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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Chicago Astronomer
Pre-Memorial Day Star Party bash
Sunday - 23 May 2010

Last Wednesday, the 19th of May - we all had a great time observing celestial objects, making new friends and enjoying each others company...

astronomer.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=StarParty&action=display&thread=2724

So much, that in fact, my good Yelp friends would like to make a day of our next session with grilling, sports play and capping the day with some nice warm evening astronomy.

I think it's a great idea and a good way to kick off the pre-Memorial day season of summer astronomy. The day promises to be clear and very warm - great for some astro fun.

Here are the plans so far....

We will meet just south of the Adler Planetarium at 6:00 pm...

We shall snack, play and then about 8:30 pm - start our always enjoyable observation sessions at 8:30 pm and stay till 11:00 pm - for the late comers and lovers of the warm night sky.

I will have a Chicago Astronomer fan set up a grill and he will bring along assorted goodies to cook, but you are encouraged to bring along additional items, (pop, ice weenies etc...).

If enough RSVP to this, then I'll bring out the volleyball equipment and maybe even the guitar to mess around with.

The skies will share with us Sunday: Saturn, 3/4 Moon, Mars, Venus...and maybe we can coax some Deep Spacer Objects out...

We can examine the terminator line on the Moon, (where light & dark meet), with great study and relish in Saturn's rings. If you have a camera, bring it along and try to take some astro pics thru our telescopes.


I am also thinking about bringing out the "Chicago Astronomer Mobile Observatory" or "C.A.M.O... ". I need to work on it some, (opening the roof), but if it's ready by Sunday, then it will be great to blockout the wind and stray obtrusive light....but we will see.

Make some time out of your busy schedules to join us for some Chicago Astronomer camaraderie astro fun.

More details as they develop.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

We are getting our confirmations:

Tom T. said, "I'll be home Sunday, so I should be able to make it there by 6.

I'll bring a grill, and a cooler with some cold beverages. I'll just grill some burgers and maybe some taters. It'll be a regular grill, so anyone can throw some stuff on there as well.

I can bring a few chairs and a little table as well. Also, a frisbee, and maybe a kite! :-)

If there's anything else I can bring let me know.

Morgan brought the pictures Joe and Mike took for her class to see at Show-n-Tell. She was super stoked to see them herself.

We really can't wait to do it again this Sunday.

---------

Joe, can I bring cupcakes?
If I'm bringing cupcakes, I'll need to know which flavor so someone decide if I am and which kind before I go to the store this afternoon!

* Cate, I dig all types of cupcakes and know they will be delicious.

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Alfred & I will swing by. Probably after 7 ish. We will bring some goodies and binoculars.

-Linda

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Sweet.... ;D

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

More updates...

Michael P. has sent you a message on Yelp:

RE: Sunday's astro bash...

"Si.

Thinking of what we can bring. Farmer's market in Lincoln Park tomorrow a.m., so I'll see what fresh offerings there are, maybe a potato salad with some kind of fancy-boy herbs.

Handful of cigars, too. I get 'em cheap from Mike's Cigars mail order, macanudo and licenciados seconds.

m"

-------------------

Will you be bringing Laika? Most likely, I'll already have Romeo in tow so I'd be bringing him along, too. I'll bring drinks of some sort since nobody should be subject to something I cooked. Nobody!

---------------

RE: Sunday astro session...

"It's a date. I'm bringing my roommate. She has heard all about you and would also like a rod shot. What's the attire?"

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*This is developing nicely.

It's gonna be a great bash...!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Restrooms facilities and parking for the event....

Ok kids...the Chicago Astronomer cares about your comfort and did some recon and advance work.

There are four areas with facilities - numbered in ranks of suitability of lovers of the night skies...

- Number 1 is the Adler Planetarium.
There will be an event there Sunday evening and the south entrance should be open. I have notified floor staff there that we are coming and should be expecting us. Tell the desk staff that you are with Chicago Astronomer Joe and I'll provide you with a Business cards.

- Number 2 is the Beach House by 12th street beach - and it's open.

- Number 3 is the restrooms just west of the parking lot entrance and is open.

- Number four are the porta-potties. Not recommended.

