Crew 184 - Astronomy Reports

Astronomy Report – December 4th

Facility Utilized: Musk Observatory

Crew members Utilized: Thomas Horn

Supplies Utilized: Solar Telescope / Eyepiece / Camera / Dome

Duration (minutes): 180 minutes

Description of Activity: Radiation is a deadly threat to astronauts both in transit to and on the surface of mars, particularly when the astronauts are exposed to the sun. While astronauts can rely on ground support to identify any solar hazards that develop, communication with the ground cannot be guaranteed. If a Mars Habitat had an independent method of solar observation it could provide critical advance notice that solar flares or other hazards were developing and give direction to crew to shelter in place in radiation storm shelters.

Today’s activity was primarily focused on setting up the solar observatory for operation throughout the mission. A quick survey of the sun was done and no unusual solar activity was spotted. Images below were taken during today’s operation.

Astronomy Report – December 5th

Name: Thomas Horn

Crew: 184

Date: 12/5/2017

Sky Conditions: Clear

Wind Conditions: Still

Observation Start Time: 8:30 a.m.

Observation End Time: 9:30 a.m.

Summary: Did a scan of solar features for unusual activity. None observed. Image of solar surface attached.

Objects Viewed: Sun

Problems Encountered: None

Astronomy Report – December 6th

Name: Thomas Horn

Crew: 184

Date: 12/6/2017

Sky Conditions: Clear

Wind Conditions: Light Wind

Observation Start Time: 3:30 p.m.

Observation End Time: 5:00 p.m.

Summary: Crew Astronomer trained crew on observatory and telescope operations, no actual observing done.

Objects Viewed: N/A

Problems Encountered: None

Astronomy Report – December 6th

Name: Thomas Horn

Crew: 184

Date: 12/6/2017

Sky Conditions: Clear

Wind Conditions: Light Wind

Observation Start Time: 3:30 p.m.

Observation End Time: 5:00 p.m.

Summary: Crew Astronomer trained crew on observatory and telescope operations, no actual observing done.

Objects Viewed: N/A

Problems Encountered: None

Astronomy Report – December 7th

Name: Akash Trivedi

Crew: 184

Date: 7/12/17

Sky Conditions: Clear

Wind Conditions: Light

Observation Start Time: 2:45 p.m.

Observation End Time: 4 p.m.

Summary: No interesting features, took a few pics

Objects Viewed: Sun

Problems Encountered: None

Astronomy Report – December 11th

Name: Thomas Horn

Crew: 184

Date: 12/11/17

Sky Conditions: Clear

Wind Conditions: Still

Observation Start Time: 10:30 a.m.

Observation End Time: 1:30 p.m.

Summary: It was reported there were interesting prominence’s at the limb of the sun. These were not able to be observed, but two sunspots were identified in the below image.

Objects Viewed: Sun, Sunspot

Problems Encountered: None

Astronomy Report – December 12th

Name: Thomas Horn

Crew: 184

Date: 12/12/17

Sky Conditions: Clear

Wind Conditions: Light Winds

Observation Start Time: 11:30 a.m.

Observation End Time: 2:30 p.m.

Summary: We were able to observe three prominence’s on the limb of the sun which were visible using the eyepiece as well as the camera. They are imaged below. In the raw image it was impossible to view the prominence and the sun surface at the same time (as expected). We are novices at Photoshop, but attempted to optimize different parts of the picture for different settings to allow both features to be present in the same image. Images of the three prominence’s are attached that were experimented with. If anyone has advice or instructions on how to better utilize Photoshop to allow two very different features to show through in the same image it would be welcomed.

Hoping this solar activity continues!

Objects Viewed: 3 Solar Prominences

Problems Encountered: None

Astronomy Report – December 13th

Name: Thomas Horn

Crew: 184

Date: 12/13/17

Sky Conditions: Cloud Covered

Wind Conditions: Light Winds

Observation Start Time: 11:30 a.m.

Observation End Time: 2:30 p.m.

Summary: Unfortunately observing was not able to be done today due to extensive cloud cover. We are hoping the cloud clears enough to allow us to watch the Geminids tonight. In the meantime we used the procedure Peter sent out yesterday to re-process the images from yesterday and it worked great, example below.

Thanks for the help! We will try again tomorrow and hope the clouds clear.

Objects Viewed: Nothing

Problems Encountered: Clouds

Astronomy Report – December 15th

Name: Thomas Horn

Crew: 184

Date: 7/15/17

Sky Conditions: Clear

Wind Conditions: Light

Observation Start Time: 2:00 p.m.

Observation End Time: 2:30 p.m.

Summary: No observing, shutdown Observatory and returned Laptop to HAB

Objects Viewed: None

Problems Encountered: None

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