- UVAA - mailman.xmission.com

Fw: Jasper Curve now $45
by Richard Tenney 21 Apr '10

21 Apr '10

In honor of, um, today!, we're offering the Jasper Curve at just $45 - that's more than 50% off the regular price! The Jasper Curve sets the standard for green lasers. Each Curve is microprocessor programmed to the exact legal limit of 4.99mw and produces a bright green beam that's visible up to 5 miles. To get your $45 Jasper Curve, just go to JasperLaser.com and place your order now because supplies won't last long! Best Regards, The Jasper Laser Team P.S. Visit Facebook.com/JasperLaser to become our Facebook fan. On May 25, we'll choose one lucky winner for a free 50mw Laser Module and Laser Pointer Kit! Visit our Facebook page for details. JasperLaser.com 4386 NW Crescent Valley Dr, Corvallis, OR 97330 — To order by phone call 877-388-7362

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OT: LHC in the news
by Richard Tenney 10 Apr '10

10 Apr '10

I thought this might be of interest to the lists. Large Hadron Collider Makes History, not Black Holes: http://inewp.com/?p=2119 /R

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Binocular question for the list(s)
by Richard Tenney 10 Mar '10

10 Mar '10

Hi all, After my toddler grandson tipped over my tripod and broke my 15x70 binocs last year, I've been looking off and on for a replacement set. Anyone on the list have any strong recommendations for, or knowledge of deals out there on a replacement pair? Either 15x70 or 20x80 is what I'm looking for (I have a nice parallelogram that Mr. Hards made for me a few years back, which works wonderfully well) . Also, anyone know about the quality difference between the Celestron 15x70's for $80 and the Orion 15x70's for $229? I called Orion and the "technician" didn't know enough about them to be able to describe the difference! The only obvious difference I can see in the photos/description is the individual focus on the more expensive pair. I assume both are Chinese made (probably from the same factory...?). /Rich

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Fw: July 11 Total Solar Eclipse, 9-1/2 min. Totality! EFLIGHT 2010 from Tahiti
by Richard Tenney 16 Feb '10

16 Feb '10

Astro-SPAM that some might be interested in... --- On Fri, 2/12/10, gschneid(a)email.arizona.edu <gschneid(a)email.arizona.edu> wrote: From: gschneid(a)email.arizona.edu <gschneid(a)email.arizona.edu> Subject: July 11 Total Solar Eclipse, 9-1/2 min. Totality! EFLIGHT 2010 from Tahiti To: rathnasree63(a)yahoo.co.uk, rayabrooks2(a)cs.com, raymo(a)bu.edu, rbrown84(a)gmail.com, rbs(a)flashspectrum.com, rconrad(a)bestweb.net, rdchim105(a)aol.com, rdp(a)star.ukc.ac.uk, reed007(a)stargate.net, reinhold(a)rechtsanwaelteimquadrat.de, renate(a)innovationsintravel.com, renka03(a)aol.com, retenney(a)yahoo.com, rfienberg(a)SkyandTelescope.com, rgraul(a)pro.onet.pl, rhminor(a)comcast.net, richard.Judd(a)btconnect.com, richard.i.monk(a)ntlworld.com, richard.p.ditteon(a)rose-hulman.edu, richard_i_monk(a)ntlworld.com, richardeadawson(a)yahoo.co.uk, rigel(a)stars.co.za, rilex_la(a)yahoo.com, ring(a)obs.ee, rinocasella(a)libero.it, rita(a)gordonspark.com, rittmanns(a)aol.com, rivastro(a)aol.com, riverbendastro(a)att.net, rjbouma(a)wxs.nl, rlongo(a)ralservices.com, rmarjan(a)freemail.org.mk, rmollise(a)aol.com Date: Friday, February 12, 2010, 6:54 PM July 11 Total Solar Eclipse, 9-1/2 min. Totality! EFLIGHT 2010 from Tahiti Dear Fellow Umbraphiles and Eclipse Chasers, I have some really amazing news to share with you regarding the 11 July 2010 total solar eclipse (a LONG time in the works). Over the past year I have worked to enable the “ultimate” eclipse flight – something we literally will never be able to surpass until/unless a new era in civil supersonic flight should arise in our lifetimes. How does: *** NINE AND A HALF MINUTES OF TOTALITY sound? Now, how does: *** NINE AND A HALF MINUTES OF TOTALITY @ 39,000 ft sound? OK, How about, *** 9-1/2 MINUTES OF TOTALITY @ 39,000 ft ABOVE ALL THE LOCAL WEATHER IN AN A319 ACJ/LR AIRCRAFT – WITH ALL SEATS ON THE SUN-FACING SIDE OF THE PLANE REMOVED FOR OPTIMAL AND UNIMPEEDED ACCESS TO ECLIPSE VIEWING WINDOWS sound? Well, that is NOT an umbraplillic daydream – we are going to DO IT! I’m going to save a lot of writing here and point you to this web page that explains it all. http://nicmosis.as.arizona.edu:8000/ECLIPSE_WEB/TSE2010/EFLIGHT2010.html Read the rest of this first (or in parallel to clicking over there), but DO go there for more details. In BRIEF summary here... - “EFLIGHT 2010” will launch from Papeette, Tahiti, French Polynesia on the morning of 11 July for an appx 7 hour round-trip flight to observe TSE 2010 from appx 2500 km East of Tahiti. - With all of the sun-side seats removed we will be able to accommodate only 41 eclipse-chasers. Nominally, twenty of the 31 sun-facing (left side) windows will be available for individual use (two windows are already “taken”). Nine other windows will be available for shared viewing use by “partners” (two people sharing a window). - With the statistically averaged mid-July winds aloft for our location on mid-eclipse intercept of the umbral shadow at 19:20 UT we expect 9m 33s of totality (and 10m is within the operational envelope of possibilities, depending upon winds aloft on eclipse day). To turn this "concept" (but now a solid flight mission) into reality, I have been working with Rick Brown, who just returned from Tahiti where he had been looking into supporting in situ logistics and arrangements for the flight. As usual, I am the “technical” guy, and not involved in reservations and bookings for the flight. That is where Rick comes in. The above web page links to his with information on how you may join in this truly historical eclipse flight. This will be a spectacular and unprecedented opportunity we will not be able to repeat. My only regret is that we were unable to arrange this sooner. With ~ 9-1/2 minutes of totality @ 39,000 ft (obviating concerns of ground-based weather) I do expect seats (and windows) will go very quickly – so have a look at the details. I hope to see many of you (up to 40 others our aircraft can carry), 12 km above the Earth, basking in the Moon’s shadow for much longer than nature ever intended! Cheers, Glenn Schneider Steward Observatory The University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona 85721 USA http://nicmosis.as.arizona.edu:8000/ECLIPSE_WEB/TSE2010/EFLIGHT2010.html