Also...

It's gonna be crowded if today was any indication of traffic. The parking lot will be open till 5:00 pm, but I suspect it might remain open later - due to an activity at the Adler that evening. And parking is $19.00

There are metered parking spots along the Drive leading to the Adler, but it's hit or miss - but it's a good bet. $1.00 an hour and bring quarters - no LAZ boxes.

Public Transportation is recommended and I do not know when the last bus leaves.

I will set up an tent to keep the equipment in and our stuff while we play and observe.

It will be a great observation session and day of play.... ;D

[patrickm]

Waaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....I wanna go!!!!!

But I did score a pair of Celestron 15x70s today from Fry's Electronics. Here's hoping the sky clears up down here after a (hopefully) brief summer t-storm that's headed our way so I can test them out tonight. A 6x birding monocular doesn't do much for me any more, and even less now that I've gotten a few peeks through the C11.

Waiting for me here was my very own $14 green, Chinese, bad4ss, put-out-Orion's-eye-with-it laser, which Julia immediately used to spot a jet at around 25,000'—even after I warned her. You weren't kidding about not loaning that thing out!

Have fun, y'all!

Patrick
--from Austin

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Patrick,

How unfortunate that you are away, as this gathering looks oh so good.

But, I am sure we will have another one during the summer and hopefully astro lovelies in their summer dresses.

Great on the binos and you'll have to bring them along on the next session when you get back...as well as your laser. Which one did you get...?

(Also, never aim one at an aircraft. You'll be hearing a knock at your door from the Federalies.)

-----------

Update:

It is looking very good.

With three telescopes, (no waiting), Chicago Astronomers and our fans. I am setting up a tent to keep the scopes in instead of our hot automobiles...and I would like some ideas on how to convert it into a Mobile Observatory...

Bananas help me think.

I'm thinking about bringing the guitar to goof around with while waiting for the crew to arrive...as I will be arriving about 4:30 pm to make sure I get into the parking lot - which closes at 5:00pm I'm told.

Mucho pics to come and a great night of observing with friends awaits us.

[patrickm]

May 22, 2010 22:40:01 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

Patrick,

How unfortunate that you are away, as this gathering looks oh so good.

Tell me about it!!

May 22, 2010 22:40:01 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

Great on the binos and you'll have to bring them along on the next session when you get back...as well as your laser. Which one did you get...?

Celestron Skymaster 15x70. Paid a premium just so I could have them tonight and be super frustrated when weird weather moved in (a high layer of clouds moving out West to East, and a fast moving, low layer moving in SE to NW). Also snagged a little, super light, Sony travel tripod though have to do some cyphering to get it set up in a meaningfully helpful way.

May 22, 2010 22:40:01 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

(Also, never aim one at an aircraft. You'll be hearing a knock at your door from the Federalies.)

I KNOW!! As Ron Santo says, believe me! Julia's brother is a pilot and works in aviation. My brother is a pilot, and my dad used to be a pilot. It was just a dumb thing to do with a new toy and she knew immediately that it was wrong, but too late. It kept on flying and we quickly beat a retreat. Lesson learned from both of us. And you can't say you didn't warn me!

I missed the ISS/STS flyover last night by 2 minutes because my phone wasn't working right. A well. There's always September, when we're thinking of kidnapping the nephew for the next to last scheduled liftoff. Was lucky enough to catch a night launch a few years back, but Jordan's never seen one. I'm sure we can at least get his science teacher to give him a pass next year for a couple of days to see history.

After the Hubble 3D showing, Jordan asked, "What does it take to become an astronomer?" I told him to ask you guys when he's here in July.

Have fun tomorrow. We head off to severely LP'd Houston, TX.

Peace out.
p

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

All sysytems are go for todays grill and stars bash.

We are getting confirmations on the eats, drinks and desserts.

Clouds are patchy, but nothing to worry about. And at 11:00 am, it was already past 80 degrees.

See all soon.

This will be an epic sessiion...

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

A wonderful BBQ and star party Bash for the Chicago Astronomers....

