Search found 215 matches

by wkocken
Sun Jan 29, 2023 5:08 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF close approach
Replies: 23
Views: 15205

Re: Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF close approach

Sadly, the moon will be big and bright in early Feb.
by wkocken
Wed Sep 23, 2020 7:36 am
Forum: Beginners SIG
Topic: The challenges of being an amateur astronomer
Replies: 5
Views: 4728

Re: The challenges of being an amateur astronomer

I have been approached by police patrolling county parks. They're usually looking for kids who are looking to party. I'd rather a cop than unpredictable partiers any night. The police have always been friendly.
by wkocken
Thu Apr 11, 2019 9:15 pm
Forum: MAS Electronic Media & Book Group
Topic: Awesome Sci Fi time waster
Replies: 4
Views: 3120

Re: Awesome Sci Fi time waster

Cool thanks. Star Trek meets Star Wars.
by wkocken
Thu Apr 11, 2019 6:50 pm
Forum: MAS Electronic Media & Book Group
Topic: Awesome Sci Fi time waster
Replies: 4
Views: 3120

wkocken

That's a pretty cool drawing. Who is Kirk arm wrestling against?
by wkocken
Mon Jul 10, 2017 4:49 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Sunspots today.
Replies: 0
Views: 461

Sunspots today.

I heard that there was a huge sunspot group so I got out my filtered binocs. I'm not much of a solar observer but I put these together in anticipation of the upcoming eclipse. Filters made from Baader film sandwiched between two wooden discs. Then I took strips of cardboard and wrapped them around t...
by wkocken
Fri Feb 10, 2017 8:41 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Full moon, Eclipse and comet. Feb 10
Replies: 4
Views: 670

Re: Full moon, Eclipse and comet. Feb 10

No problem. Thanks
by wkocken
Fri Feb 10, 2017 5:24 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Full moon, Eclipse and comet. Feb 10
Replies: 4
Views: 670

Full moon, Eclipse and comet. Feb 10

Am I the only one who is irritated by the media coverage of tonight's "rare" full moon, eclipse and comet event? see: http://www.kare11.com/weather/triple-treat-eclipse-comet-full-moon-all-coming-friday-night/404668592 The eclipse isn't anything special. It's not even a full lunar eclipse,...
by wkocken
Mon Jun 27, 2016 9:00 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Upcoming July Star Parties
Replies: 21
Views: 2277

Re: Upcoming July Star Parties

Thanks for the clarification on the alt. designation. At LLCC both nights of a star party weekend are typically available.
Also good news on the local light pollution solution! Thanks
by wkocken
Sun Jun 12, 2016 6:26 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: LLCC June 10, nobody there but me
Replies: 4
Views: 780

Re: LLCC June 10, nobody there but me

I wish I'd gone out on Friday. It would have been better than what we had on Saturday. Several of us were in attendance on Saturday night. The forecast was marginal and that's how it turned out. The moon was a nuisance and transparency was pretty poor. What started as some thin clouds in the west be...
by wkocken
Sat Jul 18, 2015 4:41 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: LLCC This Weekend
Replies: 11
Views: 1250

Re: LLCC This Weekend

It is pretty windy up in McGregor today. Nice and clear. The wind will keep mosquitoes down.
by wkocken
Sat Jun 20, 2015 9:41 am
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Weather Predictions Confused - June 19
Replies: 1
Views: 533

Re: Weather Predictions Confused - June 19

The Clear Sky Chart is more hit-or-miss than I wish it were. Sometimes it helps to click through the cloud cover or transparency blocks and see the underlying maps. What looks like clear skies might be a predicted sucker hole that may or may not actually happen. One way to get more up to date foreca...
by wkocken
Fri Aug 29, 2014 12:14 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: NNSF Report August 27-28
Replies: 4
Views: 1170

Re: NNSF Report August 27-28

Those are awesome. Thanks
by wkocken
Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:07 am
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: NNSF Report August 27-28
Replies: 4
Views: 1170

NNSF Report August 27-28

This was an awesome night at the LLCC. Temps were mild, in the 60s. No mosquitoes because I think the LLCC committee sprayed the area beforehand. Thank You! Seeing and transparency were very good. Dew was quite heavy. We had an incredible display of Nothern Lights around midnight to 1AM. Thin and ve...
by wkocken
Tue Aug 26, 2014 7:58 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: A book I think you will enjoy
Replies: 5
Views: 754

