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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Chicago Astronomers to set up telescopes on a clear Saturday evening

16 October 2010

For the second concurrent evening, the Chicago Astronomers will set up telescopes to enjoy some Lunar and Jupiter viewing together.

Chicago Astronomer Linda and I will set up shop at 8:00 pm tonight by the Adler parking lot and test out some things. (I fixed my mangled Control pad jack....narrative coming soon.)

If free, stop by and say hi.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

The Chicago Astronomers share the skies with eager visitors...

Chicago Astronomer Linda had some free time and called to see if I was heading up to the Adler to set up a scope. I had planned to, but wasn't too keen on going at at alone, so it was great that she called and off we went.

(I was working on the C11 mount, fixing a ripped out connector from the night before, and was just finishing up when she called. The repair project was a complete success and performed wonderfully - details on another thread.)

Upon arrival at Chicago Astronomer observation site #1, we setup, with Linda bringing her sharp razor Vixen 4" refractor and I the C11 beast. Although the skies appeared to be clear, there was muck, haze and the skies had a sickly orange hue - even over the lake...

But, it was ok, as I had planned to do some Jupiter and Lunar imaging this session - no need for deep skies...and I expected some quiet time. I also brought along the laptop to try and do some video imaging with a converted webcam...but the software was glitchy and failed to deliver. If I were closer to the lake, I would have flung it over...

Almost as soon as we set up, we attracted visitors and it was on...

Our guests were fascinated by Jupiter's bands & Satellites and the texture of the Moon in our scopes. I didn't have enough time to do some serious imaging, but managed to take some quick & dirty shots...

My good and fun friend Kelly stopped by and brought here daughter and friends...

And we partake in Joe's infamous "Rodshot"...

New Chicago Astronomer fan Tony, brought along his kids and a "borrowed" boy to enjoy our gathering...

Tony enjoyed the scopes, but really relished the views in my 15x70 binoculars...bringing out countless stars and scanning the skies...

I popped in a barlow with a 26mm 2" eyepiece on the C11 and gave Tony the control pad - offering him the chance to slowly examine the surface of the Moon, enjoying lunar mountains peeking from the shadows and crater floors deep in darkness. I do this often myself and aware how indulgent and absorbed this can be.

We also had John, who drives a limousine, picking up people at a Adler corporate event, stay with us for quite awhile. He's from Macedonia and wants to get a scope to do what we are doing here, back home - sharing the skies with people...

A truck apparently drove past behind us during the shot...provided some cool effects.

And this was Monica's second time with us enjoying the skies...

She was a good guide to new comers on how to place virgin telescopic eyes at the scope...

It was nearing 11:00 pm and with three hours of sharing the cosmos with sky lovers, we were ready to pack up. But a nice small group stopped by and asked if they could peer through our scopes, as they never had the opportunity before.

But of course...

Jose, (left), works on a cruise line and really enjoyed his time with his and will return for future sessions.

I'm glad Linda and I made time for this three hour session, met some very nice people and welcomed friends.