I great time was had with the Chicago Astronomers and friends.... ;D

I arrived at 4:30 pm at the site in order to secure a parking spot in the lot...a lot of equipment to lug from the car. A beautiful day awaited us with the Moon already in Chicago skies...



I had some time before the guests arrived. Knowing I would, I brought along my Strat knock-off to goof around with while waiting...



Cate arrived first with her boyfriend Colin and brought her special "Sun Cupcakes" with solar prominences and blue insides...

A nice group was assembling after 6:00 pm and new Chicago Astronomer supporter and friend Tom, brought along the grill, some beer soaked brats and burgers to grill...



A big shout out thank you to my new friend Tom for bringing out the grill and his family & friends...

Michael and Kate brought along delicious organic farmers market salads...

Fellow Adler Telescope facilitator Fred and his wife Joyce brought along much needed extra eats for the bash...

And Fellow Telescope Facilitator Linda, (With binoculars), and her husband Alfred brought along watermelon and ice...

The group was developing nicely and I was busy all day and evening, talking with everyone, sharing laughs and friendships.

Always time to snag pics with friends before the session and...I never had a combined BBQ and astro party before...yums.

The skies were developing nicely, as the larger puffy clouds gave way to thinner ones....

I set up the C11 early to acclimate the scope at stage center.....

The equipment was in the hot car for awhile, so I tipped the OTA down and left the visual back open to vent and equalize. Soon, it would be ready to show our friends Saturn, the Moon and other objects.

As dusk washed over our site, I slewed the C11 to the Moon and our group enjoyed dark recessed craters and brightly lit mountain peaks along the lunar terminator...

Sky conditions were not going to optimal this evening, as humid air clung around us and haze developed. But is was ok, as this was not a serious observation session, but a fun time together enjoying the brighter objects of the evening.

Chicago Astronomer Paulie and sweetie Hillary, (all the way from Indiana), made thier way over to the event and brought along his 6" Dob to share view with the crew...

Eddie and his son Eddie Jr brought along....Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream...to the delight of all...

Too cool...

Emily brought space cookies to the event and some space sugar...

Very cool... #blush#


As the evening progressed, Saturn, Venus and Mars popped into view..and of course...Saturn was the hit of the event...

No astro pics this evening, too busy, but plenty of astro talk and fun...

Here is Bill, a Fellow Telescope Facilitator at the Adler and his wife Hongxia. And me with green laser foolery. Hulk Smash...!



I think the C11 has a great profile and very photogenic...

Giselle and her family had a great time at the bash...

...and her kids made it a point to come up to me and thank me for showing them the Moon and Saturn...

Tom, our BBQ guru had to leave, but not before sharing some laughs and my great thanks...

By 10:00 pm, the crowd had thinned, but more people arrived and another "after party" session was conducted..

Audrey from the Chicago Astronomical Society stopped by and brought along her trademark brewed elixers...I forgot the names..but they were good...

Here, Audrey and I toast to the final mission of Space Shuttle Atlantis.

(In the shot is "Cosmo Dan" - a friend of Tom's. He is big on astronomy and was great to discuss things of the cosmos with him.) But, I chatted the evening away with everybody on all thing astronomical from telescopes and principle of optics, to orbital mechanics to extra-terrestrial life. I showed them the "Martian Crinoid" fossil that was discovered on Mars - and discussed evidence that the Martian skies are blue...and not "pink", as NASA has pushed.

It was well after 11:00 pm when we packed up and called it a wrap. With all the equipment to haul back to the car, is was a very good thing that everybody grabbed something and transported all for me. (Thanks to Eddie for sticking around and waiting to help.... )

This was a great BBQ Star Party blow out Bash - tiring, but too cool. I'm sure I forgot to recognize someone who brought goodies to the bash, but know that all is appreciated and enjoyed.

Here are Michael's pics of the evening's activities:

I do thank everybody who came out to our event. I never ate so much at a star party as I did here, with so many great selection of eats and desserts. I would like to do this again sometime during the summer, but we will always have smaller venues year round...sharing the Chicago skies and prying secrets from the cosmos.

