BackBayAstro@groups.io

Member – Colorado Springs Astronomy Association

Future Verde Mont Observatory

Gone... Rott'n Paws Observatory

Re: Permits

charles jagow

#53273

Corn Watch is separate. I gave the pass down if who does what when to either or both the new Treasurer and the Secretary. Corn Watch is a special use permit and should be submitted with a copy of the proof of insurance also our insurance needs to mention specifically the city of Chesapeake as insured.

Sent from Chuck's iPhone

Show quoted text

On Sep 16, 2021, at 09:24, George Reynolds <pathfinder027@...> wrote:

Chuck,

Does our coordination with Meghan include our Cornwatch dates at Cornland Park? Or do we have to do something different for Cornwatch?

George

George Reynolds

"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia
Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)
http://www.backbayastro.org

On Thursday, September 16, 2021, 11:22:24 AM EDT, George Reynolds via groups.io <pathfinder027@...> wrote:

Chuck,

When do we have to coordinate with Chippokes Plantation State Park on next year's permit? I have the Nightwatch dates in our calendar, but I need to confirm them with the Park. Who is our point of contact?

I sent our 2022 dates to Meghan Roberts at Chesapeake Parks & Rec. Is there any other coordination we need to do with Chesapeake?

George

George Reynolds

"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia
Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)
http://www.backbayastro.org

--

v/r

Chuck Jagow

Member – Colorado Springs Astronomy Association

Future Verde Mont Observatory

Gone... Rott'n Paws Observatory

Re: Permits

George Reynolds

#53272

Chuck,

Does our coordination with Meghan include our Cornwatch dates at Cornland Park? Or do we have to do something different for Cornwatch?

George

George Reynolds

"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia

Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)
http://www.backbayastro.org

On Thursday, September 16, 2021, 11:22:24 AM EDT, George Reynolds via groups.io <pathfinder027@...> wrote:

Chuck,

When do we have to coordinate with Chippokes Plantation State Park on next year's permit? I have the Nightwatch dates in our calendar, but I need to confirm them with the Park. Who is our point of contact?

I sent our 2022 dates to Meghan Roberts at Chesapeake Parks & Rec. Is there any other coordination we need to do with Chesapeake?

George

George Reynolds

"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia

Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)
http://www.backbayastro.org

Permits

George Reynolds

#53271

Chuck,

When do we have to coordinate with Chippokes Plantation State Park on next year's permit? I have the Nightwatch dates in our calendar, but I need to confirm them with the Park. Who is our point of contact?

I sent our 2022 dates to Meghan Roberts at Chesapeake Parks & Rec. Is there any other coordination we need to do with Chesapeake?

George

George Reynolds

"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia

Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)
http://www.backbayastro.org

Re: ISS

George Reynolds

#53270

Nice!

George

George Reynolds

"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia

Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)
http://www.backbayastro.org

On Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 09:49:05 PM EDT, jimcoble2000 via groups.io <jimcoble2000@...> wrote:

On Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 09:37:03 PM EDT, Kent Blackwell <kent@...> wrote:

I missed seeing the Inspiration 4 Falcon 9 rocket by a few minutes but I did capture a picture of the ISS just above Jupiter & Saturn.

Re: The sky for the last two nights

Ian Stewart

#53269

Yep I'm there with you George on the old eyes.

On 9/16/2021 9:57 AM, George Reynolds via groups.io wrote:

Show quoted text

Ian,

I'm glad to see another person observing the Moon. I just earned the Lunar II Award of the Astronomical League. I enjoy observing the Moon and learning its craters, mountains, and other features. With my old, bad eyes, it is refreshing to be able to SEE something in the night sky. When I'm out with my granddaughter Chloe, she says, "See that star?" and I say, "What star?"

