Observing Report - FINALLY found a minor planet! Vesta!

I replaced the batteries in my Telrad, found my missing Astronomy accessories, and was ready to rock and roll. Also found my "Wide Field Kit", which simply consists of a 40mm PL and a 6.3 reducer. Tonight was a decent night as far as transparency goes, however Jupiter set before my scope could cool down, or seeing was that bad, don't know, it didn't effect my other observations.

Grabed my red flashlight, SkyChart 2000, and drew up a list of targets.

M76 - Very easy to find, but no individual stars
M57 - Looked like a diffuse star, not much on detail, since using my Wide Field kit.
M15 - Very bright central region. Could discern some outer structure, kind of like spiral arms, using 18mm SWA
M103 - Nice Open cluster, whole area in Cassiopeia is cool to scan with low power.
M24 - Also a nice OC
NGC 6830 and 6823 - Double Cluster - My favorite. Always a treat. This is why I bought the 6.3 reducer and 40mm in the first place. Nicely framed.
Uranus - Found and confirmed with the help of my new observing companion, Stellarium v10. With its bigger database, and ability to flip views to match eyepiece, I confirmed this object for the 3rd time in my lifetime. Bumping to 18mm certainly also confirms it sphere like appearance over a star. NICE
Vesta !!!!! - A first for me tonight! Again, using Stellarium v10 I was able to confirm my reference stars to my field of view. Found it relatively quickly. Bright, but still kind of starlike. Need to due further research on if the object moves faster than the backround stars or not, would be cool to see it move to other stars.

So I didn't get to visit my friend Jupiter much tonight, but finding Uranus was cake, and finding asteroid Vista for the first time ever was certainly the icing!

Stellarium v10 Beta is Betta

I'm a big fan of Stellarium, which is on Open Source program that has one of the most realistic views of the night sky that I have seen. It's previous versions had one "flaw", it's very limited database of objects. It was great at rendering the constellations, but it lacked the ability to list Messier or NGC objects. Well, that seems to be mostly resolved in the latest version. Besides adding what I can tell is the complete Messier list, it also appears to have a healthy database of NGC objects as well. It also has a revamped user interface. Its a tad slower then the previous version, as far as calling up the option that is, but the new user interface is intuitive enough. On my Vista machine it install without incident, although it did not keep any of my previous information saved, such as location or defaults. So if you have added your own objects to the previous version, or lots of locations, be aware you may loose those. They have a user forum however that may help you out, so I advise doing your research first before installing it if you wish to have any chance at keeping those custom items.

So grab the latest Stellarium beta, they have a great product, and I'm looking forward to the next release.

http://www.stellarium.org/

Added the new Tokbox to my MySpace page and finally works!

I have been using Tokbox with family/friends now for over 3 months and I must say I am impressed with the technology. You have the option to embed the feature into your MySpace page, and you also have a conference page setup for you when you initially sign up for the free account. They made some changes to this embed feature, when I had it originally it didn't work, but now the new feature appears to work great!

When you embed to the MySpace page, others that hit the page will be able to "call" you from within the MySpace page itself, no other software is needed on their part, just the camera and microphone. When you happen to be on a call, others that hit your MySpace page will see you in the call, and can either opt to join the conference, or simply view the video.  Voice quality has been good for 2-3 people in the conference, but you get some modulation at times with more than 3. With the 1 to 1 chat, or a conference with only 2 people, voice quality is very good. Check out TokBox for yourself! 

http://www.myspace.com/geminijk

A poem for the boys in Blue and Gray still at Shiloh

I walked the fields of Shiloh today.
Saw the winners flag sway.
Waving in the breeze half mast.
Paying its respect to the boys thus past.
As I walked along roads once bloody.
A feeling of sorrow swept through my body.
Picturing the boys bravely fall.
Among the thunderous sounds and flying ball.
I knelt below the monument mark.
That noted where the boys in gray embarked.
On their frightful journey to their maker went.
Openly giving their lives they sent.
As I walked the fields of Shiloh today.
I felt moved enough to kneel and pray.
For both the boys of Blue and Gray.
You are not forgotten on this day.

Observing report 8/17 - Jupiter in all its splendor

Time: 2100 CST to 0030 CST
Equipment: Celestron Ultima 8 PEC
Power Range: 76x to 160x
Transparency: good
Seeing: good at first but changed to average later on in observing session.


Setup the scope on the roof access area tonight again. Either its the area, or just blessed with some very good transparency and seeing, but I have been able to see detail on Jupiter for the second time here at the new house!

