August 2005 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Re: [Utah-astronomy] OT: Hurricane relief
by Michael Carnes 31 Aug '05

31 Aug '05

The company I work for is matching contributions dollar for dollar, so that's the way I'll be going. Every time I look at a news report, it just gets worse. Guy sez... I don't know if it's off topic. We're talking about a disaster of astronomical proportions, or, in scope, sounds on topic to me... Quoting Cynthia Blue <leviblue(a)utahdogs.com>: > In situations such as these, I tend to think of the animals. =( > > http://www.noahswish.org/ > > I've sent them a contribution. > > Cyn > > (since this is truly off topic, let's keep the subject line so those > who don't want to talk about it can just hit delete. :) ) > > Chuck Hards wrote: > >> Lets have some suggestions for how we can help Katrina >> victims as individual citizens. >> >> I'm on the digest version now, so it may take a day >> for me to see replies. >> >> Thanks! >> >> __________________________________________________ >> Do You Yahoo!? >> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around >> http://mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ >> Utah-Astronomy mailing list >> Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com >> http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy >> Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com >> >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com > _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Looking for Opinions
by Chuck Hards 31 Aug '05

31 Aug '05

Michael, that's what things were looking like just a few weeks ago, but fortunately things can change for the better, too. My wife got a job offer at the same company that was about to lay her off, I finally realized that I actually now know how to design in 3D on the computer (man, do old habits die hard! But you CAN teach an old dog new software, even when the textbook is 2 inches thick), and building my model airplanes again has helped me adjust my perspective on life's priorities- by the way, I just finished the first one I've done in a quarter of a century, and it's not too shabby- a DH5 in 1/72 scale. After the "Woodshop" designs I've been campaigning for the past 6 years, I'm ready to return to composites. I think that's the proper way to go for the complex shapes I intend to use. Extremely high rididity, strength, and light weight will be essential. The vibration-damping properties are a bonus too, even though I'm not planning on any cantilevered mass, or "virtual" counterweights (a PC name for springs, a huge band-aid and a cheat in the eyes of some ATMs). Debbie, thanks for the ServoCat suggestion. I haven't read an astro magazine in over a year so I'm not up to speed on commercial hardware. I'll check into it further, they do state that the system works in equatorial mode as well. I'll see if they can supply engineering files so I can try and adapt it to my split-ring. Michael Carnes wrote: >Hey Chuck, I thought you were just about retired from >the scope- >making business. I have absolutely nothing of value >to add, design- >wise, but I can't wait to see what you come up with. >As far as that >12.5" prototype goes, when you're done with it, just >tell me where >the dumpster is 8-) >> I am finally designing a telescope for a 17.5" mirror >> I've had for almost 20 years __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Sunrise over Kanab, UT
by Dale Hooper 31 Aug '05

31 Aug '05

The astronomy picture of the day, for today, is a "local" one. Sunrise over Kanab, UT http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

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Large equatorial: soliciting ideas
by Chuck Hards 31 Aug '05

31 Aug '05

Is anyone currently using a large, portable, equatorially-mounted Newtonian? Or has in the past? I am finally designing a telescope for a 17.5" mirror I've had for almost 20 years, will be building a 12.5" prototype first to test some ideas. Now that I can design in 3D using Solidworks on the computer (and my wife got a new job, hurrah!), I'm ready to tackle the project without having to build a "me too" design- what some of us call "S.O.S." (I'll tell you off-list...) I've had my fill of Dobsonians (nothing against them, but it's time for me to move on) and want to go the split-ring route, with some variations, to facilitate imaging without resorting to field de-rotators, odd, multi-axis mounts, or digitally controlled stepper motors. I'm not interested in equatorial platforms, but please relate your thoughts if to do with large, portable Newtonians on true equatorials. Say, 12.5" and up. Likes, dislikes, engineering ideas, wish list items. Thanks! __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail

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Another excellent article (ID)
by Richard Tenney 30 Aug '05

30 Aug '05

My dad pointed out this excellent piece in the NY Times, for those of you not yet sick of the ID tangent: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/28/opinion/28dennett.html?incamp=articl __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Large equatorial: soliciting ideas
by astrodeb＠charter.net 30 Aug '05