George

George Reynolds

"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia

Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)
http://www.backbayastro.org

On Monday, September 13, 2021, 10:05:12 PM EDT, Ian Stewart <ian@...> wrote:

Yep seeing a little iffy tonight. I got 21.58 on the sky meter. Moon was a little reddish. Good views along the terminator though. Alpine valley was great and a stellar view of Aristillus. Jupiter was ok Saturn seemed better. Cassini was no problem, no Encke though. Out viewing in September in t shirt and shorts.
Cheers

Ian

On Sep 13, 2021, at 8:43 PM, jimcoble2000 via groups.io <jimcoble2000@...> wrote:

We are once again suffering from the effects of the fires out west. Last night the moon had yellow orange cast as did Jupiter. Both are silvery bright under normal skies. I noticed that during the day the skies had an opaque look that went beyond the humid haze of a summer day. The satellite photo even showed a blanket of hazy air over the mid Atlantic coming from the south west and reaching offshore for some distance. This was a high level layer of ash and dust being transported across the country by high altitude winds.

Tonight I am observing the two planets and seeing is fairly good but the transparency of the sky looks bad. I really can't tell from where I am as the sky is so bad as to almost make it impossible to say if there is a cloud layer unless it is very thick. or the clouds are random discrete cumulus clouds. Jupiter does not look quite as yellow as last night but is not the right color tonight. Bands and the great red spot are not so great this year. The red spot is fairly pale this go around. A couple of weeks ago we did have a few good nights that showed very fine detail and vortexes on the surface of Jupiter but tonight there is not much to see.

Re: ISS

George Reynolds

#53268

I watched the launch. It was fabulous! I was at church for our Royal Rangers meeting, and I set up my Chromebook in the Royal Rangers office, watching SpaceX.com. I told one of the other men that we would be able to see the launch from the beach by looking south. He went out in the church parking lot, and saw the fiery rocket thrust trail! He saw it heading toward the bright waxing gibbous Moon, and took a picture of it with his cell phone. He lost it in the Moon's brightness right after that.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNUjbZV5Apqyu-xq12L2slFCUumnm9qR9KKQC0E

George

George Reynolds

"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia

Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)
http://www.backbayastro.org

On Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 09:37:03 PM EDT, Kent Blackwell <kent@...> wrote:

I missed seeing the Inspiration 4 Falcon 9 rocket by a few minutes but I did capture a picture of the ISS just above Jupiter & Saturn.

Re: The sky for the last two nights

George Reynolds

#53267

Ian,

I'm glad to see another person observing the Moon. I just earned the Lunar II Award of the Astronomical League. I enjoy observing the Moon and learning its craters, mountains, and other features. With my old, bad eyes, it is refreshing to be able to SEE something in the night sky. When I'm out with my granddaughter Chloe, she says, "See that star?" and I say, "What star?"

George

George Reynolds

"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia

Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)
http://www.backbayastro.org

On Monday, September 13, 2021, 10:05:12 PM EDT, Ian Stewart <ian@...> wrote:

Yep seeing a little iffy tonight. I got 21.58 on the sky meter. Moon was a little reddish. Good views along the terminator though. Alpine valley was great and a stellar view of Aristillus. Jupiter was ok Saturn seemed better. Cassini was no problem, no Encke though. Out viewing in September in t shirt and shorts.

Cheers

Ian

Show quoted text

On Sep 13, 2021, at 8:43 PM, jimcoble2000 via groups.io <jimcoble2000@...> wrote:

We are once again suffering from the effects of the fires out west. Last night the moon had yellow orange cast as did Jupiter. Both are silvery bright under normal skies. I noticed that during the day the skies had an opaque look that went beyond the humid haze of a summer day. The satellite photo even showed a blanket of hazy air over the mid Atlantic coming from the south west and reaching offshore for some distance. This was a high level layer of ash and dust being transported across the country by high altitude winds.

Tonight I am observing the two planets and seeing is fairly good but the transparency of the sky looks bad. I really can't tell from where I am as the sky is so bad as to almost make it impossible to say if there is a cloud layer unless it is very thick. or the clouds are random discrete cumulus clouds. Jupiter does not look quite as yellow as last night but is not the right color tonight. Bands and the great red spot are not so great this year. The red spot is fairly pale this go around. A couple of weeks ago we did have a few good nights that showed very fine detail and vortexes on the surface of Jupiter but tonight there is not much to see.

