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School Star Party May 19th in Orem
by John M. Craig 08 May '17

08 May '17

Hi Folks, Hoping some of you will join me for a star party at Lakeridge Junior High in Orem on the 19th. At this point we do not have a fall-back date in case of bad weather; I'm hoping to work that out, but haven't got anything nailed down yet. At any rate, I wanted to give time for planning (I hope 2 weeks is enough!). Lakeridge Junior High is at 951 S 400 W (If coming from any distance, you can get off the freeway at the UVU/University Parkway exit, go up to top of hill and take a left on 400 W -- be careful; it's a bit tricky to see oncoming traffic; go "straight" at round-about; the school's on your right in a few blocks.) Best parking is around back off 900 South. I do not suggest trying to go around the south side of the school (much more awkward). Last year we set up on the track behind the school; that worked out pretty well and we picked up a few late evening exercisers as well as the school kids and families. The track is just south of the parking off 900 S and we'll want to set up along the edge because there will be walkers and joggers on the track (some people have odd hobbies). Light pollution is extensive and the moon won't be up until past these kids' bedtime so we'll hope to give some good view of Jupiter and whatever brighter/higher-contrast DSO's you can find. (Not sure if Saturn will be over the mountains before things break up.) At any rate, I'd love to have everyone who came last year (if you can make it), plus several more--we have both science teachers putting out the word this time, so expect more people than last time by around double. I'd appreciate your letting me know if you will be coming, just so I can panic if no one's available! (Actually so I can give everyone a go/no-go weather update on the 19th along with exchanging cell phone numbers.) I plan to have two scopes, but if it's at all windy, it'll probably be just one. I don't have a Facebook account (shocking, really) so if someone would post this over on the Utah Valley Astro club's Facebook page, that'd be great. Thanks much! John

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The new observatory building
by Joe Bauman 07 May '17

07 May '17

Hi friends, I think all who are interested in Utah astronomy may care about the construction of this new observatory building, whether you are members of SLAS or not. Thanks, Joe http://the-nightly-news.com/blog/blog-15-building-the-observatory

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Mike's telescope
by Joe Bauman 06 May '17

06 May '17

Hi Folks, this article is in today's Deseret News and also on line at: http://tinyurl.com/maplsps Many thanks to Mike Clements for the interview and to Charlie Green for the photography. -- Joe Sent from my iPhone

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May the 4th Be With You
by Ed 04 May '17

04 May '17

For SW fans: http://www.techconnect.com/article/2291819/data-center/data-center-151337-1… Ed

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Today's Google Doodle
by Chuck Hards 26 Apr '17

26 Apr '17

If you haven't seen it yet, it's an animated cartoon homage to Cassini. Cute.

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Found some cool galaxies in Antlia, Eastern Hydra, and Corvus
by astrodeb＠beyondbb.com 25 Apr '17

25 Apr '17

Hi! I went up to Mountain Meadows Wednesday night cause the skies were clear and it was too hot in St George. I got the 15" Obsession out for the first time this year. Bad weather and allergies have taken their toll on observing so I was eager to get out. In Eastern Hydra I viewed the big galaxy NGC 3109. At 11.2 mag it is big. A whopping 11.0' X 2.0' the light is so widespread. Looks like a fainter version of NGC 55. NGC 3511 and NGC 3513 make a good pair of galaxies. NGC 3511 is a 12th mag. I don't know what the magnitude of the other galaxy is. Maybe a little fainter. Need to look it up on google. NGC 2997 in Antlia is one showpiece of a galaxy. Oh my gosh, why haven't I viewed this one before! I've had my 15" scope nearly 20 years and have never viewed it before. It's been hiding in its southern declination of -31 11' in Antlia. It's a bright face-on spiral with a mag of 10.1 and a size of 8.9' X 6.8'. Here is Rob Gendler's photo of this nice galaxy. http://www.robgendlerastropics.com/NGC2997.html NGC 3621 is another bright Sc or Sd type spiral. It measures 5.0' X 2.0' and shines at mag 10.6. I could get a good view in my refractor as well, it is bright. NGC 4038-4039 is one of my favorite galaxies in the Southern Spring sky. I love the Hubble image of this 11th mag galaxy. Their fuzzy lopsided shapes are clearly visible on a good night. This one measures 5.2' X 3.1'. Not far from the Antennae galaxies is NGC 4027, a "C" shaped galaxy. It's a barred spiral galaxy with a mag of 11.7. It measures 3.2' X 2.4'. Not far off is NGC 3887. I expected a fainter spiral galaxy but I was surprised at how bright it looked. It shines at 10.6 mag and has a size of 3.5' X 2.7'. It was worth looking up. I need to finish with Virgo, Canes Venaciti, and Ursa Major. Wind, clouds, and a dead battery on the NGC-Max ended my session too soon. I can't wait to go back there. Debbie

