>I guess my question for the group is what software do you use to log your
>observations?
>   Does it locate and sort your notes by any number of parameters?

I use a homemade Microsoft Access 2002 application to keep track of my
observing notes.  I use it both to plan what I want to see on a given night
and record what I have seen.  It is linked to Guide 8.0 using a keyboard
macro program called Macro Express.  It lets me call up objects in Guide
directly from the Access database.  It is handy when putting together a
plan for an observing session.  The plan is a report which includes data on
what I want to look for and room to write notes in the field.

I can import from other databases assuming it is something Access can
import which does include comma-delimited files.  However, most everything
in it was entered by hand.  Originally it was a Microsoft Works database
and I did import the data from it into the Access version.

I can filter and sort the data any number of ways.  The more common ways I
have preprogrammed as buttons on the Access forms.

--------------------------------------------
Tom Kunsitis - Richmond, Virginia USA

Following on the discussion about NGC 1875 and (faint) friends,
a supernova has just been reported in this galaxy.  Very faint and
close to the center, so not likely to be a visual object.  The specs
given on IAUC 8442 are that SN 2004gc is mag 17.4 and 2" east and 3" south
of the nucleus.  The object is reported as belonging to Arp 327,
which is the name shown first among the aliases by SIMBAD (but not NED),
so we know where the observers looked to identify the galaxy (and that
they have no clue about hierarchy of names---though SIMBAD isn't helpful
in that regard either).

\Brian

There's an AstroPlanner Yahoo group for discussion of the ins and outs of
AstroPlanner, which is open to all (non-spammers). However, I am always happy to
hear from folks if they have specific needs for serious observing. Often such
requests are incorporated into AstroPlanner at a later date.

Oh, and you don't need to wade through the 245 page tome in order to use
AstroPlanner. 15 minutes tinkering, or following the tutorial chapter, and
you'll being
off and running. Paid users get a whole mess of additional catalogues, a better
manual, etc.

Paul Rodman
(AstroPlanner author and would-be serious deep sky observer if the clouds ever
went
away)

--- In amastro@yahoogroups.com, "sea_wanderer_01" <sea_wanderer_01@y...>
wrote:
>
> I have downloaded Astro Planner on the strength of this post, and it
> looks rather promising. I have a 245-odd page PDF manual to wade
> through, as well as the program to play with. It does look good. It
> contains the NGC, Messier and Bright Star Catalogues, and promises
> to be an excellent tool.
>
>
> --- In amastro@yahoogroups.com, "Gary Myers" <RXDesign@s...> wrote:
> >
> > I applaud your effort... however I believe what you seek is
> already
> > done and available either free or for a small fee. It is
> > called "AstroPlanner" and it is VERY extensive! It contains every
> > object you can think of (and every catalog as well) ... any that
> are
> > not included will be by the designers. It is very flexible and
> > powerful. Check it out at http://www.ilangainc.com/astroplanner/
> >
> > [I am not affiliated with Astroplanner - only a very happy (and
> new)
> > user!]

Hi Barbara, Gary & All,

I use Deepsky 2003 which is a spreadsheet program based on MS Access.  My
log is about 4000 entries at the moment and it is kept well and very easy to
update and access.  Good software all round with a database of over 700,000
objects.

Interfaces with Ciel, but I wish it could interface with Megastar though.

You can find it at http://www.deepskysoftware.net/

Cheers

Les Dalrymple
Sydney, Australia
----- Original Message -----
From: "Barbara Wilson" <bwilson2@...>
To: <amastro@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 21, 2004 11:57 AM
Subject: Re: [amastro] Re: Deep-Sky log program


>
> Gary and others:
> Re logging software.
> Those of you that have thousands of observational notes, how are you
managing and finding your data?
> Is there anything commercial out there that sorts observations and that
you can import your previous observations
> into from a delimited ascii file?
>
> I guess my question for the group is what software do you use to log your
observations?
>   Does it locate and sort your notes by any number of parameters?
>
> Let's say you want to sort  all the observations you made with a certain
telescope aperture on a certain date in a particular constellation , and you
only wanted to see your galaxy observations.
>
> Can you then export this data to a text file or MS Word?
>
> Barbara Wilson
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Gary Myers
> To: amastro@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Friday, November 19, 2004 10:34 AM
> Subject: [amastro] Re: Deep-Sky log program
>
>
>
>
> I applaud your effort... however I believe what you seek is already
> done and available either free or for a small fee. It is
> called "AstroPlanner" and it is VERY extensive! It contains every
> object you can think of (and every catalog as well) ... any that are
> not included will be by the designers. It is very flexible and
> powerful. Check it out at http://www.ilangainc.com/astroplanner/
>
> [I am not affiliated with Astroplanner - only a very happy (and new)
> user!]
>
> g.
>
>
> --- In amastro@yahoogroups.com, Szalma Zsolt <zsolo@m...> wrote:
> >
> > Greetings,
> >
> > I've posted this message to an other astro yahoo group, but I
> figured it
> > would be a good idea to post it to this group as well, since there
> are
> > quite a few hard-core deep-sky observers here.
> > ------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > I've decided to create a program to log my deep-sky observations.
> Well,
> > actually it will be a client-server type of application, as I plan
> to
> > use PHP (server side scripting language) and the MySQL database
> engine
> > in a www environment. This way I can run the application on my PC
> at
> > home (I have the Apache server installed), or upload it to my ISP's
> > server and access it from any computer connected to the internet.
> > I am at the stage of designing the database tables and the
> underlying
> > data-model in general. I want to include the most common deep-sky
> > observing programs, and here's where I need your help.
> > I am not so sure about which observing programs are the most useful
> and
> > popular. Sure, there are the Messier list, and the Herschel 400,
> which
> > cannot be excluded from the database. But what other programs
> should I
> > include?  I have done a little search and come up with these:
> >
> > Herschel II
> > RASC Finest NGC
> > SAC Best NGC objects
> > Caldwell objects
> > and numerous smaller observing programs
> >
> > I really only want to include those that are well-known, popular
> and
> > make sense as a deep-sky observing program. Which ones do you
> recommend
> > from the above list? Or is there something else I missed?
> > I would also like to know how much these programs overlap each
> other?
> > For instance, I found that the Herschel 400 and the Finest NGC
> share a
> > number of common objects. This unfortunately makes it a bit harder
> to
> > create elegant MySQL tables. I prefer observing lists that have no
> > overlap whatsoever. Also, the RASC Finest and the SAC Best seem to
> be
> > very similar, with only a few objects differing. Almost like if I
> > included one the other would be redundant. Which one of the two do
> you
> > recommend?
> >
> > Well, enough of me! :) Every input is appreciated!
> >
> > Zsolt Szalma
> > (Hungary)
>
>
>
>
>
> This message is from the AmAstro mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a
blank e-mail to amastro-unsubscribe@YahooGroups.com.
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> This message is from the AmAstro mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a
blank e-mail to amastro-unsubscribe@YahooGroups.com.
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

I use Skytools. Before Skytools I used a selfmade MSAccess log. I copied and
pasted all observations into Skytools.

