant characteristics of the image are verified and matched with the master image, I could factor in what ever scale/rotation factors needed to match the remaining portions of the image...In other words, the verification tool would be impervious to different rotations/resolutions/scales of the submitted images.
At this point, the system would only look for anomylous objects that can't be verified in the master image. These objects would be categorized as anomylies. In order to properly determine if this was in fact a NEO, I would take all the anomylies and calculate them over time...At this point, it is simply a process of elimination... <<<WARNING, Programmer language comming>>> Each anomyly would be linked to every other anomyly taking into consideration the time that might have passed from one submited image to the next. Assuming that every anomyly could be a NEO, the system would just keep linking every new anomyly found to every existing anomyly previously found. In order to start eliminating these links, the system only has to do some simple 2D math calculations taking onto consideration of when the submited picture was captured...Anything that doesn't demonstrate a smooth linear trajectory can quickly be unlinked...Over the course of several matched images, you would quickly be able to determin the NEOs from anomylies...This system would be able to withstand the submission of numerous poor quality images becasue it is the overall number of linear links on each anomyly that increases it potential of being a NEO.
Lastly, it seems to me you don't want to include too many details in your proposal to NASA, or someone there may run with your idea in-house and never bother to tell you if it had merit or not. Actually, I don't care if someone runs with it or not...I think the important thing is that we do whatever possible to detect the NEO. However, I would sure love to be a part of it. Given what I have already done in the past, this would be no different than what I have already done several times over...
I apologize for the misspelling of anomaly...That blasted spell checker! ----- Original Message ----- From: <JohnRenstrom@Hotmail.com> To: "Astronomy in Utah" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2003 6:35 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Re: NEO Detection Software Idea...
Given the wide variety of scopes, tracking abilities, and CCD imagers out there, it seems like your plan would need a minimum requirements package for those wishing to participate, some fairly good training, and coordination of which areas of the sky are being covered. I suspect there aren't too many of us around with the kinds of imaging skills that would produce worthwhile, consistent image data as a first hurdle to consider. Actually, from what I have seen so far, the quality of scopes and the CCD technology is already at an acceptable level for an automated process...This whole system would only be intended to locate possible NEOs...Any promising results would obviously have to be verified by the big boys toys...
My intention of having this thing fully automated would require a GoTo Scope...But, anyone cable of capturing a CCD should be able to submit their images...The system would just need to know the general sky coordinates and the time that it was caputered for it to be considered a useful image.
It would be my desire to see this project developed with open technology so that the companies that are already developing software for scopes could build this API (Application Program Interface) right into their already developed software...All they need to get from the system would be a potential coordinate...Then they simply submit that image back to the system with a time index of when it was captured...
The verification of received images sounds like it would be a fairly tedious and time consuming task. And the automation you describe for feedback and control would require something fairly sophisticated and consequently costly. You're not thinking of having everyone running a Paramount connected to the web are you? Or does your proposal perhaps include upgrades for commercial GPS goto scopes? The verification process really doesn't concern me too much. I have already done similar things with my 3D processing tools. I would only have to look at the predominent stars/galixies and match them up to the master image...Once the predominant characteristics of the image are verified and matched with the master image, I could factor in what ever scale/rotation factors needed to match the remaining portions of the image...In other words, the verification tool would be impervious to different rotations/resolutions/scales of the submitted images.
At this point, the system would only look for anomylous objects that can't be verified in the master image. These objects would be categorized as anomylies. In order to properly determine if this was in fact a NEO, I would take all the anomylies and calculate them over time...At this point, it is simply a process of elimination...
<<<WARNING, Programmer language comming>>> Each anomyly would be linked to every other anomyly taking into consideration the time that might have passed from one submited image to the next. Assuming that every anomyly could be a NEO, the system would just keep linking every new anomyly found to every existing anomyly previously found.
In order to start eliminating these links, the system only has to do some simple 2D math calculations taking onto consideration of when the submited picture was captured...Anything that doesn't demonstrate a smooth linear trajectory can quickly be unlinked...Over the course of several matched images, you would quickly be able to determin the NEOs from anomylies...This system would be able to withstand the submission of numerous poor quality images becasue it is the overall number of linear links on each anomyly that increases it potential of being a NEO.