30 Aug '05

Chuck, My friend Jim has a 25" with a ServoCat. It works great. He had a 0.0 warp rate last night. He was always dead on target. Last night we saw the central star of the ring nebula at 700X with no problems. Debbie > > From: Chuck Hards <chuckhards(a)yahoo.com> > Date: 2005/08/30 Tue PM 03:23:29 MDT > To: Utah-Astro <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Large equatorial: soliciting ideas > > Is anyone currently using a large, portable, > equatorially-mounted Newtonian? Or has in the past? > > I am finally designing a telescope for a 17.5" mirror > I've had for almost 20 years, will be building a 12.5" > prototype first to test some ideas. Now that I can > design in 3D using Solidworks on the computer (and my > wife got a new job, hurrah!), I'm ready to tackle the > project without having to build a "me too" design- > what some of us call "S.O.S." (I'll tell you > off-list...) > I've had my fill of Dobsonians (nothing against them, > but it's time for me to move on) and want to go the > split-ring route, with some variations, to facilitate > imaging without resorting to field de-rotators, odd, > multi-axis mounts, or digitally controlled stepper > motors. > > I'm not interested in equatorial platforms, but please > relate your thoughts if to do with large, portable > Newtonians on true equatorials. Say, 12.5" and up. > Likes, dislikes, engineering ideas, wish list items. > > Thanks! > > > > __________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard. > http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com >

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Looking for Opinions
by Robert Taylor 30 Aug '05

30 Aug '05

Cynthia: I usually reserve my very few comments to star party information; this is the Utah astronomy still board, right? I have no objections to other science related topics, even the ID vs. evolution debate. However, I'd suggest we draw the line a politics, more and more people are adding political comments along with their science related comments, let's set up a separate board for that. That way if people want to subject themselves to political arguments they can do so willingly and knowingly. Mixing science, religion, and politics is a bit much. Let's at least endeavor to keep this an astronomy/science board. Bob Taylor

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Southern Utah
by Barney B. 30 Aug '05

30 Aug '05

>From todays St. George "Spectrum" Newspaper: Cedar Breaks to host star-gazing event CEDAR BREAKS NATIONAL MONUMENT - On Saturday and again on Sept. 3, the public is invited to attend a star-gazing event at Cedar Breaks National Monument. The free events will begin with a slide presentation at the Cedar Breaks Visitor Center at 8 p.m. Weather permitting, viewing of the night sky will begin at dusk and last until at least 11 p.m. Visitors can join National Park Service Ranger Janet Megee and Steven Overholt of the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers on Saturday. Ranger Jeremy Jeppson will assist Overholt on Sept. 3 for an evening of celestial wonders. An array of telescopes will be located at the Point Supreme Overlook, adjacent to the visitor center, for use by visitors attending these events. Visitors are encouraged to dress warmly, as nighttime temperatures could be in the mid- to upper-30's. Bring a thermos with warm beverages and folding chairs, if you wish. Flashlights are a good idea to assist you in finding your way to and from your car, but visitors are asked to leave flashlights turned off at the observation site. Cloudy skies may limit night sky viewing, but the slide presentation will still take place in the visitor center. Questions regarding the night sky presentations may be directed to the Cedar Breaks Administrative Office at 586-9451. Cedar Breaks National Monument is located 23 miles east of Cedar City on Highway 148 between Highway 14 and Brian Head.

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Looking for Opinions
by Olhomorto＠aol.com 30 Aug '05

30 Aug '05

I have very much enjoyed reading many of the posts to the recent threads. Some of them helped me better articulate my points of view when discussing them with other people. Other posts helped me understand opposing points of view much better, as well. I think the "delete" key is a great tool when I don't have the time or interest to keep reading. It is a little bit like the channel change button for my TV. It's nice to have the opportunity and choice about what I see on the website. I would fee the lack if we began to suppress the kinds of threads we've seen recently. Mike Bailey

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Looking for Opinions
by Michael Carnes 30 Aug '05

30 Aug '05

Hi Cynthia, I think the list is self-regulating for the most part. Usually when we go off in the weeds it's because of an insufficiency of astronomy--bad weather, long work days, etc. The evolutionary thread appears to be dying a natural death now, so there's probably no need to hit it with the morphine. While it's been extraordinarily long-lived, it was also important, I think. We're all interested and involved in science, and this thread centered on the validity of legislating scientific truth. That affects all of us, and it's pretty hard to hold back. Once in a while, someone gets inadvertently rubbed the wrong way, but most contributors sense when to back off the throttle (did I mix that metaphor enough?). But I think it's good for you to ask the overall sense of the list. Michael P.S. Perhaps a Utah-astronomy-vent list is in order. -------------------------------- I'm just curious what the general thoughts are of those on the list. I'd appreciate some input... you all can reply onlist or privately to me if you like. Has the subject matter on the list moved away from Astronomy too much for your liking? Do you not read most of the emails from the list anymore? Would you prefer to snuff out the political/evolutionary/etc content, and just read about Astronomy? Thanks! Cynthia _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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