Started observing right at dusk. Used 160x mag. Nice detail in the N and S Equatorial belts, as well as the NNTeZ and the lighter NTeZ zone for the first time! I could clearly see separations in the NEB, almost looking like it had a white line within the zone itself. I also nabbed the GRS in the SEB, and watched it move across the edge of the planet until it was out of sight! Also noticed a dark spot that was in the South Trop Zone (NTrz) (i think it was that zone anyway). As the night progressed, seeing appeared to have gotten worse. After a short break, I went back outside thinking that now would be a better time to bump up the magnification, after having great success with 160x. I tried the 9.4mm (212x) but I think the conditions worsened because at this time I was now viewing over a higher portion of the roof, and I think turbulence was caused by this, but of course thats hard to say. Earlier in the evening, the planet was directly south of me, so no roof was in that location.

I hope that with the relatively ease and convenience of having an area to observe right outside my bedroom, that I will get better at the identification of zones and belts, and be able to describe my observations better in the future for Jupiter. This location has certainly rejuvenated my planetary observing! I have yet to do any type of deepsky observing but thats soon to come. I now feel much more comfortable about the Ultima 8 and its capabilities, and think I finally understand the constraints of seeing. I have lived in Nevada and Florida, and of course most recently in E. Tennessee. For whatever reason, my last 2 observing sessions here in W. Tennessee have blessed me with the best views of Jupiter that I have seen since purchasing the scope in 1996. I had always thought the views very disappointing, and questioned the scopes optical performance. But now, I think at least it must be about average, if not better, and these views will keep me happy for some time to come.

On a side note, I have noticed that annoying reflection dead center in the scope again. Interestingly, its not present in the 26mm, only the 12.5 and 9.4. Would love to figure out why! Also, I broke one of the locking knobs that hold the drive base to the wedge, the plastic knob simply broke in my hand, leaving the bolt firmly in the wedge and locking the drive base in place. Guess its a call to Celestron to get replacements, maybe they have a suggestion about the reflection?

Observing log: A tale of two moons

Last night I brought the SCT out for the first time in over a month. I was in Vegas w/o a telescope for a number of weeks and needed to get my observing fix.

I first started out with the scorn of Deep Sky observers and our nearest neighbor, the Moon. Being nearly full, I needed my filter to cut down on some of the glare. Here is a quick review of some of the features I observed (attempts to verified features using Virtual Moon Atlas)

8" SCT w/9.4 PL, 12.5 PL, and 26MM PL

Using the 26mm which gives 73x, it frames the Moon perfectly in the eyepiece. I use this mag just to scan the whole surface, the mare, larger craters etc. Soon saw some interesting area's that I wanted to check out further near the limb.

Using the 12.5mm which gives 163x, I came across a crater near the limb that had a distinct "V" shaped "valley" on the crater wall. I think I have it identified it as Euctemon, if you are an avid Lunar observing please let me know if this sounds correct. I referenced Virtual Moon Atlas, but unfortunately I should have noted its position on paper at the scope and tried to find it later at the computer.

If my estimate above is correct, I observed Meton, and there was a prominent crater, perhaps Archytas.

Now to the really cool event of the evening. I had to wait till after 2am untill Jupiter was clear of my tree's to the south, but there was the mighty Jupiter. I'm always disappointed in the lack of cloud detail I can perceive (powers ranged from 325x to 163x, keeping most observing with the 163x 12.5mm). I noticed the two prominant clound bands, with the southern main belt having a hind of a mid-level separation. There was a hint of a band on the northern latitude as well. I really need to hook up with some folks and compare their views to mine, I just have never seen any decernable detail on the bands, and I read all kinds of blogs about festoons, ovals, etc.

Anyway the main event of this evening was the transit of Io across Jupiter. As I watched in my eyepiece, trying to tease any surface details out from this challenging planet, I began to notice a bright object beginning to become more pronounced on Jupiter's limb, about the 11 o'clock position of the Io shadow. I immediately recognized this as Io itself. I watch for the next 45 mins or so as the moon grew more distinct as it approached the darker limb, until it separated completely from Jupiter's disk itself.

So I logged some new craters on the Moon, and saw Io transit out from in front of Jupiter for the first time. I would be interested in hearing back from others with SCT's regarding what you can decern on Jupiters belts. Please post any comments!

The lure of a Dual-Head Alt-Az mount

Ever since Orion Telescopes release a Dual-Head Alt-Az Mount about 2 months ago, I've been salivating. The price point is nice, at $399. The capacity of the thing is impressive, it can hold 2 telescopes each 25lbs. Now, that may very well be marketing, perhaps the mount can hold that much but it would be stressing the capability so much that shakes and tracking would be a challenge. So we will tone it down to say holding a 8"SCT and a 80mm Refractor, that is well within its capability.