Skytools puts a flag before every logged object, which lets you see which
objects in an obervation list you already observed and which makes a
possible to read an observation with just one click. The logs can be sorted
by object type, by observer (if more then one uses the program), by night,
by location, by constellation an by instrument (if used more then one).
It's, to answer one of your questions,  also possible to look, for instance,
for all globulars seen at a specific location with a specific instrument in
a certain constellation. Data can be exported into a textfile.

The log function is, in my opinion, not the only strong point of Skytools.
It's also the best program I know of to make observing lists and make and
print charts for a specific intrument.  Since I use this program, I don't
use my planetarium program (Megastar) any more, exept for having a quick
look for what's constellations are visible at a certain place and moment.


Jan
http://home.wanadoo.nl/jhm.vangastel/Astronomy/


----- Original Message -----
From: "Barbara Wilson" <bwilson2@...>
To: <amastro@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 21, 2004 1:57 AM
Subject: Re: [amastro] Re: Deep-Sky log program


>
> Gary and others:
> Re logging software.
> Those of you that have thousands of observational notes, how are you
managing and finding your data?
> Is there anything commercial out there that sorts observations and that
you can import your previous observations
> into from a delimited ascii file?
>
> I guess my question for the group is what software do you use to log your
observations?
>   Does it locate and sort your notes by any number of parameters?
>
> Let's say you want to sort  all the observations you made with a certain
telescope aperture on a certain date in a particular constellation , and you
only wanted to see your galaxy observations.
>
> Can you then export this data to a text file or MS Word?
>
> Barbara Wilson
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Gary Myers
> To: amastro@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Friday, November 19, 2004 10:34 AM
> Subject: [amastro] Re: Deep-Sky log program
>
>
>
>
> I applaud your effort... however I believe what you seek is already
> done and available either free or for a small fee. It is
> called "AstroPlanner" and it is VERY extensive! It contains every
> object you can think of (and every catalog as well) ... any that are
> not included will be by the designers. It is very flexible and
> powerful. Check it out at http://www.ilangainc.com/astroplanner/
>
> [I am not affiliated with Astroplanner - only a very happy (and new)
> user!]
>
> g.
>
>
> --- In amastro@yahoogroups.com, Szalma Zsolt <zsolo@m...> wrote:
> >
> > Greetings,
> >
> > I've posted this message to an other astro yahoo group, but I
> figured it
> > would be a good idea to post it to this group as well, since there
> are
> > quite a few hard-core deep-sky observers here.
> > ------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > I've decided to create a program to log my deep-sky observations.
> Well,
> > actually it will be a client-server type of application, as I plan
> to
> > use PHP (server side scripting language) and the MySQL database
> engine
> > in a www environment. This way I can run the application on my PC
> at
> > home (I have the Apache server installed), or upload it to my ISP's
> > server and access it from any computer connected to the internet.
> > I am at the stage of designing the database tables and the
> underlying
> > data-model in general. I want to include the most common deep-sky
> > observing programs, and here's where I need your help.
> > I am not so sure about which observing programs are the most useful
> and
> > popular. Sure, there are the Messier list, and the Herschel 400,
> which
> > cannot be excluded from the database. But what other programs
> should I
> > include?  I have done a little search and come up with these:
> >
> > Herschel II
> > RASC Finest NGC
> > SAC Best NGC objects
> > Caldwell objects
> > and numerous smaller observing programs
> >
> > I really only want to include those that are well-known, popular
> and
> > make sense as a deep-sky observing program. Which ones do you
> recommend
> > from the above list? Or is there something else I missed?
> > I would also like to know how much these programs overlap each
> other?
> > For instance, I found that the Herschel 400 and the Finest NGC
> share a
> > number of common objects. This unfortunately makes it a bit harder
> to
> > create elegant MySQL tables. I prefer observing lists that have no
> > overlap whatsoever. Also, the RASC Finest and the SAC Best seem to
> be
> > very similar, with only a few objects differing. Almost like if I
> > included one the other would be redundant. Which one of the two do
> you
> > recommend?
> >
> > Well, enough of me! :) Every input is appreciated!
> >
> > Zsolt Szalma
> > (Hungary)
>
>
>
>
>
> This message is from the AmAstro mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a
blank e-mail to amastro-unsubscribe@YahooGroups.com.
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> This message is from the AmAstro mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a
blank e-mail to amastro-unsubscribe@YahooGroups.com.
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Thank you for your replies. I know that there are some very nice pieces
of software out there for logging and planning. The main reason I
decided to make my own is that I have total control over customizing it.
I other words, I only build such features into it that I really need.
It'll suit me like a glove. Plus, I like playing with databases and PHP.
   This will also be an excellent learning experience as for building a
database-driven application goes. I think I'll follow Howard suggestions
and put the various observing programs into their own table. Special
thanks to Steve Coe for maintaning, developing the wonderful SAC
deep-sky database and making it available for free. I loaded it into a
MySQL table. I will then use the other tables - that contain the
observing programs - to filter the SAC data.
So far I believe this application will see private use only, that is, I
don't consider making it available to others. Mainly because I am afraid
it won't be too sophisticated and I don't wish to receive many bashing
emails. And I don't really have much time to work on it as I'm still in
university and my studies keep me quite busy. But who knows? If it turns
   out to be good and useful, and if in the future I'll have more time to
spare for programming, I might make a version that I won't be ashamed of
releasing publicly.

Clear Skies,
Zsolt Szalma
(Hungary)

Steve Coe írta:

