Astronomy is a difficult hobby at times, since it relies on the weather. I had a 50/50 chance this past weekend of guessing correctly if the high clouds that loomed over my area in middle Tennessee were actually going to be a factor 2 hours away at the Tennessee Spring Star Party. As I attended a family get together, I observed the sky and was confident in my decision that this year would be washed out by high wisps of thin clouds that are so common for TN and which seemed to dominate most of my sky. Unforntunatly from Portland TN, I was now 3 hours away from the location of the star party, and from first hand reports, the skies remained fairly clear there. Oh well, I was kind of bummed out but that happens, sometimes guess correctly, sometimes we don't. I can't be the only backyard astronomer that skipped an astronomy event thinking the weather would be a factor and it turned out to be beautiful! Hope I'm not anyway.
Now my endeavor is to make up for this missed event of sorts by hosting a few of my own mini-star parties. Curiously, I haven't received a response from my Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation coordinator on my proposal for an "Astronomy Night", so I'm moving to plan B. Books-A-Million is positioned well for a "Astronomy Night", with the store facing south, and no major obstacles to overcome as far as observing is concerned, well other then the bright lights of course. I should have clear views of the Moon, Saturn and Mars. I have a friend that could bring another telescope if asked, so now its just a matter of planning and proposing. I'm way late for trying to get something together for the annual Astronomy Day this April 24th, but I want to try and coordinate a semi-regular event anyway. I just hope the approval process isn't something that could be drawn out, you know, local manager needs approval from corporate, or the mall has the final say, or the lawyers etc. This is new ground for me, but if I'm going to start this ball rolling, there's no better learning experience then to just get in there and see what happens. I'll keep you all informed.
I welcome any comments from anyone that may have direct experience with outreach and coordinating these events with book stores, local parks, etc, so please reply if you do!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Tennessee Spring Star Party 2010 - April 16-18
I attended this event last year. The weather was fair, I recall the ever so common high clouds in Tennessee, but at least it didn't block out the entire sky. It was the largest public outreach event that I ever attended, with my best guess estimate at over 200 people, not including the 50 amateur/backyard astronomers present with about 25 telescopes. I brought 2 last year, my 6" dob and 8" SCT, and was busy for a full 2 hours, with lines of about 3-4 at each telescope. This years event should be very good, a quick check of the weather shows some clouds moving in tonight, but Saturday is supposed to be clear. I'm debating on bringing out all 3 telescopes, but just running 2 at a time for the public outreach part (6" Orion Dob and Meade ETX-LS 6 ACF). I'm kind of excited to break out the 8" SCT and try out the Meade 24mm UWA and 2" Dielectric Diagonal combo on it.
For public outreach, I like to show a mix of objects, and I think for Saturday my observing list will be as follows;
1. Cresent Moon. The Moon may seem boring to most backyard astronomers, but it really excites the public during outreach. Its a bright and easy target to view through the eyepiece, and you will be amazed at the amount of people that never viewed it before.
2. Planets - This time of year, Mars and Saturn are the targets of choice. Mars is unfortunately not very large and depending on the seeing, may be skipped altogether with my 6" optics. I find Saturn is somewhat disappointing as Saturns rings are still relatively closed, but its still a fantastic sight in any telescope.
3. Open Clusters - I think I'm going to show M67 and M46, with some back and forth to M41. M41 is large with many bright stars, M67 is more compact but dimmer, and M46 is a pit sparse, but cool that a planetary nebula is within it, I hope to pump up the power on it and see if anyone can spot the "fuzzy star".
4. Double-Stars - These are somewhat boring, but to me, if I can find a pair that have a color contrast, its worth a look. Most folks don't realize the difference in colors to the stars, and depending upon which pair I can locate and how striking it appears, it will be a good segway into desribing some of the temperature differences of the two. I'll have to look up some possibilities tonight, and get the HD or WDS #'s so I can simply punch them in for the LS.
5. Unusual Object - V Hydrae - This star is one of my favorites, as its the reddest star in the night sky, and this year should be visible during the outreach. Thankfully I'll have my Meade ETX-LS 6 ACF this year, so finding it should be a snap. Pumping the power up a bit should really show off the redness of the object. I just think carbon stars are so cool (pun intended).
6. Glogular Clusters - I'm thinking that few will be visible early evening, but M5 and M13 come to mind as great examples, even in my modest aperture. They won't be very high, but I'm betting some folks are going to remain around past 10pm and that will help improve the view.
7. Galaxies - Now galaxies don't usually excite me, but recently I post an observing session in this blog (Galaxies Galore) that really changed my mind. I am actually excited to show M104 and M81/82 now that I have a 2" Meade Dielectric Diagonal and the wonderful 14 and 24 mm UWA eyepieces. Even with my minuscule light grasp afforded to me with my 6" scopes, they really appeared quite bright.
