It's a bit hard to tell yet, but who's open for which days this
weekend?    I'm off Friday and Monday (Whoo Hoo!!).  If no-one wants
to go to the field, I'll stick to the back yard, although a neighbor
puts on a fireworks display that rivals a typical small town, and the
cordite lingers for awhile!

Don't forget the bug spray!

Later,

Mike R.

--- In laxastro@yahoogroups.com, "Mike R." <fastsedan@...> wrote:
>
> It's a bit hard to tell yet, but who's open for which days this
> weekend?    I'm off Friday and Monday (Whoo Hoo!!).  If no-one wants
> to go to the field, I'll stick to the back yard, although a neighbor
> puts on a fireworks display that rivals a typical small town, and the
> cordite lingers for awhile!
>
> Don't forget the bug spray!
>
> Later,
>
> Mike R.
>

I am going to the field tonight. Looks like a good one.

Tonight looks like it has great potential.  John and I will be at the
field.  Come on up after the fireworks (or during; we could see a
bunch on the horizon last night)!

Later,

Mike R.

As I was driving up to the field Thursday night, clouds were
everywhere, but the water vapor radar loop seemed to indicate that it
would thin out.  Well, there were plenty of gaps in the clouds, and
the seeing was pretty good there.

The Dark Sky Panels were a resounding success!  I no longer have to
fight for a spot strategically shielded by the building, cars, and
trees.  I do need help from at least one of the above, and I'll need
to bring 3 panels instead of 2, but I've found observing much better
without all those pesky farm lights.  A shroud over the head can work
well, but some eyepieces (with close eye relief) tend to fog up more.

Anyway, I don't know if I was more excited about the panels and the 12
inch dob, or Craig's and John's new toys.  The Takahashi 102mm triplet
is just phenomenal; I'm used to seeing stars get bigger with more
magnification, but the Tak seems to keep them more as pinpoints.  The
Double-Double was just amazing.  We also got occasional steadiness on
Jupiter.  This was the first time I could see detail along the bands!
  John's Celestron 80mm ED also gave excellent views, and the CG-5 goto
mount is now working quite well.  I foresee a 4 inch refracter on an
equatorial mount in my hopefully not-to-distant future!

Oh, with the dob, I just surfed through the holes, and checked out
some old favorites.  Also, finally managed to bag M5, and it's a
beauty!  I was lining up on it wrong, think I have it now.  There's
still sooo much sky that I need to learn!

Later,

Mike R.

I wanted to get up there tonight (Friday) but was just too sore and
late after going to Eitzen to watch the combine demolition derby.
Stopped in LaX to see the fireworks there, then came home and stole a
quick look at Jupiter from my front yard.
It would have been great tonight as again there would be NO dew like
last night. Hopefully this weather will hold for one more night.
I plan on going up tomorrow night if it is clear, so hopefully others
will want to also!
Give me a call if you like.

Is anyone going out flying field tonight? I will go if if others are
going.

Steve


--- In laxastro@yahoogroups.com, "StarGazer" <star_gazer_20022002@...>
wrote:
>
> I wanted to get up there tonight (Friday) but was just too sore and
> late after going to Eitzen to watch the combine demolition derby.
> Stopped in LaX to see the fireworks there, then came home and stole a
> quick look at Jupiter from my front yard.
> It would have been great tonight as again there would be NO dew like
> last night. Hopefully this weather will hold for one more night.
> I plan on going up tomorrow night if it is clear, so hopefully others
> will want to also!
> Give me a call if you like.
>

Well, it looks like the clouds might not reach us for a few hours, but
it's going to be breezy.  Having been out late at the field the last 2
nights, I'm going to stick to the back yard tonight.  Haven't heard
from John so I assume he's not going.

Later,

Mike R.

Hey gang, Friday night the Moon will be at about 65 percent but it
sets at around 12:30pm.  With the weather the way it's been, you gotta
take the chance when you get it!

So, Craig and I will probably go if the weather's decent.  If you
haven't gazed at the moon for awhile, maybe you should check it out
again!  Then see the Milky Way in all its glory!

We'll probably not get up there till late (11-ish?).

Post if you're in!

Mike R.

A visit to Luther College to observe may interest some.  Go to
http://astronomy.luther.edu/public_observing.htm for information.

