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Astronomy Technology.
by Daniel Holmes 15 Mar '16

15 Mar '16

Saw this on the Denver astro list. https://www.astronomytechnologytoday.com <https://www.astronomytechnologytoday.com/> Looks to be a neat magazine, been around a few years. They have a special discount on the online edition, $12 off a 1 year sub (making it free!), or a 2 year sub (making it $6), and it gives you access to their archives. Type in ‘club’ in the subscriber discount code. Looks like there’s a little something for everyone in there… Dan -- Daniel Holmes, danielh(a)holmesonics.com "Laugh while you can, monkey boy!" -- Lord John Whorfin

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telescope recommendations question
by Kate Magargal 11 Mar '16

11 Mar '16

Hi all, I'm writing now for some advice on giving advice about purchasing a telescope for an educational venue. I am frequently involved in astronomy/night sky outreach programs at the University of Utah's Rio Mesa Center <http://riomesa.utah.edu/>, which is located about an hour out of Moab. Over the past four years, I have been giving naked eye laser tours and using my aging 6" Muksatov-Cassegrain for some telescopic views. I am now told the budget of the field station may have about $1000 to purchase a telescope. I have a lot of experience using different types of telescopes and their accessories, but I'm not so up to speed on what some good options might be for spending this money. Of course I'd like as much bang for the buck as possible, especially in terms of aperture since this is a relatively dark sky site. Something that comes with or can have a tracking motor added within the $1k price would be great too. I will probably be the primary person operating the scope and I am not a huge fan of go-to mounts, but if anyone has opinions or thinks a good aperture and a go-to mount can fit in a $1k budget, I'd love to hear about it. Two relevant details: 1) Dust. This site is about 9 miles down a dirt road and really can't be protected fully from the dust. Open-tube dobs would probably be totally out. 2) Generally speaking, this scope will be stored about 50 feet from where it will usually be used. Transportability is not a big deal. If anyone has been keeping up on their low to mid-range scope options for some novice dark sky observing, let me know what you think! I'd also be interested to know if anyone has some equipment they think would suit this site that they have been thinking about getting rid of. Thanks for your input! k -- ----------------------------------------- Kate Magargal PhD Student Anthropology Department University of Utah ------------------------------------------

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SLAS Scheduled Presentations
by Joan Carman 09 Mar '16

09 Mar '16

All SLAS general meetings are free to the public, held in the Calvin T. Rampton Technology Building on the Salt Lake Community College, Taylorsville Campus in Room 207 or 203 (next door to each other). Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. Free parking after 7:00 p.m. on lot R north of the building. March 16 Jonathan Barnes, SLCC, The Era of Big Data in Astronomy or How to Be an Astronomer from your Living Room Couch April 20 Dr. Sydney Chamberblin, The Discovery of Gravitational Waves May 18 Chuck Hards, SLAS Member, The Moon Watch Program of the 1950s June 15 Timothy Parker, JPL - Mars

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Al Nagler as a kid
by Chuck Hards 09 Mar '16

09 Mar '16

I got a good laugh out of this: http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii24/JethroTull1958/Cartoons/Al%20Nagler…

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Jupiter
by Chuck Hards 08 Mar '16

08 Mar '16

The Great Red Spot will cross Jupiter's central meridian at about 9:04 PM tonight, MST. Jupiter is at opposition tomorrow.

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OT Marble Machine
by Brent Watson 03 Mar '16

03 Mar '16

Who remembers making marble machines out of books in your desk in school? Watch the following Youtube video and its follow-ons to be really impressed. Chuck - when can we expect to see one made by you? The Marble Machine is Finished! 2000 marbles, 3000 parts | | | | | | | | | | | The Marble Machine is Finished! 2000 marbles, 3000 parts | | | | View on www.youtube.com | Preview by Yahoo | | | | |

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Gunlock Reservoir Tues night?
by astrodeb＠beyondbb.com 01 Mar '16

01 Mar '16

My buddy and I are talking about going to Gunlock Reservoir tomorrow night for some winter/spring stargazing. I drove out there Sunday and the bathrooms are open. I may eat dinner out there and watch the sun set over the lake. If anybody in Southern Utah is interested in coming out there, let me know. I'll be on the blacktop near the boat ramp with my 15 in. Obsession telescope. Clear Skies, Debbie

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L & O last Saturday
by Chuck Hards 29 Feb '16

29 Feb '16

A big Thank You to everyone who came to the Liver & Onions luncheon! Kelly and I had great time and it was good to see all of you again. I'll be posting possible days for the next meeting, I want to check the SLAS calendar first, although it seems they have grown to the point where they have something going every weekend now. The chef told us it was calf's liver this time- it was the most tender piece of liver I have ever had. Hope to see you all again next time!

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Off-Topic: Lagoon in the old days
by Chuck Hards 26 Feb '16

26 Feb '16

OK, nobody here at work believes me that Lagoon used to have a Beer Garden. It was close to the miniature golf area. Alas, today they have neither beer nor putt-putt. Who on this list remembers when Lagoon sold beer, besides me?

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L & O Reminder
by Chuck Hards 25 Feb '16

25 Feb '16

Just a reminder that the Liver & Onions Subcommittee will be having a luncheon this Saturday, February 27th, starting at noon. Where: The Left Fork Grill 68 East 3900 South, SLC. Just a block east of the Trax Station, and plenty of on-site parking. Please RSVP if you plan to attend, so I can reserve our table. Good food, good conversation with like-minded friends. If the sun is out, we might have an impromptu sun party in the parking lot afterwards. Hope to see you there!

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