Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Aug 11, 2007 2:35:17 GMT -6
The Chicago Astronomical Society and Chicago Astronomer Joe
The Chicago Astronomical Society conducts their monthly meetings on the 2nd Friday of each month at the Adler Planetarium. I was invited to attend the meeting and participate in an observation session afterwards...along with the regular "Star party pizza".
(The Chicago Astronomers and the Society had a joint session last year and had a great time... ;D )
Due to other commitments, I was not able to attend the meeting, which was unfortunate. It was chock full of great topics such as:
* Remote Robotic Astronomical Imaging & Research
* Perseid prediction discussion
* International Dark-Sky Association representative
and a lot more.
But after my obligations as a I.T. guy at a Chamber of Commerce reception, I hurried myself over to the Adler site to catch some of the session. I was lucky, as the CAS crew was still there.
I met and was greeted by old friends and made new ones.
Here is Audrey Fischer and myself. Audrey is working hard and making connections in the addressing the light pollution menace that plagues all night sky lovers. She worked the taste of Chicago, bringing awareness to the masses and making long term plans. The Chicago Astronomer will be part of the campaign to darken our skies.
Here is my good pal Bruce Blair and his grab & go/go-to scope. Bruce has always been gracious and inviting to the Chicago Astronomer and it was thru Bruce's encouragement to attend a meeting in February that I won a years subscription to Astronomy magazine!...
Shown here is Audrey, Joe & Joe. Joe is an intellectually funny man, and pictured is a great acquisition he recently got at last years astrofest. For $300.00, he picked up this classic Criterion SCT scope with all the accessories. A woman who was moving away just did not want to lug it with her, and was Joe's gain. It's a beaut!
This shot represents only a small group of the CAS that were present near the end of the session. Look at the tremendous glare in the background from the 8 second exposure and high humidity present in the air.
I had a good abbreviated time with the CAS crew and hope to share in a joint session soon...perhaps for the August 28th Lunar Eclipse.