I'm hoping the clouds depart quickly, and leave no lingering high cirrus clouds around. This event is a lot of fun, and my hats off to the Cumberland Astronomical Society for organizing this free event, and of course the beautiful Fall Creek Falls State Park for hosting it. Hope to see you there! If you do attend please leave us a comment on your thoughts on the star party!
The Official Tennessee Spring Star Party website
What objects do YOU like to share with people during public outreach?
For public outreach, I like to show a mix of objects, and I think for Saturday my observing list will be as follows;
1. Cresent Moon. The Moon may seem boring to most backyard astronomers, but it really excites the public during outreach. Its a bright and easy target to view through the eyepiece, and you will be amazed at the amount of people that never viewed it before.
2. Planets - This time of year, Mars and Saturn are the targets of choice. Mars is unfortunately not very large and depending on the seeing, may be skipped altogether with my 6" optics. I find Saturn is somewhat disappointing as Saturns rings are still relatively closed, but its still a fantastic sight in any telescope.
3. Open Clusters - I think I'm going to show M67 and M46, with some back and forth to M41. M41 is large with many bright stars, M67 is more compact but dimmer, and M46 is a pit sparse, but cool that a planetary nebula is within it, I hope to pump up the power on it and see if anyone can spot the "fuzzy star".
4. Double-Stars - These are somewhat boring, but to me, if I can find a pair that have a color contrast, its worth a look. Most folks don't realize the difference in colors to the stars, and depending upon which pair I can locate and how striking it appears, it will be a good segway into desribing some of the temperature differences of the two. I'll have to look up some possibilities tonight, and get the HD or WDS #'s so I can simply punch them in for the LS.
5. Unusual Object - V Hydrae - This star is one of my favorites, as its the reddest star in the night sky, and this year should be visible during the outreach. Thankfully I'll have my Meade ETX-LS 6 ACF this year, so finding it should be a snap. Pumping the power up a bit should really show off the redness of the object. I just think carbon stars are so cool (pun intended).
6. Glogular Clusters - I'm thinking that few will be visible early evening, but M5 and M13 come to mind as great examples, even in my modest aperture. They won't be very high, but I'm betting some folks are going to remain around past 10pm and that will help improve the view.
7. Galaxies - Now galaxies don't usually excite me, but recently I post an observing session in this blog (Galaxies Galore) that really changed my mind. I am actually excited to show M104 and M81/82 now that I have a 2" Meade Dielectric Diagonal and the wonderful 14 and 24 mm UWA eyepieces. Even with my minuscule light grasp afforded to me with my 6" scopes, they really appeared quite bright.
I'm hoping the clouds depart quickly, and leave no lingering high cirrus clouds around. This event is a lot of fun, and my hats off to the Cumberland Astronomical Society for organizing this free event, and of course the beautiful Fall Creek Falls State Park for hosting it. Hope to see you there! If you do attend please leave us a comment on your thoughts on the star party!
The Official Tennessee Spring Star Party website
What objects do YOU like to share with people during public outreach?
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Observing Report: Galaxies galore
I have been blessed with fantastic weather in middle Tennessee, and the outlook continues to be clear into the next weekend. I had the opportunity tonight to do some observing with the ETX-LS6, so I thought I would share.
Equipment
Meade ETX-LS6 ACF
2" Meade Series 5000 Dielectric Diagonal
24mm Meade Series 5000 Ultra Wide Angle Eyepiece
14mm Meade Series 5000 Ultra Wide Angle Eyepiece
Conditions
Transparency: Very Good
Seeing: Good
M67 - I was pleasantly surprise by how wonderful this open cluster is. I do not recall ever viewing this particular OC before, so that made it even more exciting. The 24mm eyepiece was full of stars.
M36 - A favorite of mine. Didn't disappoint tonight either, although somewhat dimmer then M67, it seemed to have more stars.
M46 - With the 24mm, I couldn't make out the Planetary Nebula within this OC, but still a beautiful sight. Noticeably brighter tonight then just a few weeks ago.
M47 - Very close to M46, less stars and more spread out.
M50 - In the general vicinity of M47, not overly impressive, but still a pretty sight.
NGC 2903 - I was surprised by how large this galaxy was. It was very easy to see in the 24mm. I'm so impressed with the 2" Meade Dielectric Diagonal, I really can see a difference on objects.
M95
M96
NGC 3377 - Very easy to make out
M105
M65
M66
M63 - First time viewing this galaxy, dim, but once you get to finding it, averted vision makes it much easier
M51 - This popped into view very easy tonight. I could easily see the companion
M81/M82 - WOW!! Both in the same field of view with the 24mm. Fantastic sight, both clearly visible. I found my galaxy showcase object for outreach, simply stunning to see them in the same field of view. I have seen them before, but I really notice a brighter image with the new Meade diagonal.
