Saturday, March 14, 2009

3-12,13-09 Virginia Lake - Reno Street Astro


Another fun series of outings - we totaled 92 visitors over the 3 evenings. Not bad. As I was packing up last night I had 2 cars pull up - heard about this astronomy stuff going on and just had to check it out - the word is getting out! The Tanna family really enjoyed this unexpected treat as they were taking a family walk. Mrs. Tanna in the purple coat even went to her nearby home and quickly prepared some wonderful vegetarian wraps for us to enjoy - thank you, they were terrific. Burp!

Robert, in the extreme left of the pic came out for all 3 sessions and was learning quickly. He will be purchasing a scope soon to enhance his view of the cosmos. As his new hobby matures maybe he will help me share views with the public?

4 comments:

Astronomy Rocks at the Valley said...

Sounds like you're developing quite the fan club- "Richard's Astro-Groupies" Nice to have a little food arrive while observing too. We had a beautiful day on the roof of the Buffalo Museum of Science today for Solar SUNday Part 1.
Just got in from doing 2 hrs. of personal observing. Wonderful night in Western NY. Have a great week!

Sidewalk Universe said...

It was a fun evening - the Tanna clan just took everything in and were truly appreciative about their experience.

I like the idea of SUNday - I want to do solar programs here but I need to save for a H-Alpha scope. I have all the teaching materials in place, just need the scope.

Glad you had the opportunity to do some personal observing - what did you look at?

Astronomy Rocks at the Valley said...

Sorry I have to whisper. My wife doesn't know about The 60mm Coronado dedicated H-alpha scope that I got last summer. It's one thing she knows that is rather expensive in the astro gear department. I did get it when they were selling for $1999. She does give me a curious look when I walk in the house with a small little black telescope case. I'm going to give it a little more time so I can say "this old thing, I got this little scope quite a few years ago. I'm not exactly sure when though. Its a fun little scope to use from time to time. I actually forget I have it sometimes."(Do I have a chance with this line?)
It sure has been a blast having it however. Its great being able to do astronomy during the day. Only a few members in our club have H-alpha scopes or filters.
I observed form my office parking lot which is about 2miles from where I live. Its fairly light polluted so I usually stick with the brighter objects. But viewing was better that usual for this location.
I think I recall observing these-- Venus, Saturn(I still love looking at the planets), Canis Major: M41, a dbl. star know as the "Winter Alberio", Lepus: Hind's Crimson Star, Puppis: M46/47,93, ngc2423, Auriga: M36/37/38, Orion: M42, Cancer: M44/67, Monoceros: ngc 2301, Cass:ngc436 "the Owl or ET", and the Dbl cluster in Perseus. It was a great couple hours.

Sidewalk Universe said...

I had access to a 40mm Coronado a few years back and that was even a blast to look through. I'm not sure how your line will go over with the Mrs. How about some how making the scope "hers" - and you get to use it every now and then!

Sounds like a nice late winter observe there - I have not looked at Hind's this year to see how bright it is.