Sidewalk Universe: Bringing The Cosmos To The Walkways Below

First Light Trial Public Narrow Band Viewing 1/12/11

2012-01-12T19:05:00.000-08:00

Our day today was so mild and with a blue sky over head the views were bound to be good so lets do a short trial run with the public on the Lunt 60THA.

Saturday morning will have me at StarBucks doing a "Chromosphere, Crater & Coffee" outreach on their patio. You guessed it Solar and Moon in the morning and early afternoon! I want to be ready and get all the bugs out of my operation so today is the perfect time with the park lightly used but "lookers" still available. This was not a numbers outreach but a test run on using the scope, coaching folks at the scope, a general rehearsal for my spiel, and scope set up.

No resource table for the StarBucks events. Just the basics - outreach binder, Atlas Of The Universe, Solar System/Universe Scale Model, Jumbo Styro Ball (moon cycle), Solar Ball, Lunar Map, and handouts - lots of them!

I will start out with the morning moon (AT106) and then move into Solar when the Sun is at a good observing height. Later I hope to have another AstroTec ALT/AZ set up to have Solar Wedge & Ha at the same time.

Ha scopes can be tough to look through for one who has not had much (or any) scope time in their lives. When I was doing outreach for the non profit I had a Coronado Solar Max 40mm to use which was a nice scope! But with the narrow field of view and small "sweet spot" and ghosting a fair amount of folks had trouble seeing. How would the Lunt 60 do?

Jeff is one of the guards at the park and is a great supporter of my efforts. I so wanted him to be the first to view and I would value his opinion highly. Needless to say timing was great and he was treated to a whole array of different prom, spicuale, filament, facuale features. No trouble looking through this scope for him or any other person so inclined to stop. Jeff made detailed observes and was blown away. I will be using my Orion Stratus eyepieces - look at the large eyepiece lens, see the bright red ball(exit pupil) that's your window to the Sun! Every time complete beginners were lining up with Sol in the scope first time!

I saw some spicuales today that blew me away!

Joe was a first time observer and let me coach him at the scope for a good 20 minutes and was seeing changes in the Solar environment by the minute - first time!

The Scope Stuff Sun Shield is awesome! Look at that shadow on the observer with no glare to contend with!

All and all I am so pleased and stoked. The Lunt 60 tha (not because I own it) is better than expected. Flat field, no sweet spot, minimal ghosting, black black field of view, easy easy to look through, built like a tank with excellent finish!

What more can a SUG ask for? Well two things; clear sky and a horde of people to show the Sun off too!

2012 StarBucks Coffee & Cosmos PatioAstro

2012-01-07T17:18:00.000-08:00

This winter season sure is a mild one for us western USA types. With temps in the 50/60's and fairly clear conditions I have no reason to not get the 2012 outreach season going! So here are two events I have done so far......

January 4-5 marked Perihelion as the Earth reached it's closest approach to the Sun and is a outreach I like to do if weather and time permit. Awesome day was to be had at the Sparks Marina with 38 visitors. Dave, a former Army Recon Scout (Desert Storm & Panama!) really enjoyed the Sol show and the hands on modeling of this program. He also made detailed Sunspot observes and caught the sudden brightening of a isolated faculae on the S.E edge! Timing is everything!

The double shadow transit of Jupiter's moons Io and Ganymede the following evening made for some fun driveway observing. Moderate winter temps and hazy sky greeted us but we had no trouble watching the event unfold. Tom joined me for this shadow dance and his observing eye is developing quickly.

2012 also brings Coffee & Cosmos to local area StarBucks and this Friday evening was as good as any to give it a go. I have been wanting to do outreach at this particular one because it faces due east with a reasonable view from the N.E to S.E. Not having any contacts within the store I was not sure how I would be received so I was a little nervous just walking in, ordering a drink and "oh I'm the Sidewalk Universe Guy mind if I set up on your patio to share the cosmos?"

I was just gonna set up and see what happens but thought the better of it so in I go to ask this very unique request. Well things went my way as the shift manager knew me from my outreaches at the Marina Park!!! and soon I was off and running! Liane loves coffee and had fun hanging out with the SUG. A busy professional wedding planner she needed a break from the day and got treated to the Jove up in our sky. She was very encouraging and liked this outreach stuff.

I had a line most of the 3 hours out with customers from the nearby eateries coming over to check things out. Most were excited to look at Jupiter with the Galilean Moons on full display.

I had so many nice folks stop, look, talk and generally appreciate the experience. But this young lady made my night. Coming in and out of the Panda Express next door several times over she got a eye full of the evenings servings. She had a very defined "Lunar Bliss" moment observing sunrise on the Grimaldi Crater Complex! I was amazed at her interest level and zeal at the scope!

Coming soon will be a StarBucks SUG Solar on this very patio!

2012 Kick Off

2012-01-02T09:19:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone and Happy New Year!

What a year we have in store for us astronomy types with 2012 bringing wonderful opportunities for us to enjoy celestial events galore along with excellent outreach opportunities! Here I am enjoying a New Year's Day early evening with my beloved Luna and sidekick Jupiter nearby with a steamy pot of soup on the stove! Awesome shadows across Imbrium and I did not spill any hot soup on me this time!

Along with you the June 5-6 Venus Transit and May 20 Solar Eclipse are things I am greatly anticipating! I do not have all the data on the eclipse yet (as I write this) but the shadow line runs right through southern Nevada. I have never seen an annular eclipse yet and I will be making a major effort to see it! Following this two weeks later on June 4th is a partial Lunar Eclipse preceding the Venus Transit 2 days later! WOW ! The timing on these events could not be better for my location as the weather is favorable May to early June.

Upcoming in 2012 Sidewalk Universe will expending its outreach by going red with narrow band Solar to inspire the public. Yes and the SUG Guy too! Timing is perfect to coincide with Solar Maximum, the transit, and upcoming outreach opportunities made available to me starting in February. Soon SUG Solar will be multi spectrum.

For me a dream long differed but here! More on this later......

I look forward to fun blog times with you all.

Richard (SUG)

DEC'11 Lunar Eclipse

2011-12-11T15:50:00.000-08:00

What a great way to close out the observational year! I was very fortunate to have excellent viewing conditions and a easy to get to location to see this show - right on my driveway!

I was out the door at 4:15 a.m and I was able to spy the faint penumbrae "gray dusting" with my naked eye - easy with our very dry air conditions! Shades of gray on top of shades of grey.

First contact of the umbra is a highlight for me and right on time it shows itself kissing the lunar western frontier! Could it be because my street name is "Umbria Court" that I love this stuff so much?

As the shadow sojourned across Tom shows up to enjoy the unfolding shadow show. He joined me last year at this time for the previous total lunar eclipse. The cold and hour did not deter him from hanging out with the SUG, having some of his nitro coffee, and listening to my roaming commentary. Tom made good observes watching lunar features brighten and fade as totality came upon us. He really enjoyed the crater Tyco show that you can see in the pics!

AT 104 was the perfect scope for this outing with his sharp optics. The colors were absolutely vivid!

Here are keys to a successful early morning and very cool temperature Lunar Eclipse observe : Hot stick to your ribs SUGO Chicken Paprikash & Pasta the night before and nitro coffee! Bliss!

And of course a ruddy moon with shades of red, orange, brown and rust to color my western morning sky. By a stroke of celestial geometry I was just able to catch the end of totality on my nearby foothill with the binoculars with Luna a mere 5 degrees above the horizon shaded by morning haze in the distance. Not be left out Mrs.SUG joined me right at this minute and caught the still eclipsed moon as it kissed the western horizon. Impressed she was with this sublime view and her spouses fervor and tenacity to view all things cosmic!

End of Nov"11 Astro Stuff

2011-12-02T11:42:00.000-08:00

I had my final session with Sierra NV Journey's Teacher's Workshop this Tuesday with our topic being Luna!

These teachers worked hard and put their hearts into everything! Modeling, observations, problem solving & presentation skills were covered. Great group to work with!

Saturday past while doing fall yard work there was a fine Sun Dog display to be enjoyed. Here is the eastern dog with arcs. The western one was hidden. I have been generally clouded out these last weeks. Wednesday eve looked promising till 80mph winds showed up!
And finally this is a book I have been wanting to read. I really like Dava Sobel's writing skills and research - amazing. I cannot recommended this read enough to shed the light of history upon events 400 years ago. Truly Science Faith Love melded together!

The last 10 pages were very moving. What was was played out is seen in the lives of the major players: devotion, heart felt dialogue and passion, nature's revelations, reverence, respect, and time as the great equalizer of everyone/everything.

Truly astronomy touches the human spirit and experience in many ways!

SNJ Teacher's Workshop Nov'11

2011-11-28T10:06:00.000-08:00

Once again Sierra NV Journeys opened their doors to the Sidewalk Guy in the form of a teachers workshop on the Solar System. We had our first session last Tuesday.

Here are some pics of my highly involved group!

This group worked hard for the 4 hours of this first session - this after a long day in the classroom. We covered a lot of ground (and space!) in this time moving from activity to the next. They handled the Sidewalk Guy's energy & enthusiasm and are looking forward to their personal Lunar encounter this next Tuesday - 4 hours of Lunar indoctrination, hands on activities, viewing along with the Zodiac made simple!

Frosty 12.5" Observe.

2011-11-07T22:49:00.001-08:00

We got a clearing this afternoon from the winter like squalls and clouds. Our temps even warmed a bit so out in the garage I went to do some cleaning. As I was out there 12.5"Discovery Dob kept "calling" out to me begging for a opportunity to gather some photons. A number of years back (7?) I undertook a series of Lunar observes with 12.5". Yes indeed aperture is king especially when you can stop down the scope on the moon and planets. My best views of Mars have been through this scope masked off and the lunar views are outstanding. I need to use this scope more! Even with our moon 3 days from full and our skies still somewhat hazy 12.5 was on my patio by 3 p.m with a few hours to cool down the glass.

The views were nice with 12.5"inches of mirror working for you. My viewing conditions were hazy, cold, Mag 3.5 and you had to wait for those still pockets of air. Using the aperture mask and adjustable polarizing filter, with still air provided nice minutes of viewing - but patience was required along with warm clothing! Lots of good views but the Zucchius /Schiller basin was the best. This horseshoe shaped degraded basin is over looked a lot but crater Schiller's elongated shape makes it a easy capture if you know what your looking for! I spent a good hour observing it's 2 more prominent rims and finally saw the elusive third - arrow point in the pic! Are there more? Yes but some are buried, pounded down by other impacts and just lost in the sea of crater holes lapped upon each other.

I also wanted to bag a few as of yet unseen Herschel objects in Cassiopeia which would be in fine position during my time out. This was not the night to go deep sky with the moon light and haze but open clusters can be done so with some warmth left in my body lets bag a few. NGC 436 is that nice knot of stars in the top right of the pic. It is nearby the way more famous and splashier NGC457 the ET Cluster or Owl Cluster. NGC457 is a Herschel Object also which I have observed in detail before but that roundish group at the top was my main interest tonight. What a wonderful small cluster it is looking like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup at medium power! I will visit this hidden stellar candy treat again next week once we are past full moon and hopefully some warm temps and clearer conditions!