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Found some cool galaxies in Antlia, Eastern Hydra, and Corvus
by dunndave 22 Apr '17

22 Apr '17

Sounds like you had fun. Dave Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone -------- Original message --------From: astrodeb(a)beyondbb.com Date: 4/22/17 16:40 (GMT-07:00) To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Found some cool galaxies in Antlia, Eastern Hydra, and Corvus Hi! I went up to Mountain Meadows Wednesday night cause the skies were clear and it was too hot in St George. I got the 15" Obsession out for the first time this year. Bad weather and allergies have taken their toll on observing so I was eager to get out. In Eastern Hydra I viewed the big galaxy NGC 3109. At 11.2 mag it is big. A whopping 11.0' X 2.0' the light is so widespread. Looks like a fainter version of NGC 55. NGC 3511 and NGC 3513 make a good pair of galaxies. NGC 3511 is a 12th mag. I don't know what the magnitude of the other galaxy is. Maybe a little fainter. Need to look it up on google. NGC 2997 in Antlia is one showpiece of a galaxy. Oh my gosh, why haven't I viewed this one before! I've had my 15" scope nearly 20 years and have never viewed it before. It's been hiding in its southern declination of -31 11' in Antlia. It's a bright face-on spiral with a mag of 10.1 and a size of 8.9' X 6.8'. Here is Rob Gendler's photo of this nice galaxy. http://www.robgendlerastropics.com/NGC2997.html NGC 3621 is another bright Sc or Sd type spiral. It measures 5.0' X 2.0' and shines at mag 10.6. I could get a good view in my refractor as well, it is bright. NGC 4038-4039 is one of my favorite galaxies in the Southern Spring sky. I love the Hubble image of this 11th mag galaxy. Their fuzzy lopsided shapes are clearly visible on a good night. This one measures 5.2' X 3.1'. Not far from the Antennae galaxies is NGC 4027, a "C" shaped galaxy. It's a barred spiral galaxy with a mag of 11.7. It measures 3.2' X 2.4'. Not far off is NGC 3887. I expected a fainter spiral galaxy but I was surprised at how bright it looked. It shines at 10.6 mag and has a size of 3.5' X 2.7'. It was worth looking up. I need to finish with Virgo, Canes Venaciti, and Ursa Major. Wind, clouds, and a dead battery on the NGC-Max ended my session too soon. I can't wait to go back there. Debbie _______________________________________________ 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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Work has begun!
by Patrick Wiggins 11 Apr '17

11 Apr '17

SPOC Update Some serious work has begun on the new building and associated paved areas at SPOC. Aerial and ground level pictures of yesterday’s work are now available on SLAS Talk: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SLAS.Talk It’s been a long time since I’ve been so happy to see holes in the ground. :) patrick

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Happy Birthday Joe Bauman!
by chuck.hards 10 Apr '17

10 Apr '17

And many more, my friend! Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

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designs for 25 X 100 binocs
by Sue Ellen Ebertz 06 Apr '17

06 Apr '17

Thanks everyone, for your kind replies. Best, Shoshana

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