- Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Retail astronomy in Utah
by Dion Davidson 09 Jul '13

09 Jul '13

I wanted to probe the collective memory of this group to find out about retail astronomy in Utah. I know the Clark Planetarium sells a few telescopes in its store. I know Inkley's on 21st S used to have a small telescope selection and a cabinet of cool accessories and eyepieces. Have there been any other examples of telescopes for sale in Utah? I'm not talking about classified ads or online sales, but the real-life, touch-and-see-before-you-buy kind. I guess I'm wondering why there isn't a telescope store here, like OPT or ScopeCity. We have darker skies (or easier access to them) than most of the places where those retail stores are located. We have, it seems, a large community of science-loving, earth-friendly (and sky friendly) people who might patronize such an establishment. And considering the cost of many good telescopes and accessories it seems that some of us might be more inclined to buy if we could see it and touch it and heft it and try it out before we commit. No wonder the lesser-quality telescopes on display at big box stores and toy stores sell - you can put a bow on them! Just wondering. Dion “I thought the telescope was broken, but upon further looking into it, I found out it was not.”

6 9

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Observing Tonight and Pictures of Faust/Pony Express Road
by John M. Craig 09 Jul '13

09 Jul '13

Sounds fun. Not sure I can make it, but may give it a try. Got all kinds of family/work complications; we'll see how they turn out. John

1 0

Observing Tonight and Pictures of Faust/Pony Express Road
by Jay Eads 09 Jul '13

09 Jul '13

I am going observing tonight since it looks to be the best of nights this week. I will also probably go observing on Wednesday but tonight looks to be the best. I am either going to Pit n Pole or to Vernon and am wondering if anyone wants to join me? If not that is fine as I have some new astronomy podcasts to listen to and some great new classical music also. Also on the forum I posted pictures of the Faust/Pony Express Road redo, making it into gravel. I traveled on it out to my land last week and the whole road is not done. The road is open, at least when they are not working. Not sure what they are doing when they are working though. I drove my car at 40mph and it as fine but I wouldn't drive directly behind someone. My Pathfinder drives it at 45mph though 35mph is the posted speed limit. Here is the link to the post on the forum I did with pictures of the Faust Road do over: http://astronomyinutah.forumer.com/faust-road-pony-express-road-make-over-p… So if your interested in a mid-week observing session let me know which works better, Vernon or Pit n Pole. I have to be home at 11:00a.m. on Wed. and am working on a 18 page paper so I am leaning heavily to the Pit n Pole since I can come home when I am done.

2 1

This afternoon: NASA to Discuss Mars 2020 Plans
by Patrick Wiggins 09 Jul '13

09 Jul '13

NASA to Discuss Mars 2020 Plans http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2013-214&cid=release_2013-214 patrick

1 0

Today's Google Logo
by Rodger C. Fry 08 Jul '13

08 Jul '13

If you haven't Googled today, you might want to look at their very appropriate logo. Enjoy Rodger C. Fry

2 1

Re: [Utah-astronomy] Today's Google Logo
by Joe Bauman 08 Jul '13

08 Jul '13

Nice! ------------------------------ On Mon, Jul 8, 2013 5:58 PM MDT Rodger C. Fry wrote: >If you haven't Googled today, you might want to look at their very >appropriate logo. > > > >Enjoy > >Rodger C. Fry > >_______________________________________________ >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".

1 0

Retail Astronomy in Utah
by jcarman6＠q.com 08 Jul '13

08 Jul '13

I always had a bad attitude about Scoop City. (Old SLAS joke, but based on real event). For a number a years a group of SLAS members attended the Riverside Telescope Makers Convention in Big Bear, California in mass. Back then (80s) all the dealers would set up booths and you could get all kinds of accessories or scopes at bargain basement prices - not to mention the swap meet (opps I mentioned it). Worth the trip in and of it self. Got my 10X50 binos from Celestron for $30. Well, one year one of the dealers had a hugh selection of eyes pieces for incredible prices, but before anyone could get to the booth, Scope City bought EVERYTHING and turned around and tried to sell it to the attendees at twice the price. The situation spread like wildfire through the attendees and Scoop City ended up taking a lot of accessories back to their stores. I know that was ages ago, but always had a bad feeling about the company ever since. The fact they have failed to send the final scope today just bolsters the history. Hate to see Meade going in the same direction, but that's what happens when it is just business for profit.

1 0

Meade now contemplating bankruptcy instead of selloff
by Chuck Hards 08 Jul '13

08 Jul '13

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/wires?id=187471762&c=y Some of what the article states doesn't square with what I see.

1 0

Rain at New Moon
by Chuck Hards 07 Jul '13

07 Jul '13

I have a rain gauge in my backyard. For the entire month of June, I recorded *zero* precipitation. The first *week* of July saw a total of just a tad over 2 inches, in total! My prediction is that the next two weekends will see perfectly cloudless skies. As we pass third quarter, the monsoons will return. :-(

1 0

Comet Hamner-Brown
by Jay Eads 06 Jul '13

06 Jul '13

Kitt Peak has confirmed the discovery of a new comet, Hamner-Brown that is out beyond Neptune. It looks to be approaching the Sun next February and the scary part is Kitt is calculating that this may be a impacter with Earth on the way back out. Harvard is listing Hamner-Brown as a 6 right now on the Torrino Scale. Both discoverers are amateurs, Hamner owns a major soap company out of California and Brown is a student in Iowa who ground his mirror and built his own scope. This is one to watch, not for the show, but if impact does occur, it will be devastating. So, this isn't true but is based on events in a famous Sci-Fi Book. Can anyone name the book? Also, if you guess correct, please pick an astronomical event from a book or movie and do a reply to this to see if others can guess. If you know your right, then do your post. Hopefully this will be kinda of fun.

4 5