While searching for other Herschel clusters I payed token visits to some very tough doubles in the area. Years ago (10?) I used 12.5 for ALL my observing; deep sky, solar system stuff, doubles and even outreach. It was my work horse scope. It even survived a bad car accident with minor dings! I have forgotten how this scope kills doubles. I really like pairs that have big magnitude differences. Sigma Cas is one of these and 12.5 split this very tough pair with ease. Nice color contrast and pin point stars - lovely lovely with another nearby faint (Mag 10.5 equal Mag pair which I never saw before! This duo of doubles was awesome!

So out on my patio 12.5" sits being now frosted over by our unusual colder, and humid weather. Frost is rare here but I think 12.5 likes it especially since it reminded it's owner this evening that a medium mirrored scope in a cardboard tube mounted on a wood mount can provide a fun observing experience! The owner needed a kick in the head and he got it!

Nov '11 Astro Hodge Podge

2011-11-06T15:08:00.000-08:00

I have a full slate of astronomy related activities for this fall month. Week 1 had excellent outreach opportunities, and quality observes from my yard. This last week has had winter like weather come in and it really killed the observational end of things. Our Sun is really putting on a show right now but my viewing options were limited to the Internet!

My backyard through the clouds Solar observe........

Even Herschel Wedge was bummed by it all. With wonderful Solar activity going on being covered by a blanket of puffy puffs there was no photon gathering for this very specialized device. The disappointment was profound!

But rays of light soon found me on Saturday with Drive By Astronomy chiming in on my face book with his very special picture of the current SUGSPOT activity! Apparently he is the only one that can do this type of Solar picture taking! For the life of me I have never seen this type of activity before! He had picture prefect conditions from his Buffalo NY digs and was bugging me all weekend with texts and phone calls about his quality observations. One thing we did do was a long distance Lunar observe via phone and Skype. I would be the navigator on this Saturday evening.
Using Alan Chu's down loadable atlas (if you want to seriously observe the moon you want this!) Mike was out in his yard with his 10" dob. Now I have been observing the moon in detail for sometime but this Chu Atlas is moving my and Mike's observing to a new level! Mike is falling in love with Luna. We had (or Mike had) the perfect evening for Domeland Luna observe! Over the course of two evenings Mike made awesome observes of hidden Lunar treasures! Hopefully he will chime in and tell you about them as it was a joy to hang with him on his excursion.

My weekend was brightened with the arrive of 'The Cambridge Atlas of Herschel Objects" to compliment my O'Meara "400 Guide"! The Cambridge was on sale @$26 (free ship too!) and could not be passed up. As soon as my weather clears 12.5 Discovery Dob will be out on the patio as I revisit and make some new celestial acquiesces! I will post my observes from time to time.

And finally a Raspberry Almond Scone on Sunday morning to ease my pain with this stormy pre winter weather! One of the best scones I have ever made enjoyed with extra bold french press coffee! I was in hog heaven doing couch astro dreaming of scopes on my patio with views to inspire!

End Of October Astro Wrap Up '11

2011-11-01T09:46:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy astro month for this patio observer & outreach amateur astronomer! Four outreaches over the last two weeks and numerous personal observes have filled my astronomy tank nicely. I am looking forward to Nov'11! Sept was a bust weather wise but October has been awesome with warm days, cool nights, and generally favorable conditions. My outreaches have enjoyed the warm sunshine with great Solar activity, and a SUG tan to enjoy!

The prior waning moon was a joy to behold with super edge views due to Luna's tilting action. Early morning patio views were easy to get up for due to the ultra dry air, cool temps, and outstanding views. With too many fine views to recount this pic sums it up nicely with the Pythagoras & Babbage show in the northern Lunar frontier! Oh of course Jupiter was observed with transits, occultations, eclipses , Red Spot transits observed.

I was busy throughout the month bagging and tagging doubles all over our sky. Aquarius, Pegasus, Aries, Cassiopeia, Perseus were places of observation. I also had a wonderful observe this past Sunday evening in the little fowl Equuleus which is galloping near Pegasus. I really enjoy the obscure and this tiny constellation is a double star hunters challenge with tight pairs. Navigating this pony required patience as most of it's "guide" stars where on the threshold of my vision with fall haze being most unwelcome! But the horse must be ridden and off I went into the celestial corral and was rewarded immensely for my efforts.

Epsilon Equ is the easiest to bag for the average observer and a wonderful treat it is with pale yellow primary and blue second!

Outreach on the driveway for Halloween evening closed out my month. Mrs.SUG/PUG/and this night DUG decided to run the show. On the phone with work related things and a call to mom she also handed out candy, astro treats, shared outstanding lunar and Perseus Double cluster views, organized the crowds, and kept me at bay.

Tonight was her night to shine as only she can doing many things at once!

Same Size Sun & Moon Street Astro

2011-10-29T19:19:00.000-07:00

Awesome fall day here and what a opportunity to get out and share some of the universe. One thing I enjoy doing in my outreaches is to challenge my visitors to see and examine the sky delights in detail and context. This includes our Sun and Moon sharing the same angular size in our sky. With our Moon being 400x smaller than the Sun and the Sun 400x farther away provides for us one unique same size view of our Sun and Moon. A total Solar Eclipse demonstrates this very well! But with no total eclipse available we have to demonstrate this in other ways. The first challenge is picking out that 3 day smiley face Moon against the bright daytime sky.

This is where Jumbo Styro Ball comes in. With a little coaching from yours truly and with the lunar phase cycle now understood and modeled one can set out to find this thin Moon with the JSB modeling what they should see. And you know what, they will see it! The joy and glee of this self discovery never gets old. With no prior astronomy experience these 2 women out for a day in the park with the kids had 20 minutes of discovery and enlightenment!

Next we move to the Solar viewers as we compare our now discovered day light Moon and our nearby star. OMG they are the same size! Look at David's as face it tells the whole story. He was floored by this new revelation. Daye nearby quietly complicated the whole show.

Jason went through the whole of this Saturday afternoon program and made quality observations of Luna and Sol - this is the last stage. Yes they are the same size here too with the same eyepiece! The Solar limb action kept Jason glued and in the process he was able to catch a glimpse of a white light flare! Changing Lunar shadows reviled jumbo craters showing peaks over the hour he spent at the scope. His son Andrew was so well behaved as pop enjoyed the changing celestial show.

Daye came back twice during the afternoon to enjoy the changing faces of the Sun and Moon. Having some vision challenges she patiently observed and was rewarded with great views and detailed observes!

I think she really enjoyed the daytime astronomy thing!

Sales Pitch For The Pemb's Astronomer......

2011-10-25T13:47:00.000-07:00

And anyone else who will listen for that matter. Yes if you want to go deep and explore the heavens within the full potential of your scope, long term personal stamina and curiosity these two volumes in my humble opinion are a must have! My astronomy went off the scale years back when I acquired these two volumes from a die hard night sky hound who before his passing saw my appetite and fervency for all things cosmic. They are my ultimate resource. Yes I do use other atlases, maps etc but these volumes are in one word - priceless.

Wonderful overviews and look; variables galore! Easy but detailed charts break down every constellation into manageable parts. I have spent hours observing one small section of sky and getting photon loaded.

Enough double stars to keep you occupied for ?! Separations, magnitudes, colors, star types all there.

These volumes made me a double star addict! Want to learn a constellation? Do doubles!

The pics are from film shot in the 80's - 90's. But they give one a very adequate feel for what you may see depending at your scope, conditions, and viewing skill. The drawings and observing notes are incredibly accurate and well done. You will know in most cases what you are seeing without difficulty. Object detail becomes easy. Even open & globular clusters which to some all "look alike" will become individuals with their personal physical features, surroundings, highlights and charm. Yes charm!!!!!

A number of years back I started a open cluster survey out of these volumes which still inspires me today! I spent 2 years on it and have not finish it yet. Will I? Is there enough time? Those with 8"-12" scopes will have plenty to see for a long time. Smaller scope? Do not be intimidated these volumes are for you too! Doubles ,variables, clusters, dark nebula are waiting for you to discover! There are plenty of "bright" galaxies out there to hunt down. How much time do you have is the question. 4 years ago I did a Dark Nebula Observe at a high altitude site with my 12.5 Dob and a 35mm 2"eyepiece. I cannot explain the wonder of it all and yes because of these volumes.......

The tutorials are excellent. With practice you will be observing at a high level even with a small scope.

The first volume has a whole section called "Comprehending Our Fascinating Universe" which will give one a wonderful overview of the contents of our universe. Good solid science which is not meant to read in one seating but easy to understand. The section on variables was outstanding with so much to digest and ponder. You will understand what you are seeing! I still resource these sections often!

These volumes are bulky and require a table to use - they are not hand held as mine with broken bindings will attest. Some folks use these as a at home reference; mine I use at home and in the field which in most cases is the same haha! When in the field ( patio for me ) I place a red cellophane in a cardboard border over the pages which cuts down on the glare saves my night vision. I also plan ahead what i want to see before I go out to observe as the amount of stuff here is prodigious and you have to go back and forth between pages at times.

Oh did I mention great info on each sky pattern with attention to interesting stars, objects, spellings, names, history?

This is a serious resource.

Are you a dedicated observer -want a lifetime investment into your astro passion? Want to go to the next level?

Newbie? No problem! Take it bit by bit and you will be fine!

I am not a good reviewer and writing in detail is laborious and difficult for me. But I hope this pitch encourages you to consider these volumes and turn off your computer. In my mind there is nothing like flipping through a well made book with my scope under the skies or on the couch on a lazy weekend day. There are lots of quality observing guides out there. I really like Sue French's, O Meara's , Harrington's guides. But these have found a place in my heart and soul.

Getting Back Into Astronomy Mode And Loving It

2011-10-23T20:56:00.000-07:00

Does your astronomy passion wax and wane like the lunar cycle - all full or barely there? Mine sure has over the months (for various reasons) but the Sidewalk /Patio Universe Guy aka SUG/PUG is back and is doing his observing and outreach thing. This weekend provided a full slate of astronomy for the this NV sky guy and the public being exposed to his astronomy resource table and telescope.

I did 2 events at the Marina sharing the wonders of the Sun and our daytime waning moon. Many where lassoed in without the SUG having to say a word: just show up, set up, and dress it up ( be prepared with lots of hands on stuff to involve one and all) I like to say! Yes they will gravitate toward the pull of astronomy made simple. Zuzana and Michael encountered the SUG on Saturday afternoon. Michael had his first telescope views which left him spellbound. Seeing the daytime moon and solar plasma surface ignited his science oriented mind and a super youngster to work with! Zuzana was able to catch our fast setting moon and model its phase with the Jumbo Styro Ball, enjoyed scope views, and did the Same Size Sun&Moon activity, along zodiac basics! These things will add to her current interest in Exo Biology and things cryptic concerning our universe. I had about 60 visitors over my 2 outings, got a suntan on my face and arms and enjoyed myself immensely.

The Patio Universe Guy was getting into personal observing mode also. Last week CR150/pier was set up in my concrete jungle yard and busy pulling in solar, comet, double star, winter sky objects, waning moon, Jupiter, Mars, and Uranus, Neptune views. Did I mention the Orionids Meteor Shower too which was observed in between eyepiece views? Total enjoyment and bliss out in the cool fall mornings!

