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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Last Minute Chicago Astronomer Star Party

14 October 2013 - 7pm

Urber last minute kids.....

It's such a great sunny day, that I will set-up telescopes tonight at our usual Chicago Astronomer Public Observation site - (Just west of the Adler Planetarium building) tonight, the 14th of October....at 7pm.

We will catch and share a great half- Moon and some other fall celestial classics with our fans.

Stop by, say hi and enjoy the skies with astronomers and scope...before it gets cold....

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

A nice subtle gathering of sky lovers....

With a very short notice for this session, many were not able to attend...and being a school/worknight...even more so. But, I had a free night and set-up at our Chicago Astronomer primary observation site. Setting up the mighty C11 on the CG-5 mount, I thought that perhaps I would be the only one here...which is not ever bad. Anytime behind the eyepiece is a good one and worthy of some astrophotography.

But I had walk-ups and friends arrive to share the skies with me...

Sarai brought me hot chocolate, enthusiasm and smiles. Solid!

Tonight's session would focus on the Moon and it's features. I had with me a newly acquired Nikon Coolpix pocket camera....something similar to this....

I was interested on how well this little pocket camera would perform, leaving the Canon Powershot S3 free for other work.

Not bad...for lunar work....

...and this is just handheld...!

I'll have to construct a proper adapter for this...but it looks like it can be a solid imager for at least lunar work. I have not fully explored the capabilities of this camera yet, but perhaps if I can nudge the exposure settings...it'll deliver planetary for me. We'll see....

This session was a bit chilly and windy, but we all had nice conversations about astronomy, cosmology, planetary mechanics and other related topics that I always enjoy chatting about....

We were also treated to a decent pass of the International Space Station during our session. At only 29 degree high, it wasn't one of our brighter passes, but it did take it over our skyline...

Sometimes during heavy traffic session of the C.A....there is not enough time to chat and share time with our guests, but this one was an easy session and we all had a nice time with a total of 27 guests enjoying the Moon, the E.T Star Cluster, the Double Cluster in Perseus and the binaries of Alberio and the Big Dipper.

But now that the chill has arrived...our warm and frequent sessions are coming to an end for this season....