> Szalma;
>
> I have been the group leader for the SAC database group for years.
>
> You can download the SAC database for free.  Our website is
> www.saguaroasto.org
>
> It contains about 10,000 objects and probably has all the objects in
> these other lists.  You could add in the data columns you need for the
> additional lists and then search and sort from there.  As a matter of
> fact, if you program is going to be available, I would really like to
> have a copy of the SAC data with the extra columns.
>
> Thank you
> Steve Coe
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Szalma Zsolt [mailto:zsolo@...]
> Sent: Friday, November 19, 2004 6:08 AM
> To: amastro@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [amastro] Deep-Sky log program
>
>
>
> Greetings,
>
> I've posted this message to an other astro yahoo group, but I figured it
>
> would be a good idea to post it to this group as well, since there are
> quite a few hard-core deep-sky observers here.
> ------------------------------------------------------
>
> I've decided to create a program to log my deep-sky observations. Well,
> actually it will be a client-server type of application, as I plan to
> use PHP (server side scripting language) and the MySQL database engine
> in a www environment. This way I can run the application on my PC at
> home (I have the Apache server installed), or upload it to my ISP's
> server and access it from any computer connected to the internet.
> I am at the stage of designing the database tables and the underlying
> data-model in general. I want to include the most common deep-sky
> observing programs, and here's where I need your help.
> I am not so sure about which observing programs are the most useful and
> popular. Sure, there are the Messier list, and the Herschel 400, which
> cannot be excluded from the database. But what other programs should I
> include?  I have done a little search and come up with these:
>
> Herschel II
> RASC Finest NGC
> SAC Best NGC objects
> Caldwell objects
> and numerous smaller observing programs
>
> I really only want to include those that are well-known, popular and
> make sense as a deep-sky observing program. Which ones do you recommend
> from the above list? Or is there something else I missed?
> I would also like to know how much these programs overlap each other?
> For instance, I found that the Herschel 400 and the Finest NGC share a
> number of common objects. This unfortunately makes it a bit harder to
> create elegant MySQL tables. I prefer observing lists that have no
> overlap whatsoever. Also, the RASC Finest and the SAC Best seem to be
> very similar, with only a few objects differing. Almost like if I
> included one the other would be redundant. Which one of the two do you
> recommend?
>
> Well, enough of me! :) Every input is appreciated!
>
> Zsolt Szalma
> (Hungary)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> This message is from the AmAstro mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a
> blank e-mail to amastro-unsubscribe@YahooGroups.com.
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> This message is from the AmAstro mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a blank
e-mail to amastro-unsubscribe@YahooGroups.com.
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

IAU Circular 8443 reports the discovery by Tago and Sakurai of
a fairly bright nova in Puppis.  The mean of the coords provided is:
7 41 53.58 -27 06 38.2 (J2000), and magnitudes about 7th.  It is
confirmed spectroscopically as a nova.

\Brian

Well Paul, congratulations on a superb product. I have been
tinkering, and only refer to the manual when I get stuck (not
often!).
When I have got myself sorted financially I will pay for the extra
stuff.

Now all we need is for some decent UK weather in order to use the
planner for an observing session...I know what you mean about the
clouds Paul!

clear skies
Faith


> There's an AstroPlanner Yahoo group for discussion of the ins and
outs of
> AstroPlanner, which is open to all (non-spammers). However, I am
always happy to
> hear from folks if they have specific needs for serious observing.
Often such
> requests are incorporated into AstroPlanner at a later date.
>
> Oh, and you don't need to wade through the 245 page tome in order
to use
> AstroPlanner. 15 minutes tinkering, or following the tutorial
chapter, and you'll being
> off and running. Paid users get a whole mess of additional
catalogues, a better
> manual, etc.
>
> Paul Rodman
> (AstroPlanner author and would-be serious deep sky observer if the
clouds ever went
> away)
>

On Sunday 21 November 2004 03:15, Brian Skiff wrote:
>      Following on the discussion about NGC 1875 and (faint) friends,
> a supernova has just been reported in this galaxy.  Very faint and
> close to the center, so not likely to be a visual object.  The specs
> given on IAUC 8442 are that SN 2004gc is mag 17.4 and 2" east and 3" south
> of the nucleus.  The object is reported as belonging to Arp 327,
> which is the name shown first among the aliases by SIMBAD (but not NED),
> so we know where the observers looked to identify the galaxy (and that
> they have no clue about hierarchy of names---though SIMBAD isn't helpful
> in that regard either).

I believe the supernova was discovered by Odd Trondal on images taken by
Tengara Observatories. Odd is a Norwegian amateur and friend who has made
automatic search software for possible new novae and supernovae in
CCD-images. He got access to images by the Tengara Observatories and helped
them in their search for supernovae. Quite extraordinary I have to say! :)
(Oh, and Odd is a bit odd, spending most of his time doing this - not getting
payed!)

The supernova is not in NGC 1875, but in HCG 34B, the galaxy farthest to the
east in the group. Here are the discovery images:

http://www.geocities.com/Odd_Trondal/ngc1875.htm

In the images at least the supernova seems brighter than the host galaxy.

--
Vennlig hilsen,
Mikkel Steine
___________________________________________
mikkel@... - http://Messier45.com
What to observe next?

In the latest 'Revista Mexicana', Armen Gyulbudaghian and collaborators
present a list of 93 mostly small nebulae in the southern hemisphere.
Though the abstract states that the objects are thought to be new, in fact
only a few of them do not have an entry in SIMBAD; many are well-studied
HH objects.  The search procedure seems to have included looking at the
positions of IRAS sources, but many of the IRAS IDs given in the source
table are erroneous, and not near the objects described.
      I used the source table to identify the objects on SkyView cutouts of
the DSS1 (blue, red, or V), DSS2 red, and 2MASS J-band images.  I will
commend the authors on providing accurate coordinates.  I looked up each
object in VizieR and chose the 'best' astrometric position for the object.
Usually this is a star in the center of the nebula, but is sometimes an
estimate of the 'center-of-blob' for larger objects.  I have sometimes
rounded accurate positions to 1" precision when the illuminating source
appears complex.  For a few objects the IRAS position is as good as anything,
so I quote it.  The intent in each case is to permit one to point a telescope
directly to the object of interest.
      When available I show UCAC2 numbers and IRAS names (both the regular
point-source and serendipitous-source name appear).  Many objects are better
characterized by MSX detections, which I show often.  I usually show at least
a rough V magnitude for the star involved.  The remarks contain any IDs
available in SIMBAD for already-catalogued objects, plus other IDs as seem
useful.  Many objects are represented by three or more SIMBAD entries.
      Inspection of the images shows that all the objects are some sort of
diffuse nebula (nebulous star, HH object, HII region, etc).  There are
_no_ galaxies and _no_ planetary nebulae among them, though many of the
catalogue names imply that they are.

\Brian

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New southern Gyulbudaghian nebulae
version:  24 Nov 2004

source:  2004RMxAA..40..137G
          GYULBUDAGHIAN A.L., MAY, J.L., GONZALEZ L., and MENDEZ R.A.
          Rev. Mex. Astron. Astrofis., 40, 137-146 (2004)
          Nebulous objects in the southern hemisphere.
          Dictionary: Table 1: <[GMG2004] NN> (Nos 1-93).


position sources (column 's'):
g  GSC-2.2  (2001GSC2..C......0S, I/271)
I  IRAS point-source catalogue (II/125)
M  2MASS  (II/246)
U  UCAC2  (2004AJ....127.3043Z, I/289)
-  estimate for center-of-blob



