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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

The White House to host a Star Party on the South Lawn
Wednesday, the 7th of October 2009

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Awhile ago, my good astro friend Audrey Fischer, an amateur astronomer and member of the Chicago Astronomical Society, had thought with the Obama administration, that now would be a great time to promote astronomy...and perhaps even organize a star party at the White House south lawn. I thought it a cool idea and it has never been done before.

Be careful on what you wish, because it's happening.

From a White House press release:

""The President and First Lady will host an event at the White House for middle-school students to highlight the President's commitment to science, engineering and math education as the foundation of this nation's global technological and economic leadership and to express his support for astronomy in particular – for its capacity to promote a greater awareness of our place in the universe, expand human knowledge, and inspire the next generation by showing them the beauty and mysteries of the night sky."

Audrey Fischer

Audrey's idea caught on, got the attention of the White House... and now a reality. For those of us in the know, we kept it hush for security reasons, but now there will be at least 20 Telescopes and a host of kids on the South Lawn this Wednesday evening observing Jupiter and other objects.

Really quite cool I must say and Sky and Telescope Magazine has a nice article on this:

www.skyandtelescope.com/news/63482922.html

The Obamas will conduct their star party at 7:00 pm Chicago time. To celebrate this fine recognition of amateur astronomy, Chicago will also conduct a star party session on the Adler grounds with telescopes and members of the Chicago Astronomer, Chicago Astronomical Society and the Adler Planetarium. - Starting at 6:30 pm.

Audrey is cool and always brings Moonpies for us when the Chicago Astronomers and the Chicago Astronomical Society joins forces for observational sessions.

Here Audrey, (Center blue floral dress), joins the Chicago Astronomers, Chicago Astronomical Society and the Adler Planetarium in observing the bright flyover of the International Space Station in September 2009.

Audrey also is a force in combating the excessive light pollution big cities suffer from, especially in Chicago. She's lobbying and gaining the ear of those who can correct poor lighting situations and help recapture darker skies and bring back the stars. Compounding this, the iidea of L.E.D lighting is a horrible plan, bringing along a host of health issues, and Audrey is confronting this.

Excellent job Audrey!