Bob’s Ephemeris Blog

Last night while checking out my emails, I found one from Richard Kuschell which said he was heading out to downtown Traverse City and invited the GTAS group to bring their telescopes down for some sidewalk astronomy.  Gary Carlisle and I heeded the call.  I got down to the TC Visitors Center across from the Open Space on the Bay where most of the food booths, the entertainment stage, and most other commercial booths were, abd behind the Visitors Center from all the carnival rides.  The blocked off Union street at the Parkway, and with every light change came a wave of humanity across the Parkway.  I stopped at the baracades at the intersection to offload my telescope.  Richard was already there to watch over it while I found an empty parking space four blocks away.   Gary got there a bit later.  He was parked closer due to having parking privileges downtown.  However He and Richard had to go to his car and retrieve his Celestron 8 telescope.  I think it was still a two block hike.

 Above:  Peeking at Jupiter around the Visitor Center sign

Anyway, the moon was visible early on.  Later on Jupiter rose, but was bothered by trees, light pole, and requires moving the telescopes around.  Richard was able to find a location to view Saturn.  Anyway, we had a lot of fun and attracted lots of folks young and old to the eyepieces.

 Above:  In the middle of Union Street to view the moon through Richard’s telescope

At about 11:30 p.m. we packed up.  The police allowed us to bring our cars to the location to load up.  A very fun night!

Above:  Looking at Jupiter just above the trees (and through a light pole) through my ’scope.

Tags: Observing, On the road, GTAS // 2 Comments »

Our astronomy society, the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society, is going to buy a 25″ Dobsonian telescope for use by society members especially for use in the society’s outreach program.  It should be the largest telescope in northern Michigan, unless someone clues me in on a larger one.  We’ve been able to raise most of the money for it, and to go out to Arizona to get it.  But we will have more expenses and an ongoing expense for insurance.

If you’d like to help the GTAS and you live in Michigan you may contribute to the fund online by going to the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation web site http://www.gtrcf.org/ and select the find a fund button.  Type in “Grand Traverse Astronomical Society” in the name search box.  Click on the fund.  From there you can click on the “Make a donation” link.  There you can make a donation by debit or credit card.  You can also send a check to the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation offices at 250 E. Front Street Suite 310, Traverse City, MI 49684. Checks can be made out to the Community Foundation with the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society Fund noted on the memo line.  Or you can mail a check to the GTAS, C/O the society treasurer Gary Carlisle, 1473 Birmley Rd, Traverse City, MI  49686.  The GTAS is a 501(c)(3) organization and donations are tax deductable.

None of the funds will be used to support this blog or the Ephemeris web site.  These are my labor of love and supported by my nickle.

Tags: GTAS // Add Comment »

Humans currently have their greatest presence on Mars. This was made abundantly clear as the Phoenix came in for a landing. The three active satellites orbiting Mars, two U.S. and one European, were converging overhead as Phoenix came down. The actual real time signals were relayed by one of the satellites, Mars Odyssey including spacecraft health, the numerous events that occurred in descent, and radar altitude. Odyssey never lost contact with Phoenix. It was quite the ride. I hope JPL will put together the Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) animation and the actual real time reception of the EDL events into a video.

The day after the landing the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter downloaded an image of Phoenix sailing in on its parachute. It all made Mars, to me at least, like we’re really there welcoming the next explorer to our planet.

Robot exploration may not have the raw emotion of a manned expedition. But robots will have the run of the planet for several decades to come before humans arrive and will be waiting at the landing site when humans first land.

Tags: Planetary Space Missions // Add Comment »

Amazing!  JPL had communication and data all the way down to the surface.  Three Mars satellites converged on the landing site during EDL (Entry, Decent and Landing).  The link through Odyssey gave mission control a second by second relay of the data and altitude of the lander.  It was great.

Now the work begins.  We might get some pictures by 10 p.m. tonight.

Tags: Planetary Space Missions, Real time // Add Comment »

Members of the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society will be at the Northwestern Michigan College’s BBQ this Sunday, May 18th to view the sun, if it’s clear, or if cloudy they will institute Plan B.

