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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

The Chicago Astronomer works the Grand opening of the new "Sky Adventure" Space show

08 July 2011

The long awaited brand new Granger theater Sky show is finally opening to the public this weekend and the Chicago Astronomer will don on his Adler Planetarium I.D. and work a scope for the event.

Instead of using an Adler scope...I will set-up the C11. The Adler will close at 9:00 pm, but I wish to keep a scope operational till 11:00 pm - taking advantage of clear skies and warm temps.

I'll see the new sky show next week in a special private showing for Adler staff, as I couldn't attend the one last Tuesday the 5th. It's said to be the most sophisticated digital sky show in the world - utilizing 40 servers, 20 projectors and cutting edge audio.

But for tonight, if free...stop by, check out the scopes and share some Saturn and the waxing Moon.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

As an added motivation to come out this evening....

A very bright Iriduim Flare will entertain our visitors tonight - flaring at -8 magnitude - at 8:43 pm.

Very cool.

I will pause telescopic observations to catch this event - hopefully photograph it too!

[tomlee]

Joe,

I will be there early then leave and come back, probably have to miss the Iridium Flare. Shucks!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Busy, busy...and more busy.....

Two jam packed nights of urban astronomy delivered.

I was the sole Adler Telescope facilitator on-site, attending to all the Sky Show movie goers on their way out - and it was hectic. I had planned for catching the Lunar "X" and the -8 Iridium flare, but even whilst setting up, visitors were curious and started assembling to take a peek at the C11 beast. I never had the chance.

The Chicago Astronomical Society had their monthly meeting at the Adler as well this evening and I met old friends on the way out, including Bruce...

..who tells me of a collection of observatories down in southern Illinois that he has a hand in building and using, and with it - an open invitation for the Chicago Astronomer crew... ;D

The lines were constant all during this session and I focused on the Moon early on...

Saturn popped out soon enough and that stole the show, even as great looking as the Moon is...

Two very fine Astronomers from the Elgin area stopped by from the C.A.S. meeting and spent some time with me and attending to the mass of visitors. Very open and fun guys and will include their names once I get the proper spellings. We agree to joint sessions soon - another open invitation...very cool!... ;D

And, I was receiving requests from my visitors for a picture with the Astronomer.

Of course...!

This was the first practical use of the new and improved Extended Dew Shield w/ changeable slip on cover, (Blue), installed before the session started - and it worked extremely well. My bags and accessories totes were all dewed over - and the Corrector Plate was bone dry. And again, I did not have time to properly polar align and just guessed while it was still daylight - pretty close! So it was slight nudging throughout the evening.

The C11 performed exceptionally well. It's gotta be very close to 90/100% collimation now, but I want to squeeze out those few more percentage points. Saturn's bands were clearly visible and three satellites, but I did not observe the Saturnian storm. Never have...

The laser...

The mighty 50mW Green Light Saber is a hit - always. I have one attached to the C11 and one in my pocket. Slewing to my targets with the laser on brings much amusement for my visitors. I must say...I dig it too... The beam can be seen in not only the finder scopes, but the main OTA as well. Very cool. The 90mm Meade Refractor is being utilized much at my sessions. Two people can view at the same time, with different perspectives (wide & tight). It performs very well.

The space themed ethereal music is a hit and commented positively

Questions about astronomy, optics and related subjects were fast paced throughout the session, and a lot about the C11 beast. Many visitors want to know..."How much does something like that cost?"

The evening was very busy and sailed by fast. Slewing from the Moon, to Saturn to Binaries....and repeating the cycle often. Soon enough, it was 11:00 pm and it was a solid three hours.

Adler Sky Show Guru and main projectionist Mark stopped by the Chicago Astronomer site...

When you see the new exciting digital sky show, this is the man pulling the strings behind the curtain.

I was fortunate to have Chicago Astronomer member Tom Lee join me for this session and he was busily taking pics of the action...

I tried to take as many pics as I could during every so brief lulls and glad Tom was there to take over, freeing me.

It was a rather humid evening, but very satisfying. Not a single negative encounter or comment, everyone was respectful and deferent....waiting their turn patiently and when finished, returning to the back of the line for another peek.

Will I return for a third night in a row?

I don't know.

It's a lot for a solo run star party and a lot of equipment to transport.

But, so much fun!

[patrickm]

[tomlee]

Pictures did not turn out all that great as I try for manual focusing because auto focus can be off, slow and not allow a shot if the camera doesn't think the shot is in focus, due to the low light situation. Hey . . .

[Paulie pchris00]

Nice crowd! I like this last shot!

I had a prior obligation last night (actually two; the Calumet open house at Conway, and Duneland Astronomy at the National Park). Audrey, Larry, and I gave our second presentation (with an audience this time!) at the Dunes National Lakeshore. It was a nice sky to share, and I will post that story sometime soon. We had a surprise guest who joined us for an extended private session at the state park, and who saw "last light" on a telescope.

Good work, and hope to see you guys tonight!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Tom,

Thanks for these additional pics.

Even though you had some initial focusing issues, it still shows the dynamics and synergy of the evening's session.

I hope you keep refining your photographic technique at our future sessions.