November 2011 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Saw YU55. Pretty cool.
by Dave Gary 09 Nov '11

09 Nov '11

Watched it for about 45 minutes. It is really zipping along. Looked like a faint star. Put it in the extreme left field of view in a 2” 32mm eyepiece, then ran over to the next-door neighbor’s house, asked them if they wanted to see it, ran back to the scope and YU55 was just exiting the right field of view of the eyepiece. Of course, I haven’t run in about 35 years, so that may have something to do with it. Anyway it was hauling a lot faster than me. RTGUI put it right in the center of the field of view to start. Great program. Free. Points better than my expensive planetarium programs. Dave

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First frost!
by Patrick Wiggins 09 Nov '11

09 Nov '11

I just went out and closed the observatory and when I did I found the first frost of the season all over the scope and dew cap. Fortunately not on the corrector (owing to a VERY long dew cap). I much prefer First Light to First Frost but I guess it had to happen sooner or later. Night all! patrick

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ATM reminder
by Hutchings, Mat (H USA) 09 Nov '11

09 Nov '11

Just a reminder that the next ATM session is this Saturday from 9:00 AM to noonish. As usual, email me off list at mat.hutchings(a)siemens.com and I will give you directions to my house. Mat ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- This message and any included attachments are from Siemens Medical Solutions and are intended only for the addressee(s). The information contained herein may include trade secrets or privileged or otherwise confidential information. Unauthorized review, forwarding, printing, copying, distributing, or using such information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you received this message in error, or have reason to believe you are not authorized to receive it, please promptly delete this message and notify the sender by e-mail with a copy to Central.SecurityOffice(a)siemens.com Thank you

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Spotty Sun
by D P Pierce 09 Nov '11

09 Nov '11

http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime/realtime-update.html Deloy Pierce

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Green Laser Pointers $4.99
by Jorge Gutierrez 09 Nov '11

09 Nov '11

Alright, next time we go out observing im taking my 1 watt and 300mw lasers, who wants to play laser tag with them?

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455 images
by Patrick Wiggins 08 Nov '11

08 Nov '11

455 imagers of 2005 YU55. Whew! That thing is really moving. And bright! Even showed up well in 1" exposures. No luck eyeballing it through the C5 though. Just not enough aperture and too much moonlight. Other projects to work now but will post images later tonight. patrick

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Annular from highway 56
by Patrick Wiggins 08 Nov '11

08 Nov '11

Forwarded with permission from Brent Watson: On 24 Sep 2011, at 19:29, Brent Watson wrote: > Patrick, > > I was driving west along Utah 56 yesterday and took these photos. They start just after getting out of the mountains west of Cedar City and end just before Modina. The horizon was accurately measured to less than one finger width held at arm's length in every photo. > > I would not recommend going to Modina. It is a good place to visit, but not for very long. Every time I have been there (3 or 4) I am followed or watched closely by those who have a differing viewpoint on monogamy. > > By the way, the Escalante Valley Elementary School is at Beryl Junction. Not saying to, but a school star party may be possible. > > Brent I've posted two of his pictures here: http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/temp/brenthwy56-01.jpg Remember that the centerline follows highway 56 so I'm thinking anywhere along the highway should work, especially now that I see how low the horizon is. Thanks Brent for the report. patrick

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Jupiter transit and GRS, Thurs Nov. 3 and Fri Nov. 5
by Canopus56 08 Nov '11

08 Nov '11

Ian, Glad you had a good time with it. One last peak before the winter season sets in. The clouds were too thick last night, so I didn't try. - Kurt

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Winter Observing
by Larry Holmes 08 Nov '11

08 Nov '11

Jay, I must be a wimp. I remember attending a session at Kimball Junction for the Swanner Nature Preserve people. There were about 5 of us, including our esteemed out going club president (RF). I was wearing my Sorrels (with the extra inner felt liner under the foot--very much recommended), insulated Carhart coveralls, fleece lined pants, don't remember about the uppers, but would guess a wool shirt and a fleece over that, my ski hat (you lose more of your body heat through the uncovered scalp than just about any where else on the body), my duck hunting mittens (which have a slot across the palm to let your fingers out--and I had my silk inner ski glove liners on them!). Anyway, I think it was about -5 F when we closed down. It was so cold I could not loosen the bolts holding my Nexstar to the mount (I added an Allen wrench to my 'scope tool kit), so, just closed the legs and put the whole rig into the back of the Yukon. Comfortable? I just about froze my butt off! That, of course, was due to lack of movement. If I had had to walk, or do something like snow- hoeing (typo, but it begs the question: ever try gardening in the winter?) Any form of exercise would have had me shedding clothing. Been there, done that. 73, lh

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solar halo
by Chuck Hards 08 Nov '11

08 Nov '11

Big, bright solar halo visible from here in NSL this AM, with a hint of sun dogs. There's a lot of ice crystals at altitude.

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