Search found 504 matches

by Dick Jacobson
Sun Feb 25, 2024 9:34 am
Forum: MAS Electronic Media & Book Group
Topic: Clair de Lune (Moonlight)
Replies: 9
Views: 4975

Re: Clair de Lune (Moonlight)

How long will it be before the Moon is defaced forever by bulldozers? The current enthusiasm for lunar exploitation worries me. The Moon is a beautiful record of billions of years of Solar System history. It is utterly unlike the Earth, whose surface is constantly churned up by violent geology, weat...
by Dick Jacobson
Mon Jan 08, 2024 9:35 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Universe Today article on Valts restoring scope rescued from the U of M
Replies: 5
Views: 2395

Re: Universe Today article on Valts restoring scope rescued from the U of M

Wow, what an impressive project! I'd love to try out that scope some time. Maybe some special MAS event could be arranged.
by Dick Jacobson
Fri Dec 01, 2023 8:12 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Bad SAT question and Sidereal time
Replies: 1
Views: 1991

Re: Bad SAT question and Sidereal time

Wow, that was tricky! When I thought about it some more, I thought the correct answer was 2! Also wrong!
by Dick Jacobson
Sat Nov 25, 2023 7:40 am
Forum: Beginners SIG
Topic: Second Night Out - Dark Sky and Freezing to Death
Replies: 4
Views: 1939

Re: Second Night Out - Dark Sky and Freezing to Death

I pretty much forget about stargazing during the winter except to tinker with my equipment. I've occasionally tried to observe down to zero degrees Fahrenheit but it's impossible to keep my fingers warm and the eyepiece free of frost. I try to dress for 30 or 40 degrees colder than the predicted tem...
by Dick Jacobson
Sun Oct 15, 2023 7:14 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: The largest optical telescope that will ever be built?
Replies: 2
Views: 1849

Re: The largest optical telescope that will ever be built?

This is a really fascinating video for anyone who likes giant telescopes. His argument that the ELT is the largest optical telescope that will ever be built reminds me that the same was said about the 200-inch Palomar after it was built. He argues that advances in computers will soon make it possibl...
by Dick Jacobson
Wed Sep 27, 2023 7:13 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Restoring & Maintaining a 125-Year-Old Telescope
Replies: 3
Views: 2378

Re: Restoring & Maintaining a 125-Year-Old Telescope

Fascinating article and videos! I'm so glad to see that this priceless piece of history is being restored.
by Dick Jacobson
Sat Jul 29, 2023 7:04 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: The Size of Space
Replies: 2
Views: 5132

Re: The Size of Space

I love it! To take this a giant step further, according to a paper published several years ago, the radius of the entire universe is AT LEAST 250 times what is visible, based on the absence of visible curvature. My guess is that the universe is infinite, since this eliminates an arbitrary constant f...
by Dick Jacobson
Mon Jul 10, 2023 7:21 am
Forum: Beginners SIG
Topic: Telescope Winter Use
Replies: 7
Views: 6925

Re: Telescope Winter Use

If possible, I'd recommend keeping your equipment in an unheated structure (garage, shed, observatory, vehicle). Over the years I've usually kept my equipment in a garage and have had little trouble with condensation or temperature changes. Good AI detection, Deane! The post by "emma999" e...
by Dick Jacobson
Wed Apr 26, 2023 12:08 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Eclipse Tomorrow!
Replies: 7
Views: 7053

Re: Eclipse Tomorrow!

FANTASTIC, Dick! What a great report!! Speaking of Eta Car, I went to a presentation at the UofM on Monday. Director of the Vatican Observatory, Br. Guy Consolmagno, S.J., was talking about the joys of star gazing. I asked him, "What was your best night ever at a telescope?" Here was his ...
by Dick Jacobson
Thu Apr 20, 2023 7:29 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Eclipse Tomorrow!
Replies: 7
Views: 7053

Re: Eclipse Tomorrow!

My wife Helen and I are on an eclipse cruise promoted by Sky & Telescope and Insight Cruises. We saw the eclipse and it was SPECTACULAR! The prominences were enormous. No image could do justice to it. The weather off Exmouth was perfect. We also saw the beautiful thumbnail moonrise, and also hop...
by Dick Jacobson
Mon Jan 23, 2023 7:27 am
Forum: Beginners SIG
Topic: Galaxy/Nebula Eyepiece for 10" f4.7 Dob
Replies: 13
Views: 8956

Re: Galaxy/Nebula Eyepiece for 10" f4.7 Dob

I agree with everything Steve said and would add a few comments. My most used eyepieces are ones with a Field Stop of around 40 millimeters or more. These give you the largest possible field of view in a 2" focuser. TeleVue shows the Field Stop in their specifications but most other brands do n...
by Dick Jacobson
Wed Jan 18, 2023 7:02 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Bizarre looking supernova remnant
Replies: 0
Views: 7009

Bizarre looking supernova remnant

How often do you see an astro object that looks totally unlike anything else? Check out this object that is believed to be formed by an intense wind from a rare type of white dwarf created in a supernova 800 years ago. The image was created not by a space telescope, but by a mere 2.4 meter earth bas...
by Dick Jacobson
Fri Jan 06, 2023 6:24 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Sony Star sphere
Replies: 2
Views: 5183

