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

Fw: Part Time Teaching Position
by Richard Tenney 04 May '11

04 May '11

--- On Tue, 5/3/11, Leitch, Michael <MLeitch(a)academyart.edu> wrote: From: Leitch, Michael <MLeitch(a)academyart.edu> Subject: Part Time Teaching Position To: "retenney(a)yahoo.com" <retenney(a)yahoo.com> Date: Tuesday, May 3, 2011, 10:07 AM Hi Rich, I hope you're the right person to receive this on behalf of UVAA: The Academy of Art University, based in San Francisco, has an open position this summer for an online instructor of basic astronomy. The course content is standard first-year material for non-science majors; there is no math prerequisite. The course textbook is The Cosmos (Pasachoff & Filippenko), 3rd edition. Minimum qualifications: a bachelor degree in astronomy, or physics with significant experience in astronomy, experience teaching first-year astronomy in the classroom, some online learning experience (teaching experience preferred), and reliable Internet access throughout the semester. This part-time work is ideal for someone in semiretirement, graduate school, or between jobs. The position may or may not extend into the 2011-2012 school year. Pay depends on experience. The summer semester runs from June 20 through August 10. Interested applicants should send me a brief email and attach a resume. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I may be reached by phone 10 AM – 6 PM Mountain time. Feel free to forward or post this information. Michael Leitch Math/Science Coordinator Academy of Art University 491 Post Street San Francisco, CA 94102 (435) 865-1114 (415) 981-9316 [fax]

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Four-Planet Dance of 2011
by Canopus56 03 May '11

03 May '11

Misc imaging notes Prior post should have referenced: Venus on two nights processed by adding layers method http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=4232 (Two Venus's are faintly seen in the lower right-hand corner. Close inspection of the horizon line at the mountains reveals two horizons. Sky and the moon are disproportionately dark.) The prior post errorneously referenced - http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=4229 - Kurt

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Four-Planet Dance of 2011
by Canopus56 03 May '11

03 May '11

Misc image processing notes - how to combine multiple exposures of one planet on a single image. Combining images of a single planet on one wide field base image from multiple nights (in order to show a planet's positional change) presents some digital processing problems, which are discussed here. If the images are added, slight variations in the camera's position will result in two horizons overlapping at the far ends of the image. Also, the sky will progressively darken as each dark sky is added together. Another image processing method works around these problems, using GIMP or Adobe Photoshop: 1) Make your first wide-field planetary image the lower background. 2) Add the second image as a new layer; this layer is positioned as the top layer. Set the new layer to opacity 60%. 3) Store a second copy of this image below the background layer. 4) Select the new top layer (that contains the second night's image), and move and rotate the top layer so the horizon matches the bottom background layer as best as possible. 5) Add a layer mask set for ``full opacity'' to the top layer. ``Full opacity'' means any white on the layer mask will result in the top layer showing through. Black painting on the mask will make that portion of the top layer invisible. Experiment with your layer settings and paint colors until you get it right. 6) Now paint just the new planet's position so the planet will show through the layer mask. You are painting just a small circle around the planet in order to trigger opacity on the layer mask. 7) Select the planet on the top layer using a circle selection tool. Invert the selection of the planet on the top layer. Flood fill the remainder of the layer (everything but the planet) with the applicable foreground or background color so that the rest of the second image becomes invisible. 8) Apply the layer mask. 9) Reset the top layer's opacity to 100%. With the layer mask, only the second night's planet will be visible. Adjust the brightness of the top layer so the brightness of the planet on the second night reflects the observed relative naked-eye brightness. Examples: Venus on two nights processed by adding layers method http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=4229 (Two Venus's are faintly seen in the lower right-hand corner. Close inspection of the horizon line at the mountains reveals two horizons. Sky and the moon are disproportionately dark.) Venus on two nights processed using the layer mask method http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=4235 (Two Venus's are faintly, but more easily seen in the lower right-hand corner. The Venus's are better balanced in brightness. No errors in the horizon line or distortions in sky or lunar brightness.) Presumably, the same technique can be used to merge two telescopic exposures of bright and dim planet (Venus and Jupiter) in the same field of view into one image. - Clear Skies - Kurt

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Wednesday and Thursday nights
by Joe Bauman 03 May '11

03 May '11

Hi Friends! Wednesday and Thursday nights look pretty good (knock on wood). I'll probably head to Lakeside both nights. Would anyone else like to go? Thanks, Joe

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Zoom Binoculars
by Troy Davidson 02 May '11

02 May '11

I'm looking at getting a new pair of binoculars. My son unscrewed my current pair and messed up the alignment of them. I'm looking at some zooming binoculars. But, I read that these aren't all that great for star viewing. Is that true? What are peoples opinions on zoom binoculars for astro viewing? Thanks. ++++++++++++++++++ Troy Davidson, KF7MTE www.istroyworking.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Utah-Astronomy Digest, Vol 99, Issue 4
by Michael Vanopstall 02 May '11