The entire series of pics from the evening's activities can be found here:

chicagoastronomer.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album05

Yay.... #Yay#

[RobbW]

Awesome, Joe! It looks like everyone had a blast! I promise, one of these days I'll make it downtown for a session. Unfortunately, yesterday, I was crammed, twisted, and contorted under my kitchen sink taking out the old one and installing a new shiny sink with all new plumbing. It wasn't fun, but it was necessary. Trust me, I was definitely thinking about all of you during my obligatory multiple runs to Home Depot!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Robb,

I understand about house projects..(My list never ends).

But...

If your sink project has been completed, we are planning for a "Full Moonrise" session this Thursday evening...or if the weather is a factor - Friday evening.

More details at they develop.

But, one evening you'll make a session and will be great to hve you join us.

[patrickm]

Thanks for posting all of that Joe, and for sharing all of the pics from you and Michael. It is almost like being there!!!



Well, not really, but thanks just the same.

I am especially curious about solar cupcakes.

It is still 98% overcast here in Austin with no letup in sight. My new astro binocs sit barely used. Looks good for this weekend in Chicago at least!

Thanks again for sharing.

[Paulie pchris00]

Wow! I'll have something to add to this later tonight or tomorrow. Good times.

I'm finding it ironic that my blog is titled "People's Astronomy," yet I seem to have more pictures of the sky than people. WAY more. Hillary is laughing as I write this, because she knows I get carried away shooting the sky.

Like I said, good times.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Everyone, I mean everyone who attended, had a blast.

Started out with a suggestion from a Chicago Astronomer fan that we should do a BBQ...and bam...! The first BBQ Star Party with the Chicago Astronomers.

Although such parties don't usually set the tone for serious astronomical observing, it's fun to have a light easy session with bright targets. We were fortunate to have both the 3/4 Moon and Saturn to entertain us...or was it predicted...?

Onward to more great sessions of the Chicago Astronomers.

[Paulie pchris00]

After the Blackhawks game ended Sunday, Hillary and I left my sister’s cookout to join the Chicago Astronomers for some fun down by the Lake. The drive from Indiana to the city wasn’t bad, but since we got down by the Planetarium around 7 PM, we had no place to park. I drove up and down Solidarity Drive for 25 minutes until a meter opened up!

After we were parked and had all our gear hauled out, it was time to get a few pictures.






Hillary and skyline.




Hillary at the Adler.




Paulie.







Two great flags.





Once our obligatory shots by the Adler and the skyline were done, we went back down to where I had my 6” Dobsonian set up, and from that point on I had my eyes on the skies. Hillary used me for a pillow for awhile, but once she let me up I was at my scope, ready to point it at the Moon, Saturn, Venus, and Mars for anybody who wanted to see them.




This should be a familiar sight for anybody who's been in one of Joe's group shots.







Poising with my telescope.




Yes, this shot was staged, but I was really looking at the Moon, and took the shot below right after.







A family seeing the Moon. I really need a step ladder with hand rails.




Venus was a popular target and conversation piece as it shined above the city.








We fought some scattered clouds early on, but they made for nice pictures.


Joe was in high demand understandably, and I didn’t get to talk much with him, but I enjoyed chatting with Bill, Linda, and Alfred, as well as quite a few others I didn’t know. The highlight of my night though was when one lady came over to look at Saturn, and said the view in my 6” scope was better than in Joe’s 11” Beast! (I went over to see for myself, thinking that maybe there was a lower power eyepiece in the SCT, but found out that the view was significantly better).

All too soon though it was time for Hillary and me to go, but not before a mention of the upcoming full Moon session. After a few chilly full Moon sessions, I’m definitely digging the warmer weather for some relaxed astronomy with friends. Hopefully we can have another all day picnic again this summer.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Paulie..

This should be a familiar sight for anybody who's been in one of Joe's group shots.

So that's how I look framing a group shot. I dig it!

Thanks for the posting, your pics and for being there - bringing Hillary and your Dob for the event - and sharing the views.

It was a fun night, as I was pulled in all different directions and nary time for eats, but found time ...

Full Moonrise session on either Thursday or Friday... weather dictating...hope you can make it.

[Paulie pchris00]

Joe, you were really quick setting up the group picture and I barely took that pic in time. Turn about is fair play, right?