Drive By Astronomy joined me on the phone for two extreme lunar limb observes ! FUN FUN! We explored the far northern and southern regions - he was on the computer , PUG on the scope. All this along with silly banter, good french press coffee as two adults are kids under our sky doing astronomy over three time zones.

I love this scope as the views never disappoint. But it is a commitment to set up and take down so once it is set up it stays up for awhile with the OTA removed and secured. Kinda funny looking at the pier and mount throughout the day on the patio with sparrows roosting on the mount! I wonder how it would look on the front lawn as a part of a water feature!

Lots of possibilities!

Winter Skies In The Fall Mornings

2011-10-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Oh how I love this time of year on the Eastern Sierra foothills with it's warm days and cool evenings. But it's the wee hours of the morning that I get really excited about. Nice dry, cool, still air which makes for fun viewing at our 4300 ft elevation. The next two months I hope will be astro bliss for this suburban backyard astronomy guy.

What is on the docket to observe....well lots! Jupiter will soon be at opposition with it's parading moons and atmospheric show. We have several early morning comets which will require 12.5" dob to be set up and challenge the PUG's observing skills see them at all as they are faint and relatively low in my sky. Plus in keeping with my habit of "observing one season ahead" all our fabulous winter deep sky stuff. Watch out Mr.Unicorn your treasures will be explored soon from this patio setting!

Also I received a request from Sierra NV Journeys last week to work with two different groups of grade school teachers in Nov/Dec. This is a good opportunity to invest in our educators and then all the youngsters. Looking forward to this.

Here is a awesome group of outdoor educators that I had the privilege to inspire in August of this year with SNJ! They were a very studious group and will be very successful in their astro efforts to the younger generations.

New Sidewalk Universe Guy Outreach Effort

2011-09-04T13:26:00.000-07:00

I am considering starting up my outreach again with our summer nearing a end and the promise of cooler temps in September. Solar System objects usually rule in my efforts; Sun, Moon, Planets and once in a while deep sky stuff when conditions and lighting permit as per location.

Last night while I was doing a causal lunar observe from my patio when my neighbor Edi with his daughter Rachel, and her friend Julie stopped over to enjoy the moon and Delta Scorpio show; a wide graze here but a pleasant view with both our eyes and through C8. Julie was really enjoying it all and her excitement got me thinking about outreach again.

Drive By Astronomy keeps encouraging me to try new things so it's about time I spiced things up a bit and get out of the normal routine. Time to be creative, engaging, novel, and push the boundaries of outreach education. Lets meet the needs of a astronomy deprived, and hungry public. I like to say "there's a cosmic object 0f choice for everyone & a dog of some variety for everyone!" Really!

Some people respond to the Moon. Others the Sun. And the planets have a way of getting everyone's attention! So how about a variety of dogs and sausages to cater to the multitudinous tastes out there. Both carnivore & vege alike. I can see it now - this cart, scope and table set up in areas where people mingle and walk! Oh the bliss of photons dancing in the eyes of my visitors with the competition for attention coming from tasty meats, veges, sauces and toppings on their taste buds and sweet, savory aromas in the olfactory pathways!

Is this sensory overload for the average person? Can the Sidewalk Universe Guy with white coat and white Spy Sunglasses (borrowed from his 20 something son) handle the traffic generated by this? Will SUG hog the scope and eat all the dogs? Will the ASP keep me as a NightSky Network site? What about the health and parks department? Will this create such a stir that the police will shut me down and drive me out of town?

Only time will tell!

Spending Time At the Beach

2011-08-31T09:48:00.001-07:00

With the scope out on the patio from last nights comet treat and Solar activity to enjoy I just had to grab a view this morning.

I am a pretty simple person in my approach to life. I do not need expensive trips or vacations to relax; just a day trip here and there to the beach is a great rejuvenatory thing for me.

Solar Beaches ( those bright webby things surrounding active regions also called Faculae which are ionized gas hotter than the surroundings held aloft by magnetic field lines!) seem to have the same effect. With the wedge these just seem to jump off the Solar disk and are so striking!

Enlarge the image and see that group on the left edge - awesome!!!! My morning on the beach found me stuck behind the eyepiece for an hour taking in all the Solar limb was showing! With patient and black towel shrouded observations these Solar Beaches wax and wane in intensity over minutes with new extensions popping into view! FUN!!!!!

I did use plenty of sun screen too......

Out With C2009 P1 Garradd

2011-08-31T09:25:00.000-07:00

I have always enjoyed comets. These solar system interlopers always have a air of mystery and wonder surrounding them. One of my favorite things in my astronomy passion is watching these guys wax/wane in size and intensity, and to follow their movement amongst the starry background both over hours and days.

This cosmic iceberg is so conveniently placed right now that it begged for a look. Our local weather has been warmer than normal and that brings in moisture off the Pacific; when that air hits our mountains we get haze so that has kept me sidelined from bagging this comet sooner.

I searched around and found this pic which I feel best represents last nights view with the AT106 apo and the viewing conditions. In this size scope the typical blue/green/grayish comet glow was easy to see and movement was detected just after 15 minutes! The tails what about the tails.......in and out at best. Sometimes I imagine seeing them and then they vanish. So......

Tonight we will bring out more aperture. I must have my tail fix!!!!!!!

SUG ATTEMPTS A PEMBS POST

2011-08-05T19:45:00.000-07:00

AT106 with Solar Wedge is just biting at the bit waiting for Old Sol to crest my neighbors roof top. He spent the night out on the patio recouping from a evening lunar survey the night before.

Our mornings as of late have been very cool so the views should be good. So much activity with fun giant Sunspot groups to enjoy along with some french press swill, fruit, and almond butter toast!

Pembs Astronomer has a great blog page and he has inspired me to........

Imitate him!

And here's the SUG trying to do a Pembrokes Astronomer Solar pic! Yes that fuzzy green orb is our sun through the AT106 and wedge combo. I can see & hear all the smirks and laughter now along with some other choice things but I NEVER said I can capture good pictures of any kind. Please refer to the questionable pic quality seen here from time to time!

Seriously the Solar view with the wedge is outstanding - super sharp, detailed and the photosphere features take on a almost 3D appearance.

Trust me!

HEOC: CANNOLI'S AND LUNA

2011-08-05T10:31:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile since I have posted a "Healthy Eating & Observing Club" as nothing is as dear to my heart as fun astronomy and food. One must be well fueled at the eyepiece to make quality observations!

Part of a good meal is desert and these cannoli's purchased by Mrs.SUG along with a NY style pizza to feed herself and my college age son. Oh my was this food authentic, really just like I had as a kid back on the east coast. But now in middle age and with food allergies the pizza is a no no but a little bit of this is OK along with pesto pasta and a yummy salad. When Mrs.SUG arrived with the treats I was busy enjoying a late afternoon with a day 5 Luna from the patio - perfect timing and combo!

Ah, the bliss of the creamy, crunchy, slightly bitter sweet gooey goodness invading my taste buds! Ah, there was bliss at the eyepiece too but more on that for another posting.

Now my readers here is a chance to put your observational skills to use. Enlarge this image and post the similarities between this tasty treat and our moon! There are lots!

Early Morning Lunar Fun

2011-07-26T10:07:00.001-07:00

Saturday evening past found me with some close friends enjoying dump cake, iced tea, fresh seasonal melon and a lot of laughter. I did not mention anything astronomical at all throughout the evening but upon my departure at 1 a.m someone mentioned " Hey SUG are you going to take in some sky at home?" Oh yes I am indeed!

With our high temps our best shot at observing is in the wee hours of the morning. So as I am driving home Luna is in my view calling out to me as she rises in the east and my mind is racing as to what to look at across her surface! By 3:30 a.m I am ready to have some moon fun.

Crater Lambert found in Imbrium is a must see. Yes it is easily over looked but when the Lunar terminator is nearby here is a landscape to wonder. A complex crater it is and the encroaching shadow line only highlights all the goodies found here - complex floor, circular central mtns!, crater halo, nearby ghost crater, and wrinkle ridges all over the place!

No coffee was needed to keep me motivated and awake. Mrs.SUG heard my shuffling around on the patio and joined me for constellations, Earthshine, and Selene views. "The summer morning sky is so cool" she said and added "Hey astro guy the pond needs some cleaning and these shrubs need trimming and............

Time for me to hit the sack!

Can This Be Seen From The Patio ?

2011-06-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

As you my readers know I am a avid Lunar Universe Guy or LUG. With a Earth lassoed Luna in our skies at various times throughout the month it deserves some measure of observation. It truly is amazing what can be seen if we take the time!

This was posted today on LPOD and it captured my attention. Crater Aristillus is a fine sight at 1st / 3rd quarter moons and shows a half bright rim at high lighting times.

But this release shows these dark rim and ray features which I have not spied before. Half the battle is just knowing that they are there - now the chances of seeing them are greatly increased!

I am planning a dedicated observe time to bag this crater treat in July the worst weather month in my area. But maybe we will have a window on the waning part of Luna's jog when she is high in my morning sky and some more stable air to look through! Coffee and scone will be ready along with a temp adjusted scope on the patio. CR150 or 12.5" masked off will be out on the patio for this observe!

Crater Dionysius will show us dark rim and ray features also; the right sun angle and patience is required. The western rim of Tranquility is a great observe at sunrise/set and it is a easy capture with the "Quail Covey" of Sabine, Ritter and youngsters pointing the way!

Wonder if I can bag both of these Zebra Craters at the same time with a pre 3rd quarter observe?

Here is a Clementine pic of Dionysius too tease us a bit!

Does any one else want to be Lunar prospecting along with me?

Zodiacal Sky Street Astronomy 6/26/11

2011-06-27T11:08:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I have had a chance to do a evening outreach at the Sparks Marina Park. Mostly I have been inhibited by weather and motivation.

Last few attempts at this long term location have lack energy and interest by park users. The rangers like me enough as they check in on me, keep things safe and give me preference with parking etc.

But with our milder weather and a awesome conjunction of Saturn & Porrima here was a golden opportunity to show off the Zodiac. So lets give it a go!

What I noticed on this outing was the "power of planets" to inspire just the right questions I was looking for: "How do you know if it is a star or planet?" "Where are the other planets right now"? When can I see them?" "How far, how big are they, and how long do they take to orbit the Earth (no kidding) or Sun?"

"Are you the SUG we heard about or should we look for another?" "What kind of snacks does the SUG like?" All of these are important questions! So armed with scope and zodiacal poster courtesy of the ASP out I go to inform the masses.

Brian made my night. Out for his exercise in the cool of the mid evening here is the SUG and his telescope available for his enrichment. Enamored Brian was with the Saturn views, Zodiac navigation, star distance and size activities. And to he was treated to various double stars in Libra and Canes Venatici easily seeing color and magnitude differences. For one hour the skies were his and in his experience he was encouraging others to stop and have some astronomy fun! His friendly and genuine demeanor defusing any fear or indifference from other walkers.

I think I'll ask Brian to be my on site PR Guy - "PRSUG"! 37 visitors this evening :)

The Dawn Of SUG

2011-06-25T14:45:00.000-07:00

Drive By Astronomy who visits this blog now and then decided to have a little fun with yours truly.

A number of months ago his fertile and creative mind delved into the evolutionary processes responsible for the existence of the Sidewalk Universe Guy. It appears that the recent appearance of the Patio Universe Guy (PUG) may require further study and observation.