Re: Last Night's Viewing

George Reynolds

#53266

That's using your head, Chuck!

We miss you at our BBAA events. Glad you're having a good time out there. Does your club do any other kinds of outreach?

International Observe the Moon Night (IOMN) is coming up one month from now, on Saturday, 16 October.

George

George Reynolds

"Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia

Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA)
http://www.backbayastro.org

On Monday, September 13, 2021, 10:51:03 AM EDT, charles jagow <chuck@...> wrote:

Greetings all!

I am sorry I can no longer join in on the Skywatch fun at the NWRP. Many, Many fond memories.

However, last night was my first Solo gig at the SJO (Smokey Jack Observatory) here in Westcliffe. The night started off kind of cloudy with quarter moon peeking through the clouds.

The way the SJO works at present is that folks reserve a night of observing, so it is basically having one family (or a couple or three families) having a private observing session. The SJO is a 16’x16’ roll-off roof observatory with a Paramount ME mount with a Celestron 14” SCT attached and integrated using the SkyX software.

Usually, the session involves a computer operator who commands and controls the mount while the “host” selects the night sky objects and adjusts the eyepiece to be viewable by the participants while provideing a step ladder and assistance as necessary for the viewers to look through the telescope. The host also provides commentary and explanation on what is visible, what it is, and why it is different or similar to the previous object.

As I said, last night was my “solo” as host. I was acting as both host and computer operator, my guide, mentor, watchdog was none other than the President of the Dark Skies of the Wet Mountain Valley group – literally no-pressure!

We viewed for two and a half hours straight with seven participants. We started off looking at the moon, then progressed to Jupiter and Saturn. Copiously using the laser pointer we were able to show many things including the Milky Way from horizon to horizon (no shadows generated with the moon out though - Jeff). We next moved to the Swan nebula, followed by the Blue Snowball and Ring Planetary Nebulae. We then observed several globular clusters including M3, M13, and M22 followed by open clusters the Wild Duck and Double Cluster. Next came the Andromeda, Whirlpool and Pinwheel galaxies. I had to show off some variable stars, the Garnet star (SAO33693) and La Superba (SAO44317) which are nice carbon stars. I finished out the night with Neptune and a request to return visit to Saturn and Jupiter.

When we were locking up, my Watchdog Clint’s only suggestion was that I rambled on a bit much at times, imagine that – me talking too much. He didn’t say it was a bad thing, but to “time” the yaking to periods when the scope was slewing about and while adjusting the eyepiece. After all, the participants were there to SEE the night sky sights and not to listen to the nearly blind, bald, fat guy ramble on.

The manner in which we conduct outreach at the SJO is a departure to what I am used to at SKYWATCH but just enjoyable all the same. All in all, it was a good night, and NOW I will get my own set of keys to the SJO!

And with the 14” SCT on the Paramount ME mount, we don’t care if they use the scope or the counter-weight bar as a handle… That darn thing is massive – I learned a healthy “respect” for that counter-weight bar last night, my bleeding scalp was not noticed until I arrived home and removed my BBAA cap with a new red splotch on it!

v/r

Chuck Jagow

Member – Colorado Springs Astronomy Association

Future Verdemont Observatory

Gone... Rott'n Paws Observatory

--

v/r

Chuck Jagow

Member – Colorado Springs Astronomy Association

Future Verde Mont Observatory

Gone... Rott'n Paws Observatory

Re: ISS

Ian Stewart

#53265

Cool beans!

Show quoted text

On Sep 15, 2021, at 9:49 PM, jimcoble2000 via groups.io <jimcoble2000@...> wrote:

On Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 09:37:03 PM EDT, Kent Blackwell <kent@...> wrote:

I missed seeing the Inspiration 4 Falcon 9 rocket by a few minutes but I did capture a picture of the ISS just above Jupiter & Saturn.

