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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Chicago Astronomer and Chicago Park District Joint Star Party session

25 August 2011

It's a go for our joint Park District and Chicago Astronomer Star Party at Washington Park - Thursday 22 August 2011. We were forced to re-schedule from last week due to unpredictable weather. Turned out we made the right decision, as it became overcast.

www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/events.results/park_id/bc7a8166-64dc-4363-ac26-0a2375e14669.cfm

I will be on-site by 7pm and close up shop at 9:30 pm.

We will set-up scopes in the parking lot area - just off the Field House - which is located on the north side of the park.

The weather looks good and we will catch the last of Saturn and bust some binary stars.

[atomant]

Hi Joe,

I just noticed it is going to be a short session from 8 to 9:30.
If the skies are nice, are we allowed to stay till 11pm?

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Park Security will leave by 10:00 pm, Bill.

[RobbW]

Is this an area where you want/need to have park security (i.e. you really don't want to stay after they leave)?

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

It is recommended that we leave when they do.

[RobbW]

Yeesh! I hate to say this, but it's probably a good thing I won't be able to make it for the CA/CPD joint session anyway. As much as I want to be with the CA crew and help provide views of our night skies, I will be otherwise engaged preparing for our garage sale this weekend. Since I have spent the past three nights working on a top-secret scope project, I am now required to spend the next two nights working on decidedly non-scope related projects. I'm hoping that if we get done pricing and setting up for the garage sale early enough tomorrow night, I might be able to put my new astro equipment to a small-scale test!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

The weather looks great for the Star Party Thursday.

A cold front will have past by, pushing the atmospheric gunk away for hopefully, some clear deep skies.

Be there.

[patrickm]

My carcass has let me down and am mostly bed bound again, certainly home bound. Sorry I won't make it. Hope to rally for Friday viewing.

Have fun and good luck with DSOs! 

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I was out in the garage for a few hours, playing guitar with my neighbor and flirting at the girls that walk by..and noticed that the skies are incredibly clear and deep....and the temps just beautiful.

Polaris is naked eye easy...a great sign of crystal clear skies.

Go out you Urban Astronomers and set up a scope....or just binoculars.

Jupiter will be magnificent tonight for certain.

You'll be sorry you didn't!

[RobbW]

I DID get out last night with my new astro buggy, and it was wonderful!!!

[Paulie pchris00]

I'm really looking forward to this tonight. If my memory serves right, Washington Park was designed by Edward Law Olmsted for the 1893 Colombian Exposition and World's Fair. Olmsted was the landscape architect of NYC's Central Park, and Biltmore, the Vanderbilt estate in Asheville, NC. In fact, he was working on Biltmore at the same time as Washington Park. I'm curious to see the park, and try to envision what it might have been like during the World's Fair.

[RobbW]

Unfortunately, I have much in the way of garage sale duties to perform tonight. So, I will not be able to attend. However, I will most likely get a little bit of time late tonight to wheel my astrobuggy back out for a little scope time.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Fun time at Washington Park

For our August installation of the Park District's Nature Oasis Star gazing event, we set up off the Field House in the parking lot. Arriving about 7pm and unfamiliar with the area, the designated locale was much further south. I picked up C.A. Barbara on the way and she waited in the van whilst I scouted out the area, checking angles and tree blockages. A lot of trees. The best place was where I parked, with a semi-good eastern vista.

We had park goers stop by the scopes early on while I was setting up and the sky still too bright for any targeting...so I focused on the finial of the flag pole on top of the Swimming Pool prephouse. Even that was of interest to our visitors, as one could see that the ball on top of the flag pole needed some cleaning badly, but was "as if you were touching it", as one young man stated.

Support Crew/Visitor management Barbara, was in full action as usual, talking with our guests and answering questions. Also with us this evening were Heather and Maddie from the Park District. And C.A. Paulie made his way to the park...very coolest!

I would have preferred to set up in the middle of a field...but I was unsure if activities were scheduled and also...it was a long way to carry the equipment. But it was sure very dark and inviting after sundown.

