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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Next Chicago Astronomer Star Party

Saturday - 30 July 2011

The weather looks good this coming weekend for a Chicago Astronomer star party.

I'll set-up someplace around the Adler area by 7:30pm and remain till 11:00 pm. Look for the Telescopes....could be by the Sundial, or directly behind the Adler or just west of the building.

There will be a bright -8 Iridium Flare at 8:42 pm and fireworks for the session... and we will target Saturn early before losing it in the muck. After that let's see how the atmospheric conditions are and go for some Deep Space Objects.

Stop by and join the crew...you know you want to.

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

UPDATE:.....

I have created a new graphic showing two observation site choices for "Chicago Astronomer Moonless Night Star Parties". At these two sites, the Adler building and the row of trees block out streetlamps, better than our primary spot just west of the building.

Look for us and the red flashing lights...

[patrickm]

We have early Old Town tickets. Up for a move to Site #2 afterwards? We can meet, help pack, and bring the 9.25.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Patrick...excellent.

I'm think about setting up further south along the Adler walk way, sorta to the side of the building - where there is some shade and away from the supernova in front.

But let's see.

[patrickm]

Jul 28, 2011 16:55:57 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

Patrick...excellent.

I'm think about setting up further south along the Adler walk way, sorta to the side of the building - where there is some shade and away from the supernova in front.

But let's see.

Woah! Change comes to CA crew setup! I support less glare in all its forms. It was horrible on my eyepieces on Monday.

If you decide for a late night spot, let me know via SMS.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

UPDATE:.....

I have created a new graphic showing two observation site choices for "Chicago Astronomer Moonless Night Star Parties". At these two sites, the Adler building and the row of trees block out streetlamps, better than our primary spot just west of the building.

Look for us and the red flashing lights...

[patrickm]

WOO!!!

[erikruud]

It looks like I may be able to be there with my family, but without my scope.

The fireworks start at 10:15 on Saturdays by the way.

[Paulie pchris00]

I advise getting there EARLY, or taking public transport! Meters are hard to come by for the fireworks.

[erikruud]

Jul 29, 2011 17:10:50 GMT -6 Paulie pchris00 said:

I advise getting there EARLY, or taking public transport! Meters are hard to come by for the fireworks.

Thanks for the tip, but public transport is the only way we ever go down town.

I've been working downtown for 14 years now, and I have only driven down three times.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Erik,

Excellent to have you join the crew!

See then.

[Paulie pchris00]

I would love to join you guys tomorrow night, but alas, I'm down among the most astronomers and telescopes I've ever seen.

[Paulie pchris00]

This might cut down on glare issues around Adler. Maybe we should hold a $2,000 fundraiser?

Attachments:

[-=CROMAN=-]

Hey all... I think I'll be making an appearance as well tonight. I'll bring the 10" and the 114mm for the kids to look through. I'll take the Denver chair as well ( sit at your own risk ) =-)

[erikruud]

I had a pretty good time last night, I'm glad I could make it, even if we had to leave a little early. I haven't looked at the pictures I took yet, I'll get them posted soon.

In case anyone hasn't heard, there were 22 people rescued from the boat that capsized. Only one needed to go to the hospital.

The boat was 25 feet long, with 22 people on it. I can't imagine why it capsized.
www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-1-injured-when-boat-capsizes-off-burnham-harbor-20110730,0,2815016.story#tugs_story_display

[erikruud]

This may be a first, I don't think we have had live footage from a star party before.

Joe hoists the mighty C-11 and John plays receptionist.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

New Chicago Astronomer Observation site Still brings them in...

The Alpha Chicago Astronomer Star Party site, just south of the Adler Planetarium building is a great location for public outreach, but horrible for real astronomy. Blazing street lamps illuminates the area horribly, glaring up eyepieces, constricting pupils and blotting out all but the brightest objects.

For this session, I thought we would try a new spot just south of the Adler building - along the walkway and out of the direct lighting. It worked out pretty well as it turned out, but I still had some reservations. More later.

This star party would be a hot and sticky one. Arriving at 7:30 pm, Chicago Astronomers assembled from all over with various telescopes and lining up along the walkway....

I met Chicago Astronomer Erik and his family for his first Chicago Astronomer group session. Coming from a long way away, I appreciate his joining the crew this evening.

This was Obi's and Simon's first outing with the crew, bringing a 8" Meade that he was having problems with. Chicago Astronomers Bill, John and Steve strived to get things going, but the Meade had a mind of it's own and wouldn't cooperate.