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Fw: Archaeoastronomy Workshop Additions
by Richard Tenney 23 Jan '10

23 Jan '10

--- On Wed, 1/20/10, Conference Administrator <administrator(a)caasw.org> wrote: From: Conference Administrator <administrator(a)caasw.org> Subject: Archaeoastronomy Workshop Additions To: retenney(a)yahoo.com Date: Wednesday, January 20, 2010, 4:10 PM Untitled Document PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 20, 2010 ARCHAEOASTRONOMY IN THE FIELD WORKSHOP AGENDA ADDITIONS The Conference on Archaeoastronomy of the American Southwest is pleased to announce the addition of three presentations to the schedule of the two-day workshop. "Criteria for the Attribution of Intent to Archaeoastronomical Alignments" by Tony Hull, Department of Physics and Astronomy University of New Mexico & Rock Art Archive University of California Los Angeles "The Seven Sins of Archaeoastronomy" by J. McKim Malville, Professor Emeritus of Astronomy University of Colorado "Surveying and 3D Modeling Techniques to Identify the Function and Precision of Stone Calendars" by Ron Barber, Stone Calendar Project, Los Alamos New Mexico The entire agenda and online registration is available at our website (www.caasw.org) Date: March 11-12, 2010 Time: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm each day Place: Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park, Phoenix Fee: $75 (includes lunch both days) Hotel: Crowne Plaza Phoenix Airport (across from the Museum) with a special discounted rate of $109 (plus tax) which includes a breakfast buffet in the restaurant. Free airport shuttle (one mile from airport), free Internet, free parking. A special direct reservation link is provided on the workshop web page. Space is limited to 80 attendees so early registration is strongly recommended. -End This message was sent from Conference Administrator to retenney(a)yahoo.com. It was sent from: Conference on Archaeoastronomy of the American Southwest, P.O. Box 20578, Sedona, AZ 86341. You can modify/update your subscription via the link below. Email Marketing by To be removed click here

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First Light ceremony next week
by Patrick Wiggins 04 Nov '09

04 Nov '09

This is open to all: http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/temp/FIRSTLIGHT.PDF Clear skies, patrick

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Charter school in Lindon needs help with a star party a week from Friday (23rd)
by Richard Tenney 13 Oct '09