<IMG_7323 Sept 15 2021 Canon 70D A_edited-2.jpg>

Re: ISS

jimcoble2000

#53264

On Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 09:37:03 PM EDT, Kent Blackwell <kent@...> wrote:

I missed seeing the Inspiration 4 Falcon 9 rocket by a few minutes but I did capture a picture of the ISS just above Jupiter & Saturn.

ISS

Kent Blackwell

#53263

I missed seeing the Inspiration 4 Falcon 9 rocket by a few minutes but I did capture a picture of the ISS just above Jupiter & Saturn.

Intro. to Amateur Astronomy given by the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society president Richard Bell

Jeffrey Thornton

#53262

Just an FYI. This is an email I received from Richard Bell regarding the Introduction to Astronomy course :

Hello, Amateur Astronomers.

Thanks to everyone that attended (or at least registered) for the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society's five-part Introduction to Amateur Astronomy lecture series earlier this year. That installment far exceeded our expectations. I am happy to announce that the series will return online in early 2022. We're tentatively planning to begin on January 15th. Registration will likely begin in late October or early November. We will be contacting everyone that registered for the previous installment and astronomy clubs around the country.

The main purpose of this email is to inform you about another "semester" of my 11-week Introduction to Astronomy course. Many of you expressed interest in taking this college-level 101-style course in the Fall and I'm happy to announce it will begin on Tuesday, September 28th. Please download the syllabus for full details about the course. Here are the key points to know:

The course fee is $150 - a fraction of the cost if you took the course at a community college.
We meet every Tuesday and Thursday starting on Sept. 28th from 6:00 - 7:40 pm ET.
No class the week of Thanksgiving and we finish-up the week before Christmas.
There are no grades, so no stress. You learn for pure enjoyment.
If you can't attend at the scheduled time, lectures will be available the following morning at an unlisted link on YouTube.

Please feel free to contact me with questions or to register. Thanks and clear skies!

Richard Bell
President
Kalamazoo Astronomical Society
https://www.kasonline.org/

Re: Patterson Observatory (Sierra Vista AZ)

Ted Forte

#53261

We think its pretty cool – I’ve even had feedback from NASA! Patterson is a member of the NASA Museum Alliance and the administrator of that program wrote me to tell me how neat he thought it was! (By the way, that NASA rep is Jeff Nee of JPL and he grew up in Virginia Beach – remembers the Virginia Beach Planetarium.)

So, as payment for the tour, I’m supposed to mention that it was produced by the MA-VR-X Lab at CAST (University of Arizona’s College of Applied Science and Technology) and it resides on a US Army server. That’s at Fort Waa Chew Ka, Chuck. By the way, if you have a copy of the movie Scent of a Woman (1992), Al Pacino mentions Fort Huachuca and pronounces it correctly.

Everything here, it seems, is named either Huachuca or Cochise.

Ted

Show quoted text

From: BackBayAstro@groups.io <BackBayAstro@groups.io> On Behalf Of charles jagow
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2021 6:04 AM
To: BackBayAstro@groups.io
Subject: Re: [BackBayAstro] Patterson Observatory (Sierra Vista AZ)

Ted,

Just now wandered around the online Patterson Observatory, very familiar controls for anyone “house-hunting” these days, very good job and well thought out stopping points. I thoroughly enjoyed it and with the ability to zoom in almost anywhere, it was like being there in person. I wonder if we could set something like this up in Kent’s garage, just to view the number and variety of telescopes?

v/r

Chuck Jagow

Member – Colorado Springs Astronomy Association

Future Verde Mont Observatory

Gone... Rott'n Paws Observatory

From: <BackBayAstro@groups.io> on behalf of Ted Forte <tedforte511@...>
Reply-To: <BackBayAstro@groups.io>
Date: Thursday, September 2, 2021 at 1:27 PM
To: <BackBayAstro@groups.io>
Subject: [BackBayAstro] Patterson Observatory (Sierra Vista AZ)

I have probably mentioned the Patterson Observatory a few times on this forum. I’ve been “Director” at this observatory since 2013. It’s sort of the club house for our astronomy club and a center of many of our outreach events. It’s pretty much my second home here.

