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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

The Chicago Astronomer and the Franklin Park Park District

Joint Star Party

Friday, 19th of September 2014

The Chicago Astronomer will team up with the Park District of Franklin Park and share suburban skies with visitors and sky lovers of all ages, Friday - the 19th of September at 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm - located at 10040 Addison Ave, Franklin Park, IL 60131
Not exactly sure where we will set up, but should be near the fieldhouse.  There is anticipation I understand on our arrival and a big welcome.



Saturn will be our highlight for the session, but will tease out some binaries and star clusters for our visitors...and chat astronomy with enthusiasts.

If any of our Chicago Astronomer fans are in that part of the county....do stop by and share in the urban astronomy.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

First visit to Franklin Park was a blast....



The Chicago Astronomer was contracted to share Franklin Park skies with park visitors months ago....and that far in advance, the weather is an unknown factor.  Even with a built in rain date, we just don't know if a C.A. Star Party is a go.   We were fortunate that the skies were decent, with the clouds keeping away for the majority of the session...attending to tons of kids and parents.

I was introduced by our Franklin Park - Park District coordinator Phyllis to the already anxious assembled group  around the fire pit.  I annouced that we would be catching the last of Saturn, checking out some binaries and some other fine early fall targets....which they quickly rushed to the C11 scope...ready to view...

The kids were enjoying their first actual first-hand views of the cosmos and especially were thrilled at Saturn...which was only visible for about 20 minutes before we lost her behind trees.   I then targeted the pretty Blue and gold binary of the Alberio system, lectured about the Mizar/Alcor eyesight test of the ancients and where Jodie Foster went to in the movie "Contact"....or did she?


Lines were at times long, but our visitors were patient and we discussed all things astronomical....

The temps were chilly, but I was quite comfortable...moving about, attending to our visitors and I didn't even notice the chill.  When the kids got tired out, the adults remained to discuss now in length cosmology, astrophysical theory, extraterrestrials and optics....

At about 10:00 pm, high clouds started to roll in and the session was over, but we had a solid time with Franklin Park visitors, made new fans and it was related to me that everybody had a great time with us....

Our Franklin Park-Park District Coordinator Phyllis on a successful Astro night out.  We are invited back next year for their all night camp-out activity.

Woot!

Ain't astronomy fun....or what?