M108
M109
M104 - This was in part of the sky that provided the most sky glow, but was clearly visible with direct vision.
M101 - Surprisingly hard to see tonight, I expected better.
M40 - Thanks to the "Astronomer Inside" feature of the LS, I learned tonight of this odd objects inclusion in the Messier list. It simply is a double star, that's all.
M92 - Globular cluster in Ursa Major, very bright indeed.
M13 - I viewed this the other night with 7x50 binoculars, tonight was great in the 24mm. Pumped power up when I used the 14mm, clearly resolving stars in both eyepieces.
M5 - My favorite globular cluster actually. Seems to have almost a spiral galaxy shape to it because of the ease at which the outer stars are resolved and how tightly the core appears.
Saturn - Always a treat, but I thought the rings would be starting to show more by now. Can't wait till they start to open up. I had glimpses of what I thought was the Cassini Division, but seeing didn't permit me to confirm. Darkening of the polar region, and the could make out some banding itself on the planet.
Mars - Polar cap visible, but seeing didn't permit me to see any other discernible detail.
I am convinced that what made tonight a special night was the combination of the 24mm Meade UWA and the 2" Meade dielectric diagonal. This combo is going to get a lot of time in the rear cell of the LS6. I have viewed most of these galaxies before, but never with the clarity and ease at which I was able to discern them on this evening. The Tennessee Spring Star Party is next weekend, I pray the weather holds up, because a repeat of tonight from a truly dark sky is going to be a night I will long remember.
Equipment
Meade ETX-LS6 ACF
2" Meade Series 5000 Dielectric Diagonal
24mm Meade Series 5000 Ultra Wide Angle Eyepiece
14mm Meade Series 5000 Ultra Wide Angle Eyepiece
Conditions
Transparency: Very Good
Seeing: Good
M67 - I was pleasantly surprise by how wonderful this open cluster is. I do not recall ever viewing this particular OC before, so that made it even more exciting. The 24mm eyepiece was full of stars.
M36 - A favorite of mine. Didn't disappoint tonight either, although somewhat dimmer then M67, it seemed to have more stars.
M46 - With the 24mm, I couldn't make out the Planetary Nebula within this OC, but still a beautiful sight. Noticeably brighter tonight then just a few weeks ago.
M47 - Very close to M46, less stars and more spread out.
M50 - In the general vicinity of M47, not overly impressive, but still a pretty sight.
NGC 2903 - I was surprised by how large this galaxy was. It was very easy to see in the 24mm. I'm so impressed with the 2" Meade Dielectric Diagonal, I really can see a difference on objects.
M95
M96
NGC 3377 - Very easy to make out
M105
M65
M66
M63 - First time viewing this galaxy, dim, but once you get to finding it, averted vision makes it much easier
M51 - This popped into view very easy tonight. I could easily see the companion
M81/M82 - WOW!! Both in the same field of view with the 24mm. Fantastic sight, both clearly visible. I found my galaxy showcase object for outreach, simply stunning to see them in the same field of view. I have seen them before, but I really notice a brighter image with the new Meade diagonal.
M108
M109
M104 - This was in part of the sky that provided the most sky glow, but was clearly visible with direct vision.
M101 - Surprisingly hard to see tonight, I expected better.
M40 - Thanks to the "Astronomer Inside" feature of the LS, I learned tonight of this odd objects inclusion in the Messier list. It simply is a double star, that's all.
M92 - Globular cluster in Ursa Major, very bright indeed.
M13 - I viewed this the other night with 7x50 binoculars, tonight was great in the 24mm. Pumped power up when I used the 14mm, clearly resolving stars in both eyepieces.
M5 - My favorite globular cluster actually. Seems to have almost a spiral galaxy shape to it because of the ease at which the outer stars are resolved and how tightly the core appears.
Saturn - Always a treat, but I thought the rings would be starting to show more by now. Can't wait till they start to open up. I had glimpses of what I thought was the Cassini Division, but seeing didn't permit me to confirm. Darkening of the polar region, and the could make out some banding itself on the planet.
Mars - Polar cap visible, but seeing didn't permit me to see any other discernible detail.
I am convinced that what made tonight a special night was the combination of the 24mm Meade UWA and the 2" Meade dielectric diagonal. This combo is going to get a lot of time in the rear cell of the LS6. I have viewed most of these galaxies before, but never with the clarity and ease at which I was able to discern them on this evening. The Tennessee Spring Star Party is next weekend, I pray the weather holds up, because a repeat of tonight from a truly dark sky is going to be a night I will long remember.
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