Wednesday, August 26, 2009

8-24-09 Galileo Experience Street Astro


Hi every one I am back and ready to go with more sidewalk astronomy from Sparks NV. It has been a long hiatus but I now am able to do programs due to cooler temps and bright objects to see. I have looked forward to this season for sometime as we are celebrating the IYA and we have every one's favorite Jupiter to share. I am calling this new series of events "The Galileo Experience" as we will be reliving his observations of the heavens! With the Moon and Jupiter with it's moons being so available to see even in city setting there is no excuse to not go share these delights with my neighbors. And they will be able to share a similar view with the simple IYA GALILEO SCOPE purchased for this purpose to relieve with their own eyes events of the past that have shaped our world ever since. FUN!

My first outing had over 53 stop, look, ask questions and just get inspired a bit. This fun group in the picture were the first to use the Galileo Scope on the Moon and Jupiter. Lots of fun hands on education was happening and many excellent, thoughtful questions were raised about our Moon, and planets. I like this stuff. The lady on the right with the blue/white beach hat had such a look of excitement on her face has she viewed and listened to my presentations. When I offered a fun Moon navigation/Jupiter Moon transit session this Thursday she just about fell over!

7 comments:

Drive-by Astronomy said...

SUGileo is back! Great picture of some SUG groupies. I'm sure they were happy to see you back. Great idea of getting the visitors to the SUG astronomy roadshow to use the Galileoscope. Way to go Richie! Rumor has it that the SUG is an accomplished juggler...Could he juggle models of Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto?

Drive-by Astronomy said...

The "SUGster" presents "Circus du système solaire". Come join Richie the juggling street performing sidewalk astronomer as he presents the universe to the residents and visitors of Sparks Nevada. He may even do some juggling on request. Can the SUG still do a cart wheel?

Marc Fitkin said...

Ah but did the SUG get a chance to view the transit of Europa and Ganymede last night???

Sidewalk Universe said...

I have to juggle alot when I am out doing a program:

Answering questions and personal banter with my visitors. I want to get to know what makes them curious about this astronomy stuff.

Manage the TELESCOPE and resource table.

Welcoming and inviting others who are passerby's and those who stop.

Group presentations with posters.

Group modeling exercises.

Making sure none of my stuff has little feet so to speak.

Give handouts/manage my count sheet.

Make sure I am drinking water and eating a occasional snack.

So yes my fellow outreach geek I am juggling all the time besides keeping track of the heaven's above!

Cartwheels are not recommended by my DC!

Sidewalk Universe said...

Hey Mark, No I did not! SUG was a blockhead and forgot to account for the 27th in UT!

This is the second one I missed in the last 2 weeks - I need some help here! Bummed................

NiteSkyGirl said...

Hay welcome back !! I was just going to email you to see if you were okay! glad to see you up and at em.
i made a new page your going to go nuts over!! just scroll down to the man you want to be when you grow up. So did you see the perseids ?? AMAZING SHOW! A few fireballs were seen.
The lady who justabout fell over, see how we need astronomy in our life!! When i was updating my news page a while ago I kept popping off my chair with the great stuff going on.

One question for you .. how interesting was it to include a model of Gallileo's telescope actually in your hands when teaching them about him & his discoveries?

Sidewalk Universe said...

Hey NSG - The show here was not good with intermittent clouds/smoke. Oh well I tried anyway and saw only a handful. But being out is always fun!

The little paper towel roll (LOL) is really a neat aid in helping my visitors understand just how difficult Mr.G's observations were at first. I am seeing a sense of connection with the past with some folks, and most think it's pretty cool to tool around the sky with it!

I will be checking out your news page here........I have been really busy lately!