13 Oct '09

I (Rich Tenney) will not be able to make it this night, but I'm hoping others on the list can. Please contact Jennifer (number below) if you can help out. Thanks! /Rich ======================================================== Hi, I am looking for some help with providing telescopes and such for a star party at Timpanogos Academy in Lindon. The date is the 23 of October and we are scheduled for an 8:00 pm start. I am also looking for a guest speaker if anyone is interested. We are expected between 100 and 150 people to attend. I personally have a 4" Celestron but the school does not have a telescope so the more I can track down, the better. Please feel free to contact me at any of the emails or numbers listed. Thanks so much!!!! Jennifer M. Remy jremy(a)timpacademy.org jmr(a)only1.net 801.362.8932 801.785.4979 Jennifer M. Rémy Middle School Science Timpanogos Academy jmremy(a)timpacademy.org 801.785.4979

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Fw: Astronomy Conference and High Elevation Dark Sky Viewing...
by Richard Tenney 24 Jul '09

24 Jul '09

--- On Fri, 7/24/09, Julian Starfest <Julianstars(a)expresswire.com> wrote: > From: Julian Starfest <Julianstars(a)expresswire.com> > Subject: Astronomy Conference and High Elevation Dark Sky Viewing... > To: Astroclubs(a)skyandtel.com > Date: Friday, July 24, 2009, 2:04 AM > Folks, > > We now have another world class dark sky star party and > astronomy equipment expo in California. > > We need YOUR help to spread the word about the Julian > Starfest (SAN DIEGO COUNTY) from August 20-23, 2009. > > Located high in the Cuyamaca Mountains above San Diego, at > a mountain winery near an historic gold rush town. Just one > hour east of the San Diego Wild Animal Park - Take I-15 or > I-5 from the North and exit at Hwy 78 east. Or take > I-8 and exit at Hwy 79 north to Julian. > > Please forward this message to all of your friends in > California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and beyond who like > science, astronomy, camping, hiking and mountains. And > please help us spread the word using our flyers and > posters... > > PDF Starfest Flyer -- (11x8.5) -- > http://tinyurl.com/luauzt > > PDF Starfest Poster -- (17x11) -- > http://tinyurl.com/levvho > > If you can, please print out some of the PDF flyers above > and post them in appropriate places. > > Starfest details here -- http://www.JulianStarfest.com > Register now! -- http://tinyurl.com/JSF2009 > > 2009 Activities schedule -- http://tinyurl.com/lcrok2 > Julian Map and Starfest location > -- http://tinyurl.com/mf3znp > > Email -- Julianstars(a)expresswire.com > > --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > [] > > [] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

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Giving away old magazines
by Richard Tenney 25 May '09

25 May '09

I'm in the mood to purge, and have a bunch of mid-90's to 2006 S&T and a few Astronomy magazines free to a good home. Let me know if you want to come pick them up, otherwise they are going into the local paper recycler. I live in Lindon (between Pleasant Grove and Orem in Utah County). 801~380~3331 /R

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Fw: Citizen Sky Workshop on epsilon Aurigae
by Richard Tenney 21 May '09