GMG     RA  (J2000)  Dec     s  UCAC2      IRAS       V   remarks
  1    5 07 30.17 -06 10 16.0 U 29585575 05050-0614  14.5  2MASS
J05073016-0610158
  2    5 07 30.62 -06 10 59.8 U 29585576             14.5  2MASS
J05073060-0610597 = Kiso A-0974 20
  3    5 30 25.21 -05 47 01.0 M                      16.5  GSC-2.2 S02033015802
  4    5 41 24.50 -02 22 36.3 U 30953838 05388-0224  13.0  V615 Ori
  5    5 47 36.77 +00 39 14.5 M                      16.7  HBC 511
  6    5 53 39.91 -10 23 50.8 M                      17.   GSC-2.2 S02031032720,
not IRAS 05513-1024
  7    5 53 44    -10 23.7    -                            near IRAS 05513-1024
  8    5 54 20.09 +01 42 56.5 M                      14.4  HBC 516
  9    6 07 52.43 -05 16 03.7 U 29962233 06054-0515  13.3  HBC 518
10    6 08 00.04 -05 19 02.3 U 29962241             14.   LBN 990
11    6 09 13.70 -06 43 55.6 M          06068-0643  17.   GSC-2.2 S10001305856
12    6 57 14.7  -08 19 56   I          06548-0815        RNO 78 = BFS 63 =
[FT96] 220.9-2.5C
13    7 04 35.91 -11 04 48.2 U 27801606             14.6  HRW 21 = MSX6C
G224.2855-02.1496
14    7 04 40.81 -11 06 14.7 M                      15.   HRW 22, not IRAS
07024-1102
15    7 09 20.2  -10 50 32   M          07069-1045        [G84b] 7 = [BDB2003]
G224.61-01.01 = MSX6C G224.6075-01.0063
16    7 09 47.92 -18 36 26.0 U 24537351 07075-1831  12.   Bran 6 = ZOAG
G231.57-04.47 = MSX6C G231.5662-04.4726
17    7 10 09.97 -18 29 02.8 U 24784184 S07079-1823 15.   Bran 7C = MSX6C
G231.4993-04.3359
18*   7 10 21.51 -18 29 01.2 U 24784286             13.   GSC 5968-3676
19    7 12 25.19 -11 15 33.3 M          07100-1110  16.   LEDA 85946, not galaxy
20    7 24 13.18 -25 50 10.3 U 21257902 07221-2544  15.   Bran 23 = SPH 4,
coords are for superposed star
21    7 24 14.04 -24 38 15.5 U 21711908 07221-2431  12.   CD-24 5332 = Bran 22C
= [IBP2002] CC06 = [DBS2003] 11
22    7 30 33.38 -18 39 37.3 U 24546529 S07283-1833 14.5  MSX6C
G233.9175-00.1525
23    7 34 25.52 -46 54 10.4 M          07329-4647  15.   SFO 48
24    7 40 15.2  -33 32 34   I          07383-3325        Bran 61 = ESO 368- 8 =
[DBS2003] 15
25    7 45 05.96 -25 31 43.0 U 21267656                   Bran 66B, not IRAS
07429-2523
26    8 10 42.21 -36 03 34.0 M                      16.7  MSX6C
G253.4000-01.4031, not IRAS 08088-3554
27    8 11 02.16 -36 04 57.3 M          08091-3556  18.   GSC-2.2 S133010294349
28    8 21 05.06 -49 40 56.0 M          08196-4931  18.   Reipurth 5, not galaxy
29    8 22 33.70 -40 24 24.2 U 14571521 08207-4014  10.4  CD-40 4164
30    8 35 22.5  -40 38 52   M                      18.   V384 Vel, coords are
mid-point of 4" pair
31    8 35 22.62 -40 36 36.3 U 14363269 08335-4026  12.1  CPD-40 2663 = MSX6C
G259.8993-00.0449
32    8 38 05.60 -41 07 43.8 g                            GSC-2.2 S133123132370
33    8 38 28.82 -41 02 25.4 U 14147318             15.4  [GRV93] 4 = GN 08.36.7
= ESO-HA 82 = MSX6C G260.5961+00.1637
34    8 38 49.07 -40 51 18.3 U 14363663 08370-4040  14.3  ESO-HA 94
35    8 39 03.10 -40 46 10.2 U 14363682             15.5  GSC-2.2 S133122110818
36    8 43 51.39 -41 43 13.8 M          08420-4132  18.   GSC-2.2 S133122319132
37    8 50 38.66 -45 08 20.9 M          08488-4457  18.   MSX6C
G265.1882-00.6414
38    8 52 18.90 -42 15 14.7 U 13726463             13.   ESO-HA 249 = Bran 192B
= MSX6C G263.1559+01.4289
39    8 52 35.70 -42 09 29.8 U 13726507 08507-4157  15.   Bran 192C = MSX6C
G263.1147+01.5303
40    8 52 52.61 -42 06 17.6 U 13726546             13.   Bran 192D = MSX6C
G263.1043+01.6052
41*   8 56 28.11 -43 05 55.4 U 13309091 08546-4254  11.8  Gum 19 = Bran 206B =
VdBH 25a = [DBS2003] 28
42    8 58 04.45 -47 22 52.4 U 11499207 08563-4711  14.2  VdBH 26 = [BDB2003]
G267.72-01.09
43    9 01 52    -47 44.3    -                            Bran 222
44    9 03 07.79 -48 51 23.0 U 10814777             16.   MSX6C
G269.3959-01.4397
45   10 07 30.13 -60 02 49.3 M                      17.   Bran 287B = [GRV93] 9,
not IRAS 10059-5948 ?  Gyul coords wrong
46   10 15 30.71 -60 19 12.3 M          10138-6004  15.   VdBH 34b A = MSX6C
G284.7556-03.0720, Gyul coords wrong
47   10 32 40.87 -61 37 27.1 M          10308-6122  15.   ESO 128- 4 = [DBS2003]
53 = Bran 311 = MSX6C G287.2161-03.0617
48   10 32 57.2  -59 37 17   I          10310-5921        VdBH 39b = Bran 309B =
[DBS2003] 51 = MSX6C G286.2281-01.3201
49   10 42 29.14 -63 09 28.1 M                      15.   Bran 314, not IRAS
10406-6253
50   10 49 57.71 -55 41 08.0 U 07498149 10478-5525  16.   Bran 321A = MSX6C
G286.3454+03.2271
51   10 52 14.07 -56 12 37.2 M                      16.0  VdBH 44 H, not IRAS
10501-5556
52   10 56 57    -58 36.9    -          10548-5820        Bran 329 = MSX6C
G288.4832+01.0053
53   10 57 31.98 -62 58 48.5 U 04092385 10555-6242  16.   Bran 332 = [R2003] 333
= MSX6C G290.4086-02.9130
54   10 59 40.50 -59 01 10.3 M          10575-5844  15.   ESO 128- 25 =
[DBS2003] 56
55   11 03 22.90 -77 41 30.2 U 00500037             15.2  Glass L
56   11 07 20.73 -77 38 07.3 U 00500047 11059-7721  10.7  CPD-76 652
57   11 08 50    -77 43.7    -                            nebula assoc with IRAS
11072-7727
58   11 10 03.69 -76 33 29.2 M                      16.   Hn 11, not IRAS
11083-7618
59   11 10 20.26 -59 29 23.9 M          11082-5912  16.8  Bran 343B = MSX6C
G290.4108+00.9014
60   11 24 41.33 -58 56 41.5 M          11223-5840  15.   VdBH 48 = MSX6C
G291.9328+02.0614
61   11 24 42.03 -58 56 23.0 M                      18.   part of VdBH 48
62   11 34 04.31 -63 11 33.1 U 03894280             14.   MSX6C
G294.3375-01.6195, not IRAS 11317-6254
63   11 45 34.1  -65 32 56   g          11431-6516  15.   Bran 371C = VdBH 53b =
[DBS2003] 71 = MSX6C G296.1801-03.5442
64   12 19 38.32 -62 57 21.8 U 04123551 12169-6240  12.5  Bran 386C = MSX6C
G299.3244-00.3067
65   13 06 57.4  -62 11 57   g                            MSX6C
G304.7404+00.6164
66   13 09 37.26 -62 13 09.6 U 04350655             13.6  GSC 8994-1201
67   13 25 41.36 -59 43 47.3 M          13224-5928  17.   [SYS98]
132226.8-592811
68   13 32 12.39 -60 25 33.2 g                      15.   [GRV93] 12 = MSX6C
G307.9448+02.0484
69   13 32 49.20 -60 26 50.7 U 05384837                   ESO 132- 12 =
[DBS2003] 87 = AM 1329-601, not IRAS 13294-6011
70   15 44 59.1  -54 02 06   g          15411-5352        Wray 16-185 = MSX6C
G326.7249+00.6159
71   16 10 26    -49 10.1    -
72   16 24 02.4  -42 52 58   M          16205-4245A       GSC-2.2 S23033304428
73   16 26 58.5  -24 45 34   M          16239-2438  15.   EM* SR 24, coords are
mid-point of 5" pair
74   16 40 00.25 -48 51 59.6 U 10924651 16362-4845        Gum 53 = [BDB2003]
G336.48-01.48
75   16 40 47.98 -47 15 14.5 U 11604840 16371-4709  15.   MSX6C
G337.7836-00.5088 = GSC-2.2 S230313220484
76   16 46 20.72 -41 14 52.4 M          16428-4109  13.5  VdBH 73 F = MSX6C
G342.9714+02.6780
77   16 50 11.13 -46 06 29.4 M                      15.   MSX6C
G339.7009-00.9838
78   16 50 19.90 -46 09 06.7 M                      18.   MSX6C
G339.6840-01.0331
79   16 59 06.76 -42 42 08.4 U 13621964 16555-4237  11.4  CD-42 11721 = VdBH 80
= MSX6C G343.3516-00.0786
80   17 01 10.88 -45 46 35.3 U 12285192             15.   GSC-2.2 S230022223236,
not IRAS 16575-4541
81   17 11 04.0  -27 22 57   M          17079-2719  14.   HBC 275, coords are
mid-point of 5" pair (SIMBAD ID error)
82   17 16 13.87 -20 57 45.5 U 23667729             14.5  HBC 661
83   17 17 02    -36 20.9    -          17136-3617        [DBS2003] 122
84   17 21 46.84 -44 08 47.7 U 12980533 17181-4405  15.5  [SYS98]
171809.2-440554 = MSX6C G344.6275-04.2481
85   17 57 42.71 -18 32 24.2 g          17547-1832  19.   MSX6C
G010.3559+02.9209
86   18 02 13.97 -20 57 50.4 M                      19.   EQ 175915.0-205746 =
MSX6C G008.7786+00.7975
87*  18 09 30    -24 12.4    -          18064-2413        [NS84] 15 = ESO 521-
39 = PN G006.7-02.2
88   18 10 28.57 -23 50 48.3 M                      19.   GSC-2.2 S301203140414
89   18 10 54.11 -24 08 43.6 M                      15.   GSC-2.2 S30120314737,
not IRAS 18079-2410
90   18 15 36.13 -18 12 09.6 M                      20.   2MASS
J18153613-1812096
91   18 16 58.08 -12 13 42.5 M                      16.7  GSC-2.2 S300122315850
92   18 30 06.17 +00 42 33.6 M          18275+0040  14.7  PDS 520
93   18 30 33.22 -01 52 56.3 M                      13.1  [CDF88] 11, not IRAS
18278-0156


