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[patrickm]

As promised, we bundled up scope, dog and day packs and headed to Rockford for the weekend hoping for clear, less light-poluted skies.

Julia's dad had posted a note about viewing at their retirement home, which is just NW of Rockford on the edge of farm country, and at dinner a few people expressed interesest in participating. Even though I'm a newb, I felt comfortable that I could at least faithfully dial up the visible planets and, after last week, maybe take a stab a M44. Though weather service promised clouds lifting by 8pm, it was not to be, and dang was it cold for a mid-May evening! So no go for #1, but at least there is interest and we'll try again next month.

We spent Sunday at Julia's brother's place near Poplar Grove air strip. A perfect place with almost no ambient light except for the airport beacon. I changed into my trusty longjohns and sweatshirt. We set up the scope at 7:30 and watched the clouds rolling toward us from the West. I eagerly anticipated Venus and Saturn appearing just as they had last Tuesday but…no. By 9PM they were still nowhere to be seen. It looked like there was some haze, but nothing that should have prevented the brightest objects from showing through.

We had an early day Monday, so I somberly packed up and tried to sort out my confusion. I know we were 90 miles west, but even CalSky had given me a 2030 visibilty time for Venus. After I got packed up, at about 2110, we said our goodbyes and I looked up one last time, only to see the faint beacons of Arcturus, then Saturn, Mars, and yes Venus, though much lower now at about 10deg above the horizon. I glumly walked over to the car and dug out our binocs just so I didn't leave completely empty-handed. So for the trouble, I was awarded with a view of Saturn through a veil of clouds on a moonless night.

The upsides are that I have a captive audience at the Wesley Willows Retirement Home interested, and even better, I got to spend a lot of good time with my 90 yr old father-in-law, whose boundless curiousity always inspires me, talking about astronomy and gear. Now I just need to learn more so we have something new to discuss when we return in June.

[Paulie pchris00]

That's just how astronomy goes man. Maybe you'll have better luck next month. The planets really get people's attention. Even when I warn guests that Mars & Venus aren't much to look at, they want to see them anyway. but that's cool, because in the big scheme of the universe, those planets are extremely local, and at some level, people get that. So go ahead and point them out. M44 is a good one, and last weekend would have been a good time to try to let people get a look with your binoculars, since they could use Mars as a stepping stone to find it. By the time you're out that way again, Mars will have rushed eastward, and the Beehive, which I think looks best in binos, will be harder for a novice to find.

Hopefully you can get some good observing time in before the next Rockford trip, because it's so much fun to have an audience waiting to see what they'll find next.

[patrickm]

Paulie,
I will definitely get some city viewing in as soon as the rain decides to leave us. Was scouting out the hill at Horner Park on the way home tonight and thinking that it will be worth it to start attending our local beat meetings to find out if the cops are star fans. ;-) Sure looks less bright than the heinous street lamp glowering outside our back gate here at home.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I was pretty bummed when we got in the car last night after reports of clear skies all week failed to pan out for us. That is the way it goes, for sure.

Take care,
patrick

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Patrick,

I think it's quite cool in bringing your scope to the retirement home and sharing views.

Some with limited eyesight, only the brighter objects will be observable, with the Moon being the primary target...but very cool...!

I too set out for a session Sunday evening, intending to image Saturn, but the clouds came in too early...so I messed around with the green laser instead.

And...

I'm also thinking about a short session this weekend by the Adler.

It promises to be clear and warm.

A notice will be sent out as the weekend approaches and hope you join us again.

[patrickm]

Thanks Joe! It's fun sharing my new hobby—or trying to—with others even more ignorant! ;-) I would love to check out the moon again soon! I've only hit it once because I've been so busy planet chasing or I've been lucky enough that it's had a late rise when I've been out. Have yet to bust out the moon filter except to hold it. Good advice on the object selection for older viewers. On the plus side, if I'm a little off on my sightings, no one will likely point out we're looking at Arcturus instead of Saturn and everybody can claim to see M13!

I did learn something very important from you last week that popped into my head a couple of times. That was that instead of trying to scout the absolute darkest spot for viewing, that I instead needed to be searching for the darkest convenient spot for the gang that would be viewing, with the emphasis on convenient. That proviso had me shift my potential viewing spot at The Institution, as Doug calls it, three times as each time I had realized I was thinking about setting up for me and not for them. If I'm gonna do that, then I shouldn't bother announcing it. That's a crucial concept! Thanks for helping me reframe my priorities. Do you do life counseling as well? ;-)

If a CA session is a possibility, then I'll stop watching weather forcasts so as not to influence the Astrogodz.

I know you'll see me, at least until my scope's properly aligned.

Thanks!
p

[Paulie pchris00]

I'm glad to hear you're interested in seeing the Moon. So many astronomers hate it. I came around slowly to the Moon, mostly because I was spending a lot of time on Jupiter when I first got my telescope.

As for the convience factor at the "Institution," it's always good to remember convenience for every non-astronomically minded audience. I wrote about that last week in my blog.

pchris00pnc.blogspot.com/2010/05/working-in-imperfect-conditions.html

[patrickm]

May 13, 2010 10:41:20 GMT -6 Paulie pchris00 said:

I'm glad to hear you're interested in seeing the Moon. So many astronomers hate it.