Throughout the evening, we had visitors curious on what was going on and Barbara, Maddie and Heather were great at bringing them in...

I captured Saturn oh so very briefly...and had a hell of a time targeting it - as the trees to our west hid it. I deputized Pauilie and Maddie as C11 handlers and we moved the whole loaded scope several times to get the right angle and space between two trees. Even then, the branches were occulting the planet something awful, but did manage to show the ring system to those around me...and as we always hear at our sessions..."It looks like a sticker!".

But all too soon, we lost Saturn and off to other objects.

Paulie targeted the Alberio system, while I focused on Vega and surrounding area. Our targets were limited at this locale from the insane lighting...even Cassiopeia was washed out from that spot...

We had a Citizen Band club, Park Security, 002 District Chicago Police and a Martial Arts class join us for this session...

[/center]

I like to talk about the movie "Contact" when showing Vega....about the star system that Jodie Foster went to....or did she?...

The ISS made for a nice low pass over the tree tops...

And we continue...

I have never been to Washington Park, but on the way there, I took Michigan ave south and saw a lot of Chicago history along the avenue with mansions, classic architectural buildings and Barbara knew of the area and pointed out some things.

The visitor count was 48 and we all had a good time. One young lad said that my C11 "Musta cost a million dollars!". Many made mention that they never saw a telescope up close before. Marveled at the diamond-like appearance of Vega and were disappointed that they just missed Saturn and too early for Jupiter...and no Moon. Chicago Astronomer cards were passed out and many would like to join us by the Adler area soon.

Our Crew for the session: C.A. Pauile, CPD Heather & Maddie, C.A. Barbara and myself.

Onward to the September Session.

[patrickm]

It's nice that the City really gets behind this and shuts off 50% of the park lights on Astronomy in the Park nights. I love a city this committed to public education and outreach!

[Paulie pchris00]

Aug 26, 2011 7:17:39 GMT -6 patrickm said:

It's nice that the City really gets behind this and shuts off 50% of the park lights on Astronomy in the Park nights. I love a city this committed to public education and outreach!

We could have had a little darker site here, but as Joe pointed out, it was a lengthy walk carrying equipment, and probably wouldn't have had as much foot traffic. Do we want to be seen, and show what we can, or walk off into a distant field by ourselves? If we hadn't been rescheduled because of weather, we would have had nice lunar views, and what, at least a half hour more with Saturn? Some bad luck with the weather was what really limited the viewing this session. We did what we could, and had a little fun doing it. I'm working on my full write up, and will address this further.

[RobbW]

Aug 26, 2011 7:17:39 GMT -6 patrickm said:

It's nice that the City really gets behind this and shuts off 50% of the park lights on Astronomy in the Park nights. I love a city this committed to public education and outreach!

Patrick, is that sarcasm? Or did they really turn off lights and I just missed the mention of that somewhere? Because from Joe's pics, it almost looks like they may have added additional lighting for this event! My God, that is a lot of light!!!

Joe, I have to ask, who at the Chicago Park District picks the locations for these astronomy nights? The lighting and the tree blockage in your photos look horrible! I don't know that I could pick a worse viewing site if I tried. I don't mean to berate anyone at the Park District for their choices. God knows it's great that they even make the effort organize these kind of community activities. But, does any thought go into picking locations that would be even remotely conducive to stargazing?

All in all, it's great to see the CA crew make the best of the situation they are given. Good job, all!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Robb,

The park District selects the sites.

I know and understand your sentiment well.

I would have liked to set up in that very dark field a few yards away, beckoning us to an envelope of darkness...but for whom is this event for? The primary reason I set up by the Adler Planetarium area, in the full glare of the city in our faces and tubes...is for the foot traffic. Allowing the Chicago Astronomers to meet as many people as we can and share the skies, prying the secrets of the cosmos easily for people who will never get the opportunity to gaze in the various telescopes in our armada...for free.