The distance from La Crescent is about 51 miles, estimated by
StreetAtlas to take an hour and a half.  This is a bit less than the
trip to the college in Rochester

The next public program is Friday, August 1, from 9:30 PM until 10:30.
For details for the evening, go to
http://astronomy.luther.edu/observing_info.htm

There are 2 12" Meades and 2 10" Meades in the observatory.  They retire
to a planetarium show if wx is bad.

Any interest in car pooling?

Regards, Red

The night of August 1st is the Rochester Astronomy Club's 1st annual StarBQ,
down by the
IA border near Spring Grove.  We're grilling out starting around 6pm and soem of
us will
be camping there through the night to observe.  It's BYO beverage & meat, and
we'll
provide all the fixings.  We're planning on making it a two night event, weather
permitting.

So...I hope you all can make it to that!  The rain date is August 29/30th.


--- In laxastro@yahoogroups.com, wo0w <WO0W@...> wrote:
>
> A visit to Luther College to observe may interest some.  Go to
> http://astronomy.luther.edu/public_observing.htm for information.
>
> The distance from La Crescent is about 51 miles, estimated by
> StreetAtlas to take an hour and a half.  This is a bit less than the
> trip to the college in Rochester
>
> The next public program is Friday, August 1, from 9:30 PM until 10:30.
> For details for the evening, go to
> http://astronomy.luther.edu/observing_info.htm
>
> There are 2 12" Meades and 2 10" Meades in the observatory.  They retire
> to a planetarium show if wx is bad.
>
> Any interest in car pooling?
>
> Regards, Red
>

Well, NWS is predicting rain after 10:00pm, and sure enough, there's a
blob flaring up and heading our way across MN.  We probably won't be
able to predict if it will be clear after midnight until, well, after
midnight!  Sooo, I'll plan on the back yard again, IF I'm still up!


Mike R.


--- In laxastro@yahoogroups.com, "Mike R." <fastsedan@...> wrote:
>
> Hey gang, Friday night the Moon will be at about 65 percent but it
> sets at around 12:30pm.  With the weather the way it's been, you gotta
> take the chance when you get it!
>
> So, Craig and I will probably go if the weather's decent.  If you
> haven't gazed at the moon for awhile, maybe you should check it out
> again!  Then see the Milky Way in all its glory!
>
> We'll probably not get up there till late (11-ish?).
>
> Post if you're in!
>
> Mike R.
>

Count me in for the StarBQ to.

Phil


--- In laxastro@yahoogroups.com, Mike Rowlands <fastsedan@...> wrote:
>
> I'm planning on the StarBQ! 
>
> Red, maybe we can do the September meeting (if there is one).
>
> Nicole, I can't seem to find a map on the RAC website.  Help?  By
the way, the talk in the RAC events forum is for the last weekend in
June.  It's for sure August 1?
>
> Mike R.
>
>
> --- On Wed, 7/9/08, coley1672 <nicoleedgar@...> wrote:
> From: coley1672 <nicoleedgar@...>
> Subject: [laxastro] Re: Luther college observing
> To: laxastro@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2008, 10:53 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>             The night of August 1st is the Rochester Astronomy
Club's 1st annual StarBQ, down by the
>
> IA border near Spring Grove.  We're grilling out starting around
6pm and soem of us will
>
> be camping there through the night to observe.  It's BYO beverage &
meat, and we'll
>
> provide all the fixings.  We're planning on making it a two night
event, weather permitting.
>
>
>
> So...I hope you all can make it to that!  The rain date is August
29/30th.
>
>
>
> --- In laxastro@yahoogroup s.com, wo0w <WO0W@> wrote:
>
> >
>
> > A visit to Luther College to observe may interest some.  Go to
>
> > http://astronomy. luther.edu/ public_observing .htm for
information.
>
> >
>
> > The distance from La Crescent is about 51 miles, estimated by
>
> > StreetAtlas to take an hour and a half.  This is a bit less than
the
>
> > trip to the college in Rochester
>
> >
>
> > The next public program is Friday, August 1, from 9:30 PM until
10:30.
>
> > For details for the evening, go to
>
> > http://astronomy. luther.edu/ observing_ info.htm
>
> >
>
> > There are 2 12" Meades and 2 10" Meades in the observatory.  They
retire
>
> > to a planetarium show if wx is bad.
>
> >
>
> > Any interest in car pooling?
>
> >
>
> > Regards, Red
>
> >
>

Doh!  I was getting the original JUne date confused with JUly!  Please
ignore my senility!  Still could use a map/directions though.

Later,

Mike R.