21 May '09

FYI --- On Thu, 5/21/09, aavso(a)aavso.org <aavso(a)aavso.org> wrote: > From: aavso(a)aavso.org <aavso(a)aavso.org> > Subject: Citizen Sky Workshop on epsilon Aurigae > To: retenney(a)yahoo.com > Date: Thursday, May 21, 2009, 10:55 AM > > We would like to invite you (or anyone you would like to > forward this information on to) to apply for the first > Citizen Sky workshop on epsilon Aurigae. > > Citizen Sky is a new citizen science project spearheaded by > the American Association of Variable Star Observers > (AAVSO.) For the next 3 years the project will focus > on the very interesting, very bright variable star, epsilon > Aurigae. This eclipsing variable is not very well > understood. It has an eclipse every 27.1 years and is > due for one to begin this summer - just in time for the > second half of the International Year of Astronomy! We > will be holding a workshop on epsilon Aurigae and the > Citizen Sky project in early August at the Adler Planetarium > in Chicago. It is very likely that we will have travel > grants available for workshop participants. The first > round of participant selection will take place in early > June. > > For more information or to apply for the workshop, please > visit: www.citizensky.org > Please send any questions to: aavso(a)aavso.org > > We hope to see you at the workshop! > > ========================================= > A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE AAVSO > AND THE CITIZEN SKY PROJECT... > ============================== > The American Association of Variable Star Observers > (AAVSO) > www.aavso.org > > The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) > is a non-profit worldwide scientific and educational > organization of amateur and professional astronomers who are > interested in stars that change in brightness Ñ variable > stars. The AAVSOÕs mission is: to observe and analyze > variable stars; to collect and archive observations for > worldwide access; to forge strong collaborations between > amateur and professional astronomers; and to promote > scientific research and education using variable star > data. Please visit our website to learn more about > variable stars, the AAVSO, and how you can get involved. > > Read on to learn about the new citizen science project that > the AAVSO is spearheadingÉ > ============================= > The Citizen Sky Project > www.citizensky.org > > Who are citizen scientists? Volunteers, many of whom have > no prior scientific training, who work with trained > scientific researchers to answer real-world questions. > This means YOU! > > About the Citizen Sky Project on epsilon Aurigae: > Epsilon Aurigae (eps Aur) is a bright star located in the > constellation Aurigae, the charioteer. At 3rd magnitude the > star is bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye even > in the most light polluted cities. It is well placed for > observing in the fall, winter, and spring skies (in the > early summer it is hidden by the Sun's glare). > > Every 27.1 years the star goes into an eclipse that lasts > approximately one and a half years. Then, near the > very end of the eclipse, it suddenly gains most of its > brightness back in a matter of weeks. Even after over 175 > years of scrutiny, no one knows why this happens. The > next eclipse of eps Aur is predicted to begin in August > 2009. We need you to help us collect data so that we can > better understand this star. Because the star is very > bright, it can be observed by anyone regardless of > background, training, or equipment: with just good eyesight > and a finder chart, you can monitor this eclipse. > > The AAVSOÕs Citizen Sky project welcomes anyone who has an > interest in participating! We will guide you through the > process of how to observe eps Aur, how to send us your > observations of the star, how to see your results, analyze > them, and even publish them in a scientific journal!! No > previous experience is required. We hope that this will be > the largest citizen science project in modern history that > involves real, active research! > > - Website: Our new web page will be launching in June > 2009. This site will serve as the Òhome baseÓ for > anyone interested in participating in this project. > The new Citizen Sky website will include blogs, discussion > forums, a place to submit and analyze data, training > materials, plus much more, so come visit us in June! > In the meanwhile, visit www.citizensky.org for project > announcements and information. > > - Workshops: The first Citizen Sky Project Workshop will be > held Wednesday-Friday, August 5-7, 2009 at the Adler > Planetarium in Chicago. We will kick-off the 3-day workshop > with an opening reception the evening of August 4. The > ÒstarÓ of this workshop will be epsilon Aurigae. We are > assembling an impressive group of experts to lead sessions > on topics such as: an introduction to the Citizen Sky > Project, the science of epsilon Aurigae, observing epsilon > Aurigae (visual and photometric), public outreach using the > Citizen Sky Project, using the Citizen Sky Project in the > classroom, and an introduction to basic data analysis. We > are also planning a planetarium show and possible closing > star party. > > It is very likely that in the coming weeks we will have > travel grants available for workshop participants. Travel > grants/workshop slots are only available for those who > commit to spread the word about this project in their local > community. > > If you are interested in attending please complete the > application no later than June 1, 2009 for consideration in > the first round of participant selection. Individuals > applying by June 1 will be contacted with results by June > 5. > > Applications received after June 1, 2009 will be considered > to fill any remaining slots or added to a waitlist. Those > applying after June 1 will be contacted within 1 week of > application. > > There will be a second workshop focusing on data analysis > and scientific paper writing at the California Academy of > Sciences in San Francisco during the spring of 2010. > > - Observations/Analysis: Epsilon Aurigae is an ideal target > for those interested in learning how to observe variable > stars. By following the Ten Star Tutorial available on our > website, a new observer will be trained in the technique > needed to make and report a visual variable star > estimate. Information on taking digital observations > of epsilon Aurigae will be available on the Citizen Sky > website. The AAVSO is developing data analysis software, > which will come with tutorials to help train participants in > the basics of astronomical data analysis. A special edition > of the peer-reviewed Journal of the AAVSO will be dedicated > to papers written by project participants. > > - Education and Public Outreach: The brightness of the star > provides a rare opportunity to engage the general public in > citizen science. Participants are needed to help write > newsletter and newspaper articles, prepare talks and slide > shows, develop artwork, to give talks and participate in > other forms of community outreach. Teams of interested > participants with complementary skill sets are being > assembled right now (ex: teaming up a science writer with an > illustrator) and will continue to be assembled throughout > the project. > > Everyone can play a role in the Citizen Sky Project! > Get involved and discover yours.

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