But, it's more of a public outreach and personal accessibility than it is an observation session. Spreading Nature Oasis Star Party sessions at various parks in the city, sometimes the best viewing venues are beyond our control and like you say, we make due with what we got, selecting the best set-up spot...including trees in the height of foliage.

Observational Astronomy, by nature...is a solo and selfish activity. We want the darkest site possible, with enough time alone to enjoy and explore the Universe. Nothing wrong with that...I do it often myself. But every single active Chicago Astronomer can turn off the selfish personal time and become instant ambassadors to the skies, showing thousands memorable never before seen views...and enjoy it.

(We all have been to Star Parties where the grumpy, curmudgeoned and anti-social amateur astronomy enthusiasts ruin a perfect opportunity and make first contact a sour one....Ugh... )

But, even though sometimes we are limited to a small viewable section of the sky at Park Dist events, most times the skies have been great...and it gives the Chicago Astronomers and the Chicago Park District an opportunity to introduce urban astronomy to park visitors who would otherwise never come in contact with Astronomers and telescopes....discussing astronomy, optics and even Niburu.

With this great opportunity, I have visited parks that I have never gone to before and it's a win-win all around.

Ain't astronomy the coolest!

[RobbW]

Excellent reply, Joe! And another example of why you are truly an astronomy rock star! I'm still trying to get a good handle on separating the observing from the public outreach and sometimes I forget that the viewing locations that are most conducive to "seeing" are not necessarily the best for "reaching", as in public outreach. This is a distinction that I have very recently begun trying to pay more attention to. With my upcoming solo presentation on a Disney cruise, I have been trying really hard to pay more attention to the outreach side of amateur astronomy rather than just the straight observing. I obviously still have a lot to learn. I'm hoping to get a swift kick in the rear and a tutorial on my outreach skills this weekend from Audrey when I head down to the Astrofest Outreach party at Starved Rock. I also need to make it downtown more often to get pointers from the outreach rock star himself!

[patrickm]

Robb,
It was sarcasm. With me, always assume that until proven otherwise. One of my employees once gave me a clown nose to wear so she could tell when I was being sarcastic.

Joe, I get what you do and why, but I wish it wasn't too much to ask for the City that Works to help an astrobrother out while he's reachin'.

[Paulie pchris00]

A clear sky, historic South Side locale, and early wrap-up time (it was a work night, after all) made this session hard for me to resist. I woke up late (on only three hours sleep), so I didn’t have a chance to check out the park that was a showpiece of the 1893 Colombian Exposition and World’s Fair. It was almost eight o’clock by the time I arrived, and getting dark. Joe, Barb, and Maddie from the park district were already there, setting up in the parking lot.

Right away I noticed that we had to contend with trees and lights, and there were plenty of both. With no Moon, and little time for Saturn, I wondered what I was going to show. To make matters worse, when we finally saw Saturn, it was too low over the trees to see with my Dob. After moving Joe’s telescope a few times to find the best angle, sitting up nice and high, the C11 pulled it in for awhile, but I couldn’t get it. We didn’t have much traffic during the short time with Saturn, though, so my scope wasn’t really necessary yet.

Talking with Maddie while waiting for stars to start popping out, I could tell she was excited to do some viewing. When she finally saw Saturn, we all knew it. I think it was Barb who asked if she’d had her moment. Yes indeed. Maddie also said that it looked like there was a sticker over the eyepiece. I’m not sure why that’s such a universal reaction, but we hear it all the time. I guess it’s just unbelievable to see across a billion miles so clearly.




Joe targets Saturn as Barbara and Maddie look on.


As soon as I saw the Summer Triangle, I knew I had to find Albireo. It wasn’t too hard, but the glare of so many streetlights made it difficult to point it out naked eye. I planned for other stuff when I had the chance to look, but we were beginning to attract attention. Groups of people passing through the park stopped to see what was going on. The orange and blue stars of Albireo went over well, but I was itching for something faint, something fuzzy. We weren’t getting long enough lulls to make long starhops through the light polluted sky. Each time I started a starhop to a faint fuzzy, a new group would arrive, and I had to have something to show quickly. I always went back to Albireo.

