Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Feb 12, 2005 3:49:43 GMT -6
The Adler hosted a cub/boy scout overnight this Friday of the 11th. Good sized crowd of youngsters with plenty of questions. After our dinner of Thai eats, we readied for an evening of good observing.
I choose the 4" refractor this time, with fellow telescope operators picking the 8" SCT and 8" Dob. I selected the crescent moon which was nicely positioned, with the other scopes focusing on the Orion Nebula and Saturn. The winds were a bit brisk at times causing scope shake, but it wasn't all that bad.
Plopping in a 10mm eyepiece brought the lunar surface nice and close. Of course the oohs and ahhs from the scouts were heard throughout the night with all objects in the scopes. We were asked questions relating to their successfully accomplishing the astronomy merit badge, and fellow operator Don answered them quite nicely. Telescope operator Jennifer added to the conversations with mythology and factoids...all quite good. She also did rocketry at White Sands in New Mexico I found out. I gave her my card, and hopes she visits this forum!
I attempted to locate the clusters in Auruga, Macholtz and even Andromeda...but no dice....nothing! All awash in the city lights and high thin clouds. Too bad. I even brought out a 6"dob just for the hunt, but no luck there either.
As the crescent Moon sank beyond the buildings, I needed a new target to show. I trained the scope on Sirius for awhile, then to the Pleaides, Taurus and then splitting the double star in the Big Dipper's handle. I went back and forth during the remaining time until it was time to pack it all up. I was feeling the cold by this time, and although I enjoy observing, I was rather glad to conclude the session.
All in all, it was a good time, taught youngsters some astronomy and enjoyed the company of my fellow telescope operators.
Respectfully submitted,
Joe Guzmán
Telescope Interpreter
Adler Planetarium
I choose the 4" refractor this time, with fellow telescope operators picking the 8" SCT and 8" Dob. I selected the crescent moon which was nicely positioned, with the other scopes focusing on the Orion Nebula and Saturn. The winds were a bit brisk at times causing scope shake, but it wasn't all that bad.
Plopping in a 10mm eyepiece brought the lunar surface nice and close. Of course the oohs and ahhs from the scouts were heard throughout the night with all objects in the scopes. We were asked questions relating to their successfully accomplishing the astronomy merit badge, and fellow operator Don answered them quite nicely. Telescope operator Jennifer added to the conversations with mythology and factoids...all quite good. She also did rocketry at White Sands in New Mexico I found out. I gave her my card, and hopes she visits this forum!
I attempted to locate the clusters in Auruga, Macholtz and even Andromeda...but no dice....nothing! All awash in the city lights and high thin clouds. Too bad. I even brought out a 6"dob just for the hunt, but no luck there either.
As the crescent Moon sank beyond the buildings, I needed a new target to show. I trained the scope on Sirius for awhile, then to the Pleaides, Taurus and then splitting the double star in the Big Dipper's handle. I went back and forth during the remaining time until it was time to pack it all up. I was feeling the cold by this time, and although I enjoy observing, I was rather glad to conclude the session.
All in all, it was a good time, taught youngsters some astronomy and enjoyed the company of my fellow telescope operators.
Respectfully submitted,
Joe Guzmán
Telescope Interpreter
Adler Planetarium