May 2012 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

oh boy! okay, i need a little help here...
by Chrismo 17 May '12

17 May '12

So I'm giddy as a schoolgirl. I got real lucky and found a super-sweet heavy tripod on ksl.com for my Chuck Hards sun spotting scope. It's awesome and it was only $50. That's not the problem. I also got my awesome Orion glass solar filter for my Dob, and a "True 2" 2-inch prime focus adapter for my DSLR. I took it all out for a spin this afternoon and the results were awesome, until I tried to focus the sun with the camera attachment. From what I'm reading, I think I may need an extension tube to get the camera further from the secondary. Anyone have any experience with this? Anyone know where I can buy a 2" extension tube locally? Anyone have a spare they can loan me to see if that's what my problem is? Any input would be appreciated! -- Chrismo I fix things, all kinds of things... (801) 897-9075

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St. George eclipse viewing.
by Daniel Holmes 17 May '12

17 May '12

Gang, I've got a friend of mine that lives in St. George...due to other commitments, they can't go too far away. Anyone know of any viewing groups down that way? Thanks, Dan -- Daniel Holmes, danielh(a)holmesonics.com "Laugh while you can, monkey boy!" -- Lord John Whorfin

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Eclipse Time
by Craig Smith 17 May '12

17 May '12

I noticed the timestamp in KSL's simulation of the upcoming solar eclipse is an hour ahead, apparently not compensating for DST. http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=20294865&pid=1 If I'm misreading something let me know, but if anyone has any ins with them you might suggest they correct it. Craig

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NASA Goodies at tomorrow's SLAS meeting
by Patrick Wiggins 16 May '12

16 May '12

A couple of boxes of goodies from NASA have arrived for distribution to SLASers and the public. The boxes contain Venus transit wall charts, eclipse viewing glasses and Sun-related events bookmarks. This shipment contains only 200 of each (I hope to get more before the transit) so only one of each item per person please at tomorrow's SLAS meeting as I need to pass some out to public at the eclipse and at the museum's Transit Watch. Meeting info here: http://slas.us/displayevent.asp?EventID=1837 patrick (T-minus 5 days and counting)

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Following up on lastnight in Zion...
by Chrismo 16 May '12

16 May '12

The following was written by John DuCrest about our experience with the students from Ogden lastnight at Zion... What a night! 25 honor students from Ogden came down to Springdale to experience nature, the night sky... And to do some home work. Myself and 2 other amateur astronomers (Chrismo and Dave) joined them and we pointed 6 telescopes into the darkness to see what we could see. Before the darkness fell though, we pointed our telescopes towards the sun, (Baader and Orion Solar Filters were used). It was the first time in my life, and I assume all of the students lives had the chance to view our amazing star. We saw her brilliance cast over Zion Canyon, at a time when Solar Flair’s are at their maximum. What a sight, we were preview to a Sun Spot 1/2 the size of Saturn... Unbelievable. We took a small break then resumed at night fall. Chris, Dave and I began our slewing... First to Venus as she kissed the horizon, her crescent ways reminded us of the moon. Mars was next, his dim orange / red glow taught us how small he my be, but how powerful he is in the night sky. We located DSO's like Double Stars and the bee hive cluster. Some Messier objects were more elusive that anticipated but the night was young (for us AA's ;). But youth is impatient so we all chose to give the coup de grâce. My friends, this is how it happened; the first to see her were awe inspired, taunting others a closer view. Her rings that night shined as bright as the moon on the clearest of nights. One after another looked through the eye pieces, wondering if what they were seeing was really in the night sky or not. It was real though, in fact it was palpable. I was honored to share this experience with them, and my new friends. John DuCrest

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] ...Meade ETX 125
by Wayne Sumner 16 May '12