Notes
18   northeastern of two nebulae 24" apart.
41   also [CH87] 264.293+1.475.
87   MSX6C G006.7677-02.2521.

My name is Cliff Hedegepeth. I was referred to this group by my friend
Kent Blackwell. My 12 year old granddaughter and I view through an old
Celestron C8 and Orion XT12i. I am currently working on the new AL
globular award and notice a lot of familiar names, so I am in awe of
this group. I hope to learn a lot.
Cliff Hedgepeth

Paul has created an M31 and M33 globular catalog for astroplanner.
Great program with excellent support. Just ask him for something and
he does it.

Cliff Hedgepeth


--- In amastro@yahoogroups.com, "sea_wanderer_01"
<sea_wanderer_01@y...> wrote:
>
> Well Paul, congratulations on a superb product. I have been
> tinkering, and only refer to the manual when I get stuck (not
> often!).
> When I have got myself sorted financially I will pay for the extra
> stuff.
>
> Now all we need is for some decent UK weather in order to use the
> planner for an observing session...I know what you mean about the
> clouds Paul!
>
> clear skies
> Faith
>
>
> > There's an AstroPlanner Yahoo group for discussion of the ins and
> outs of
> > AstroPlanner, which is open to all (non-spammers). However, I am
> always happy to
> > hear from folks if they have specific needs for serious
observing.
> Often such
> > requests are incorporated into AstroPlanner at a later date.
> >
> > Oh, and you don't need to wade through the 245 page tome in order
> to use
> > AstroPlanner. 15 minutes tinkering, or following the tutorial
> chapter, and you'll being
> > off and running. Paid users get a whole mess of additional
> catalogues, a better
> > manual, etc.
> >
> > Paul Rodman
> > (AstroPlanner author and would-be serious deep sky observer if
the
> clouds ever went
> > away)
> >

Early-morning observers may be interested to know that a bright
supernova has been reported in the Virgo cluster galaxy IC 3311.  CBET 99
indicates the mag ~13.5 object is at:  12 25 33.2 +12 15 40 (J2000),
which is a few arcsec northwest of the ill-defined center of the galaxy.
The galaxy itself is a Karachentsev 'flat' galaxy of rather low surface
brightness and only V mag 14.5 or so.  Thus the supernova should be
easier to see than the galaxy itself.  The bright Moon in the coming
ten days won't make it any easier to pick up.