Lastly, it seems to me you don't want to include too many details in your proposal to NASA, or someone there may run with your idea in-house and never bother to tell you if it had merit or not. Actually, I don't care if someone runs with it or not...I think the important thing is that we do whatever possible to detect the NEO. However, I would sure love to be a part of it. Given what I have already done in the past, this would be no different than what I have already done several times over...
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
I am embarrassed about that last email...The speller wasn't working at all due to the '> ' comments I left in. I gess I depedn too much on the speel cheecker these dayz...<jk> PLEASE disregard that earlier post...Here is a cleaned up version...I had to repost it! -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Given the wide variety of scopes, tracking abilities, and CCD imagers out there, it seems like your plan would need a minimum requirements package for those wishing to participate, some fairly good training, and coordination of which areas of the sky are being covered. I suspect there aren't too many of us around with the kinds of imaging skills that would produce worthwhile, consistent image data as a first hurdle to consider. Actually, from what I have seen so far, the quality of scopes and the CCD technology is already at an acceptable level for an automated process...This whole system would only be intended to locate possible NEOs...Any promising results would obviously have to be verified by the big boys toys...
My intention of having this thing fully automated would require a GoTo Scope...But, anyone cable of capturing a CCD should be able to submit their images...The system would just need to know the general sky coordinates and the time that it was captured for it to be considered a useful image. It would be my desire to see this project developed with open technology so that the companies that are already developing software for scopes could build this API (Application Program Interface) right into their already developed software...All they need to get from the system would be a potential coordinate...Then they simply submit that image back to the system with a time index of when it was captured...
The verification of received images sounds like it would be a fairly tedious and time consuming task. And the automation you describe for feedback and control would require something fairly sophisticated and consequently costly. You're not thinking of having everyone running a Paramount connected to the web are you? Or does your proposal perhaps include upgrades for commercial GPS goto scopes? The verification process really doesn't concern me too much. I have already done similar things with my 3D processing tools. I would only have to look at the predominant stars/galaxies and match them up to the master image...Once the predominant characteristics of the image are verified and matched with the master image, I could factor in what ever scale/rotation factors needed to match the remaining portions of the image...In other words, the verification tool would be impervious to different rotations/resolutions/scales of the submitted images.
At this point, the system would only look for anomalous objects that can't be verified in the master image. These objects would be categorized as anomalies. In order to properly determine if this was in fact a NEO, I would take all the anomalies and calculate them over time...At this point, it is simply a process of elimination... <<<WARNING, Programmer language coming>>> Each anomaly would be linked to every other anomaly taking into consideration the time that might have passed from one submitted image to the next. Assuming that every anomaly could be a NEO, the system would just keep linking every new anomaly found to every existing anomaly previously found. In order to start eliminating these links, the system only has to do some simple 2D math calculations taking onto consideration of when the submitted picture was captured...Anything that doesn't demonstrate a smooth linear trajectory can quickly be unlinked...Over the course of several matched images, you would quickly be able to determine the NEOs from anomalies...This system would be able to withstand the submission of numerous poor quality images because it is the overall number of linear links on each anomaly that increases it potential of being a NEO.
Lastly, it seems to me you don't want to include too many details in your proposal to NASA, or someone there may run with your idea in-house and never bother to tell you if it had merit or not. Actually, I don't care if someone runs with it or not...I think the important thing is that we do whatever possible to detect the NEO. However, I would sure love to be a part of it. Given what I have already done in the past, this would be no different than what I have already done several times over...
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
I think it is an interesting idea; the SETI search has shown that there is a pool of PC's which can be used for distributed processing; although the pool of CCD's and scopes wouldn't approach that number. Could you put together a proof of concept program to submit? Good luck Bill Biesele JohnRenstrom@Hotmail.com wrote: ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Given the wide variety of scopes, tracking abilities, and CCD imagers out there, it seems like your plan would need a minimum requirements package for those wishing to participate, some fairly good training, and coordination of which areas of the sky are being covered. I suspect there aren't too many of us around with the kinds of imaging skills that would produce worthwhile, consistent image data as a first hurdle to consider.
One other thing. It seems like every time I'm out observing I have at least one or more meteors and/or satellites pass through the field of view. Given all the space junk up there and meteoritic infall, accounting for all of that in comparative images might also give you a bucketload of false positives... __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM). http://calendar.yahoo.com
These type of objects would not give false positives...They would definitely show up as an anomalous object, but until that anomaly was matched with at lease 3 other instances of the same anomaly moving in a distinct trajectory over time, they wouldn't even be mentioned by the system. In fact, after just a few days or even a few hours, they would quickly be dropped as a possible NEO because they would not be substantiated in any other submitted images. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Tenney" <retenney@yahoo.com> To: "Astronomy in Utah" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, June 06, 2003 9:52 AM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Re: NEO Detection Software Idea...
