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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Chicago Astronomer Full Moon Rise Observation Session

The Chicago Astronomer/Adler Planetarium Telescope crew will conduct a open session of observing & enjoying the Full Moon rise over Lake Michigan on Tuesday, the 7th of July. - Moonrise is at 8:53 pm, but we will set up by about 8:00 pm.

This month's Full Moon is the"Full Buck Moon" - Legend has it that bucks begin to grow new antlers at this time. This full Moon was also known as the Thunder Moon, because thunderstorms are so frequent during this month.

Catching the first sign of the lunar limb peeking over the horizon is always exciting and a contest to see who will spot it first. Rising Blood red, the lunar sphere will deform and appear fluid as it passes through the horizon....

Considering the uncertainty of the parking by the Adler Planetarium, (Sunday the meters were covered), the crew has decided to set up Telescopes by Montrose Harbor - by the "Hook"....

Parking along the drive, but the parking situation is uncertain. Bring quarters....

We will set up a few scopes, take pics and enjoy the warm summer night...maybe I'll even bring my clumsey "Sewer Pipe" scope....

All are welcomed to stop by, peek through telescopes and talk astronomy...even 2012.

Chicago Astronomer Joe

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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

The Chicago Astronomers Welcome the July Full Moon...(sorta)

Cloudy skies threatened to quash any gathering of the Chicago Astronomers this Full Moon evening, but Clear Sky Clock showed a possible break in the clouds and maybe....get a snippet view of a Moon.

Chicago Astronomers, family and fans gathered along the lakefront at Montrose Harbor and set our Telescopes. I brought along my kick-around trusty 4.5" and Steve set up his Mak with a new swing mount.

Moon rise was scheduled to break the Lake Michigan horizon at 8:53 pm Chicago time, but there was a thick layer of clouds hugging the line between water & sky. Regardless...we waited and had faith. People came up to me & my scope and talked astronomy and telescopes. One gentleman has a scope like mine, but knew nothing about setting it up. I presented my card to him, gave him some pointers and invited him to subscribe to the Chicago Astronomer newsletters & to join us in future Chicago Astronomer Star Parties.

After 9:00 pm, we could discern lunar glow making it's way from behind the clouds and for a break. All gathered around our two scopes and I wanted to start snapping images of the Moon breaking through, but it was more important to allow the kids to grab a view while they could. But I did manage to capture a few inbetween peeks...

Taken thru the 60mm finder scope, fitted with a 25mm eyepiece & piggybacked on the main tube, it allows my Canon S3 to capture various field of views, whereas the main tube provide much too much magnification regardless of the eyepiece utilized.

At about 10:00 pm, after observing the Moon, (that only displayed it's self for a few glorious minutes), chatting astronomy and having fun meeting new people and laughing with old friends...we called it a night.

We might attempt a post Full Moon session this weekend just for fun.