Around 9:15 we had a somewhat low pass of the International Space Station. We all heard Joe’s alarm go off a minute before it was due, scanning for that orange dot crossing the sky. This was Maddie’s first time seeing ISS, and without prompting, she immediately started waving. I had a big smile on my face when I saw that. Always wave to the ISS crew. (Am I gushing? I think maybe I am). Only our CA/CPD crew was present for the ISS. It would have been sweet to have some visitors to show it off to. I tried tracking Station with my Dob while I could for the ladies to see, but it’s difficult to track. Also, in my experience, the best views of Station are when it it high overhead, and the familiar structure of the solar arrays can be discerned, even with low magnification. At any rate, we watched until it disappeared into Earth’s shadow.

After Station left us, it was time to start thinking about packing up. The crew was awesome, and the visitors were even better. Despite the limitations of our viewing options, we had dozens of South Side residents come by to investigate, and most were reasonably impressed with what they saw. It’s always a pleasure to provide somebody with their first look through a telescope, as we so often do at our various star parties. Big thanks go out to our Park liaisons, Heather and Maddie, and to Joe and Barbara. Their enthusiasm and attitudes are contagious, and as Joe’s photos document, there were plenty of smiles to go around. It was a good night for Chicago Astronomers and urban astronomy.

I’m a little disappointed with myself that I didn’t try some other forms of outreach. I have quite a few resources on hand for outreach events, planispheres, Moon maps, magazines, etc. Any of these could have been employed to help talk astronomy, despite the limited viewing. Last weekend I also came into possession of giveaway items that can be used to enhance our efforts. Plus, I have some observing activities that don’t require telescopes, just the ability to repeat the observations over several nights. Nothing fancy, just plotting the Moon night by night, and the seasonal rotation of the sky. I should print copies of these to distribute at star parties, so that the observing can continue at home. Each event I attend is a learning experience for me, and can be used to prepare better for the following one. Next time, even if the viewing conditions are terrible, I should have some sort of activity ready for those who wish to get involved.


I want to address some of the comments about the viewing conditions, including lighting and trees. For all of the Park District sessions I’ve attended, we’ve had to arrive early to scout the location for the best spot to set up. We have to consider not just our needs for a clear view of the sky, free of distracting lights, but also the need to generate foot traffic. This last criterion is the most important factor; without generating interest among park patrons, the Parks have little reason to continue this program. We need lots of eyeballs at our telescopes to justify our presence. If we can get the Park District to continue and expand this program, eventually we might have the opportunity to have them listen to our viewing concerns. Until then, we have to do our best to generate interest, and inspire those we meet to look to the sky.

Of all the public outreach I’ve been involved in, I believe the joint CA/CPD sessions are the most important. We’ve been all over the city, dispelling the myth that urban astronomy is impossible. We’re going out to neighborhood parks, and engaging residents, some of whom may never have a chance to look through a telescope without our presence. And many of the people we meet at these sessions engage us in conversations, and have good questions and comments. Thursday, several children asked me about light pollution. Those exact words: light pollution. Kids in a school system that is derided for it’s performance asked me about light pollution. I had no idea of light pollution when I was their age. As Joe said to me, there is an untapped potential there, and we are in great position to tap into that potential. We need the Park District to continue their stargazing program. It’s good for the city, it’s good for us. I’m committed to doing whatever it takes to make these sessions some of the most sought out events in Chicago. It will take time, but it can be done.

I think of so many resources with unfulfilled potential. Foremost on that list is the Doane Observatory behind Adler. Twenty inch telescope, rarely used. Imagine that kind of potential in Chicago Astronomer hands. It would be used regularly, both publicly and privately. Sure, the site isn’t the best for visual astronomy, but it’s location at one of the city’s foremost tourist locations makes it inexcusable not to be put to better use and public display. Adler opens it’s doors After Dark once each month, but from what I’ve seen of Joe’s accounts, they are more concerned with generating revenue and drinking than promoting astronomy. They put the “party” in star party. Also, the Chicago Astronomical Society is the oldest such organization in the nation, but again, where is their visibility? It is us, Chicago Astronomers, who are the face of visual observing in Chicago. Through Joe, we are charged with promoting astronomy in Chicago around Adler. Through Joe and the Chicago Park District, we are charged with taking astronomy to the city residents in their own neighborhoods. Joe keeps telling me that big things await Chicago Astronomers, and he’s right. But we have to make it happen. The other astronomical institutions in the city have dropped the ball on their outreach efforts. We must pick up that ball and run with it or face the same irrelevance of the other organizations. We are the future of astronomy in Chicago.