Well, I can understand jaded guys getting bored with that big ol' thing when they have enough focal length to see the beginning of the universe. What's happening on your block isn't nearly as interesting as talking to somebody in South Asia if you have a HAM radio (or the internet). Even when I was younger, I never got bored using our little refractor at home and peering at the surface up there. When a kid, I got to have breakfast with Harrison Schmidt in Silver City, NM and talk about what it was like up there. I hate his politics, but I will never forget having breakfast with a lunar astronaut and geologist.

Still haven't seen it in mine yet, and from the looks of it, it may be a while unless I can grab the new moon this weekend. Unfortunately Friday is out since we have a play at Steppenwolf, but that would be a cool first for me. Maybe I can bring my binocs and catch it during intermission. Now THAT would be übergeekoid wouldn't it? The top of the parking garage there wouldn't be half bad for that now that I think about it!

Thanks for the pointer to your blog. Very cool post and very cool attitude. I'm learning a lot from you guys already! I need to learn more about stuff before I get put in front of too many people, since I can't answer too many questions yet. Working on it!
Fingers crossed for this weekend.
p

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Patrick,

There are different types of sessions...

Some are totally serious, where it's a solo act and I try to observe/image something. Or test out a new or altered piece of equipment or make some adjustments...and really can't afford distractions. ( I recall my first evening alone with the C11 beast, I stayed the entire evening by the Chicago Astronomer site #3 by the lakefront till dawn. Observing target after target - alone with the stars....An incredible session that I still think about.)

Others are a team work effort, where an objective is sought and a learning session with a limited number of fellow astro buds...usually just two - maybe three. Finding a new object or practicing a sequence of targets for a public session - These sessions are private and not in a location where the public can come up to see what is going on.

Next are the open public sessions. Held in a conspicuous location, even under bright street lights. The goal is not for personal observation or serious imaging, but for sharing views with anyone who desires a peek and discuss astronomy. Usually no DSO's, but limited to the brighter targets, (Moon & major planets.) I have shown M45 to the public with street lights pouring into my 4.5" Newt - mocking the light pollution. And the Moon never fails to impress.

Then, there is the open orgy of scopes with fellow astronomers...and it's mostly for us. In an open area as well and with no agenda, targets or purpose - other than to gather and have fun. Enjoying an evening with friends and bouncing from scope to scope, comparing views, trying out eyepieces - and if the public stops by, all the better. But, these are fun, no pressure and light.

Each one has a different feel, some with a level of anxiety and urgency. But all are enjoyable and no better way way to spend a clear evening.


But...

This weekend will be good for a Crescent Moon & Venus conjuction at sundown...with good ISS/Shuttle passes to make it cool. I'm thinking about organizing a session this Saturday evening to catch the show.

Updates Saturday afternoon.

[patrickm]

May 14, 2010 9:35:11 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

Patrick,

There are different types of sessions...
<snip>
Each one has a different feel, some with a level of anxiety and urgency. But all are enjoyable and no better way way to spend a clear evening.

I totally get it. My alone sessions so far have been forced, since nobody else wants to go out in 15-35F weather, which I understand, but my scope was burning a hole through to China and needed to be tested. I needed to start learning. I can definitely see that when I start to figure this stuff out that I will definitely want some alone time just to give the brain a chance to focus. And it also turns out that some other people aren't as interested in looking up as I am. Freaks!! Freaks I say!!

I think it is very cool that you guys take the time when you could be doing private astronomy and spend that with the public. The camaraderie was great and y'all obviously enjoy each other's company. I suspect, and I guess I now know from reading some of your other wistful posts, that many other astronomers are not as generous with their time, energy and expertise when they could be doing something else with it.

I will take a clue and do my best, on days when I like people, to share what I learn as I go.

May 14, 2010 9:35:11 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

But...
This weekend will be good for a Crescent Moon & Venus conjuction at sundown...with good ISS/Shuttle passes to make it cool. I'm thinking about organizing a session this Saturday evening to catch the show.

Updates Saturday afternoon.

W00!!

Am packing the binocs in the car to try to glimpse the new moon when Steppenwolf lets out tonight. It might still be just above the horizon to the west when we get out.

[Paulie pchris00]

Patrick, you've got a great attitude, and it's good to see you in so many discussions. When I first got into astronomy, I didn't know of anybody locally who I could learn from (still don't), nor did I have anybody online to chat with. I had to learn a lot on my own, at least for the observing. Now I can come out to Chicago and hag out with the astro crew, and if I have equipment questions I can ask them here or on Facebook, where I talk to quite a few astronomers around the world.

I started my blog in April of last year, but it really didn't have a theme, I wasn't writing much, and the writing I posted wasn't good. I learned a lot from last year's International Year of Astronomy, and finally had the confidence to give it another shot. One of my followers, Johany, has a beginners blog, but she hasn't written anything recently. Sill, I give her credit for writing so early as an astronomer.

your-passport-to-space.blogspot.com/

I don't think it's ubergeekoid at all to want to get some observing in at intermission. I've been carrying at least one telescope in my car, plus I got a pair of 10x50 binos a few weeks ago that are never far from my sight. Oh, and a cheap little digital camera for documentation. You never know where & when might be a great time for observing. Keep looking up.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Patrick,

Tonight Both the Iss & Shuttle will be visible - with the ISS making a great flyover.

At 9:05 pm, Atlantis will appear in the WNW skies - shooting overhead at a incredible 80 Degrees...!

www.heavensabove.com has all the details.

Let's see how the weather looks for tomorrow night - and if good - we are out there.