Drive By is presenting a significant scientific bases with field research for the existence of the SUG highlighting his various stages of growth, self awareness and astronomy discovery.

Yes it has been a long journey from the slime to the sidewalks!

From PUG To SUG To HUB Solar Lunar Outreach 6/25

2011-06-25T12:43:00.000-07:00

We are in a wonderful weather cycle here on the Eastern Sierra! Today I was up at 5:45 and it was serious cool and dry out so I had to choose which identity would dominate my morning. Was it to be the Patio Universe Guy or the Sidewalk Universe Guy? SUG won out with a trip to the HUB Coffee Company in old South Reno foremost on my mind as this was the almost perfect day I was looking for with a waning gibbous Luna and a not so hot Sun embedded in dry clear sky! This was to be my first coffee house outreach location that I mentioned on this blog a few months back. I have had a few nights and mornings of personal observing this week and I was feeling very spunky about a outreach at a new locale. The HUB Coffee Company was just right for the PUG to transform to SUG outreach mode today!

I was all set up and ready to go by 8 a.m and my first target was the staff. They were treated to WOW Lunar Views with the Southern Lunar Highlands tilting our way. No problem cranking up the power to show these wonderful crater fields! Now they could talk up this guy with the scope on the sidewalk!

Sherry was my first patron to risk the SUG's sidewalk charm. Astronomy with morning coffee turned out to be the right fit this day for her. We started with the Jumbo Styro Ball On A Stick Phase Modeling which captured her attention and other patrons looked on with serious attention. Just what is going on here? Well come over and find out! Sherry placed herself in SUG's safe guidance and was navigating Earth's buddy with ease and making detailed observations of Solar features. It is amazing how just one person can make your outing feel so successful!

Chris is a weekly visitor to the HUB but he was not ready this day for the likes of SUG on the walkway with scope and enthusiasm for one and all. Totally captivated this biologist was with the local universe being reviled to him. Crater fields and Mare became his as he genuflected before "Selene of the Morning Sky"!

This was a fun 3 hour time out with 25 visitors stopping to enjoy the show.

Serpents Double Treasures & Post 3rd Quarter Moon 6/23/11

2011-06-24T13:01:00.001-07:00

We are in a string of nice weather with cooler than normal temps. Last night was one of those nights to grab since the pickings have been slim over the past 6 months. First observation was the setting sun - my it stayed twilight around here till almost 10 p.m local time! Then the temps really started to drop and a lite jacket was required.

Saturn and Gamma Virginis are now beginning to separate as our Earth moves further away from Saturn in our orbit about the Sun. It has been fun to watch them close in on each other and now separate.

All day I had had been thinking about a double star observe in Serpens Caput with it being in good position early evening in the south. My sky gets worse as you move toward the south west with Reno city lights doing its part in sky decay. So now is my time to handle the wiggly serpent and tease out doubles both easy and hard. Here is some of what I looked at with AT106 as my observing buddy for the evening:

Sturve 1930 : just below M5 is a nice triple with a pale yellow primary and reddish secondary, and a dim third party to the dance of ? color.

6 Ser is a tough one to split at 3" or so. The primary is a lovely pale yellow and the second slightly dimmer star is bluish. This system is also located right below M5.

Delta Ser is a gem if your skies are good and seeing is steady! At 4" it is close with a big mag difference between the two stars but the colors of yellow/pale blue are striking! THIS IS A GOOD ONE!

Beta Ser offers a real nice mag difference with very subtle colors of a brilliant white and pale blue. At 32" in the split it is a easy bag for anyone starting out on doubles!

There were more but these are easy captures for any level patio observer! Serpens is loaded with doubles but most are tough splits or really wide ones! The wide ones can loose the contrast of the colors but I do try to tease out the details! The close ones do require good skies, reasonable optics and patience. One double last night had me for 45 minutes fighting for a glimpse of the second - a pretty red one at that! Oh my is that the fall sky I see rising in our east and northeast at 12 a.m?

Luna started my day at 6 a.m after a evening of Serpent handling & 5.5 hours of sleep. I am gonna be sleep deprived for awhile while I catch up on my observing and answer Mr. Drive By Astro's not to kind text messages in the wee morning!

This new bag of jolt ( courtesy of my son Jeremy!) should help me clear out the cob webs!

With Luna one day past third quarter and the tilt opening in the south and west there was lots to see - just move the shadow line in the pic toward Plato and you will get a feel for the view this Thursday morning. So in between views the Patio universe Guy is also the Landscape Universe Guy as lawn, scrub and pond care is required this morning.

Amazing how astronomy can fit into everyday routines!

Sidewalk Universe Guy To Patio Universe Guy

2011-06-22T12:33:00.000-07:00

With some changes going on in life - all good by the way I thought that this summer would be a time for me to gain back my "personal sky". Yes time for me to do some personal observing. This will involve everything from simple observations of the constellations, movement of the Sun, Moon and Planets, and detailed observations of anything that is up there!!!!!! So we are to morph for a time from SUG - Sidewalk Universe Guy to PUG - Patio Universe Guy! I will more than likely do some outreach somewhere but for now it is about me, my sky, my hobby.

So with this renewed observing zeal over the last week I have had time to enjoy a bit of the universe from my light surrounded Sparks NV backyard. Lately my beloved double stars have been on the forefront in the constellations of Virgo, Libra, and Serpens. I will blog about these later as today's observe of our waning one day before 3rd quarter Luna started my day out on a good note! My goodness was my brain on overload with this observe. To be honest when I first started at 6 a.m local with french press joe in mug, a nut butter sandwich, pineapple wedges and banana I was not impressed with the view - if anything kinda ho hum. Yes all the normal features for the moon during this stage of its cycle.

But then it happened : PUG is hit with Lunar Fever. And it all started up at the north polar region with the shadow line on Bond and highlighting the surrounding region with Barrow and Goldschmidt, and Anaxagoras seen in shallow lighting from the setting sun. Their rims and peaks all aglow in the twilight conditions.
This is the best pic I could find for the moment and other pics are seriously wanting for the other not so obvious features I was observing. It is a real shame that the Lunar north pole is ignored by most observers for its subtle detail, changing tilt, and fun lighting changes over short time periods really puts on a show! It was fun over the 2.5 hours out to see these peaks and walls light up and then dim down!

Now Sinus Iridum is a frequent stop for every observer but with today's oblique rim view due to a tilting away Lunar north pole kept me glued here for awhile! This is one tall curved wall with its various layers seen in with ease in my ultra dry high altitude air! Prom Laplace (on the right side end) was seriously lit up!

There was so much Lunar eye candy today I can't mention it all here but here's one off the beaten path - crater Drygalski on the lunar s.w limb. Today's view was awesome with it's north and south rims and central peak right on the lunar limb with no sign of it's back rim due to the Lunar tilt!

By the way Drive by Astronomy joined me for a spell over the phone from his clouded in Buffalo digs and he only made one rude comment to me!

My neighbor Edi daughter Rachel joined the PUG for awhile after she heard from her dad that I was out in the cool of the morning and glued she was to the 17mm views enjoying the lit up mountains and holes too many to count! In the shade of a tree with crisp blue skies over head her eyes where filled Lunar delight.

May more folks flock to the friendly skies of the PUG yard to take in our sky!

You Never Know Who You Will Meet Under The Sun

2011-06-20T13:48:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone - it has been along time! Oh yes weather and life have kept me out of the street astro loop for awhile but this Father's Day gave us a picture perfect day for a Solar Outreach! If I had been out earlier this would have also included a wonderful waning Luna in our western sky!

Active region 1236 and some really bright beaches on the eastern limb motivated me to get out the door and show off the fun Sun stuff. It was fun for me too as over the course of this time I was able to see significant changes in the solar features I was highlighting to my visitors. I had 38 visitors in all over the 3.5 hours out in our dry Sierra climate and the folks I worked with really enjoyed the show. But one knocked me back......

Meet Dan who looks like your average middle age guy. He came by and was very interested in all this solar stuff I was doing. He was certainly more informed than the average guests I speak to as our fun conversation carried a decidedly more educated tune. And as we conversed the topic turned to our families and kids (being Dad's Day and all) he mentioned he had some interesting family lineage as being a direct family descendant of Nicolas Copernicus! Now of course I have no reason to doubt this as it came out of the clear blue and I am sure this is not a everyday day thing that Dan shares with people! So here in front of me on the park lawn is a descendant of one of the greatest science minds of human history.

Imagine sharing the Sun, the center of our Solar System with the still existing gene pool of the one who would start a new revolution in understanding our world! Fun!!!!!!

Spring Freeze Saturn Street Astro 4/26

2011-04-27T15:13:00.000-07:00

With a weather out of Sunday's Suburban Sky Explorer Meetup I was really wanting to get out and share some sky. Earlier in the day I had a fun morning Lunar viewing from the yard and was a bit primed to get out in the evening which looked very promising.

I got down to the park about 1 hour before Sunset and set up a "lite" table. Just the basics - binder, atlas, and planet scale model. The place was busy with power walkers, runners, families and I was ready for a busy evening sharing Saturn's planet swagger - this was to be my first Saturn viewing of the year.
This was also a opportunity to try out AT106. He was purchased mainly for Solar, Lunar, and Star Cluster viewing with the public. Both CR150 and C8 do a fabulous job on the planets but AT106 was already in the car so off he goes on this outing.

SOMEONE REMIND THE SIDEWALK GUY TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO OUR WEATHER FORECASTS PLEASE!!!!!! As soon as the Sun dropped over the western foothills our temps took a total nosedive and it was serious cold here - the place emptied out so fast. A breeze off the water was freezer cold and my hands stopped functioning in about a half hour. What's up with this! I was not prepared for this weather shift or the non functional appendages !

Needless to say with the wind our views went south and my line to see the show thinned out fast expect for Lindsey. She is a serious workout gal with a infectious smile and fast lap pace. As I was setting up she was limbering up and came over to inquire what was being shown this evening. Saturn has always captured her imagination and here is a chance to see it for herself. So after her laps ( I am not sure she even broke a sweat!) she was back just as the line dispersed ahead of her! This was really funny to see happen as others were being made into human popsicles and were fleeing this arctic blast she is ready to look all warmed from her sprint around the parks 2.5 mile circuit. Even with the somewhat shimmering view she was impressed seeing 3 moons, rings and even some banding across Saturn's blush face. As is normal ( I do expect this to happen from time to time!) on the cell phone she goes sharing her viewing experience with others waiting for her at a nearby eatery!

Can the Sidewalk Guy stay out longer? I want too but my frozen hands and feet say no. So
I give Lindsey a "SUG CHECK" to pass on to her friends for a warmer evening as Saturn will be gracing our spring skies over the next few months. Can I do the Zodiac and Opposition modeling, the Saturn/Earth Scale and viewing with her friends later? How long is a "SUG CHECK" good for?

These are important questions!

Full Moon Illusion Meetup 4/17/11

2011-04-19T17:25:00.000-07:00

I was so looking forward to this Meetup event! The Full Moon Illusion is a fun topic and a really easy observation. When I have had the opportunity in the past to do this for the general public it got a good response and it should be even better for the Meetup Reno Suburban Sky Explorers!

