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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Join the Chicago Astronomer at Smith Park
Friday 14 June 2024 - 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm

The Chicago Astronomer returns to Smith Park on Friday evening to meet up with our fans and share views of the urban skies through telescopes and entertain discussions on all things space.

www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/astronomy-parks-smith-2


No planets out at this time, but will have a nice waxing Moon to enjoy and explore...

We always have a blast at Smith, with a legion of space fans joining us..

And...if you need assistance with operating your telescope, bring it and you'll be exploring the skies in no time.

Be there with the cool kids...you know you want to.

Astro Joe

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

A Smith Park Blast with Sky Lovers

Friday 14 June 2024

Our 1st "Night Out in the Parks" was a blast...with close to 100 sky lovers who came out to enjoy the Spring skies with the Chicago Astronomer Friday evening. The weather was great as we shared views of the Sun and Waxing Moon....

I brought the 152mm Refractor which displays a good Wide field and together with Chicago Astronomer John and his SCT attended to our fans throughout the evening. Joining us were young Astronomers, bringing their telescopes, including Ruben here, who just got this Reflector and this was his first outi9ng with it...

With just some basic instructions from John and I, he was mastering his Alt/Az scope in no time....

The Sun is out presently at the start of our sessions and a great time to show the activity of Sun spots in white light wavelengths. I fitted the 152 with a Full Aperture Baader filter and the Sun had some nice Sunspot activity this day...



Losing the Sun behind the trees, we slewed to the half Moon. I like to use a Polarizer/Urban sky glow filter to tease out contrast in daylight skies. (Note: always cap or remove finder/Auxiliary scopes whilst pointing the main scope at the Sun.)

We had two young Astronomers with their Gesyer telescopes who joined us and targeting the Moon with us...

This very young Astronomer desired a Chicago Astronomer Patch sticker...

John was providing expert instruction and guidance at our session..

Our NOIP Team at this successful session...

Our Chicago Astronomer team for this session...

Onward to our North Park Village Nature center, (Saturday afternoon) and 606 Trail (21 June) appearances...

Excelsior!

Astro Joe