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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Chicago Astronomers to View the Jupiter/Venus Conjunction
- 01 September 2005 -

The Chicago Astronomer/Adler crew will assemble on the Adler grounds this Thursday to view and share views of the planetary conjunction of Jupiter and Venus with the public. Of course, this depends on the weather conditions, but the skyclock shows partly cloudy viewing conditions for now.

We plan to set up our scopes just before sunset, 8-ish pm. You can find us either on the south lawn of the Planetarium or by the Copernicus statue.

I invite all who are in the greater Chicago area to join us and share this beautiful event together.

Also...

We may regroup again on the 6th of September to watch the crescent Moon join the two planets in a great assembly in the sky. This will be a great and rare photo opportunity. More on this as plans are confirmed.

[Kalvis]

FYI, the Chicago Bears' pre-season game vs. the Cleveland Browns is on for tonight (Thursday, September 1, 2005) at 7:00 p.m. at Soldier Field. That will make driving to the Adler extremely difficult or impossible. Didn't Bears' President/CEO Ted Phillips and GM Jerry Angelo realize the importance of this planetary conjunction? But seriously, is there any alternate location being considered for the telescopic viewing event?

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Conjunction Location Frustration

Astro crew...

Late note before the conjunction activities -

This is so frustrating on the inaccessibility of our own grounds. I call for a revolution or at least a grumbling!

But really...

I'll swing by the Adler grounds and check out the situation, and raise a clenched fist. If not accessible, then I would recommend Steve's Montrose Ave/LSD Hill site. I have used the site for both sledding and Kite flying...and it could be a third locations for the Chicago Astronomers. If that is not suitable, then the Chicago Astronomer site#2 at Wentworth and State will have to do, but no people to impress and wow.

Many of you have my Cell phone Number, use it to see where we are at. And if you don't it's found in only the best women's restrooms.

I'm sure we will hookup somewhere, someplace... like roaming nomads.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

The Conjunction, the Astronomers and the Hill...

Well, indeed the Adler grounds were locked solid with football fans infesting the area, and no way to access our usual observation spot. So back-up plan 1 was Steve's Montrose Ave Hill just off the lakefront.

I had a little difficulty finding Steve, but with cell phones in hand, I spied him waving from atop the mound like a conquering mercenary.

It was quite a trek from the parking lot to the hilltop, and with all my gear...I was quite exhausted. But Jupiter and Venus were making a nice paring to the west and we started our observations. I used a video camera to experiment in capturing the pair...and they did come out well.

Here Steve and I take a moment to stand in front of the conjunction and smile.

John N joined us soon after, but missed the conjunction. We had fun going thru Steve's go-to programmed target list and joking around. Steve showed us the "Snowball Nebula"...and damned if it was a pretty blue! How cool and I had never seen it before. It's a must for everybody.

Here are myself, John and Steve. I recommend we take a collection up for John to get him a pair of trousers.

We stayed till about 11:00 pm and went on our ways. It was a fun night showing people the planets and being astronomers.

[Rocketman]

Winter is around the corner Joe! You have my permission to grow a beard now. I'm working on mine already

Nice pics!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Grady,

You know, I think about that often, (winter), when I see the Pleiades and Orion.

In the past, I used to let my face grow out in the last couple of weeks in December. It was my way of thumbing my nose at structured society. But can't do it now in my present position. Perhaps old symbolic gestures will make a comeback.

Sigh...