Why a dual-head alt-az mount? Why am I so intrigued with the thought of having to manually track objects at high power when I have an equatorial fork arm mount that can track objects reasonably well w/o much alignment? I must say I have never used an Alt-Az mount, but have viewed through many dobsonians. The views are great, but objects like planets do not stay in the field of view very long at med-high power. You constantly have to adjust the position of the scope, thus you introduce some shakes, which of course then affect the view. By the time it settles, your object may very well be approaching the outer third of your field and on its way out. Now it may be argued that the Alt-Az mount is meant for low-med views yes, but I see all those Televue refractors out there on Alt-Az Gibraltar mounts and those folks are certainly not limiting those wonderful scopes to just low-med power views all night are they?

So there must be something to the Alt-Az mount, and certainly having 2 scopes is better than one. These are the things that make me go hmmm, I want one.

1. Family viewing. My 7yr can view through the 80mm, while I view through the 8" so I can describe whats in the field of view to him. I think the 80, with its much wider field of view, would be better for him. Of course this is for a certain class of objects, 80mm f/5 doesn't do much at all on planets.

2. Outreach. What better way to show folks the night sky then to have a dual mounted telescope. Again, you could be viewing through one telescope, while the newbie views through the other. Having the ability to see the same object that they are, without having to battle over the eyepiece would be wonderful. Newbies always have a hard time viewing through a telescope for the first time, so with this setup you could be describing to them exactly what they are looking at without having take their eye away from the eyepiece and of course you would be tracking the whole mount yourself so you guaranteed to have the object in the field of view at the same time.

3. Outreach again. You could have a wide field view going one side of mount and an 8" SCT with med-high power on the other. You would thus have two unique but complimentary views. Many people are fascinated the first time they view the Moon through a telescope. With an 80mm, they would see the whole disk. You could describe the lunar features such as Mare from the view of the 80, then have them take a look at craters or riffs from the 8" view.

4. Options. This point here worries my checking account and my significant other. Having a dual-head alt-az mount opens the door to more optics! I can now buy optical tubes w/o worrying about mounting much at all. Obviously you would need the appropriate rings and dovetail, but thats it.

5. Ease of Use. Perhaps the biggest draw to an alt-az mount is simplicity. All you do is take it out, mount the optics and start viewing. No need for alignment etc. Having a dual-head for a alt-az is simply a bonus.

I long to hear from folks that have purchased this mount and how well it tracks. In particular those with higher f ratio scopes that push up the power for planetary viewing. Until I can get a clear picture of this mounts performance in all area's of observing (low-med-high) its going to remain top on my wish list but not

Clear skies and no telescope, somebody up there hates me.

Out here in Vegas to help my folks for a month after they both have had some physical issues and I have no telescope. WHY did I not pack my 80mm? Argh! I could have put my 10x50s in my suitcase, what was I thinking! Its been the typical clear skies out here. Although I would say the sky "appears" to be turbulent and of course the "City of Lights" is living up to its name more then ever with the amount of light pollution, but I don't care. Its clear every night and I can't enjoy it.

I looked into renting a scope, but those temporary solutions are over $300 for the week and thats just too much. I could get a small dob for that much. In fact that may not be a bad idea, I've been wanting a scope for the quick peaks, and my 80mm is currently without a mount. And a 80mm f/5 just doesn't allow the power to reach some quick view of the planets that I would like. The drawback to purchasing while out here is obviously shipping. I'm concerned about having to ship it back to TN when I leave. The airlines are no help now, since you have to pay if you have a 2nd item, but that still may be better then shipping normally. I have a carry-on completely full with my computer equipment so I can work out here, so no room to transport anything else.

Oh well, such is life I guess. I'm sure when I get back to TN, I'll be blessed with clear steady skies, you know just like you have when your brand new telescope arrives. That happens right?

Vista 1st Impressions

Well I have had my new Gateway laptop for a few weeks now. If you want to know how I feel about Vista, I'll just tell you that within the SAME DAY I installed Windows XP in dual-boot mode. Why you say? Well I was in Vista, downloading 2 programs and install 1 when my system froze up. That's within the first 2 hours of having this thing on, it froze up with a Explorer error. I was doing practically nothing!

So I found that great site referencing how to dual-boot XP w/Vista. Loaded my XP up on the box and have happy ever since. I decided that Vista needed to stay, I really would like to explore its capabilities more, but I gain the functionality of XP. Oh yes, and SPEED! Man, Vista is not very fast. The first thing I noticed when I booted up to XP was how much faster it is. Not good Microsoft, not good.

So my recommendations? Go ahead and buy that Vista box, and go ahead and get a copy of XP and load um' up. Its very easy and straight forward to dual-boot together. You get the best of both worlds.

Stop making excuses, get out and observe!