Rant over.

[Paulie pchris00]

I don't want anybody to think that my rant above is directed internally, at the CA crew. It's not. But I wish we weren't the only ones doing true astronomical outreach in the city.

[-=CROMAN=-]

You are right Paulie. I feel bad that I have not been able to make it to the some of the parties. I'll make a more concerted effort to adjust my time for the events coming up.

What are some of your ideas that might help boost The C.A. ?

[Paulie pchris00]

Aug 31, 2011 7:59:48 GMT -6 -=CROMAN=- said:

You are right Paulie. I feel bad that I have not been able to make it to the some of the parties. I'll make a more concerted effort to adjust my time for the events coming up.

What are some of your ideas that might help boost The C.A. ?

Rich, not every member can make it out every session. I'm single, no kids, so I have the most time available.

As for boosting CA, this isn't the right place to discuss it. We'll talk sometime, probably while hunting faint fuzzies.

[RobbW]

Paulie, I totally agree with your points on public outreach. It's very important that we go where we can get the highest volume of foot traffic in order to reach people and spread the word. With that, though, there has to be a good balance of public visibility versus scope visibility. We can easily set up shop anywhere regardless of the viewing conditions and get foot traffic. The simple act of setting up a behemoth telescope automatically generates curiosity, and people have a tendency to wander over to see what's going on. That is the first step. Attract the people. After that comes what I consider the most crucial step: engage them and show them something that keeps them interested and coming back for more.

Joe can set up "The Beast" anywhere and he'll get 100+ people wandering over to see what's going on. That is perfect. He's accomplished the first step: attract the public. People will come over, ask questions, and talk with him about the cosmos and other astronomical topics. The next step is to show them something that keeps them interested. And here is where the viewing conditions play a very big part. When big, bright, interesting targets such as Saturn and Jupiter are up, this is very easy. You can see them through pretty much any muck and light pollution, and people are always captivated by them. The problem comes during times of the year such as now, when Saturn has already set and Jupiter doesn't rise until much later. There aren't many interesting targets in the sky that are bright enough to cut through all our atmospheric clutter. That's when Joe and others fall back on old reliables like Alberio.

The problem with Alberio and other objects like it is, as my wife and others have commented to me, "You've seen one star you've seen them all." As UNTRUE as that statement is to us amateur astronomers (there are double stars, variable stars, star clusters, etc.), the sad fact is that it rings like a bell for most of the general public. Remember, attracting the public to our telescopes is only the first step. Our main goal with public outreach is to get people interested in astronomy and keep them interested. If the viewing location/conditions prevent us from showing anything other than a couple of stars, I'm sorry to say that I don't think that is enough to get the public really excited about astronomy. Sure, they might be really excited at the moment that they are viewing Alberio or Vega or Altair through the scope, but what happens after that? Are they rushing home and looking up more info on the cosmos on the internet? Most likely not. What happens the next time they're strolling through a park and see someone with a scope set up? Are they running over to have another look? Maybe, but possibly not. Most likely they're thinking, "Yeah, I saw a star the last time I looked through a scope. It was cool, but not cool enough for me to be late meeting my friends at Starbucks for a mocha-latte-frappa-spresso (soy milk, no dairy, please)!"