\Brian

HI all,

I am a new member and a long time visual observer.  My main
telescope is now a 12.5" binocular newtonian.  I am interested in
anyone who keeps observing logs as spoken audio, either digital or
analog tapes.  I used to record my observations on portable tape
recorder then transcribe later with keyboard to a data base, but
often wish to access previous observations "hands-free" at the
telescope without having to read them and affect night vision.
Digital audio takes a lot of disk space, but is becoming practical
as big hard disks, even on notebook computers, become the norm.  8-
bit audio is pretty conservative of space, but noisey, so I
typically use 16-bit mono to record spoken narration.  Has anyone in
this group tried this, recording observations as sound files and
storing the sounds in a database?  Having a computer simulated voice
read text is another alternative, but computer voices become
annoying quickly.  Also, the voice of the original observer
personalizes the observation.  Wouldn't it be great to have access
to an archive of spoken observations by some of the great observers
of the past?  I encourage you all to try this, your narrations may
be in demand sooner rather than later as our dark skies are
increasingly threatened by light pollution.

Dan

I see in Astronomy magazine that Comet M (I don't remember the
discoverer's full name, I want to write Machlup, but that's an
economist) will run right over the Perseus 1 Cluster on jan 16.  In
fact, it looks like it will run right over NGC 1275.

I'd like some help in figuring this out a bit more precisely than I
can discern from the magazine.  First, whether the comet will in fact
cross the group or merely come close to it: in my 14", I only have 43
arc minutes maximum fov so it has to be pretty close to be, well,
close.  I do have another scope with 1.5 degree fov but it won't
bring in the galaxies as well (4.25").

Second, things will have to be closely timed due to the moon and I
take it that when they say Jan 16 that means I go out on the NIGHT OF
THE 15th (I'm in upstate NY) and hope it all works out, as the night
of the 16th will really be the 17th and that will be too late.

Third, I've looked at a number of comets but never really sized them
up as light polluters when next to other things.  Is this a vain
exercise because the comet light will annihilate the galaxy cluster?

Fourth, I know this is a silly exercise because OF COURSE the sky
will be clouded out for this event, but maybe someone will be able to
get it to work out, even if not me.

regards
Greg N

Hello all;

I also read that Comet Machholz will pass just "under" the Pleiades in
January, that would also be a great image to capture.

Looking forward to all of it;
Steve Coe


-----Original Message-----
From: gnorton [mailto:tim71pos@...]
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 10:08 AM
To: amastro@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [amastro] Comet M and Perseus 1 Cluster



I see in Astronomy magazine that Comet M (I don't remember the
discoverer's full name, I want to write Machlup, but that's an
economist) will run right over the Perseus 1 Cluster on jan 16.  In
fact, it looks like it will run right over NGC 1275.

I'd like some help in figuring this out a bit more precisely than I
can discern from the magazine.  First, whether the comet will in fact
cross the group or merely come close to it: in my 14", I only have 43
arc minutes maximum fov so it has to be pretty close to be, well,
close.  I do have another scope with 1.5 degree fov but it won't
bring in the galaxies as well (4.25").

Second, things will have to be closely timed due to the moon and I
take it that when they say Jan 16 that means I go out on the NIGHT OF
THE 15th (I'm in upstate NY) and hope it all works out, as the night
of the 16th will really be the 17th and that will be too late.

Third, I've looked at a number of comets but never really sized them
up as light polluters when next to other things.  Is this a vain
exercise because the comet light will annihilate the galaxy cluster?

Fourth, I know this is a silly exercise because OF COURSE the sky
will be clouded out for this event, but maybe someone will be able to
get it to work out, even if not me.

regards
Greg N





This message is from the AmAstro mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a
blank e-mail to amastro-unsubscribe@YahooGroups.com.
Yahoo! Groups Links

> Third, I've looked at a number of comets but never really sized them
> up as light polluters when next to other things.  Is this a vain
> exercise because the comet light will annihilate the galaxy cluster?

If I remember correctly Comet Machholz will be comparable to Ikeya-Zhang in
brightness in January, right? This is an image I made of IZ and beta And on
March 30th 2002 with the galaxy NGC 404 nearby.

http://messier45.com/cgi-bin/photo.pl?i=Ast/Co/Ik/Image28.jpg

The mag 12 galaxy was no problem to observe next to this comet. In fact it's
as you know no problem to observe NGC 404 next to beta And either. What half
a magnitude less and even smaller separation will do I'm not sure. If it can
be captured photographically it would be cool. However, if NGC 1275 is
visible around January 16th, then why should it not be visible even if the
comet is very close? Of course, if the comet passes in front of the galaxy,
that's more difficult I guess :)

--
Vennlig hilsen,
Mikkel Steine
___________________________________________
mikkel@... - http://Messier45.com
What to observe next?

> http://messier45.com/cgi-bin/photo.pl?i=Ast/Co/Ik/Image28.jpg

Hmm... this doesn't work, does it. Well, here's the full link but you may have
to cut and paste a bit:

http://messier45.com/cgi-bin/photo.pl?i=Astrophoto/Comets/Ikeya-Zhang/Image28.jp\
g

--
Vennlig hilsen,
Mikkel Steine
___________________________________________
mikkel@... - http://Messier45.com
What to observe next?

Greg,

I just threw the following orbital elements inot MegaStar:
C/2004 Q2   2005 01  24.9146    1.205088   0.999502     19.5023     93.6269
38.5891    5.5   10.0    2000 MPC 52905

According to these, the comets nearest approach to the galaxy center will be
about 43' during the daytime.

Clear skies,  Sue

----- Original Message -----
From: "gnorton" <tim71pos@...>
To: <amastro@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 12:07 PM
Subject: [amastro] Comet M and Perseus 1 Cluster


>
>
> I see in Astronomy magazine that Comet M (I don't remember the
> discoverer's full name, I want to write Machlup, but that's an
> economist) will run right over the Perseus 1 Cluster on jan 16.  In
> fact, it looks like it will run right over NGC 1275.
>
> I'd like some help in figuring this out a bit more precisely than I
> can discern from the magazine.  First, whether the comet will in fact
> cross the group or merely come close to it: in my 14", I only have 43
> arc minutes maximum fov so it has to be pretty close to be, well,
> close.  I do have another scope with 1.5 degree fov but it won't
> bring in the galaxies as well (4.25").
>
> Second, things will have to be closely timed due to the moon and I
> take it that when they say Jan 16 that means I go out on the NIGHT OF
> THE 15th (I'm in upstate NY) and hope it all works out, as the night
> of the 16th will really be the 17th and that will be too late.
>
> Third, I've looked at a number of comets but never really sized them
> up as light polluters when next to other things.  Is this a vain
> exercise because the comet light will annihilate the galaxy cluster?
>
> Fourth, I know this is a silly exercise because OF COURSE the sky
> will be clouded out for this event, but maybe someone will be able to
> get it to work out, even if not me.
>
> regards
> Greg N
>
>
>
>
>
> This message is from the AmAstro mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a
blank e-mail to amastro-unsubscribe@YahooGroups.com.
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

For that issue in particular, the orbit on comet Machholz was fairly
preliminary, only a few days old, so we can expect some differences in time
and space for when it passes by stuff compared to a recently computed orbit.
With the comet so bright you won't miss it, but for critical details, it's
always best to have elements that are as up to date as possible.