--- In laxastro@yahoogroups.com, Mike Rowlands <fastsedan@...> wrote:

>  By the way, the talk in the RAC events forum is for the last
weekend in June.  It's for sure August 1?
>
> Mike R.

Here is waht I have in mind for meeting dates. They are all the 1st
Wednesdays of the month. Any problems with them?

Sep 3
Oct 1,
Nov 5
Dec 3 (Christmas party?)
Jan 7 (2009)
Feb 4
Mar 4
April 1 (No fooling)
May 6 (Annnual Banquet)

Any comments?

Phil

Hi, Phil;

Thank you for proposing dates.  The dates are OK by me.  What shall we
have for content?

Regards, Red

We can run through the agenda as we did last year. I believe we also
need to revisit what direction we want the club to go in the future.

Maybe a few people can give short presentations on subjects that
interest them. I would be willing to discuss my visit to Kitt Peak.
Anyone else willing to present?


--- In laxastro@yahoogroups.com, wo0w <WO0W@...> wrote:
>
> Hi, Phil;
>
> Thank you for proposing dates.  The dates are OK by me.  What shall
we
> have for content?
>
> Regards, Red
>

Regarding the Coulee Region Modelers flying field:

It is important to me to stress that the flying field is private
property and we should treat it that way.  I think it would be
appreciated if we report any vandalism if we see it happening.
Arriving and setting up before dark seems like a good idea and then
the neighbors won't wonder what we are up to.  Well, they still might
given the size of some of our scopes!

Al Bushek, who lives across MM from the entrance to the field, is the
owner.  The field is used and maintained by the Coulee Region
Modelers, http://couleeregionmodelers.net/.  I think Al should be
contacted at least once a year and thanked for allowing the club to
use the field.  One year I did give a donation to the Childrens
Miracle Network to thank him for use of the field.  CMN is the
organization that the group supports with their annual fly-in.

My personal opinion is that the flying field should not be promoted as
a public observing site.  Al has always been more than accomodating
when I've asked if we could use it as the club's observing site and we
should respect that.

Rick

Hi gang,

According to Astro Planner, tonight (Friday) the Moon is at about 50%
and rises at 11:50pm.  It rises a half hour later Saturday night.
Although we seem to be under a storm watch, it looks like it COULD be
clear later.  I'm planning on the back yard tonight (if it clears),
but would be up for going to the field tomorrow if the weather
forecast is wrong.  Anyone else?

Does anyone have a 9 mm University Optics Abbe Ortho (or HD Abbe Ortho)?

Later,

Mike R.

I guess it is, after all, the Perseids that we are seeing now.
Visible from mid-July and peaking between August 8th and 14th.

It may have been.. I decided to take a trip to the field, and was
treated to (what I believe) is the best night of the year so far for
clarity and steadiness. Jupiter was just incredible, and as an added
bonus I was able to catch a moon transit from half way across until
emerging from the other side. A 7mm Nagler and 2.2x barlow were clear
as could be and the double double was two very distinct pair of round
stars, well separated.
It didn't take too much imagination to think I may see the central
star in M57 either.
Just an awesome sky out there, and WELL worth the trip for an hour and
a half of incredible viewing conditions.
Only caught one meteor. Oh well..

Go to
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/science/31computer.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=sl\
ogin
<http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/science/31computer.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=s\
login>
for an interesting article in the NY Times about the Antikythera Mechanism.

Regards, Red

--- In laxastro@yahoogroups.com, "StarGazer" <star_gazer_20022002@...>
wrote:
>
> It may have been.. I decided to take a trip to the field, and was
> treated to (what I believe) is the best night of the year so far for
> clarity and steadiness. Jupiter was just incredible, and as an added
> bonus I was able to catch a moon transit from half way across until
> emerging from the other side. A 7mm Nagler and 2.2x barlow were clear
> as could be and the double double was two very distinct pair of round
> stars, well separated.
> It didn't take too much imagination to think I may see the central
> star in M57 either.
> Just an awesome sky out there, and WELL worth the trip for an hour and
> a half of incredible viewing conditions.
> Only caught one meteor. Oh well..
>
In looking tonight at S&T for July, it showed NO transits for last
night. So, I went looking on the web and found that, indeed it was Io
that was crossing the planet.
I guess we can't always trust S&T for transits and times.
Here's a cool site I found that appears to be more accurate.
http://www.observatory.sfasu.edu/Planets/planets.htm
Check it out!