These are my educational aids I use to help explain the Moon Illusion. The chart on the right shows us both of the Illusions - Luna large on the horizon and Luna small when over head but it is the same size moon all the time!

John and Michelle joined me for this outing. They are some of my more active participants with this Meetup Group and they enjoy all this Suburban Sky stuff. Here is John and I with our plastic viewing tubes waiting for Luna to show from behind the cloud cover. The idea here is to view the rising full moon with both your "naked" eye and through the tube - one is normal the other large! The tube dispels the illusion and your naked eye sees a large moon! Michelle in her world travels has seen both the large and the overhead mini moon illusions!

Here is the view through the tube! Puts things into perspective.

Unfortunately we were clouded out :(

How should we deal with our disappointment? In & Out Burger is calling! We can chow on some really good burgers and share in our mutual love of the universe. Even with our activity being clouded out we can still do this Suburban Astronomy thing via the internet with John's Droid phone and SUG's outreach binder and table atlas. It was really nice to hang with Michelle & John sharing astronomy web sites, personal stories and getting to know one another with astronomy being the catalyst. This is what Meetup groups are all about.

Here's the Sidewalk Guy with his double stack, animal style, extra vege's burger!

Here we are doing some internet astronomy. When we left this Reno spot we spied Luna peaking through the clouds - all 7 seconds of it! But what a surreal 7 seconds it was!

Thanks Michelle and John for sharing in a fun evening out!

Solar Saturday 4/16/11

2011-04-16T20:51:00.000-07:00

This Saturday saw a shift in our weather with temps in the 70's with somewhat cloudy skies. But there is plenty of Sun to be seen with Sun Spot Groups 1190-93 really putting on a show. These are a joy to watch as they shape shift and wax and wane in intensity! I am totally enjoying using the solar wedge with it's tack sharp views and 2" format which affords everyone a easy viewing experience. I am glad that I purchased this device. Expensive yes but worth it and very safe indeed. In fact on this outing (darn missed the picture op!) one 90 year old lady had her first chance to view through a scope and "see those darn spots that keep interfering with her ham radio hobby!" She is still very angry with them but was spell bound by the view! I had her tell me what she was seeing - "detail upon detail, complex structures - Oh my! I never would have imagined!" A Sun, a scope, a wedge, and a Sidewalk Guy is all it takes to make this stuff happen!

Sisters day out at the park turned into a fun solar observe with proud mom enjoying her daughters inquisitive questions and super polite manners. These two made my outing with the younger making very detailed observations for a child her age! Katie the eldest is a Solar System enthusiast who loves the planets of which Mars captures her imagination the most.

This was not one of my more enthusiastic outings as far as general response from the public. Not sure what happened this day as there was a kids fair at the park (unexpected by me) and folks were just not that friendly or receptive. But John bought his interest and questions and we had a very nice 45 minutes together - he viewed (he was glued to the scope and had a great viewing time all to himself), asked great questions and SUG did his thing. Just as it should be! John really liked the solar wedge so I did a minor take apart and explained the workings to him. He was very impressed with the design and no wonder as he is very interested in design and engineering! 35 Lookers this day.

2011-04-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

I am attempting to make up for lost time! With so many delays either weather or life oriented it is good to get out and have some astronomy fun with the public!

"Our Sun Day On Thursday" outreach was a hit with 45 + being exposed to new levels of Solar Radiation! Here's just a few of our partakers:

This group here rearranged their outing to spend extra time with the Sidewalk Universe Guy. This was their first exposure to any form of observational astronomy and they left with a new appreciation for our local Solar System. All the adults made quality observes picking out fine detail on the Solar disk!

Even pedal pushers in pink got into this Solar thing! Gotta luv that bike!

Leaving is such sweet sorrow especially when your having fun! But my family needs dinner and house work calls. Just as I was packing up Nala and nephew stop by and inquire; how can I say no such nice folks?

April Astro Happenings

2011-04-13T13:37:00.000-07:00

After a long winter hibernation I was able to get some outreach accomplished both on the sidewalk and with the Meetup Reno Suburban Sky Explorers. The SSE'rs had 2 events so far this month and this past Sunday's event was really fun. We had a high flying day 6 moon in our afternoon crystal blue sky! I had 4 members make it out for Lunar sights, and fun food.

Chris and his trusty pad made friends with C8 and were making detailed observes together. This was Chris's second Lunar outing and he is really getting on the fast track with Luna!
This was Jodie's first lunar observe and she took advantage of all the telescope time she had! With just a little coaching she was off and surveying our moon. This Meetup adventure is very satisfying and its is starting to become what I envisioned it to be: a non serious place for folks to Meetup with the universe and have some fun!

Drive By joined us via Skype all the way from his backyard observatory in Buffalo N.Y! Fun to banter with him and he got to meet my newbie observers here in NV. Of course he had plenty of swagger to show off!

But the real reason Drive By joined us was to shake me down for the super secret formula for the SUG Observing Enhancing Cookies. Not only do these help you see more but are very healthy and taste great at the same time!

Local astro ducks Gertrude & Wycliffe dropped in for the moon along with the food handouts & SUG Spa Waters. They claim there is a duck on the moon!

I got some street astro in too! This Tuesday with its reasonable afternoon sky and free time for me allowed me to share Sol & Luna at Reno's Virginia Lake Park . This was a short 2.5 hour event but in that time 36 were treated to daytime astro. Chris and his dad loved this afternoon moon thing!

And Kristy is now a real Sun worshiper! One look is all it took!

Brandon had the first official sidewalk views through AT106. This scope is very quick and easy to setup and the wide views make observing easy for just about everyone both young and old alike. More on this scope later on.

That smile on his face says it all!

BLOG Update - There Is Some Astronomy Happening Here

2011-04-09T14:17:00.000-07:00

Mother nature is really playing havoc with the Sidewalk Guy's efforts here in Northern NV. Winter just will not leave us and events I have planned are canceled, postponed, or effected greatly. My Meetup group is showing great promise even though we have had weather outs over and over. Last Sunday we met and had a nice time but was hazed out very early! Today I had a joint Meetup & public outreach planned but again mother nature had another cold late winter like day. Oh well. You can read about the Meetup with this link: http://www.meetup.com/Reno-Meetup-Suburban-Sky-Explorers/

But the Sidewalk Guy continues to get his arsenal full of fun outreach/educational aids and this one crossed my path from the nice folks at Ashland Astronomy Studio, www.astrostudio.org and is available at Amazon.com.

Here we have a simple easy to read and use map of our sky just great for all levels of star gazers and in my case just perfect for the general public and Meetup members who are looking to make sense of the sky above.

Everything is centered on the South (except of course the circumpolar sky) month by month so it is really easy to orient newbies to easy to find guide stars and dominate constellations! Also star names, celestial paths are easily seen. FUN!

Here is the legend. Again very easily to discern and use.

Asterisms included! I am in heaven as asterisms are a favorite of mine and a great tool to help folks memorize the sky! I like to have folks - especially kids make up their own.

Included are charts for both the Pleiades and the Hyades which test the eye sight of unsuspecting victims to Sidewalk Guy's charms! OK I will include bino views to these poor souls!

Next week I will get this fine poster laminated and out on the resource table. Now weather please cooperate!

New Sidewalk Venue?

2011-03-23T14:36:00.001-07:00

Coffee and astronomy soon to a sidewalk near you - OK near me! Yes the nice folks at Hub Coffee Company in Reno have opened their patio to the Sidewalk Universe Guy !

The Hub is just south of downtown Reno. It is a awesome local coffee mill converted out of a old garage! I had a wonderful latte from here last year. I was doing a program nearby at a school and the teacher's aid bought me this wonderful drink from a place called The Hub. Though I do not go out from coffee very often ( to long to write about) this latte was out of this world and left a impression with me.

So on a total whim yesterday as I was thinking about new venues for my outreaches this coffee hang out comes to mind and there they are on facebook and blogspot! I thought with the location, the patio, and excellent reviews I would give it a shot, so off went a facebook intro........they said yes!

Someday winter is going to end on the Sierra foothills. April is Global Astronomy Month. My Meetup group is building with inquiring minds & hearts. The streets need a Sidewalk Universe Guy astronomer.

And I need a coffee!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-hub-coffee-co-reno

http://thehubcoffeeco.blogspot.com

Jumbo Styro Ball Gibbous Moon StreetAstro 2/12

2011-02-13T09:01:00.000-08:00

Our skies are blue, the temps are early spring like, the sun is brilliant, and Luna is hanging high on the ecliptic. Along with this SUG has a new large stryo ball to hand off to inquiring folks so they too can mimic the moon's phase cycle as it meanders around the Earth. Oh the joys of hands on activities!

I arrived at my traditional station and the park traffic is busy. Setting up is a hoot as folks are coming over and inquiring. The simple observes & questions are the most profound as folks are coached in that direction. Once the environment is set they are willing and able to learn and experience more. This is where the Jumbo Styro Ball comes in. We have our Sun providing the luminance and anchor of our system, our head becomes our home world, and the JSB is our moon. Now we can model the phases, eclipses, cycles of our moon. Jumbo Styro's effect is profound!

Holly had a wonderful learning experience. This was a total eye opener for her as she held command of the moon's monthly sojourn in her hand. Now the moon's comings and goings made sense to her. These are profound revelations to folks as the moon has a cycle that can be observed, understood and enjoyed.

Phylis had a good time at the scope glued to the moon's mountains and large craters and shadow line which now made sense after her experience with Jumbo Styro Ball! She said "I never understood the changing shadows till today. I want to see what the the moon will look like tomorrow! Are you going to be here? Please please please be here!"

I think the SUG could curve out some time to help fulfill this request.

Update From SUGLand

2011-01-25T19:43:00.000-08:00

The Sidewalk Universe Guy is busy; helping Tom with his garage sale dob ( which is coming along nicely and should be making a debut at this coming Sunday's 1/30 Meetup ) and me getting prepared and overseeing the Meetup group itself. This new outreach adventure is a bit of work on my end but the early results are very encouraging in spite of our cloudy skies for the first two events. Hey these guys want to learn! I still have other people joining Suburban Sky Explorers too, yes more too infect!

This Sunday we were clouded out but everyone showed and followed the lesson plan which included mimicking seeing the sky and orientation with the star wheels. This group really put their hearts into it and it will pay off later on when things clear!

Here's our group all bundled and warm! I had several call in sick so we were shy 3. To my left is Chris a new member as of the day before who acquired a Celestron C5 Sct NextStar Scope recently and is now seeing the need to learn the sky and put this scope to good use! We spent a half hour at the end with his scope talking eyepieces and needed items to get him ready to enjoy it. Michelle with the white hat and scarf invited the SUG to do a astro night for her ladies Meetup Group! So we will be planning this with the help of another new SSE Sarah who joined us last week but was sick for tonight's event. I hope there's some fun food at this astro Meetup with a ladies bent!

Fred and John were very much into the program and it is now starting to make sense this sky navigation. Fred and Sidewalk were very geeky with our headlamps!

Here is Chris using the power of imagination learning the sky. Once we are oriented the rest is easy!

Hoping for clear sky this Sunday!

I also did a trial run with the new solar wedge - this is one beefy item! It is built like Fort Knox and has some weight to it though CR150 was not taxed at all with this addition on his tail end. I love the built in solar finder - see the left side of the wedge that white dot is the Sun!