The dates on the charts in Astronomy magazine are set for an evening time
eastern time, not UT, though that is not obvious. We try and keep things as
straightforward as possible, so when a chart says Jan 16, it means the
evening of Jan 16.

I think all amateur astronomers have made the slip at some point about
looking for an event on the wrong evening - it never hurts to double check!

Hope that helps,
Alister.
----- Original Message -----
From: "gnorton" <tim71pos@...>
To: <amastro@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 10:07 AM
Subject: [amastro] Comet M and Perseus 1 Cluster


>
>
> I see in Astronomy magazine that Comet M (I don't remember the
> discoverer's full name, I want to write Machlup, but that's an
> economist) will run right over the Perseus 1 Cluster on jan 16.  In
> fact, it looks like it will run right over NGC 1275.
>
> I'd like some help in figuring this out a bit more precisely than I
> can discern from the magazine.  First, whether the comet will in fact
> cross the group or merely come close to it: in my 14", I only have 43
> arc minutes maximum fov so it has to be pretty close to be, well,
> close.  I do have another scope with 1.5 degree fov but it won't
> bring in the galaxies as well (4.25").
>
> Second, things will have to be closely timed due to the moon and I
> take it that when they say Jan 16 that means I go out on the NIGHT OF
> THE 15th (I'm in upstate NY) and hope it all works out, as the night
> of the 16th will really be the 17th and that will be too late.
>
> Third, I've looked at a number of comets but never really sized them
> up as light polluters when next to other things.  Is this a vain
> exercise because the comet light will annihilate the galaxy cluster?
>
> Fourth, I know this is a silly exercise because OF COURSE the sky
> will be clouded out for this event, but maybe someone will be able to
> get it to work out, even if not me.
>
> regards
> Greg N
>
>
>
>
>
> This message is from the AmAstro mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a
> blank e-mail to amastro-unsubscribe@YahooGroups.com.
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

As a reminder, folks can get ephemerides from current elements
from either the MPC or JPL:

http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/Ephemerides/index.html

http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov

(yes, the latter will give you elements and ephmerides for things
other than NEOs).

\Brian

Observed Comet Machholz C/2004 Q2

November 30, 2004 0700 UT from Death Valley California
Instrument 12.5" binocular newtonian (f/6)
70x
Gibbous moon in sky, bright moonlight
Transparency excellent, seeing moderate

Coma large (8-10 arc minutes) with strong central concentration,
psuedo nucleus bright but not starlike, also large (1-2 arc
minutes), ion tail barely glimpsed by moving telescope slightly side
to side, narrow line trending northward, total length seen about 30
arc minutes. Hint of curving shorter dust tail also seen.  Estimated
magnitude 6.1

This comet is already a lovely sight even in bright moonlight,
easily seen in 7x50 binoculars between Lepus and Eridanus.  Very
bright in the big binocs.  If it's clear definitely get out and look!

Dan

This report falls into the better late than never category I suppose.

On Saturday, November 13/14, I spent some time at the eyepiece of a
20" f/10 classical Cassegrain located at a friend's observatory. It
was a fairly good but not great night in terms of seeing and
transparency. The first object we viewed was Comet Tucker Q1. It
appeared as a small, rather unimpressive fuzzball at 203x (25mm
University Optics MK-70).

We then had a look at the showcase spiral galaxy NGC 7331 in Pegasus.
Using 203x and 302x (16.8mm Orion MegaVista) we eventually positively
identified four of its fairly faint companion galaxies, namely NGC
7335, NGC 7336, NGC 7337, and NGC 7340. These galaxies range in
brightness from mid-thirteenth to mid-fourteenth magnitude. NGC 7336
was the most difficult of the bunch to detect.

After slewing the big scope slightly southward, I noted that NGC
7320, the brightest member of Stephan's Quintet, was fairly easy to
see. We didn't spend much time on the remaining members.

After a warm-up and caffeine break the next celestial target was
another comet, Comet Maccholz Q2, at 127 (40mm Orion UltraScan), 159
(32mm Edmund Scientific Erfle), and 203x. I could discern a wedge-
shaped coma and a short tail.

The planetary nebula NGC 1535 in Eridanus was a fine target using the
25mm with Orion UltraBlock and Lumicon O-III filters. At 127x an
unfiltered NGC 1535 displayed a pleasing blue hue and a prominent
central star.

The face-on spiral galaxy NGC 1232, also located in Eridanus, was
fairly large and rather faint at 203x.

Before leaving that patch of the sky I showed my friend the excellent
binary star 32 Eridani.

My friend had to get going so after taking a quick peek at the
supernova remnant M1 we closed the Home Dome and went home.

Dave Mitsky

As always, thank you Sue.

I don't suppose your chart showed how the comet looked vis a vis the
other members of the Perseus I cluster.  Actually there is a tight
galaxy concentration near NGC 1275 that fits easily in a 30 or so arc
minute fov, but IIRC there are other members of the group that spill
out beyond that range.

I also have a choice between 108mm and 356mm apertures for this
object, the comment that Macholz was easily visible in binoculars
makes me think that 14" might be overkill?  But I WOULD like to sneak
in those galaxies.  Don't know how the 108mm will do there...also
sounds like it's still a bit far south for my location.  Might be
findable but still down in the murk.  Of ocurse I COULD use both, but
that would depend on how brutal conditions are in mid-January.

I'm particularly interested in the mid-January occasion as I think
there is a holiday and I also recently spent some time viewing the
Perseus 1 galaxy group which is high on my list of the way cool.

I do think that the imagers on this group, some of whom no doubt have
wider fields than I, may want to try to catch the comet in or near
the Perseus 1 galaxy cluster.

regards
Greg N


--- In amastro@yahoogroups.com, "Sue French" <scfrench@n...> wrote:
> Greg,
>
> I just threw the following orbital elements inot MegaStar:
> C/2004 Q2   2005 01  24.9146    1.205088   0.999502     19.5023
93.6269
> 38.5891    5.5   10.0    2000 MPC 52905
>
> According to these, the comets nearest approach to the galaxy
center will be
> about 43' during the daytime.
>
> Clear skies,  Sue
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "gnorton" <tim71pos@h...>
> To: <amastro@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 12:07 PM
> Subject: [amastro] Comet M and Perseus 1 Cluster
>
>
> >
> >
> > I see in Astronomy magazine that Comet M (I don't remember the
> > discoverer's full name, I want to write Machlup, but that's an
> > economist) will run right over the Perseus 1 Cluster on jan 16.