Re: Sony Star sphere

He briefly mentioned a "fascinating space" option. Maybe this means that you can point the camera at the stars. With the small aperture, it probably wouldn't do any better than a telescope on Earth.
by Dick Jacobson
Thu Nov 24, 2022 8:07 am
Forum: MAS Electronic Media & Book Group
Topic: Astro Tourism in Minnesota
Replies: 6
Views: 4277

Re: Astro Tourism in Minnesota

Reality intruded at the very end, when they admitted that they were clouded out! Hey guys, this is Minnesota, not Nevada!
by Dick Jacobson
Tue Sep 27, 2022 7:09 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Bill Volna article
Replies: 8
Views: 6669

Re: Bill Volna article

Wonderful article! I thoroughly enjoyed my visits with the ATM group to his shop. His presentations at MAS meetings were my all-time favorite meetings, especially the one where he recounted his struggles with trying to build a 73-inch telescope. During the most recent transit of Mercury, my wife Hel...
by Dick Jacobson
Tue Aug 30, 2022 8:33 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Merritt Reservoir State Park - Nebraska
Replies: 4
Views: 5201

Re: Merritt Reservoir State Park - Nebraska

Excellent news! It makes me think that my membership in IDA is doing some good. Thanks for being pro-active about this.
by Dick Jacobson
Mon Jul 04, 2022 7:14 am
Forum: Beginners SIG
Topic: Good places to skygaze in the Twin Cities?
Replies: 8
Views: 7060

Re: Good places to skygaze in the Twin Cities?

I've used the "skyview" area, a hilltop in French Regional Park in Plymouth. It's heavily light polluted but has an excellent view of the sky. For somewhat less light pollution, you could try 100th street near Hwy. 95 in Cottage Grove, an unpaved road through farm fields with very little t...
by Dick Jacobson
Sat Jul 02, 2022 9:52 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Mars Orbiter Instrument Still Running on Windows 98
Replies: 4
Views: 4364

Re: Mars Orbiter Instrument Still Running on Windows 98

Space agencies are extremely cautious about upgrading software, since there is always a possibility of introducing new bugs that are worse than the original deficiencies. The software for the Space Shuttle had bugs, but it was decided to live with them rather than introduce possibly fatal errors in ...
by Dick Jacobson
Thu Jun 30, 2022 2:14 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: World's First Liquid Mirror Telescope Goes Live
Replies: 2
Views: 4053

Re: World's First Liquid Mirror Telescope Goes Live

There have been several experiments with liquid mirrors. The Large Zenith Telescope in Canada had a 6-meter mercury mirror but was not useful for astronomy because of poor weather. Maybe the Moon would be a good site for a liquid mirror.
by Dick Jacobson
Sat May 14, 2022 9:43 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: LPI Virtual Presentation: The Journey of the JWST (5/12, 7:00 pm CDT)
Replies: 2
Views: 1312

Re: LPI Virtual Presentation: The Journey of the JWST (5/12, 7:00 pm CDT)

Thanks for the heads-up on this, Ron. I enjoyed the presentation even though I already knew most of what was presented. I don't think I've ever heard an hour-long talk where the word "actually" was in every sentence. At least she didn't start every sentence with "so," as do many ...
by Dick Jacobson
Thu May 12, 2022 7:52 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Forest Fire Season Has Started
Replies: 1
Views: 1102

Re: Forest Fire Season Has Started

Ugh! Last year the smoke ruined the Nebraska Star Party for me. I wonder if eventually enough trees will burn to reduce the fire seasons.
by Dick Jacobson
Thu Apr 28, 2022 8:15 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: No More Incandescents
Replies: 12
Views: 2219

Re: No More Incandescents

We often use incandescents as heaters, not for their light. LEDs make poor heaters. I hope these convenient and cheap heat sources are not completely eliminated.
by Dick Jacobson
Sat Mar 19, 2022 6:34 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Sunshine Protection Act
Replies: 11
Views: 2593

Re: Sunshine Protection Act

I too wish it was standard, not daylight saving, that was being made permanent. Regarding Dick's progressive adjustment, there is an added complication for anyone who needs to make international calls. As an example, the lab I used to work in had a sister lab in Sweden. When making calls to our Swe...
by Dick Jacobson
Fri Mar 18, 2022 6:29 am
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: Sunshine Protection Act
Replies: 11
Views: 2593

Re: Sunshine Protection Act

I wrote an article, which was published in last Friday's (3/11/22) Star Tribune, advocating a new clock standard that would eliminate the need for Daylight Saving Time. The new clocks would run slightly faster in the spring and slightly slower in the fall so that sunrise would be at the same time ye...
by Dick Jacobson
Sat Feb 19, 2022 1:15 pm
Forum: General Astronomy
Topic: First image from the JWST!!
Replies: 29
Views: 8329

Re: First image from the JWST!!

So the Webb is just like my Newtonians. The secondary mirror always gets coldest and dewy/frosty, putting an end to my observing session.