The image quality is excellent and the wedge eliminates all the false color and ghosting associated with achromatic refractors using lens cell mounted filters. There was no problem seeing solar granulation, solar curvature, and the two small sunspot groups just jumped out at you. The biggest thing for me will be the ease that inexperienced observers will have looking through this as it is a picture window experience with the 2" format! Next up Tom is going to help me fashion a scope mounted sun shade so my visitors will not have to squint at the eyepiece.

SUG Solar is coming to a walkway soon!

Meetup Reno Suburban Sky Explorers Update

2011-01-17T09:59:00.000-08:00

We are kicked off and I am very excited by it all. Though my first event was weather challenged there was lots of enthusiasm and folks want to do the astronomy thing. In spite of the cold, wind and general gloominess of the day there were smiles galore and anticipation for clear skies ahead! I had 9 SSE's in attendance besides the vicarious attendance of my blog pals!

I did a general presentation on "Earth Our Moving Observation Platform" and one on telescopes. Folks seemed very glued to it all! Here's our Polar Dancing Line!

Tom and I got in a tussle as to who moves the Earth!

SSE'r Kellie is ready to go with this nice 6"Orion StarBlast scope.

And of course SUG shows his budding astronomers how to finger print your optics this way everyone knows this scope is yours!

Sidewalk Startup 2011

2011-01-17T09:49:00.000-08:00

This past Friday started out our Sierra Foothills weekend with nice early spring like temps and blue sky to enjoy which as the Earth spins beneath us turns into dark skies to which our eyes can feast on our local universe. Day 9 Luna is looking fine in the afternoon sky and Jupiter is lurking nearby on the ecliptic road they share so I must get out to point them out!

It has been a number of weeks since my last time out so I was geared to go missing my fun sharing the sky. I have some new spots picked out to go to but not today because of time constraints I had to stay nearby at the Marina which was very busy this thaw out day! Setting up was a treat as the curious started coming by - 3-6 at a time inquiring as to what was going on. The previous day's Yahoo posting concerning the Zodiac and the wobble of the Earth was on peoples minds. This was a tremendous segway into what was before us - we do live in a changing universe and from our Earthly platform we can observe this change! So out comes the NightSky Network Zodiac poster to explain it all to a crowd of 12 and I am not at all set up yet! This is gonna be a great time out!

Of course according to Sidewalk Universe Guy's "Rules Of Effective Astro Outreach On Sidewalks Everywhere"(SUGROFAOOSE) the discussion must not end here as now they are hooked and they must enjoy what is currently at hand - a 9 day Luna Gibbous in Pisces & Jupiter in Aquarius Show. I will always make sure your one question leads you to others and why not enjoy the Zodiac right over our heads at this moment? Let's take a online news blip and make it for real.

Hector & Sylvia are busy professional people who where out enjoying this sunny afternoon and got captured by the SUG street show. They took in the full gambit this day: Zodiac, Seasonal, 2 Inch Universe presentations and detailed viewing of Luna's bending shadow line. Hector was very much at home behind the scope. Sylvia was amazed about the timing of all this - just earlier during their walk they were commenting on the Moon and the Yahoo Zodiac posting and here is the Sidewalk Guy!

Timing, a tilted wobbling Earth, and a phasing Moon are everything! 43 visitors this evening.

1/18/11 Update: Requests keep rolling in for a pic of CR150's other side so here we go! As a added feature the outreach resource table gets more and more on it all the time - just what is it that SUG does with all this stuff? Can anyone notice what is new? Where is Sidewalk Guy's snack?

The 2011 SUG Solar Program And Meetup Suburban Sky Explorers

2011-01-05T12:41:00.000-08:00

Will here we are at the cusp of a new year and already things for this outreach minded amateur astronomer are showing steady and exciting momentum!

The Meetup Reno Suburban Sky Explorers has 2o members (several couples) that want to do some observational astronomy! I seem to be attracting the type of folks I hoped would join - folks with a interest in astronomy but little experience with it. My first Meetup is this Sunday. It will be a kind of ice breaker event with some Luna and Jupiter viewing with a couple of surprises thrown in. Weather (of course) maybe a issue.

I am excited to be kicking off the Sidewalk Universe Guy's Solar Outreach also as a part of my Sidewalk Universe Program! A key component to this arrived today via a generous donation (I will tell more about this on a future posting ) which will allow me to show off Sol's total white light spectrum safely and with exquisite detail besides being very easy in a 2 inch format for most folks to look through! This Baader Planetarium Herschel Wedge is state of the art and so well thought out. It will work great on CR150 showing very detailed granulation, sunspot fiberals, plagues etc. No more front end mounted filter - just clear aperture along with a built in solar finder! Here's the wedge:

Here is what it can do - this is gonna be fun!!!!!!

2011 Kick Off

2010-12-17T15:04:00.000-08:00

Here's the new SUG outreach for 2011! This Meetup group is for adults of all ages, those hidden astrofiles in my area. I met so many who want to learn so now here's the chance! I will cut back on my street astro for 3 months and see how this goes. You can view the page at Meetup.com and just link over to the Reno site.

My goal is to invest in a folks who want to learn how to observe the sky. I will have a casual and fun approach because that is who I am. Many folks here use the Meetup as a way to network, meet, and be active with others with similar interests. I joined one of the hiking groups and have had a good time with it. Many here are outdoors oriented so I am expecting some to join in. I will try to contain my enthusiasm and excitement and I will not overwhelm anyone! PROMISE!!!!!!!

I will post my activities here along with the people and their stories I am expecting some good stories of discovery and fun.

By the way here's a little leftover from breakfast the other day with Tom and it was good but the leftovers where better! He is very supportive of this new effort and we drove around town investigating 2011 Street Astro sites. Thanks Tom for your support and kindness! He also ordered some new things for next years observing times - yes with SUG's coaching!!!!!

2010-12-13T09:14:00.000-08:00

This Sunday the skies opened with nice temps and blue sky over head along with a 6 day Luna & Jupiter sky dance in our early evening to enjoy. I must get out to take in some sun against my face and share some photons with others. So after a quick power lunch I load the SUV and out the door to a power outreach! It has been several weeks since my last attempt and there must be folks out and about on this gorgeous day. My good friend Frank saved a perfect parking space for me at the Marina Park so my set up (ever growing) was quick and easy with Luna climbing in our sky by the minute. As I was setting up the park ranger stopped by to lend a hand and to thank me for the community service I provide - that was nice and encouraging! So I am stoked and ready to go with OJ humming along and my resource table loaded with learning fun. Who's first?

Juan (at the scope) was my first visitor and was impressed with the lunar view and the SUG's presence at the park. After his viewing and educational experience with the 2 Inch Universe he goes to his car and pulls this NOT SO FANCY BUT USABLE 4 inch (100mm) Eq mounted Newtonian telescope out of his back seat and inquires "can you help me with this? I found it at a yard sale and......" No problem Juan!

After a 25 minute set up lesson and tuning his scope is providing very nice lunar views. Juan was impressed that his scope at 55x and OJ the SCT at 55x provided the same view of the lunar surface! So back and forth he is going between the scopes and is just amazed at what his yard sale scope is showing.

And in this new found joy he is starting to share his scope with other visitors! It is impossible to contain the astronomy bug! Juan spent 2 hours with me watching and learning all the time being a kid with a fabulous new toy and experiencing the joy of telling others to come look for themselves.

This sunny little red head Mila and her dad James had a blast this sunny Sunday afternoon. Both grabbed on to this street astro stuff with gusto. Mila experienced the lunar surface with both low power wide field views and medium power views of mountain ranges and craters which "looked like donuts on the moon" to her! This kid was thrilled with the new vistas before her eyes. James as had some science in his college years but this educational experience placed astronomy within his fingertips. All the theories and text book learning had no comparison to seeing Luna and Jupiter live and in your own eye!

Timing is everything. Juan and his son Christian came by earlier to partake of the 2 Inch Universe and to enjoy late afternoon Lunar views. But Jupiter was on their minds and at dark they are ready to get down with the Solar System giant and its prancing moons! And what a show they saw with the largest moon in our Solar System - Ganymede coming out of transit into view and right on time to boot! Here is celestial movement in plain view. First there were 3 moons in sight and and now 4! "How does the SUG know the timing of this stuff?" is a question being asked by the group of 6 gathered for this show.

Like the universe and its many mysteries the SUG must keep certain knowledge hidden so he does not loose his sidewalk mojo with the public!

48 visitors enjoyed the show this day.

Frost Full Moon Dreaming

2010-11-21T15:53:00.000-08:00

This Sunday brings us to another full moon which is called the "Frost Moon". Very timely as my locale has been getting pelted with a bit of pre-winter white stuff and cold windy days and nights! Not sure if the now somewhat sunny skies will hold out to catch this full moon rising later today over my eastern foothills.

If not I will spend another Sunday afternoon & evening dreaming. I am really anticipating doing full moon programs showing simple low power filtered views like this!

No outreach tonight as the winds and cold are sure to keep folks huddled at home (along with me fighting a cold) but it is fun to anticipate the months ahead.

But as I pondered the full moon outreaches Earth Shine came to mind especially when seen with a waxing crescent in the western sky! Using the same low power view point this can really be enjoyed in the early evening sky and even when Luna is waning in our eastern morning skies sharing lighting duties with Sol.

Yes lots of easy and fun opportunities to share our local cosmos with others!

Solar Greetings & Wishes

2010-11-19T09:31:00.000-08:00

Hey Jim thanks for the neat e-card featuring our erupting Sun!

He wrote : " Wish you were here!" "Or at least looking here in this part of the spectrum!"

I could not agree more though I would prefer the latter point of view!

Luna Jupiter Conjunction & A Two Inch Universe

2010-11-16T08:03:00.001-08:00

Nice weather has arrived with great temps and a sky to behold. This Monday evening promises a nice show with Moon and Jupiter line dancing in our skies at a very convenient early evening time slot. This pairing also provides a very easy reference point for me to use in conjunction (ha ha) with the "The Two Inch Universe" activity, and my new Lunar poster! Yippee! Yes the Sidewalk Guy is very easily entertained.
Here is my set up for the evening. I changed my locale at the Marina to this spot that I have used before with morning waning moon/solar observes. But this evening the close by lighting will aid me in my presentation of this fun interactive/hands on activity. This whole activity can be done in about 10 minutes but will go longer for questions will arise!

Remember part of the deal here is that if you are to look you must also be willing to learn. Oh yes the views tonight with our clear skies is nothing short of breathtaking with CR150 doing the optical duties for this outing showing off a just 10 day Luna features (close up & personal) and a fun Jupiter moon disappearance act which a group of eight got to see! But just let me weave (as the SUG is known to do) the "Two Inch Universe" activity in to your sphere (personal bubble) without you knowing it is coming and engage your imagination and interview your understanding of how you see the universe. Scale activities really challenge the brain and bring out the curiosity in most folks.