What I'm saying, in a very long-winded fashion, is that I understand that we have to do the best with the locations that are selected for us. Yes, we have to get the foot traffic and gain the public's interest in order to expand the CA/CPD program. Yes, with public outreach, making the location convenient to the public is very important for getting foot traffic. However, there has to be a balance between convenience and actually being able to show something to the public. Sure, Joe got 48 visitors throughout the evening at Washington Park. That's a respectable number given the location. How many of the 48 stopped by, took a peek through "The Beast", asked a question or two, and then headed off on their merry way? Personally, in the pursuit of public outreach and sparking a genuine interest in astronomy, I would have preferred to set up in a less-convenient location with better viewing conditions. Sure, I may only get 20 people vs. 48 because it's less convenient to get to. However, I would prefer to only get 20 people who stick around for a good portion of the evening because we're able to view several good targets one after another, rather than 48+ who just come and go because there's only one or two star-like objects that they can see. Those 20 people are sticking around because they can see with their own eyes that there are more than just a handful of the brightest stars in our night sky.

Please, don't get upset with me for my thoughts above. This is by no means a rail against you, Paulie, or Joe or any other CA member. You guys do your best with what you're given and you rock it out of the park. My beef is with the CPD and their choice of venues. I understand that venues are chosen where they think they might get the most foot traffic. And if you guys DO get the foot traffic at these events and they are successful, then you might get more of a say in choosing viewing locations in the future. Unfortunately, I see the CPD's venue choices (like the parking lot at Washington Park) as self-defeating. Sure, you're going to get foot traffic because of your visibility in the parking lot. However, your visibility of the night sky is severely limited. How much repeat business does the CPD think they are going to get at future CA/CPD events if you guys aren't able to show many interesting objects due to the CPD's poor choice of location? I'd like to see the CPD give you guys and the Oasis program a fighting chance by picking venues that are more conducive for stargazing.

But picking better viewing locations is only part of the problem as I see it. Another huge disadvantage the program has against it is public awareness and advertising. How many people actually knew about the Oasis Nature Series and the CA/CPD event and specifically showed up because of the advertising? I would hazard to guess that the vast majority of visitors were just passers-by rather than folks who had actually planned to come out for the event. What kind of advertising and promotion was done for this event? Was it just a small little blurb in the sidebar of a local gazette? Was it only the original Oasis Nature Series schedule in the CPD brochures that were printing earlier in the year? I wasn't at the Washington Park event, so I'm not aware of what kind of promotion was done. But were there any simple flyers distributed in the community prior to the event? Was there any signage posted around the park the day of the event? Was there any promotion leading up to the day of the event other than Joe posting on the CA forums and in his Twitter and email announcements? Did the CPD do anything else to attract people to this event other than have Joe set up in the parking lot and hope that "The Beast" was enough to draw people to him?

Joe, I'll bet dollars to donuts that you would have had a better turn out and would have planted the seed of astronomy deeper into your visitors' minds if you could have set up in that darker field with better views. Had there been more promotion of the event leading up to and the day of the event, visible signage pointing people to your location in the darker field, maybe even some sort of dark-sky-friendly path lighting to lead the way, you probably would have gotten a pretty big response. THAT would have shown the CPD that this is a worthwhile program.

Paulie, your ideas for non-viewing astronomical promotion are good and necessary. At every event, there will be times when we'll need something else to show the public or keep them occupied and interested. If there are long lines at the scopes or if the skies/clouds are not cooperating, it would be good to have something else available to intrigue the people about the wonders of our night sky. I would be happy to help brainstorm ideas and add to our arsenal.

Joe, as soon as I get done posting this long-@$$ post, I'm going to go find your post with the original schedule of dates for the CA/CPD events. I'm going to see when and where the next one is going to be held. I am going to be there (if I don't already have other plans). Not only will I be there, but I am going to bring promotional items to drum up more public interest. That may be signage to advertise the event (if the CPD doesn't already do that), some sort of lighting to help lead the way to the scopes (if we are able to set up in a darker site), or non-viewing activities to help promote public astronomy.

I'll let you know what I come up with. I don't know what it is, but lately I have really had a strong desire growing to ramp up my public outreach activities. I really want to do more to promote astronomy and enthusiasm for our night skies!