Chicago Astronomer Rich joined the party, bringing his monster 10" Dob and an auxiliary reflector for the kids. Later on after the star party, Bill, Rich and I would be extending the celestial explorations at the Chicago Astronomer private Observation site after this star party.

And.....we had very good foot traffic throughout the evening...

Support Crew member Barbara organized our visitors, answering questions and promoted the Chicago Astronomer organization...

We all targeted Saturn for the first half of the session, thrilling our visitors and discussing astronomy...

And...I enjoy taking pics with our fans and friends....

I did not have time during this session to mingle much with my fellow Chicago Astronomers, but managed to grab some shots...

Chicago Astronomer Rich and fellow Adler Telescope facilitator Fred and I.

Chicago Astronomer Erik and I

About 3/4's of the way in our session, there was a boating accident at 12th street beach, just a few feet from our observation site....

...bringing emergency crews to the area and causing a stir. Even with the light's of the emergency vehicles blazing, we were still able to conduct our session well enough to pick out DSO's like: The E.T. Star Cluster, Alberio, the Double cluster and such.

This was a different change of pace for the Chicago Astronomer crew, but I have some issues....

Bill called it "Telescope Alley", as we were all lined up, but that also means those at the far end were pretty much solo...or at least how it looked to me. Although I was busy every moment attending to our visitors, I thought we were too spread out in a linear fashion. I rather prefer a more non-straight line kinda of site. Also, the very thing that I/we were after - darkness...was an issue. The public and other astronomers kept bumping into scopes and tripods. Chicago Astronomer John's C5 got kicked a handful of times - not cool.

And even though we got good foot traffic (75 visitors), I felt isolated and tucked away in the corner, which again...is what we desired.

Be careful on what you wish for...you just may get it...

I'm sure we will re-visit this site again or perhaps on the east side of the Adler building for a next Moon-less night at the area, but the primary observation site "feels" better. Perhaps with the gigantic Astro-brella, we can block out that Supernova streetlamp.

Our Chicago Astronomer Crew for the night: Myself, C.A. Steve & Margie, C.A. John, C.A. Bill, C.A. Rich

A big thanks to my fellow Chicago Astronomers for yet another successful star party!

( But for me...there was still six hours more of urban astronomy ahead of me... . More in another thread.)

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Dig that...!

I didn't know Erik was taking video...I thought stills.

Sweet!

As I manly hoist the C11 OTA onto it's mount in one swoop.

This brings up a good point...

I have been wanting to video segments of our Chicago Astronomer Star Parties for the website/youtube and other feeds.

This is good motivation.

Thanks Erik!

[patrickm]

Looks like a blast!

Could the danger not be addressed with more liberal use of red lights?

Would a sign at the regular site directing people to the new location help?

75 people is still a TON.

Just some thoughts from a guy who wasn't there but hates glare...

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

More red lights could indeed be helpful, but it's more of a flow situation going on. Lines form at scopes, and normally not a problem. But here, the pathway is narrow going around the Adler...and no where for our visitors to bunch up at - with them lining up along telescopes - keeping the pathway clear for bicyclists and emergency vehicles.

Signage has been on my want list for quite awhile. Two banners at least announcing Chicago Astronomer activities - but within sight of the crew. And sharp formal Chicago Astronomer apparel will be in our future.

Support crew member Barbara tallys our visitors and before she left, said we had 65. With the stragglers and other curious passerbyers....75.

I like Pauilie's graphic of the portable dome observatory.

[erikruud]

Two boating accidents at the same star party?

I think maybe Joe has too many lights and the boats mistook them for navigation beacons.


I just checked in Starry Nights and that was Titan that was visible near Saturn. I had my doubts that night, but I guess I didn't realize that Titan's orbit was tilted enough to make it appear so far above the planet. It was on the far side of its orbit from us.

[-=CROMAN=-]

That 2nd boat that ran ashore was the big one with all the party folk on it.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Hmmmm...

The C11 serving double duty as a lighthouse.

I dig it!

Also serves as a aircraft beacon.

[patrickm]

Aug 1, 2011 16:52:49 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

Hmmmm...

The C11 serving double duty as a lighthouse.

I dig it!

Also serves as a aircraft beacon.

More like a Siren luring boats into rocks!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Next time, we will through their pockets.

Three hour tours can be profitable.