Noreen met the Sidewalk Universe Guy 3 months back and has been looking for him since. In this time she has been telling Ron all about her cosmic experience seeing Jupiter, surveying the Lunar surface, and listening to SUG's excited banter over the sky show that evening. She really got a lot out of her prior visit! Tonight out for a few laps around the park energized with fresh StarBuck's Earle Grey Tea (did that smell good!) she and Ron stumble upon the SUG just in time to enjoy his new activity and views of celestial objects to inspire. Yes Ron the SUG is for real and now you too are ensnared in his web of astro fun. Being a good trooper he assisted Noreen with the activity of the evening being amazed how we can scale the universe local; Sun Earth Moon and Solar System, and distant; Milky Way & other Galaxies all right here on this park patio!

Though my numbers were lite, 23 total I enjoyed this outing giving me a chance to practice with the Two Inch Universe and to experiment with ways of introducing it. What I am finding is that I must place it in their hands right at the start - "Here look at this!" without introduction or invitation. There is a built in reluctance with many folks as this science learning is challenging and we for the most part do not want to be challenged. But once engaged with SUG's friendly demeanor and "Hey this fun" attitude most were ready to run with the full extent of this activity. Besides the views where worth the price of admission!

Quickie SEMASWO Outreach

2010-11-13T11:31:00.000-08:00

Hey we have a clearing!!!!! If only for a few hours this past Friday afternoon but it is perfect for timing for a SEMASWO. So much fun to have folks come by and inquire as to we can observe this afternoon. I tell them that "there are 3 astronomical objects to enjoy right now and easy to see !" Of course this starts the questions which I carefully place back to them and challenge them to make the observation and guess for themselves! Most folks will not notice this 6 day Luna and do not associate the Sun lighting day or the Earth under their feet as objects of daytime observation and contemplation. I also hear "is there special event is happening today?" My response which is well programed is that "there is always something special happening , we just have to educate ourselves to see them!"

With the arrival last week of a new NSN toolkit with it's awesome Earth/Moon graphic plastic roll up poster and a brief window to the sky out I zoom with my gear intending to do one of my Sun Earth Moon Afternoon Sunshine Walkers Outreaches (SEMASWO) with all the important celestial objects in their proper positions!

Folks were out in abundance enjoying the afternoon and as I started to unload and set up people started to drop by and inquire. Armed with the new mega moon poster I had folks make naked eye observations identifying features not noticed by them before. These large format posters attract a bunch of attention when displayed! Out came the solar viewers to see Sol's face and of course we must model this Sun Earth Moon system while still setting up! Feast or famine so just run with it even though I like being prepared with everything all set up and ready to go.

These guys here made my afternoon. High school fellows out of school early enjoying the afternoon would normally not have much time for science stuff but these guys enjoyed the SUG's astro presentation and natures happenings that they came back twice over as the moon brightened with the lowering Sun giving us a road to follow to Jupiter's brightening pin point in the twilight sky. Impressed with Jupiters moon gaggle lined up on one side, and the banding of it's high speed atmosphere these fellows got a lot out of their visit.

Setting Sun winds cooled things down really quick and it was getting hard to keep my resource table from blowing away so I had to call it a afternoon - but not before one personal observation. Jupiter's South Temperate Belt is starting to reappear so why not try for it as I'm packing up. So let's adjust the polarizing filter a bit and wait for a window of still air to arrive.

Well sure enough there it is as marked by a slight darkening in the region where it is suppose to be! No not the dark belt we are familiar with more like Jupiter wearing nylons! I did not see the new white oval till later on at home with a brief window of nice viewing. Oh how I wanted to share these observations with others but that time will come I am sure!

Rainy Sunday Afternoon Street Astro

2010-11-07T14:24:00.000-08:00

Nice to hear that my comrades under the sky are having good weather to enjoy and share the universe with. My fall weather continues to be surprisingly astronomy poor but for our region the moisture and clouds are welcome for other things to other folks. I guess I can't hog the climate here all the time. This Sunday afternoon is rainy and windy with snow piling up in the higher elevations. What to do? How about spending sometime planning outreach activities with the new goodies just arrived from my sponsor NASA Night Sky Network/ Astronomical Society of the Pacific.

I am really grateful to be a part of this with all the various resources at my disposal which make sharing the universe easy and fun. Because of the nature of my outreach (street astronomy) I can not use all of what is in each outreach toolkit but each kit has things that I can incorporate right away. But I am looking and thinking about ways to present more of the materials all the time - more on this later. I want the views through the scope to create an air of curiosity for folks to want to learn more. I want the activities to promote a excitement about looking through the scope too. I certainly do not expect each and every visitor to stay "long" (more than just a look) but I have been able to engage folks in such a way were they stay longer than they expect too!

I am really excited about this activity called "The Incredible TWO-INCH UNIVERSE". Here the entire universe is brought down to a simple mind manageable scales. Imagine holding the Sun, Earth & Moon, along with our Solar System in your hand. How about a whole Milky Way galaxy and Andromeda galaxy spaced about a arms distance apart? Or the Hubble Ultra Deep Field 4 miles away which is depicted on the back of the Cosmic Microwave Background pic. Fun stuff here!!!!!!!!
One of the neat things with this activity is that my more studious visitors will be able to take this with home with them to share with others!

Look at what we got here - the new NSN Space Rocks Toolkit and this is gonna be fun. As I mentioned earlier these kits from the network are loaded with creative presentations and activities that astronomy clubs can use in a variety of settings. Several things will be incorporated soon like the Earth/Moon poster comparative. The moon is seen on the lower right and the Earth poster will be (as standard with the NSN posters) a weather proof plastic roll up 1 meter in size! I should have this by next week. Along with this a nifty Solar System Card Sorting Activity seen in the upper right side which folks can do while waiting to look or as part of a presentation. How much fun is this?

But wait there's more!!!!!! Included in the kit is this hands on "Meteorite or MeteorWrong" activity with a flip book to guide! My visitors can now compare earthy stuff to the real stuff that has fallen from the sky above! For the activities to be effective they need to be guided by a knowledgeable other so............

What is as Sidewalk Guy to do? I can juggle a lot on my outings doing presentations, viewings with challenges, and modeling. But if I am going to move to the next level (which is incorporating more of the NSN activities) I will need some help. I want to have a completely separate activity table manned by a capable individual - me or another. I want a lap top or note pad out there with power points to enhance the experience. Is there a person is out there that has passion to reach folks on a personal level, not just share info but make the universe understandable & personal. One who can be patient as folks look through a scope and work through their misconceptions/misunderstandings about the cosmos. One who can handle SUG's high energy output, constant eating of snacks, and endless banter and desire to push the boundaries of street astronomy!

WHO??????

HEOC Request

2010-11-05T10:43:00.001-07:00

I have been flooded with requests for a long over due Healthy Eating and Observing Club post. With my skies cloudy the Sidewalk Guy is photon and outreach deprived along with a case of aperture fever. Yes this dreaded illness has struck with a vengeance since East Central Minnesota Astronomy Club Jim found gold (speculum more like it) on Astromart and purchased the Leviathan (along with other assorted optical aids) and is sitting under Mag 6 skies enjoying food stuffs and a telescope of a Irish origin.

I am not feeling "healthy" today! No rather I want my taste buds to enjoy some down home cooking and lots of it. Remember friends that the HEOC emphasis is on healthy; either in quality and quantity. Drive By Astronomy my Hamburg NY affiliate stresses the quantity aspect with his pizza and pasta powered astro sessions teamed up with TelVue 101 or the BAA 20" Dob. Lots of photons both color corrected and copious along Italian food(or anything ethnic) piled up on his plate.

So today it is this wonder to behold, and enjoy - the chicken fried steak! This meal has been on my mind now for days and I want one really bad with all its crunchy, savory down home goodness smothered with gravy with fresh ground black pepper on top. Served with blacked eyed peas, mashed spuds, and a couple of fresh biscuits and butter I would be ready for a observation session with this being served up by the chained lady Andromeda ...........

NGC 891 is a ghost like edge on view galaxy that is a fall favorite for me. With it's needlework dark lane and galactic bulge set against the starry background this specter always fills my photon bucket. One night several years back I had the opportunity to enjoy this gem using my 12.5 Dob and a image enhancing eyepiece - kind of a night vision barlow. Well the view was nothing sort of awesome and reviled the view through a 16"-18" scope.

Like the chicken fried steak the experience was filling, and tasty and left me wanting more.

More aperture and another chicken fried steak with the trimmings please!

U(you) R(are)K(killing)M(me) Astro Report

2010-11-04T11:08:00.000-07:00

Ti's that time of year to enjoy the treasures of the fall sky and this one is at the top of the list; Messier 15 (NGC7078) in the upside down flying horse of Pegasus. It is 33,600 lys distant with a light output of 360,000 Suns! With its dense central region and well aged looks this is a throw back in galactic history & stellar evolution.

And of course today my buddy Jim in Minnesota has to fill me me in on his excellent observe time last evening armed with Earl Grey Tea and scone. Not just any Earl Grey Tea but tea that has been brewed to perfection in the traditional British way. How does he like his? With milk or creme? Sugar or honey? Straight up maybe? I know how he likes his skies; clear and steady with as little moisture has possible.

Of course no observe time is complete without something to munch so why not some fresh scone from the wife's kitchen. These are the stuff of culinary legend and Jim will tell you all about them himself I am sure.

What is really KMT (killing me today) is his report to me via email: "Well, tonight is very mild but with a steady light breeze. My skies from the apron outside my garage are magnitude 6 and I just came in to thaw out and brag that I just saw M15 with the naked-eye... "

OK Jim. Little does my Mn stationed friend know that for weeks we have had haze without a let up. Yes and here he is in his country outpost looking up and bagging faint MefuzzierS with the naked eye drinking tea perfection with scone crumbs hitting the drive way. Mag 6 skies I can only imagine.........the tea and scone supreme will have to be imagined as well.

Tell me my brother under the skies did you also spy Pease 1 the planetary nebula associated with this cluster as seen in the picture? No silly not with your scope ( oh which one?) but with your eye? If you did I am ready to bag this hobby and move on to model trains!

URKM Jim!!!!!!:)

AstroMart Purchase

2010-11-01T10:08:00.000-07:00

Tis the time of year to purchase a scope - a used scope that is! My recently reacquainted astro buddy Jim has always had a knack for finding good buys on this popular amateur astronomer website. Much of what he owns is found here including this baby:

Yes when aperture fever hits it is hard to quell so Jim gives in and is now the proud owner of "The Leviathan of Mora MN" - all 70" and several tons of metal mirror are his! He has plenty of room on his country estate for this jumbo scope. Only he will need to employ his wife and daughters to help him maneuver the thing with the heavy chain and lever mounting.

To quote Jim: " This will be a wonderful family experience and bonding time under the skies for us. I could not pass this up!"

Enough said!

Halloween Evening Front Lawn Street Astro

2010-10-31T15:36:00.001-07:00

It is that time again for kiddies and parents to be out and about knocking on doors and seeking out treats. Well the Sidewalk Universe Guy has some sweets of the astronomical type to hand out and a few tricks too. With Jupiter anchoring the southeastern sky along with a transit of it's volcanic moon Io during prime time tricks or treats this has the makings of a fine outing catching folks off guard with a space science education opportunity.

I was handing out 3D cards and Solar Pizzas and to those who show a real interest DVD's will end up in their sacks.