16 May '12

HELP! I'm trying to sell an ETX 125 for the widow of a former OAS member (I put it on ksl.com for her). I have a buyer lined up for $450, but his offer is contingent on the Autostar electronics working right. Is anyone out there familiar with the Meade Autostar and how it is supposed to work? I put fresh batteries in the telescope base, turned on the power switch, and it runs the altitude motor for one second, pauses for one second, runs for one second, pauses for one second, continuing until the finder bracket hits the fork frame. My cell phone is (801) 721-5852. Thanks, Wayne Sumner CTE teacher: Astronomy & Engineering Boy's Tennis Coach cell: (801) 721-5852 ________________________________________ From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com [utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com] on behalf of Don J. Colton [djcolton(a)piol.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 10:29 AM To: 'Utah Astronomy' Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] ...Losmandy G11 Hi Steve, I had one and sold it. If you plan to do imaging it is a better platform than the Celestron CGEM. However, for visual work only, I would get the CGEM since it is much less expensive, easier to use and has better pointing accuracy without the need for precise polar alignment - good for quick viewing or public star parties. Unless you do a very careful polar alignment with the G-11, its pointing accuracy is not that good. The Hand control interface on the G-11 is more difficult to master than the Celestron hand control. Clear Skies, Don Colton -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of gazebo4sale(a)comcast.net Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 8:42 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] ...Losmandy G11 Hello, I am considering buying a Losmandy G11. I am contemplating de-forking my Nexstar GPS 11. I have never seen a G11. Does anyone have one and would you be interested in allowing me to see it in action? Thanks Steve Gallenson ----- Original Message ----- From: "Chrismo" <djchrismo(a)gmail.com> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2012 8:57:00 AM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] oh boy! okay, i need a little help here... Thanks Erik, I'd like to take you up on that offer. Can I possibly meet up with you today anytime, or tomorrow before I leave around 11 am? Please call or text me (801-897-9075) and I will be glad to come pick it up. Thanks! On Sat, May 12, 2012 at 8:51 AM, <erikhansen(a)thebluezone.net> wrote: > >Lumicon is the only one I know that sells 2" extension tubes. I have one > if you would like to test it out, I would probably let you borrow it if > you need it for the eclipse. > > > So I'm giddy as a schoolgirl. I got real lucky and found a super-sweet > > heavy tripod on ksl.com for my Chuck Hards sun spotting scope. It's > > awesome and it was only $50. That's not the problem. > > > > I also got my awesome Orion glass solar filter for my Dob, and a "True 2" > > 2-inch prime focus adapter for my DSLR. I took it all out for a spin > this > > afternoon and the results were awesome, until I tried to focus the sun > > with > > the camera attachment. From what I'm reading, I think I may need an > > extension tube to get the camera further from the secondary. Anyone have > > any experience with this? Anyone know where I can buy a 2" extension tube > > locally? Anyone have a spare they can loan me to see if that's what my > > problem is? > > > > Any input would be appreciated! > > > > -- > > Chrismo > > I fix things, all kinds of things... > > > > > > (801) 897-9075 > > _______________________________________________ > > 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". > -- Chrismo I fix things, all kinds of things... Club Allure Sandy, UT (801) 897-9075 _______________________________________________ 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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Comments to "Joe's & Patrick's" big adventure story
by Patrick Wiggins 15 May '12

15 May '12

The first one appears to have been written by Dave B. :) http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=20421743&comments=true patrick

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Did you see this?
by Steve Fisher 15 May '12

15 May '12

http://www.kutv.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_763.shtml It's all Patricks fault.

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Annular eclipse weather forecast
by Ian Glenn 15 May '12

15 May '12

Hi all, We probably all have our own favorite weather sites, but I've asked SLC's own weather expert Prof. Jim Steenburgh to do a forecast on his blog and he agreed. http://wasatchweatherweenies.blogspot.com/2012/05/eclipse-weather-outlook.h… He usually does ski weather forecasts which are quite good, as well as large scale dust transport forecasting which may or may not be an interesting part of observing this low altitude eclipse in southern Utah. Ian

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Article about Bryce astronomy in SL Trib.
by Daniel Holmes 14 May '12

14 May '12

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/lifestyle/54090449-80/bryce-park-canyon-astron… Dan -- Daniel Holmes, danielh(a)holmesonics.com "Laugh while you can, monkey boy!" -- Lord John Whorfin

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