I have a 8″ Celestron Ultima 8 PEC Schmidt-Cass telescope that I have owned since about 1995. This scope has brought me many enjoyable nights of observing, whether at a outreach public observing session, or at our club’s dark-sky observing site. I started to make up any number of excuses for not going out and observing during the weeknights because of trees obscuring most of my sky, light pollution, my scope is just too big and bulky, my optics are not world-class, yada yada. For the last 6 months, I haven’t used my scope at all from home for these reasons. But the strangest excuse is when I started to blame the telescope. Now I’m an equipment freak, I love to read about new telescopes, their reviews etc. I keep reading in magazines about a variety of instruments from computer goto SCT’s and MCT types to the more portable high-end retractor’s. Even the big light buckets, you name it. I kept trying to convince myself that if I had one of those telescopes, then I would observe more ofter.

Well thats bull. I decided that although having a more portable scope would be nice, and sure, who wouldn’t like a goto scope or a 12″ dob? But my scope is darn good, and there just isn’t a valid excuse NOT to get out and start observing! What has help me rejuvenate my enthusiasm to “Just Observe It”? Check back soon!

Taking the plunge with Vista

I have 5 years experience as a Systems Administrator for an all Windows shop. One thing I learned there, you DON'T rush into a new Microsoft OS. IT shops know this, but consumers, well they like the latest and greatest and Vista had some good numbers at first. Now reality has hit, and Vista is not moving much at all, unfortunately for Microsoft. You know its bad when OEM's are demanding Microsoft keep XP around for awhile. And they listened, but only for awhile. After June 30 2008, XP will no longer be available on a new PC. Once shelves are empty, it's gone. Oh wait, that's partially correct, here's the latest from Microsoft.

Direct Microsoft site;
"As of April 2008, Microsoft is extending availability of Windows XP Home Edition for OEMs to install on Ultra Low-Cost PCs. The new OEM end date will be the later of either June 30, 2010, or one year after the general availability of the next version of Windows"

WOW, you know its got to be bad if the king of software extends the life of a previous operating system TWICE!

Now Vista has been out for some time, and boy, am I glad I didn't rush out an buy it. I have a few family members that I told to stay away from Vista for a year, to see how it goes. But nope, they rushed out and bought it and right now we have a split decision. I feel for most folks that have purchased a new computer over the last year, looking forward to a revamped computer experience with Vista, only to come away extremely disappointed. My real world experience with Vista has been my step-daughters laptop. Issues with wireless connectivity has really been the only major issue, but I'm annoyed at Vista overall. What was Microsoft thinking? Slow speed, incompatibility galore, WAY to many mouse clicks to do the simply things we use to do in XP.

But the time has come, even with the continuing issues, as a computer professional I decided I needed to take the Vista plunge on a personal level. Keep in my that my current job doesn't expose me to Vista or really systems admin in general. We have NO plans for the foreseeable future to incorporate Vista in our office, so I really have had no need to rush out for the purpose of supporting it. But call it personal growth, trying something new, or just plain giving in, my new Vista laptop should be arriving in a week. I hope to have a lot of content added to my blog on my experience. Now I'm not evaluating Vista from the perspective of a corporate Systems Administrator, but strictly as a consumer, using it for research, games, blogging, etc. I need a new computer anyway, my trusty Dell XP PC died about 8 months ago. Since then work provided me with a laptop and I can't see myself going back to the way of the desktop PC any more. I hope to learn to like the new OS, but I'll be keeping my XP Pro CD next to me just in case.

Snowflakes bring back memories

I know, for a lot of you your thinking, "Whats the big deal about snow?". But for living in Florida for the last 3 years, then moving to Tennessee, seeing snow for the first time in 20+ years is pretty cool. It was exciting, my 7yr old ran out and had a smile on his face from ear to ear, it reminded me of growing up. Now it was just a dusting, there was only about a 1/4 inch on the car and that was it, but it was still snow. My son and I had a "snowball" fight, if you can call it that. Its my blog, so I guess I can. It was strange, but I got thinking about when I was his age, growing up and the vivid memories of those cherished "snow days". Snow seems to cover all the yuck and muck, and for a brief moment your world is silenced and pure. Now I know the yuck and the muck returns quickly as the streets get cleared and life starts to return to normal everyday grind for the adults, but as a child all I could think about was how quite it was after a snow fall. How the air seemed so pure. How the feeling of cold on your faces, your hands, was so refreshing. How the sound of snow crushed by my feet made me feel like a giant. Angels, snowmen, snowball fights, sled rides, and snowflakes. Those childhood memories...I hope they don't melt away like the snow.

Hello world

This is my first attempt at blogging. Getting in kind of late in the game, but what the hell, giving it a try.

I hope ot have a wide range of posts coving astronomy, news, Web2.0, computers, networking, and anything else that I'm interested enough to talk about.

See Ya!