Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Jun 7, 2005 23:48:46 GMT -6
Delayed by my Vet trip of the morning, I arrived at the Adler at 1:00 pm...and man, was it humid and hot! Thank goodness there's a patio umbrella in the telescope storage area, and I quickly set it up. With just me manning the public observation session, I just brought out the 4" refractor and solar filter.
I would do two methods this day, projection first, pointing out the sunspots and explain what they were and their origins and again using a yellow filter to bring out interest. Then I allowed the public to view the surface of the Sun directly with the solar filter in place and keeping the yellow filter on.
It was mostly cloudy this day, as we waited for breaks in the clouds to catch a peek at the solar disk, and I took the opportunities to explain solar stuff and ask if any one had questions of the sun or astronomy in general. The patio umbrella certainly was welcomed and used by many of the visitors.
We had about 30 visitors to the session this day, some really fascinated at looking at the actual sun's surface, and others rather blaze about the experience. I had a frozen water bottle in my astro satchel, but that soon melted. Some kids just too eager to peer through a telescope, and if I were not there administering the views, some would just look into an unfiltered eyepiece.
I had a good conversation with a gentleman who flies 747's about cosmology, lunar mechanics and general astronomy. He waited and waited for a break in the clouds, but after about 15 minutes of conversation, he had to depart...or was it me!...
I had another fine conversation with a mother of a young child who was curious on the births of new suns and the nurseries where they are born. I used my handy-dandy issue of Astronomy magazine to show various nebula and other supernova remnants.
I forgot to bring the new eyepiece case along today...damn! But will remember to bring it along next time...I think Saturday.
Although I always enjoy a good solar session, (and this one had good sunspots), it was just a tad too hot and humid.
Respectfully,
Joe Guzmán
Telescope Interpreter
Adler Planetarium
I would do two methods this day, projection first, pointing out the sunspots and explain what they were and their origins and again using a yellow filter to bring out interest. Then I allowed the public to view the surface of the Sun directly with the solar filter in place and keeping the yellow filter on.
It was mostly cloudy this day, as we waited for breaks in the clouds to catch a peek at the solar disk, and I took the opportunities to explain solar stuff and ask if any one had questions of the sun or astronomy in general. The patio umbrella certainly was welcomed and used by many of the visitors.
We had about 30 visitors to the session this day, some really fascinated at looking at the actual sun's surface, and others rather blaze about the experience. I had a frozen water bottle in my astro satchel, but that soon melted. Some kids just too eager to peer through a telescope, and if I were not there administering the views, some would just look into an unfiltered eyepiece.
I had a good conversation with a gentleman who flies 747's about cosmology, lunar mechanics and general astronomy. He waited and waited for a break in the clouds, but after about 15 minutes of conversation, he had to depart...or was it me!...
I had another fine conversation with a mother of a young child who was curious on the births of new suns and the nurseries where they are born. I used my handy-dandy issue of Astronomy magazine to show various nebula and other supernova remnants. I forgot to bring the new eyepiece case along today...damn! But will remember to bring it along next time...I think Saturday.
Although I always enjoy a good solar session, (and this one had good sunspots), it was just a tad too hot and humid.
Respectfully,
Joe Guzmán
Telescope Interpreter
Adler Planetarium