Re: A book I think you will enjoy

Actually, there are plans to make a movie out of it. I hope they don't turn it into a "Gravity". Gravity was a fun movie. But it was more about the special effects and less about realism. This book was more realistic, and the special effects could still be pretty cool. http://www.hollywood...
by wkocken
Mon Aug 25, 2014 8:49 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: A book I think you will enjoy
Replies: 5
Views: 754

A book I think you will enjoy

"The Martian" by Andy Weir. I rate it 4.5 out of 5 stars. It is a must read for most MAS members. I heard about this book from a podcast that I subscribe to. Apparently this work of fiction has been hugely popular with space exploration enthusiasts. If you're interested in this topic I sug...
by wkocken
Tue Aug 19, 2014 3:40 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Northern Nights Star Fest 2014
Replies: 8
Views: 1163

Re: Northern Nights Star Fest 2014

Even though the registration deadline has passed, you still might be able to attend! Call or e-mail the good folks at the LLCC and ask. You might not be able to purchase the meals because they have to order and plan ahead of time, but if you're willing to fend for yourself on the food, you will very...
by wkocken
Mon Aug 18, 2014 3:41 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Northern Nights Star Fest 2014
Replies: 8
Views: 1163

Re: Northern Nights Star Fest 2014

Hurry hurry
Registration deadline is today.

http://www.llcc.org/PDF-Files/NorthernN ... rm2014.pdf
by wkocken
Thu Jun 05, 2014 7:16 am
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Topic for June 5 membership meeting?
Replies: 2
Views: 631

Topic for June 5 membership meeting?

What is it?
by wkocken
Thu May 29, 2014 6:42 pm
Forum: Forum Help, Comments
Topic: New MAS website and forums. Member comments!!!!
Replies: 39
Views: 15239

Re: New MAS website and forums. Member comments!!!!

it took a bit of figuring out, but once i deleted the MNASTRO cookies, it seems to be working.
Thanks.
by wkocken
Thu May 29, 2014 3:29 pm
Forum: Forum Help, Comments
Topic: New MAS website and forums. Member comments!!!!
Replies: 39
Views: 15239

Re: New MAS website and forums. Member comments!!!!

Ditto on what Rick and Jim have said. My user ID and password are still there, but I still need to log in. The "log me in every time" button has no effect.
by wkocken
Sat May 24, 2014 9:20 am
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Camelopardalids Meteor Shower Viewing Party
Replies: 9
Views: 1157

Re: Camelopardalids Meteor Shower Viewing Party

Similar results at LLCC.
by wkocken
Fri May 23, 2014 8:22 am
Forum: Forum Help, Comments
Topic: New MAS website and forums. Member comments!!!!
Replies: 39
Views: 15239

Re: New MAS website and forums. Member comments!!!!

Weather is a key piece of information for all of us. I like having the CSC for each site visible simultaneously, but I also rely heavily on the Hourly Weather Graphs from the NWS which shows cloud cover, temperature, wind and humidity all in one easy chart. The one you've linked to shows it for Bayl...
by wkocken
Fri Apr 25, 2014 9:37 am
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Friday's Messier Marathon is ON!
Replies: 1
Views: 493

Re: Friday's Messier Marathon is ON!

Looks like conflicting weather forecasts. As of Friday morning, the Clear sky chart is somewhat optimistic after 10PM and better after midnight. The NOAA hourly cloud cover graph actually starts out pretty good and slowly degrades as the night goes by. When I look out the window, it looks great. I c...
by wkocken
Wed Mar 12, 2014 12:28 pm
Forum: Forum Help, Comments
Topic: Hello...? Sure seems quiet in here...
Replies: 18
Views: 8972

Re: Hello...? Sure seems quiet in here...

I think the trend has been declining use of the forums for a long time. Last year, most of the discussions were about astrophotography or construction projects. There seems to be very little discussion about equipment, or ATMing or general astronomy. I don't do the former, so I will comment once in ...
by wkocken
Tue Feb 25, 2014 3:58 pm
Forum: Forum Help, Comments
Topic: Hello...? Sure seems quiet in here...
Replies: 18
Views: 8972

Re: Hello...? Sure seems quiet in here...

There is an MAS Facebook page. Most of the activity there is oriented towards the general public with announcements about upcoming events and some general astronomy stuff. I always like this forum as a place for more membership oriented discussion and wanted/for sale ads. Like you, not seeing much o...