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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Chicago Astronomer Star Party

(1st of 2013 and Very Last Minute)

08 March 2013

The Chicago Astronomers will set-up telescopes tonight by our usual public observation site - right off the Adler Planetarium building...

We will arrive on site at 7:00 pm to test out some new equipment and practice for upcoming Chicago Astronomer sighting of Comet Pan-STARRS:

Details on the Chicago visibility here:
astronomer.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=panstarrs&thread=4224&page=1

If free or in the area, stop on by for the first Chicago Astronomer public Star Party of 2013...

[marcimetz]

Unfortunately, and sadly, I will be unable to make the party. Next one?

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

We are a solid go for tonight.

I have been receiving emails and texts that some of our fans cannot make it tonight.

It's all cool.

This is a last minute gathering and there will be plenty...I mean plenty of other opportunities to join the Chicago Astronomer crew and the cosmos.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

A great first Chicago Astronomer session of the 2013 Observation season

#01 - Friday 08 March 2013....

The Chicago Astronomer crew has been layin' low for the past couple of months or so, pausing public star parties in the chill of winter. (Handling freezing metal is not appreciated, unless a comet, eclipse or something special is on hand.)

With clear skies all day, I called Chicago Astronomer Steve to see if he was available for a quick shake-out session for the evening. Agreeing, I sent out the notices and we had ourselves the first star party of the 2013 season.

Arriving at 7pm, it was a chilly evening to start, but not actually too bad - but later it did get cold....freezing the dew on our equipment by 9pm.

I brought out the C11 beast for her first real session in a long time. She's heavier and more cumbersome than I remembered just a couple months ago...Hmmmm.

©R.Wagner

Steve brought along his new imaging set-up - using parts from different web-sites...



It images by pointing that large objective lens to the sky and zooming in. Attached is a monitor and is recording capable. All battery powered and field ready...well almost. Still some bugs to shake out, but it shows good promise and will be a great addition to the Chicago Astronomer arsenal for public viewings.

Joining us was Chicago Astronomer Rich, who came sans scope and hang out with the crew...



With high clouds starting to move in, Jupiter was about the only target accessible...

Early on, the views were just so-so, but as the evening progressed - strangely we were all mentioning that Jupiter was actually better in the eyepiece - despite the new haze and lower in the sky. Looked like the GRS was just about to turn Earthside...!

Also...

New for the Chicago Astronomer....is our brand new banner...

©R.Wagner

I thought I would try it out and see how it looked temporarily taped to tripods. Still needs work, (Grommets, stands etc...), but it will work great at our sessions. There's a QR code in the corner too.

And... we attend to our visitors on the chilly winter evening...

All were thrilled at actually observing Jupiter and witnessing the nice banding and satellites. We had members of the Chicago Astronomical Society stop by and take a peek after a lecture they were attending at the Adler. Also, a Hispanic organization was having a party at the Adler and Governor Quinn was there, but I did not take the opportunity to grab him for a photo op as he lingered by his limo....




It was now about 9:00 pm, I was tired and getting very cold. I was ready to pack up, but we had a line going and I do so hate to turn anyone away...




©R.Wagner

Joining us for this session, was fellow Adler Telescope Facilitator Tom...



...who always is attentive and enthusiastic during public star parties. Thanks Tom!

But, after the last person had a good look, I quickly slewed the C11 up...and this session was over - frost covering everything.

We attended to 30 visitors for this last minute impromptu session.

A good start for the Chicago Astronomer crew....it will only get better for the 2013 observational season.

[patrickm]

A BANNER?

Uh oh. You may have finally outclassed my ability to show up. So so fancy pants.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Patrick...

All banner...all the time baby.

Next...Chicago Astronomer capes.