02 May '11

Hi, Joe -- Sadly, not a lot to report. The night was a clear one, and in the end, neither windy nor particularly cold. I was pretty overdressed. I ended up not staying out too long. Combination of factors. It seemed like whatever I was looking for was in a place that made the eyepiece position really awkward. The Zodiacal light was very pronounced, and probably a highlight. This time of year that early in the night, there's not really any Milky Way band to speak of. I found 6-7 new objects, and then visited some old ones. The ground was already dry and very dusty, almost no humidity. Still, the Hercules cluster was not naked eye, even with effort. I feel like in most of my experience at Lakeside, this is not too hard to see without help. The non-Messier member of the "Leo Trio" did not exactly jump out and bite me. Maybe I'm just out of practice. Anyhow, as much as I wanted to stay out, laziness got the best of me. I was tired of awkward positions (I never used to polar-align. Why do I do it now if it makes things so uncomfortable?), had stuff to do this morning, was curious about the news unfolding on the radio just as I was arriving out there, etc. I probably would have spent another hour if I had brought binoculars, but I didn't. In a word, if I knew conditions were going to be as good again, I'd give it another go tonight. Oh, and I actually saw one of the coyotes that you always hear out there... ---- Rev. Michael A. van Opstall Department of Mathematics, University of Utah Office: JWB 313 opstall(a)math.utah.edu

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Zoom Binoculars
by Chuck Hards 02 May '11

02 May '11

Sort of. I have parts sets for several, but not a lot of time to assemble them. On 5/2/11, Rob Ratkowski Photography <ratkwski(a)hawaii.rr.com> wrote: > Chuck, you still making the bino mounts ???

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anyone out tonight (May 1)?
by Michael Vanopstall 02 May '11

02 May '11

Hello -- I haven't been out in a while, and I'd very much like to go to Lakeside tonight. Just curious if anyone else was planning on going out there that I would be annoying. For once, I'll probably be out at about sunset to get an early start, but maybe not stay out all night. Thanks. ---- Rev. Michael A. van Opstall Department of Mathematics, University of Utah Office: JWB 313 opstall(a)math.utah.edu

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Utah-Astronomy Digest, Vol 99, Issue 1
by Michael Vanopstall 02 May '11

02 May '11

Jay -- Thanks for the suggestion. I have a 6" scope, so that's out of my range. I was sort of looking for suggestions. I've done the Messiers, Caldwells visible from 40 N, and the Herschels, but there are about 30 objects in Steve O'Meara's "Hidden Treasures" book that I haven't seen. I probably mix some of those in with a mini-Messier marathon. It's been a long time since I looked at Messiers, and it sounds like fun. Just feels like a good night for the desert and some clear skies. On Sun, 1 May 2011, utah-astronomy-request(a)mailman.xmission.com wrote: > ------------------------------ > > Michael, > > You should take a moment and head to NGC 3972 in UMa. Listed about 14th mag. > but visual observers are seeing it in 10 and 12 inch dobs so it would be > worth a try. Reports have it as a stellar object. > > On Sun, May 1, 2011 at 3:49 PM, Jay Eads <jayleads(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> Michael, >> >> Wish I could. Looks a little windy but other than that transparency is >> excellent, seeing is good and humidity is low. Should be a wonderful night. >> Man, I wish we had had good weather every day this last week. >> >> Jay >> >> >> On Sun, May 1, 2011 at 2:43 PM, Michael Vanopstall <opstall(a)math.utah.edu>wrote: >> >>> Hello -- >>> >>> I haven't been out in a while, and I'd very much like to go to Lakeside >>> tonight. Just curious if anyone else was planning on going out there that I >>> would be annoying. For once, I'll probably be out at about sunset to get an >>> early start, but maybe not stay out all night. >>> >>> Thanks. >>> >>> ---- >>> Rev. Michael A. van Opstall >>> Department of Mathematics, University of Utah >>> Office: JWB 313 >>> opstall(a)math.utah.edu >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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.slas.us/gallery2/main.php >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> Jay Eads >> > > > > -- > Jay Eads > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > 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.slas.us/gallery2/main.php > > End of Utah-Astronomy Digest, Vol 99, Issue 1 > ********************************************* > ---- Rev. Michael A. van Opstall Department of Mathematics, University of Utah Office: JWB 313 opstall(a)math.utah.edu

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5 dachshunds!
by Dave Gary 01 May '11

01 May '11

Chuck, Sorry about the house. That sucks. My wife still puts up with me. We both question her sanity on that one. We’ve been together so long we, basically, do our own thing. It just happens to be in the same house. We’re content. Going our separate ways would require too much effort. Little effort is my mantra these days. I thought I was crazy with two dachshunds, but five? Your brother has a lot of Zen. Too bad you won’t be at the conference. I’m taking a couple of days off to wander up there. The wife’s coming along to be the social ambassador. She says I’d piss too many people off if I went there alone. It’s nice to be loved. Hopefully, I’ll learn a lot. The brain needs a reboot. Maybe Patrick will drink with me. Heck, come to think of it, all booze is either fruits or vegetables. Sort of. For some reason, the mental picture of Patrick belting down a jigger of Jack makes me laugh. Sorry, Patrick. Dave

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