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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Last Minute Decision

Setting up the C11 by the Adler

26 July 2011

Wasn't too sure if I would organize another consecutive star party for this evening, as it's been a long and early day....but the evening is very clear and cool. Feeling guilty, I decided to make a go of it.

I will arrive about 8pm and remain until I run out of gas.

Unsure where I'll set up, but it'll be somewhere around the Adler area.

If free, stop by and say hi.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

A surprisingly successful session -

For me, it was a long day, starting at 4:30 am, with a short nap in between. But looking out and catching a bright day and the anticipation of a clear night was too much of a pull for me and I ventured out to the Adler area for the people and Saturn time.

Support Crew Member Barbara arrived soon after I did about 7:45 pm and was a great help in attending to our visitors - which were in excess of 75 this evening.

Early on, I met young precocious Eric...

..who was wide eyed and well beyond his years in questions and personality.

And also a young girl, who loves astronomy and space and excited for her first view of Saturn in real time...

before the Saturn show was to begin, Barbara and I got buzzed by low flying Geese...

...very loud...and cool.

It took awhile for Saturn to pop out and I instructed our gathering visitors to see who could spot it first. A shout went out and I slewed the scope to the point of light and Saturn was displaying a good ring system, but sinking fast toward the horizon...

I set up here at this spot this evening...as I didn't feel like lugging the equipment over to the primary Chicago Astronomer site just across the street - so I just set up where I parked for this session for easy unload/load.

The intense glare at this spot where I set up was obscene. This used to be the Alpha site for Chicago Astronomer sessions, but here by the Copernicus statue, the lighting has been changed and the area is now bathed in a horrendous glow. Unfortunate, as it was here where I attended to literally thousands who came by to see Mars, in it's close approach in 2004...and I did it with the modest 4.5 reflector.

The flocking in the C11 was doing it's best to absorb the stray light, but I was still getting glare. Popping on the Extended Dew Shield, blocked out the offense light well and Saturn's details were enjoyed this evening by many...

Being the sole astronomer on-site, I was busy all evening - talking with visitors about Telescopes, astronomy, optics...and as always..."How much does that Telescope cost?"

I met many enthusiastic visitors who were anxious to continue to share the skies with the Chicago Astronomer, taking pics together, passing out cards and chatting. S.C. Barbara was handling the crowds well and dragging me back in when I drifted off to talk with a small group. As Saturn dived into the atmospheric muck, I lost sight of it visually - couldn't see it for nothing! But, the C11 was tracking nicely and kept the planet in the eyepiece. My visitors were amazed that the scope was able to catch Saturn even if we couldn't see it.

A cool breeze washed over the site in a refreshing welcome from the heatwave we have been experiencing recently, but with the Extended Dew Shield on, it was shaking the tube some...and now, Saturn was bubbling from the low degree close to the horizon. But still, my visitors were excited to catch the rings and planetary satellites...and we all wait for "The Moment"...when they get their eye just right and Saturn pops into view. Many cannot believe it, and remark that it's fake or drawn in. Long lines formed throughout the session, and some that saw Saturn went directly back to the end for another turn.

Fans of the Chicago Astronomer who follow on the website, arrived to see some more Saturn and grab a pic with Astro Joe...

Above, New Chicago Astronomer fan Tucge's friends from Turkey, arrived to join in and will send me their proper spelling of their names.

A lot of comments on the ambiance music I play at Chicago Astronomer sessions - adds to the mystic...and I dig it too.

And here, two young college bound students share her "Meteors" sweatshirt...

New Chicago Astronomer fan Ruknul, send me these pics...

I'm glad I came out this evening and set up, (even though I really was exhausted) - making new friends and catching Saturn before we all lose her when she soon dives around the Sun.

Perhaps this weekend I'll set up again for another round...

[patrickm]

Joe, you are (still) such a badass!
I bow.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

"Joe, you are (still) such a badass!"

You got that right, but cool doing it!

And we are just beginning... and I bring my friends with me.

(Sidenote: I find it amusing when people tell me I can't do something...minor nuisance and an obstacle to go around.)

Onward...Excelsior!

[RobbW]

Way to go, Joe! I really wanted to come down these past two nights and join in on the fun. Unfortunately, my wife was out of town on business. So, I was the sole childcare provider for my daughter. She loves going out to look at the night skies with me. So, I was tempted to just bring her along. However, the long drive downtown, setting up my scope, mingling for a few hours, and then the long drive home would have been too much for her and would have gotten her to bed waaaaay too late. And she's been up much too late these past few nights due to being a flower girl in a friend's wedding and partying into the wee hours of the night. She needed to get some rest. Plus, I don't want to be one of "those" parents!