Plan B generally consists of viewing a picture of Saturn down the hall of the science building. We regularly get accused of that on our viewing nights. But only on cloudy or rainy BBQ days do we actually do it.

Not that I believe the weather forecast, but it’s looking like we’ll be viewing Saturn rather than the sun. I hope not.

Tags: Events, Observing, GTAS // 1 Comment »

May 10th is Astronomy Day where observatories, planetariums and astronomy clubs celebrate the heavens with open houses and viewing nights. Check out the astronomical facilities and clubs in your area.

In the Grand Traverse area the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society is joining with Northwestern Michigan College and their Joseph H. Rogers Observatory for a double barreled event. Members of the society will be stationed at the observatory and downtown Traverse City for the event from 9 to 11 p.m. In downtown members will be stationed with telescopes on Front Street near the remodeled State Theater.

Below are photos of sidewalk viewing last year.

Tags: Events, Observing // 2 Comments »

Tonight (May 5th) Elk Rapids, MI will douse their outside lights, including the downtown “acorn” lights from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. See elkrapidsblog.org for more information. I’m going to be there tonight with my telescope, and I’m contacting other members of the GTAS, hoping to get their support. I only learned of it this morning. Hope to see you there.

Tags: Events, Dark Skies // 1 Comment »

The International Year of Astronomy 2009
The 400th anniversary since Galileo first turned his telescope to the heavens.

Check out this video.

Thanks to Astronomy Blog.

Tags: Events, Anniversary // Add Comment »

On the evening of April 8th the moon will pass in front of the northernmost stars of the Pleiades. The event starts before 10 p.m. in northern Michgan and lasts until past 11 p.m. The chart below shows the moon at 10 minute intervals from 9 to 10 p.m., and the stars it will occult. If you’re located at other places on the earth, check your local astronomical sources for time and if the occultation is visible at your location. The chart was created using Cartes duCiel and the image manipulating program GIMP, both open source programs.

Tags: Uncategorized // Add Comment »

     Astronomers seem to be colorful characters, though in my opinion none are colorful as Tycho Brahe.  When talking about Tycho side notes abound, he is probably known better for his oddities then his astronomical work.  Tycho was large Danish Nobleman who at one point ruled a small

      Tycho believed Jepp to be clairvoyant.  Tycho as most astronomers of the time was also an astrologer, but he was not very sure of astrological predictions so Tycho may have though having a clairvoyant on hand to be a good idea.  I have also read in some fiction that Jepp did not like Kepler.  This could be proof of his clairvoyant abilities as recent evidence has lead some to wonder if Kepler was involved in Tychos death.

      Jepp was considered a dwarf standing as tall as Tychos knees, and more of a novelty then a person.  Jepp spent dinner time under the table, possibly begging for food and getting some scraps now and then.  Others accounts claim that Tycho would just toss him the bones.  Since Tycho probably viewed Jepp as a possession similar to a pet he may have believed that Jepp enjoyed spending time under the table waiting for he scraps.  Much like a pet there are also claims that Jepp slept at the foot of Tychos bed at night, once again claims of having to beg for food are brought up with this story.  Other stories claim that Jepp followed Tycho around like a pet.  The one perk Jepp received was being the court Jester when Tycho traveled Jepp was included in the entourage.  The consistent thread in most stories about Jepp is that he could not have a lower social status.

      In “The Book of Splendor” a work of fiction by Frances Sherwood a lightly different view of Jepp is given.  Sherwood shows Tycho looking to Jepp for comfort as he lay dieing.  Jepp holding one hand as Kepler holds the other while his doctor tends to him.  In the story Tycho is found calling for Jepp when he is not by his side.  While it is a book of fiction it is the only writing about Jepp where I find him shown in any light other then a possession of Tychos.

       Next time I may tell the story of Tychos pet moose/elk  “Rix” who died when he fell down the castle stairs after drinking to much beer.

Tags: Uncategorized, History, Astrology // 2 Comments »