Four Scopes, Lots of smiles and a great last minute session...




In a start of rare string of great clear nights, last night's session was a very last minute gathering of Astronomers and scopes. Chicago Astronomer Steve nudged me into this session for this evening - and since Friday is a no-go, (Bon Jovi concert in the area) - done. And we had David join us as well...



Scopes always attract lovers of the night sky, with Dave set up and attending to our visitors before I arrived at 8pm and was well underway while I assembled the beast



This session will highlight The crescent Moon, Venus and Saturn...all making a great showing...







This was the initial use of the new banner stands...


....which in actuality, are adjustable and collapsible microphone stands. I got them for very cheap, they are sturdy and thought would make for good banner support.

They do.

And...I could use them to hold my iPad mini when doing private observing too! (Wish I got three...damn... )


I was also having a bit of a situation with the Dew Shield, as it was sagging and catching the breeze, (it was windy throughout the session)....



The Velcro holding it is getting tired and time to replace. I removed it later on, hoping the dew would not be a problem...(it wasn't luckily.)

I kept the Moon and Venus targeted for as long as I could, before losing them behind the trees and buildings. I like to have my visitors peer through the 102mm tracking scope first, with a wide 32mm Reni 2" eyepiece w/ reticle...and then have them transfer over to the main tube and magnification kicked up...



As the Sun set and the sky grew darker, Dave and Steve slewed over to Saturn, while I kept on the Crescent Moon, but I too slewed over to the ringed planet later on...







Dave was targeting different summertime objects, such as M13 and M57...



Here I take a peek at them thru his 10" Dob.



Dave let a visitor try on his observing eye patch...





C.A. Bill arrived later on during the session and brought his new 6" shorty refractor...



Views are very nice...!

By sheer coincidence, Carlos stopped by with his 7" Meade...



...not knowing that we were on-site. He has followed the Chicago Astronomer and now become part of it.



We remained on-site till about 11:00pm, later than planned, but we were all having such a great time, that the session just flew by. I had some great conversations on cosmology, astronomy, aliens and a host of related topics. The tablet was a great tool and the on-board laser on the C11 always thrills our fans. We attended to 44 visitors this session and made some new fans of the Chicago Astronomer.

Our crew for the evening...



The next Chicago Astronomer session will be on Saturday,the 13th of July - 8pm...probably just north of the Adler building this time - by the Sundial...but look for us.

Andy,

The time just flew by...and before we knew it..I was giving the 30 minute notice to break down the site.

Observing conditions were great in seeing...and master star hopper Bill, was picking out the fainter stars in Scorpius...which is normally lost in the muck. Saturn was putting on a great show and all of our visitors went away with smiles and my card.

But, it wasn't all positive...

While I was chatting with another Astronomer, a couple thought it was ok to grab the C11, (clutched down), and move it around. Someone pointed it out to me and I put a loud stop to it. Most people are respectable and ask, but how some are so ignorant as to handle equipment, ignorantly...is astounding.

We have another session Saturday...and it will be another fun filled evening.

Regichuck...

I dig the screen name, but it's unclear who the poster is.

I'm glad you two stopped by and hope become a regular part of the Chicago Astronomer crew.