[RobbW]

Okay, I just checked the original Oasis Nature Series schedule. The next CA/CPD star party is scheduled for Thursday, october 13 at 6:30pm at Palmisano Park on Halsted. I was worried there for a moment. Last night, my wife booked a mini-vacation to New York City for her, her mom, and her friend (a girls trip) in October. I couldn't remember the exact dates and was concerned that I may have opened my mouth too soon. I'll be the sole childcare provider while they are in NY and won't be able to attend any astronomical events. However, the trip is scheduled a full week before the next CA/CPD event. So, I should be good to go.

I will plan to be there and will give my wife plenty of advanced warning. Also, I will make plans to leave work early in order to get there in plenty of time to set up. Let's just hope that weather cooperates on that date and it doesn't need to be rescheduled as I will be heading off on my cruise the week after that.

[patrickm]

I love you guys.

[RobbW]

Patrick, say it in words, but keep your hands to yourself! I'm keeping an eye on you, too, Joe!

[Paulie pchris00]

Excellent points, Robb. I don't know the details of how these events are promoted, but I have a feeling their promotional budget is just slightly larger than the Chicago Astronomer promotional budget. (As far as I'm aware, we don't have one).

So far, I'd say nearly everybody we've met at a CA/CPD session was passer by or through the park in question. We are not pulling people away from their TV or computer or whatever at home to specifically come out for viewing. I'm okay with that. For now. This is the first full year. It's an experiment, of sorts. If we can pull enough people off the street, maybe we can convince somebody higher up to spend some dollars to do this right ( or at least better). I'd love to make these destination events that people are circling on their calendar as soon as they're announced. It will take some time though, and we have to prove that we are committed, no matter what the conditions are.

There is a blogger, Sidewalk Universe Guy sidewalkuniverse.blogspot.com/, who engages everybody at his telescope with some sort of activity related to the observation. It creates long lines at his telescopes, but he makes a connection with everybody. It's a difficult thing to do, but he assures me that extra effort is worth it. I'd like to get to that level someday.

These CA/CPD sessions haven't been perfect, but we have a great opportunity to make some inroads with the park. The dates were originally set to in accordance with the lunar cycle, because for public outreach, Luna is our biggest (well, bestest, anyway) friend. Maybe the easiest change to next year's schedule would be to ensure that we will have the Moon available for the rain date. With the Moon up, we have something great to show, and also have our best shot at having our visitors make a very personal connection with the sky.

I doubt Joe was any happier than I was about all the lights, but we didn't stand around complaining about it. Who wants to hang out with a couple weirdos with telescopes in a foul mood? We had fun with it. If Heather goes back to her boss and says, "You know, I really can't stand being around those jerk astronomers," guess what? No star gazing at the parks next year. We'll get it right, but we have to give it time to make the partnership work. And if the CPD gets bored with astronomy, it won't be our fault, and we'll move on to other things.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I'll add my input later.

But...

A potential CPD/CA event might be on Wednesday September 7th at Humboldt Park.

Not confirmed yet.

[RobbW]

Joe, let us know as soon as possible if the 09/07/11 Humboldt Park event goes from potential to scheduled. I want to see what we can do to promote the hell out of this event. Plus, I will need all the time I can get to pull everything together that I want to do (i.e. make plans with home/work to attend, get supplies, be packed and ready to go). One week is not a lot of time to pull something together even when it is DEFINITELY scheduled. Seeing as how this is only a potential event, I'll need to kick my plans into overdrive.

I'm reviewing the satellite views of Humboldt Park right now. This park appears to have great potential for observing depending on where we set up. There are lots of ball fields and other wide-open areas where we could set up camp. There are a couple of parking lots with nice paved pathways leading to the fields. It's hard to gauge the lighting situation from satellite maps. I'm trying to pick out areas where there aren't as many lights ringing the fields but there are still convenient pathways to and from the parking lots. I'm going to search for nighttime pics of Humboldt Park to check the lighting. If we identify a park area that is convenient for both access and observing, do you think the CPD will listen?