This Week's Astronomy

[valleygeocacher]

Thanks to Sky&Telescope, here's this week's interesting facts

You can sign up for their weekly newsletter by visiting http://skyandtelescope.com/shopatsky/emailsubscribe.asp

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* * * SKY & TELESCOPE's SKYWATCHER'S BULLETIN - November 21, 2005 * * *

ASTEROID THREADS A NEEDLE

Early Wednesday morning, November 23rd, near 5 a.m. Eastern Standard Time
(2 a.m. Pacific Standard Time), the asteroid 712 Boliviana (magnitude
10.6) threads the gap between the wide double star Theta-1 and Theta-2
Tauri near Aldebaran in the Hyades. The two stars are 6 arcminutes apart,
and Boliviana passes almost midway between them. Sketch the faint stars
that your telescope shows in this area a few hours beforehand, then
compare later to see which one moves.

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MARS UPDATE

Bright orange Mars shines high in the east during evening, only a little
less brilliantly than when it was closest around the beginning of
November. From November 21st through 28th, Mars dims a trace from
magnitude -1.9 to -1.7 and shrinks from 18.3 to 17.2 arcseconds in
apparent diameter. Keep watch! See our article:

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/objects/planets/article_1612_1.asp

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TUNE UP YOUR TELESCOPE

To get the sharpest view of Mars or anything else, you need to make sure
your telescope optics are properly collimated (aligned). They may often
get a little out of whack -- especially in a reflector. The procedure is
simple; see "How To Collimate Your Newtonian Reflector" at

http://skyandtelescope.com/howto/scopes/article_787_1.asp

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SKY AT A GLANCE

Saturn shines to the right of the waning Moon after they rise very late
this evening (Monday the 21st). Although they look close together, Saturn
is 3,250 times farther away.

On the evenings of the 23rd and 26th, Algol goes through eclipses that are
well timed for skywatchers in North America:

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/ataglance

 

[Carl L]

Unfortunately the site you gave for Sky & Telescope has some goofy cookier routine that blocks me out.  I suspect it might so affect others.

 

[valleygeocacher]

Unfortunately the site you gave for Sky & Telescope has some goofy cookier routine that blocks me out.? ?I suspect it might so affect others.

Hi Carl,

I tried them all and they work okay for me; possibly because I am a subscriber to the weekly newsletter from S&T.? However, I did DELETE ALL COOKIES in my browser, so it's unlikely to be cookies. More likely that my email address is on file there. It might also be that your POPUP BLOCKER is turned on.

This link goes to the FREE NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION. Try that one and you'll get the same newsletter that I receive once or twice every week. http://skyandtelescope.com/shopatsky/emailsubscribe.asp

 

[Ned]

I had no problem with the subscription page, but it does create a popup window that causes no harm other than the usual aggravation at such things

 

[Carl L]

Oddly enuf today I have no problems getting into the website.  'Tis another bloody browser mystery I suspect.

 

[valleygeocacher]

* * * SKY & TELESCOPE's SKYWATCHER'S BULLETIN - November 28, 2005 * * *

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Welcome to S&T's Skywatcher's Bulletin. More about the items below appears
on our Web site, SkyandTelescope.com, at the URLs provided. (If a link
doesn't work, just paste the URL manually into your Web browser.) Clear
skies!
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HAZY, CRAZY MARS?

If you haven't been seeing much detail on Mars lately with your scope,
you're not alone. In the planet's southern latitudes, where some normally
prominent surface markings are located, a thin haze of dust in the Martian
atmosphere seems to have reduced contrast somewhat. Combined with the
usual issues of less-than-ideal atmospheric seeing here on Earth,
less-than-huge telescopes, and Mars now falling back into the distance,
this effect can make the Martian disk appear pretty bland.

But don't give up! Mars shines in excellent view high in the southeast
during evening; it's still brighter than any star. From November 28th
through December 5th, Mars dims a bit from magnitude -1.7 to -1.5 and
shrinks from 17.2 to 16.1 arcseconds in apparent diameter. See our
article:

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/objects/planets/article_1612_1.asp

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MOON AND VENUS

Mark your calendar to go out during twilight this Sunday, December 4th, to
catch Venus paired with the waxing crescent Moon. Bring a tripod-mounted
camera, choose your foreground, and you may get a fine astrophoto.

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/ataglance


Much more to see and do with the unaided eye, binoculars, or a telescope
is on our Web site at:

http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing

 

[Smoky]

Just curious about how many members here carry telescopes with them in their RV?? I have often lusted for one but never took the plunge.? The ones that interface with laptops look especially intriguing.? Seems like an activity that would go well with boondocking.

 

[rhmahoney]

There is a nice telescope shop on the far N side of Tucson that sets up scopes out in the parking lot each evening as sales demos.

 

[Carl L]

Just curious about how many members here carry telescopes with them in their RV?

You and me both Smoky.  I have just picked up a Bushnell 4-1/2" Newtonian reflector.  I stare at the bloody thing and wonder how I will ever get it into my liddle 23 foot trailer.

 

[Tom]

Smoky

I thought I was the only one who silently lusted for a telescope. Sounds like it could be fun.

 

[Smoky]

If there are folks among us in QZ who have telescopes, maybe one evening they could set up shop and demo them?

 

[Ron]

If there are folks among us in QZ who have telescopes, maybe one evening they could set up shop and demo them?

If I recall there was a telescope set up at one of the rallies a few years ago.  So maybe it will be again if there is interest.

 

[Smoky]

aye that would be great if one or more of our members has telescopes.

 

[Tom]

I must remember to keep the blinds closed with all these 'scopes around.

 

[Carl L]

I must remember to keep the blinds closed with all these 'scopes around.

You need have no fears, Tom.  ;D

 

[Tom]

You need have no fears, Tom.

Should I take that as a compliment?

 

[Carl L]

Should I take that as a compliment?

Sure.  Why not.    8)

 

[Jim Godward]

I have a telescope but the box to carry it is about 18"X 12"X30"  Now where in a MH do you pack that!  Then there are the batteries, manuals, laptop etc.  Along with the normal stuff, I have not figured out a way.  Even got rid of the lounge chairs.  :-((

 

[valleygeocacher]

Sorry. Accidentally posted here; moved to another thread.