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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

- AAVSO/Citizen Sky Public Outreach Project -

Every 27.1 years, a star called "epsilon Aurigae", dims... for about 640 to 730 days, then returns to it's 3rd magnitude state. Very unusual for a star to exhibit such blatent change of brightness, (and for reasons not truly known)...and we are due to observe it's next dimming this fall/winter.

The American Association of Variable Star Observers ( www.aavso.org/ ) - have organized a great public outreach effort in recognition of this observable occurance...

...The mission: To get as many people involved, in not only observing this star change magnitudes, but gather and share valuable data on this rare event.

They have called this project: "Citizen Sky" ( www.citizensky.org/ )

The Adler Planetarium ( www.adlerplanetarium.org )will host a four day conference on this topic for astronomers from all over the country- starting with a Opening Reception on Tuesday evening, the 4th of August.

The Chicago Astronomer has been invited to participate in this prestigious conference and learn about observing, documenting and reporting this event to the astronomical community. I anticipate this coming week and attending the informative and learning workshops. I will also host a mini star party on Thursday evening, the 6th of August, by the Adler Planetarium for the attendees of the conference and eager to meet and greet all participants.

There will be ongoing observational data, reports and narratives on the conference, along with pics and interviews.

Keep your browser refreshed...!

[Michael Overacker]

Joe,

It was a pleasure to meet and talk to you at the Citizen Sky event. I decide to visit your site and I like it. Thatnks for your dedication and hard work for the astronomy community in the Chicago area, as well as around the world.

Michael Overacker
www.stargazer2.com
www.theastronomydude.com
www.starcityastronomy.org

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Michael,

It is certainly great to meet you and share our love of astronomy together. That Uber Cool rolling observatory you created is just too cool.

After the Variable Star conference and I rest, I'm going to highlight what you did with that bus and I wish to see it in person one day soon.

Here is the classic huge Telescope sticking out of a 1930'/40's automobile I told you about:

astronomer.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Equipment&action=display&thread=2318

I see an updating for the Bus.

You the man!

[Kevin Rasso]

Hey Joe,
Thanks for your help and enthusiasm throughout the conference! You truly were one of the highlights of this event! I'll echo Mike's comment about the website, great job!
Best regards,
Kevin

www.lowcountrystargazers.org

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Kevin,

How cool to have you here!

"Thanks for your help and enthusiasm throughout the conference! You truly were one of the highlights of this event!"

Heh...I was just being Joe and humbled at your compliment....

I got to meet Kevin during the after hour observation session I organized for the epsilon Aurigae Confernece participants and we got along like we knew each other for years.

Here are Chicago Astronomers, Conference participants and fans observing the Moonrise over Lake Michigan. You can just catch Jupiter next to the Moon.

It's nice to see the pics from others, as I'm the one usually taking the shots...

Picture by Bryan Tobias from San Antonio TX
Joe Guzman of The Chicago Astronomer setting up a Nikon Telescope from the 1950's and Kevin
lowcountrystargazers.org/citizen_sky.aspx

Thanks to Bryan - who is also quite cool - for taking this shot, (who also had his Adler Moonrise pic in Spaceweather.com)

It was rainy the last day of the conference, and I couldn't have Kevin leave all wet. So here I take Kevin and fellow participant Chris to their transportation connection in the Chevelle.

A full story of the confernence coming up soon.

Kevin,

Let's work out a link exchange and I'll post a graphical link to your Astro group.

[Kevin Rasso]

Joe,
No problem! I'll send you an email with our club's logo, and you'll have to do the same. I've been wanting to create a links section on our website for a while now...this is just the excuse.
Later,
Kevin

www.lowcountrystargazers.org

[Alice from Seattle]

Joe, Kevin, Brian and all the other shutter bugs!

Thanks for all the pictures! Joe I was inspired by your enthusiasm and wellspring of energy!!! I want to know what Joe eats for breakfast!

Cheers!
Alice

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Alice..

Really...?

I guess it's my enthusiasm for astromony and all the cool people I was excited meeting and learning about.

And Alice, you were working that Nikon refractor pretty well!

But...

I have been so bogged down, that I have yet to transcribe the interviews of all the fine people who were kind to sit down with me and talk. And there are plenty more pics to post of the conference.

Soon...very soon.\

Thank you for the kind words....

[blackdubb0520]

Im New to this site and very intrested in learning as much as i can about the nite skies....

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Blackdubb,

Tell us a bit about yourself and your interest in astronomy.

If in a big city, that's cool...as you can still observe and appreciate celestial wonders - despite the horrible light polluted skies.

Hence this site.

Hope to hear from you soon and we can share with you urban astronomy...