Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Aug 13, 2013 2:47:27 GMT -6
International Starry Night Observation in St. Charles Illinois
10 Aug 2013
10 Aug 2013
Chicago Astronomer Forum member Robb organized the St. Charles location of the International Starry Night activities...and invited me to come out and join the action, including catching the early Perseid meteors.
Maria and I arrived after dark, but followed Robb's red flashing lights and since we were here last year, it was easier to locate...
In the background, you can see Robb's SCT and his new "Astro Tent". Just obtained that same day, this was the first use and it was nice. He had drinks, astro magazines, snacks and his famous cookies...(Which I took ALL of the remaining...yums!)
It started out cloudy and it looked like no astronomy was to be had this session and we were catching a Chinese lantern release in the distance...
With peeks now and then, it was unsuitable for scope or Perseid watching. I brought along the C11 and gear, but elected to keep it in the SUV and just enjoy the night with Robb and friends..
...and there were distant fireworks...! My 15x70's binoculars were put to use, sneaking peeks between cloud puffs and the air was ripe for laser play and I illuminate the distant water - as it has become a tradition now.
But, by 11:30 pm, the skies started to clear and it was on...
Robb didn't align his scope earlier, as he was attending to his visitors, but soon got it pretty much ready to go. His Sky-fi was giving him problems though and he was unable to control the scope via his phone. I had my iPad mini with me and successfully connected to the mount. From then on, I was driving and Robb was making slew corrections via handpad. I shouted out the the next object and hit "Go-To"...and while the scope slewed, Robb described the object for our guests and centered it in the FOV...
We spent the next hour and 1/2 slewing from cluster to nebula to binary - having a great time and the iPad mini/CG-5 connection went flawless throughout the tour.
By 1am or so, it was time for Maria and I to depart and we assisted Robb in breaking down the site and by 2am...we were out...
Thanks Robb for the invite and fun time...!