I really feel bad now reading that you had to be the sole practitioner last night. Looks like you really could have used another scope to help mitigate the lines a bit. Alas, my daughter and I were circling Midway Airport last night waiting to pick up my wife. So, no scope time for me. However, all was not lost. Even though I couldn't make it down for the star party on Monday night, my daughter was still very excited to see the stars. So, I set up our hammock in the back yard, and the two of us spent a good hour of quality Maddie/Daddy time looking at the stars. I had my GLP at the ready and allowed her to guide my hand to point it at different targets she was interested in. I did my best to give her as much info as I could about everything she asked about. Unfortunately, I still have too much to learn to be of any use as a docent of the night skies.

Joe, I have a question about your Extended Dew Shield. In several of your pics, it looks as if the EDS is drooping from its own weight. Does that interfere with the optics at all?

[Paulie pchris00]

Jul 27, 2011 8:40:53 GMT -6 RobbW said:

I really feel bad now reading that you had to be the sole practitioner last night. Looks like you really could have used another scope to help mitigate the lines a bit.

I feel even worse about, for keeping at least three telescopes and six friends away from this session. Working on writing that story next.

It's great to see so many waiting to see Saturn, and have their personal moment if discovery.

[hillimolly]

It was good to see the stars out.. I wish we could say out all night with out the clouds coming, I love my telescope

[tomlee]

Joe,

I hope it will work for you. Just ask if you have any questions.

eq-mod.sourceforge.net/introindex.html

[patrickm]

Joe:

Paulie: I do not think you should feel bad. Joe's a big boy and knew what he was getting into. Likewise, we'd been planning the IN thing for at least a week. Joe's personal commitments prevented him from joining us, which made me sad, but I understand. I also understand that he thrives on sharing his enthusiasm with people and wouldn't have gone down there if he didn't. I'm sure he'll chime in, but I didn't read his post as whining about being alone at all, more like pride that he'd mustered the energy to go down and happiness at how many people he and Barbara got to interact with and edumacate.

Of course, he could come behind me and eviscerate us for not being there, but I don't think that's his style or how he was feeling about it. At least, I didn't read it that way. I think you carry a lot of guilt for a so-called atheist.

[Paulie pchris00]

It's more a case that I'm not a very good liar. What I really meant is that I wish Joe had been out with us, but I understand.

Everything else, you're right on.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Heh...

First on the Dew Shield....

Three things going on here. I did not secure the velcro tight enough initially around the OTA, knew it at the time, but left it. And, the added breezy conditions also cause a droop. And...it's way longer than it should be, just at the edge where it can support itself by design. But the benefit of an extended fog free session is well worth it.

I could see in the eyepiece that the out of focus Saturn was being obstructed slightly, but not enough to hinder any viewing, with Saturn being a bright target. And with the planet not visible to the naked eye, I didn't want to go hunting for it with a line behind me if I choose to tighten the shield - losing Saturn in the effort. If we were on a DSO, I would have corrected it, gathering as much light as I could.


Solo set-ups...

We are fortunate to have Paulie with us and access to the 16" scope just sweetens the pot. I was uncertain Monday evening if I would do another the next night, and knowing the members would be heading out to Indiana...I did it anyway - tired, sleepy and all.

I always have fun when I set-up a scope, but it's always more enjoyable when sharing with other astronomers. Before The Chicago Astronomer came into being, I used to set-up my modest 4.5" Reflector in the Adler area solo, right there by the Copernicus statue - just me and he scope. And as it mostly happens, people come up and ask what's going on. I still maintain relationships from those days many years ago and it was good.

But sometimes....

I was there all alone, no one approached and I felt goofy just being there all by myself...kinda on display. After a short while, I got depressed about it and just packed up. Although...I did meet a nice lovely during one of these solo sessions...well worth it.

But these days, it's different.

The C11 beast draws a lot of attention and photogenic. My crack support Crew Member Barbara told me that when I was occupied with a small group, another group was posing with the scope, with everyone taking turns in various poses.

And...

If I'm attending a large crowd or it's just me...it's ok. I get to show visitors peeks at the cosmos for the first time, which is always cool - and the Chicago Astronomer fan base grows. But if by myself, there is always a personal challenge - to tweak something, slew to something new, reacquaint with an old celestial friend or....just enjoy some quiet time - never a wasted time with the scope.

But...

It's always better with a fellow Chicago Astronomer....