Explore Patterson Observatory in 3D

The Patterson Observatory is listed as a NASA Space Place and has a 16 foot dome, housing a Ritchey-Chretien telescope of 20” aperture.

my.matterport.com

The 3D tour of the observatory was created by Ryan Straight, a professor at the University of Arizona, College of Applied Science and Technology cyber program. I hope you enjoy it.

Ted

BBAA Southwest

--

v/r

Chuck Jagow

Member – Colorado Springs Astronomy Association

Future Verde Mont Observatory

Gone... Rott'n Paws Observatory

Re: Patterson Observatory (Sierra Vista AZ)

Ted Forte

#53260

Waa-chew-ka

Show quoted text

From: BackBayAstro@groups.io <BackBayAstro@groups.io> On Behalf Of charles jagow
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2021 5:58 AM
To: BackBayAstro@groups.io
Subject: Re: [BackBayAstro] Patterson Observatory (Sierra Vista AZ)

Ted,

How should a nearly blind and bald dude pronounce Huachuca?

v/r

Chuck Jagow

Member – Colorado Springs Astronomy Association

Future Verde Mont Observatory

Gone... Rott'n Paws Observatory

From: <BackBayAstro@groups.io> on behalf of Ted Forte <tedforte511@...>
Reply-To: <BackBayAstro@groups.io>
Date: Thursday, September 2, 2021 at 1:27 PM
To: <BackBayAstro@groups.io>
Subject: [BackBayAstro] Patterson Observatory (Sierra Vista AZ)

I have probably mentioned the Patterson Observatory a few times on this forum. I’ve been “Director” at this observatory since 2013. It’s sort of the club house for our astronomy club and a center of many of our outreach events. It’s pretty much my second home here.

Explore Patterson Observatory in 3D

The Patterson Observatory is listed as a NASA Space Place and has a 16 foot dome, housing a Ritchey-Chretien telescope of 20” aperture.

my.matterport.com

The 3D tour of the observatory was created by Ryan Straight, a professor at the University of Arizona, College of Applied Science and Technology cyber program. I hope you enjoy it.

Ted

BBAA Southwest

--

v/r

Chuck Jagow

Member – Colorado Springs Astronomy Association

Future Verde Mont Observatory

Gone... Rott'n Paws Observatory

Re: Patterson Observatory (Sierra Vista AZ)

charles jagow

#53259

Ted,

Just now wandered around the online Patterson Observatory, very familiar controls for anyone “house-hunting” these days, very good job and well thought out stopping points. I thoroughly enjoyed it and with the ability to zoom in almost anywhere, it was like being there in person. I wonder if we could set something like this up in Kent’s garage, just to view the number and variety of telescopes?

v/r

Chuck Jagow

Member – Colorado Springs Astronomy Association

Future Verde Mont Observatory

Gone... Rott'n Paws Observatory

From: <BackBayAstro@groups.io> on behalf of Ted Forte <tedforte511@...>
Reply-To: <BackBayAstro@groups.io>
Date: Thursday, September 2, 2021 at 1:27 PM
To: <BackBayAstro@groups.io>
Subject: [BackBayAstro] Patterson Observatory (Sierra Vista AZ)

I have probably mentioned the Patterson Observatory a few times on this forum. I’ve been “Director” at this observatory since 2013. It’s sort of the club house for our astronomy club and a center of many of our outreach events. It’s pretty much my second home here.

Explore Patterson Observatory in 3D

The Patterson Observatory is listed as a NASA Space Place and has a 16 foot dome, housing a Ritchey-Chretien telescope of 20” aperture.

my.matterport.com

The 3D tour of the observatory was created by Ryan Straight, a professor at the University of Arizona, College of Applied Science and Technology cyber program. I hope you enjoy it.

Ted

BBAA Southwest

--

v/r

Chuck Jagow