Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Oct 28, 2007 6:12:36 GMT -6
Doane Session 27 October 2007
A group of us crack Adler Doane Operators desired to open the Doan observatory this weekend and it looked like Saturday would be the best day, due to the Chicago Bears playing a game on Sunday...locking down the entire area.
It was rather a colder day, and mostly cloudy for the session, but despite the overcast and the occasional "sucker holes", we prepped the telescopes for public viewing.
We had about 30 visitors this day, some lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the solar disk, which had absolutely no sunspot activity, but a couple of good prominences were to be seen.
I had a great serendipitous surprise this day. While chatting with fellow astronomers, a group came in and a woman called out, "Hey, Chicago Astronomer!" Surprised, I looked up, but did not know who beckoned my nick. She said "It's me...Francine from the Chicago Astronomer site - Manaratowen!"
Now how cool was that. I had never met Francine, only thru her posts have I enjoyed her participation on the Chicago Astronomer. Coming from Franklin Park Illinois, it's a bit of a inconvenient travel to the Adler, but her chance coming to the Adler this day and walking around to the Doane Observatory was nice.
Pictured are: Chris Swan visiting from Augustine Fl; Chicago Astronomer Francine Jackson (Manaratowen); Randy Tokowitz from Elmwood Park Illinois; Mike Tokowitz from Franklin Park Illinois; Myself from the Adler and Sabrina Jackson from Franklin Park Illinois
A great pleasure meeting one of my members and quite unexpected. I invited the entire crew to come down to our Far Out Friday public session next month and bring their scope along.
John, Fred and Linda answered questions, explained the workings of the 20' SCT telescope and of the Solar Coronado very well and thoroughly.
It was now about 3:00 pm and the sun was quickly on it's way to setting beyond the reach of the telescopes and we decided to call it a day. It was a very windy day with gale like winds buffeting us as we dared to venture out to the walkway. Of course, about that time, the blanket of thick cloud cover that fought us the entire day - slid past the lakefront and a blazing sun now shone, mocking us as we locked down the observatory.
Shown are this days solar crew, Myself, John and his son Micheal, Fred and Linda.
Why the instrument in my clutches? I am learning to play a mean electric guitar, and thought I would get some licks in between waiting for visitors.
The Surf Astronomer.
