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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

The Chicago Astronomers meets new fans at the 606 Trail
20 April 2024

Our monthly visit to the 606 fell on this Saturday, but the weather wasn't looking too great, even with forecasts calling for clearing during the later evening hours. We were scheduled and too late to send out the cancellation notices, so we packed up the car with our gear and still unsure about setting up when we arrived on site. But you never know.  Temps were in the low 40's and a bit windy...and very cloudy.  That clearing didn't look like it was going to pass anytime during our scheduled time at the trail.  

Lugged our carts up the helix path and I decided not to set-up the 11" scope, but rather wait for awhile to see if sky lovers showed up, despite the cloudy conditions...and glad we did.

Two of our new fans stopped by from the suburbs, especially to request guidance on their new telescope, never before used.

It is a Celestron Inspire 100mm Shorty AZ scope with a Red Dot finder. The scope comes with two Kellner eyepieces (20mm and 10mm), a 90° erect image diagonal, a  smartphone adapter, StarPointer Pro finderscope, and an integrated red LED flashlight/mount light. I like that built-in Red Light that illuminates the accessory tray.

I explained the functionality of their new scope, the backwards logic of the eyepiece magnification of eyepieces, how to move it on it's axis's and aligning the red dot finderscope to the tube. I always use the distant Train Trussell with red and green lights to align my scopes on the trail. And within minutes, our new fans had started the mastery of using their new instrument and ready top start exploring the cosmos...

The views are solid and sharp.  I placed a Televue 22mm eyepiece and rather impressed on the views it delivered of the surrounding area thru the scope.
And yet more satisfied Chicago Astronomer fans that will return and join us in future sessions

Long time fans, friends and Astronomers Tamra & Rick stopped by to chat, especially about their Total Eclipse experience in Indiana, Northeast of Indianapolis, on a farm with close friends and no annoying crowds...

And....as they successfully chased the Shadow....received a "Chicago Astronomer Total Eclipse" pin!

NOTE:

The Chicago Astronomer will attempt to return to the trail next Saturday, the 27th of April as our cloudy/rain date...pending weather conditions.

Onward...

Astro Joe