Greg,

I'll e-mail a screen capture to you.  I can update the plot as new
ephemerides appear.

Clear skies,  Sue

----- Original Message -----
From: "gnorton" <tim71pos@...>
To: <amastro@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 12:13 PM
Subject: [amastro] Re: Comet M and Perseus 1 Cluster


>
>
> As always, thank you Sue.
>
> I don't suppose your chart showed how the comet looked vis a vis the
> other members of the Perseus I cluster.  Actually there is a tight
> galaxy concentration near NGC 1275 that fits easily in a 30 or so arc
> minute fov, but IIRC there are other members of the group that spill
> out beyond that range.
>
> I also have a choice between 108mm and 356mm apertures for this
> object, the comment that Macholz was easily visible in binoculars
> makes me think that 14" might be overkill?  But I WOULD like to sneak
> in those galaxies.  Don't know how the 108mm will do there...also
> sounds like it's still a bit far south for my location.  Might be
> findable but still down in the murk.  Of ocurse I COULD use both, but
> that would depend on how brutal conditions are in mid-January.
>
> I'm particularly interested in the mid-January occasion as I think
> there is a holiday and I also recently spent some time viewing the
> Perseus 1 galaxy group which is high on my list of the way cool.
>
> I do think that the imagers on this group, some of whom no doubt have
> wider fields than I, may want to try to catch the comet in or near
> the Perseus 1 galaxy cluster.
>
> regards
> Greg N
>
>
> --- In amastro@yahoogroups.com, "Sue French" <scfrench@n...> wrote:
> > Greg,
> >
> > I just threw the following orbital elements inot MegaStar:
> > C/2004 Q2   2005 01  24.9146    1.205088   0.999502     19.5023
> 93.6269
> > 38.5891    5.5   10.0    2000 MPC 52905
> >
> > According to these, the comets nearest approach to the galaxy
> center will be
> > about 43' during the daytime.
> >
> > Clear skies,  Sue
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "gnorton" <tim71pos@h...>
> > To: <amastro@yahoogroups.com>
> > Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 12:07 PM
> > Subject: [amastro] Comet M and Perseus 1 Cluster
> >
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > I see in Astronomy magazine that Comet M (I don't remember the
> > > discoverer's full name, I want to write Machlup, but that's an
> > > economist) will run right over the Perseus 1 Cluster on jan 16.
>
>
>
>
>
> This message is from the AmAstro mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a
blank e-mail to amastro-unsubscribe@YahooGroups.com.
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

In James T. Fulton's book, to be found at
http://4colorvision.com/pdf/4photoreceptor.pdf is (chapter 4) said that "the
most authorative text on anatomical and clinical neuro-ophtalmology, no
longer supports a phisical or electrophisiological distinction between rods
and cones". According to this boork, the sensitivity of a receptor for a
certain  part of the spectrum is not dictated by its form (rod or cone) but
by its pigment. I didn't read the whole book, but it is contrary to what I
read in tradional books about this topic.

Jan
http://home.wanadoo.nl/jhm.vangastel/Astronomy/

Thanks Sue. I received the email and it is very cool.  I note that
folks here might want to see the map in the files or photos section!

I'm actively debating whether my needs for software are acute enough
to merit the switch to Megastar, given competing demands on my
financial resources.  Sky Map pro also allows for orbital plotting
but I'm just not with it enough to master these intricacies.

regards Greg N

--- In amastro@yahoogroups.com, "Sue French" <scfrench@n...> wrote:
> Greg,
>
> I'll e-mail a screen capture to you.  I can update the plot as new
> ephemerides appear.
>
> Clear skies,  Sue
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "gnorton" <tim71pos@h...>
> To: <amastro@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 12:13 PM
> Subject: [amastro] Re: Comet M and Perseus 1 Cluster
>
>
>

I assume I'm correct in assuming

(a) that one can see great color saturation on Saturn with small
aperure instruments in the 100mm aperture class, including, in my
experience, my 108mm Newt;

(b) that nonetheless the un-good quality 100mms will have a problem
with color saturation (and indeed bigger un-good apertures too)

(and I get the feeling that most of the people on this group have
very good quality instruments for whatever aperture range they use)

Now, here are some questions:

(a) is color saturation lost due to poor collimation

(b) lost when Saturn is low to the horizon

(c) lost when the moon is too close to full or too close and

(d) (one I'm very curious about) compromised by large apertures (too
much light blinding the eyes etc) at lower powers

I know that genetic variation is also a factor in color detection but
we can leave that one out of the mix.  I observed during the lunar
eclipse recenlty that lunar color saturation diminished with aperture
and magnification, was most intense naked eye and next-best in the 4"
apos at magnifications under 20x.

thanks
Greg N

Forgive the intrusion....
Hope these are correct. :D

StarryNight animation labeled DD:HH on 2005-01-15 starting 12am PST (-8UT)
http://members.aol.com/jgortatows/CometMachholz-2005-01-15.mov

SkyMap Pro chart labeled every 2 hours starting 2005-01-15 12am PST (-8 UT)
http://members.aol.com/jgortatows/CometMachholz-2005-01-15.gif



=====
---------------------------------------
Jeffrey D. Gortatowsky
La Habra Heights, California

"Madam, there's no such thing as a tough child -- if you parboil them first for
seven hours, they always come out tender. " - W.C. Fields
"What wretched scoundrel stole the cork from my lunch?" - W.C. Fields

Sorry to be a pessimist but I suspect your best chance of seeing color
saturation on Saturn in the 100 mm class is if you put down big bucks for a
quality apochromat .
Tony Buckley
----- Original Message -----
From: "gnorton" <tim71pos@...>
To: <amastro@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 9:44 AM
Subject: [amastro] Color saturation on Saturn


>
>
> I assume I'm correct in assuming
>
> (a) that one can see great color saturation on Saturn with small
> aperure instruments in the 100mm aperture class, including, in my
> experience, my 108mm Newt;
>
> (b) that nonetheless the un-good quality 100mms will have a problem
> with color saturation (and indeed bigger un-good apertures too)
>
> (and I get the feeling that most of the people on this group have
> very good quality instruments for whatever aperture range they use)
>
> Now, here are some questions:
>
> (a) is color saturation lost due to poor collimation
>
> (b) lost when Saturn is low to the horizon
>
> (c) lost when the moon is too close to full or too close and
>
> (d) (one I'm very curious about) compromised by large apertures (too
> much light blinding the eyes etc) at lower powers
>
> I know that genetic variation is also a factor in color detection but
> we can leave that one out of the mix.  I observed during the lunar
> eclipse recenlty that lunar color saturation diminished with aperture
> and magnification, was most intense naked eye and next-best in the 4"
> apos at magnifications under 20x.
>
> thanks
> Greg N
>
>
>
>
>
> This message is from the AmAstro mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a
> blank e-mail to amastro-unsubscribe@YahooGroups.com.
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>