One other thing. It seems like every time I'm out observing I have at least one or more meteors and/or satellites pass through the field of view. Given all the space junk up there and meteoritic infall, accounting for all of that in comparative images might also give you a bucketload of false positives...
__________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM). http://calendar.yahoo.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
A British company called StarLight Express makes a combo ccd and guidance system that works through pixel by pixel comparison of each ccd frame to instruct the guidance of the telescope. They may already have something that will work. Barney B. ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Renstrom" <JohnRenstrom@hotmail.com> To: "Astronomy in Utah" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, June 06, 2003 10:02 AM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Re: NEO Detection Software Idea...
These type of objects would not give false positives...They would definitely show up as an anomalous object, but until that anomaly was matched with at lease 3 other instances of the same anomaly moving in a distinct trajectory over time, they wouldn't even be mentioned by the system. In fact, after just a few days or even a few hours, they would quickly be dropped as a possible NEO because they would not be substantiated in any other submitted images.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Tenney" <retenney@yahoo.com> To: "Astronomy in Utah" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, June 06, 2003 9:52 AM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Re: NEO Detection Software Idea...
One other thing. It seems like every time I'm out observing I have at least one or more meteors and/or satellites pass through the field of view. Given all the space junk up there and meteoritic infall, accounting for all of that in comparative images might also give you a bucketload of false positives...
__________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM). http://calendar.yahoo.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
Hi, If you have not already done so you might want to sign up for the Minor Planet Mailing List and get the input of their members. http://www.bitnik.com/mp/MPML-FAQ.html Patrick
JohnRenstrom@Hotmail.com wrote:
Hello Everyone...
I am a software engineer that has a lot of background in advanced 3D graphics and data managment...Over the past few weeks, I have been kicking around and idea that I think could greatly enhance the NEO detection process by using the army of ameteur astronomers.
As I am fairly new to this hobby, I would really appreciate your feed back on a letter that I have drafted. I was planning on sending this letter to Ron Baalke, Near-Earth Object Webmaster Jet Propulsion Laboratory Pasadena, California.
I have included my letter below. For starters, I would really like to get your initial opinions of my idea and also get some feed back as to whether any of you might have a better contact for me to approach.
Thanks, JohnRenn
Yes, SETI is using the distributed resource technology that I mentioned earlier... This technology has been around for a long time...I am just proposing that we use it to process anomalies found in submitted CCD images from amateur astronomers. However, the leap in technology would come from being able to have amateur astronomers submit their CCD images along with the coordinates and time of the capture to make those images useful for tracking NEOs. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sarra, Tony" <Tony.Sarra@landesk.com> To: <JohnRenstrom@Hotmail.com> Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2003 6:26 PM Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Re: NEO Detection Software Idea... John, Are you familiar with the SETI distributed processing program that runs as a screen saver? Via the internet, individual desktop PCs get a chunk of data collected from one of the radio telescopes and analyses it for possible signal content and sends the results back to the central web site. Tony Sarra Engineering Product Manager LANDesk (R) Management Suite 801-208-1593 801-633-9157 (cell)
Dave, It was one of the six original sputniks, and it looked to be a serious offer. Unfortunately, the last bid I saw was for $99,999,99.99. I suspect it was pulled because of this bogus bid, or perhaps someone decided it was too much of a treasure to let it go to the public??? Brent --- David L Bennett <dlbennett@mac.com> wrote:
Fred,
What was the item up for bid? It seems to have been pulled.
dlb
On Wednesday, June 4, 2003, at 03:57 PM, forrell@es.com wrote:
eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3611062497&category=40129
Fred Orrell
Digital Theater Division
Evans & Sutherland Corp
600 Komas Drive
Salt Lake City, Utah 84108
My phone: 801-588-7415
My email: forrell@es.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com
http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
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Here's what MSNBC has to say: http://www.msnbc.com/news/921614.asp#BODY Patrick
participants (9)
-
Barney B. -
bill biesele -
Brent Watson -
David L Bennett -
forrell＠es.com -
John Renstrom -
JohnRenstrom＠Hotmail.com
-
Patrick Wiggins -
Richard Tenney