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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Observation session Saturday

02 April 2011

I'm considering calling a mini get together on Saturday evening for some scope time . It will be in the mid 50's and not as cold as our last session on the 30th of March.

If it remains clear, then some fun times will be had among astronomers and visitors at our usual site by the Adler planetarium. I will set up by 8pm and stay a couple of hours.

Stay tuned for confirmation updates.

[Paulie pchris00]

Going strictly by Accuweather, tomorrow looks like a great night for astronomy. If we do an Adler session, I think I'm headed out to Conway Observatory afterward for an all night, dark sky, large aperture session. Anybody interested?

[broadway69]

Hello gentleman,

I just wanted to thank you for all the great images and website. I recently purchased a new Celestron AstroMaster 76EQ for my six year old son and I. I know what your thinking, 6? But he has a passion and I feel I have to feed it. He already knows all the planets in order of orbit, earth composition from mantel to crust and occasionally wants to debate the decision to lower Pluto's classification. What happened to hot wheels?!?!? He's always loved space and planets but his curious mind is to the point where I'm having to explain the space/time continuum and how and why gravity works and I feel as a father I need to fuel this desire for knowledge.

Last week we watched a You Tube video of Saturn via Hubble and we were both floored. It isn't often an active boy is speechless, but we both were. I'm a simple man whose 6 year is asking him about space/time, gravity, planetary composition and things I wish I had better answers for him. It sounds like your members are well beyond our level and wondered if your society was open to beginners (and their sons) as well as seasoned veterans? I certainly don't want to impose or impede, but I'm just simple dad trying to feed my sons passion for space and any suggestions of resources, more appropriate societies and/or viewing areas would be greatly appreciated.

Our first attempt last night was a complete failure, and yet we're both still hooked. I can't wait till we actually see something and I will try again tonight and would love nothing more than to share with my son something as profound, and awe-inspiring as seeing the ACTUAL light of a planet with our own eyes.

Again, thank you for sharing your passion as it is certainly motivation for us.

Brian & Kaedyn
a.k.a The blind leading the blind!

[RobbW]

Brian, I'm in the same boat. My almost 5yo daughter's interest has been piqued by astronomy and I'm trying to expose her to as much of it as possible. We welcome the astronomically-minded of all ages and experience levels. I am by no means an expert. I'd barely call myself an amateur. I just have a passion for the night sky and like to see all the pretty stuff whenever possible. You and your 6yo would be welcome to join us at any of our public sessions. I plan to bring my daughter out for a session or two once the weather warms up. In the meantime, whenever she and I need a quick fix, I will usually pull up a web page with nightskiesnetwork.com for some live video astronomy. That usually tides me over until I can get out myself.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Brian,

How wonderful that your son is so involved and interested in astronomy at an early age...and with a neat telescope too!

The Celestron AstroMaster 76EQ is a fine scope with decent aperture and will show many celestial targets...including Saturn's rings, Orion's nebula and deep craters on the Moon.

It's just a matter of thinking about your scope as an extension of your self - like a pair of glasses and in no time with practice, you'll be locating objects with ease.

But in the meantime, if you are close by, you are most welcomed to come out to one of our star parties, bringing the scope and we will teach you to master the skies.

But here are some basics:

Align the finder scope to the main tube by using a a stationary object some distance away. It'll help you center targets easier.

Polar align the scope. It will ease in moving to and following objects.

Start out with your lower power eyepieces....usually a 25mm. (The higher the number, the less power.) When you center the target in the telescope, then you can kick up the power by swapping out the eyepiece for a higher powered one.

We will be anxious to follow along in your progress and your questions are welcomed. I hope you are able to join us on our sessions and star parties.

[Paulie pchris00]

Welcome Brian and Kaedyn. After nearly three years of seriously watching the sky, I still consider myself a beginner. We try our best to answer questions, both here on the 'net and at our star parties. If you're in the area, come meet us at one of of public sessions, and we'll gladly welcome you to the crew.

[broadway69]

Wow,

Thanks for the wealth of information and hospitality. I've lived in Logan Square for 10 years now, and would love nothing more than to join one of your star parties. As interested as my son is, nothing gets a young child more distracted than his old man fumbling through directions! I will most certainly take you up on your offer and look forward to learning versus reading. Can't wait for your next event!

Thank you again for the encouraging words.

[hillimolly]

Paulie, If you are going to chicago I want to come tonight.

[patrickm]

Apr 2, 2011 4:35:25 GMT -6 broadway69 said:

Wow,

Thanks for the wealth of information and hospitality. I've lived in Logan Square for 10 years now, and would love nothing more than to join one of your star parties. As interested as my son is, nothing gets a young child more distracted than his old man fumbling through directions! I will most certainly take you up on your offer and look forward to learning versus reading. Can't wait for your next event!

Thank you again for the encouraging words.

Hiya and welcome!!

Of course we would all love to see you, your son, and your telescope whenever possible! Looks like Joe gave you good basic pointers to get started. Now we need some clear skies!

I would love for you and your son to join us. I will be posting non-Official viewing at Horner and Sunken Gardens Parks when I get back in town and hope you will join me there as well.

The absolute best nights I've had have been with kids.
Here's just one..

Hope to see you both soon!!!
Patrick
I could use some help with special relativity, so if you could please ask him to brush up on it before we meet, I would much appreciate it