Here's C8 ready to go all shaded by my small Oak tree from the onslaught of the Victorian style street lamp. I am glad it still has some leaves to help eclipse this lamp which laminates my south front yard corner. I thought about asking my across the way neighbor Edi about using his front lawn for this outing but I did not want to subject him to the potential crowd control & media blitz problems that the SUG generates........haha!

Last year I got some really interesting responses ranging from "this is really neat" to what the F!!!!!!!!!?????. What will it be this year?

Judy had a wonderful time with Jupiter. She was out with her daughter and grand kids. Judy patiently waited her turn as she was back at the end of a 15 costumed kiddee line with the look of anticipation on her face. One young teenager in this line took up on the Sidewalk Universe Guy's Jupiter Challenge and with this Judy had already decided to take on this crucible when her turn arrived. Well by the time this first time observer made it to the scope she was ready to go and one by one the selected Jupiter features fell before her gaze. Io's 3D effect against Jupiter's cloud tops left her spellbound! Picking out Ganymede, the polar hoods, and Jupiter's not so round shape was easy for this interested visitor. She received her DVD excitedly and with gratitude. When she was done off she went telling other packs of people to stop by and see the Sidewalk Guy nestled behind his tree and shrubs showing a eyeball treat to one and all. I had 40+ this evening out and met several that had expressed a interest in getting started in astronomy.

Tom's Telescope Collection Grows

2010-10-31T14:09:00.000-07:00

Tom is infected with the astro bug. His progress has been sure and steady only held up by weather, and the availability of the SUG. The Sidewalk Guy has not been available as of late but some time was carved out the past Saturday afternoon to help Tom do some simple maintenance on his new (used) telescope collection. Tom is building his hobby smart finding good used scopes which will provide years of enjoyment to himself and others.

Here is Tom with his latest purchase a nice Orion Deep Space Explorer 10" Dob. This is a oldie but in fine shape. Look at that giant 9x60 finder and custom skull & crossbones wood box that doubles as a scope cradle when in your car going to the dark sky sight or SUG outreach event! This scope is patterned after the Coulter line of Dobs with a Sonotube OTA and vented particle board mirror cell. Funky & fun! But it is a bit more refined. I will have a post on Coulter's soon. We did some cleaning on the floor boards and bearings and the movement is nice and smooth. Next up will be a mirror cleaning when Tom is done doing his homework on this. No SUG does not do all the work as Tom must know how to care for this telescope. We will also be cleaning out the old grease from the focuser unit. Today we mounted his Rigel Quick Finder and did a mirror lineament with everything moving easily into place and terrestrial targets snapping into crisp focus . This scope came with a nice 1.25" color filter set and 35mm eyepiece.

We also spent sometime working on his C8. Rigel Quick Finder mounted and sighted in, right angle finder fixed, mounted and sighted in, equatorial wedge adjusted, and the light shield custom fitted. I would say this scope is ready to go!

Tom has plenty of scope here and is ready to explore the sky from is backyard and share it with others on the sidewalks.

This novice Minnesotan observer also has his own unique set of camo covers for his scopes. These clash perfectly with just about everything including Tom's Viking's colors. Like a Minnesota duck hunter in a duck blind these scopes will be seeking celestial critters that fly by over head. He may live out west here but he's all Minnesota at heart!

Undercover Astronomer Scoping Out New Locations

2010-10-27T13:13:00.000-07:00

Last week I had some free time I thought it would be a good to investigate by stealth some new settings for my outreach efforts. I really like my Marina outpost but for sometime I have been wanting to move my program around. The Sparks Marina Park is right on the a joining mall and future casino complex called "Legends". The mall itself is a outlet style and is only a few short minutes drive from my home. It is nicely done with fountains, fireplaces, gardens, bronze statues, and sculptures depicting the history and nature of the Silver State. I am not a mall person but I do like it here and there is lots of traffic on the weekends! I surveyed the sky here the other night and was surprised as to what I could see. Here are some pics of the mall and I found some good set up areas where the "Big Four" meet.

Traffic flow - gotta have people to inspire!
Visibility - they gotta see you out there!
Access - gotta be able to get in and out with your stuff so they can pass by and see you!
Sky To See - the first three mean nothing if there are obstructions to viewing the sky! No not prime observing real estate but you have to be able to show them something or your gonna look silly to most folks. Well you will look silly to some by just being there!

Here's the main court yard with its cozy surroundings. It will be easy to do Lunar and Solar programs from here! People traffic moves in from all directions. Believe it or not the sky at night is not washed out badly for the mall lighting is shielded! There are lots of places for folks to sit and mingle here and it is nice in the winter months with the gas fires going.

Stairway to second level eateries with a awesome sky exposure reaching from the North to the N.W with only the South blocked out. There is a elevator so I could move my stuff to the platform easily. I am imagining my little station up here showing off the sky and bantering away with my visitors! Here is the N.W view from the second floor patio over looking the Marina Park. Programs of all sorts could be done here including brighter deep sky objects. I am jazzed about the potential of this place for outreach from various spots within the complex. I am feeling very inspired about doing 2-3 programs a month out here.

I hope the mall management is open to the Sidewalk Universe Guy!

Several days later and I meet with the mall management with my presentation in hand. The response kind of threw me for a bit with the short of it is that they do not want their visitors distracted from shopping. I have entered a different universe here. I totally understand that this place is open for the purpose of making money but.....I am speechless to say the least and a bit embarrassed and I leave feeling really stupid. I have read stories of other astro groups doing programs at malls without any trouble and what is up with this? I do not know how to reply to this statement. There must be a place for the SUG to go but where?

Mid Week Jupiter Not So Bash Street Astro

2010-10-23T15:55:00.000-07:00

Well here it is a Saturday afternoon in Sierra foothills with a very socked in sky and a double moon transit of Jupiter about to begin in a few hours. No way this guy is gonna see it tonight with unyielding clouds in all directions. Drive By chimed in earlier and was bragging about his wonderful N.Y. skies for this event! I did or at least attempted a outreach on this past Wednesday evening.

A awesome sunset with clouds moving out started things out nicely........

Resource table and scope set to go and...........

Well no one showed up! Seriously 4 visitors this night to enjoy Jupiter and waxing gibbous moon views. This was by far my slowest and least satisfying outreach. One of my visitors did do a detailed view with Luna treasures spurring him forward but did not want his pic taken. To bad as he would have made the headlines on this blog for the quality observe he made that even impressed his lady friend. Well maybe that is all that mattered! And she was impressed with her guy's observing prowess and his car wasn't to bad either...........

OK what is a SUG to do?

Why not enjoy the time out by the lakeside and take in fun lunar views like this one. This was the same view I had on this evening of this crater/transition crater complex on the moon's western edge. Oh sure I missed my people (A LOT) and I was a lonely telescope guy but the moon made up for some it with shows like this.

I think I am ready to try a new location but where?

Midweek Street Astro

2010-10-15T12:22:00.000-07:00

"When are you going to be out here again?" is something I tend to hear a lot. For it is a question that implies a good experience was had and curiosity stirred. I do not keep a regular schedule with my outreach due to weather, and the things of life. It is nice to know that folks are looking for me and enjoy their little forays into the cosmos and want to share this experience with other friends and family. I am glad to be a little part of their lives in such a positive way. I try to be out on Thursday, Friday, Sunday evenings (except with full moon) or will try to go out when things are just easily available and interesting to view like this Wednesday evening with our 6 day Luna and Jupiter seen right at dusk.

A day 6 moon is a wonder to behold but this crater duo of Aristoteles/Eudoxes was simply superb in its Lunar morning view with lighted rims, pitch black floors, and surrounding hilltops aglow with sunlight. Lunar eye candy!

Barb, Nigel, and Tammy shared in a wonderful observational experience this evening. Barb is one of my regulars who will always stop and inquire. Her interest grows and she does great P.R. for me encouraging others to stop and look. Tonight her pal Tammy was along the share in the experience. These two made detailed observations of Jupiter and Luna with patience excepting the SUG's challenge to go deeper. With encouragement and resources on hand even first timers can do detailed observes which only helps to foster more and more excitement. Needless to say this night of discovery was not to remain just here so on the phone is Tammy to Nigel who must partake of the show this evening and partake he did. With a rock and roll (he's part of a band) and science bent to life this gent just tears to shreds the SUG Jupiter Challenge. Lunar features where observed with ease and this fellow's zeal for the cosmos was ignited a bit. By the way Nigel has the coolest set of wheels! I had 41 visitors and was not able to leave till 11 p.m. Ok I stuck around by my own choice with lots of later evening viewers as I cannot say no as I'm packing up!

Quickie Sunday Night Outreach

2010-10-11T15:23:00.000-07:00

Weather cleared so I got out Sunday night for a fast couple of hours with Luna and Jupiter to show off to the public. My usual haunt was on the quiet side when I first arrived but people started to show up right after I had everything set up - imagine that!

Amanda with her daughters Kayla, Karla were some of the first to stop. Dad was busy securing dogs (large) while these ladies had some fun at the scope. 3day moon views with Crisium sunrise started the juices flowing and at last Jupiter was within grasp to marvel at. Cell phone calls going out to friends and family soon followed as Amanda & Kayla successfully conquered the SUG Jupiter Challenge - not hard at all with reasonable skies, well aligned scope, and the Sidewalk Guy nearby with atlas in hand to guide you on your way! What was really fun was watching and listening to the reactions of others waiting their turn as these two got down to some serious observing! 36 visitors this fine evening out.

Friday Night Street Astro

2010-09-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

I had a really fun program this past Friday and here's some of the happenings:

Allison and dad Paul decided to do the Sidewalk Universe Guy's "Jupiter Challenge" after a short 5 minute presentation of this Solar System giant. Both made the observations with ease along Allison's older brother who was able to pick up on the subtle colors of Jupiter's swirling atmosphere! They were pretty stoked about it all.

Robert came by with his family troop to take in some astro fun and by the smile on his face you would have thought he found some buried treasure. What he did find was the treasure of discovery and a real personal experience with our moon's rugged surface. "I feel like I'm holding it in my hand!" was his response to his first time experience viewing through a scope. Enough said!

Emilee stopped by with Jared and baby Oliver upon the recommendation of Jared's encounter with the SUG a few months back. She was taking in all that the sky was offering her. After nailing the Jupiter Challenge on to Uranus and then the moon. She made quality observations with minimal coaching and was getting hooked very quickly! Can the astronomy bug be contained? NO!

Bundled up and cozy there was hardly a peep from baby Oliver. I wonder if this young family will have a telescope in their future? Based on this evenings exposure to the sky I believe so!

International Observe The Moon Night(s) 2010

2010-09-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

With our nice late summer weather showing signs of fall I thought I would get my butt out the door and start the IOMN event early.

Tuesday was showing a wonderful just before first quarter moon with Aristoteles and Eudoxus craters right on the lunar terminator along with Mare Serenitatis western wrinkle ridges in a fine display. Wonderful sight to kick off this weeks lunar fest !

Elyse came by early on while still light and said "I have been looking for you forever! Where have you been?" She had heard about the SUG from other walkers around the park and just happens to be a good friend of my son's girlfriend. And it was very recently that she was able to connect these two astro guys as the same. Well she was really enjoying the early evening lunar excursion and came back later with pal Andy and lots of questions. These two made nice astro music together at the scope sharing questions and enjoying the whole Lunar and Jupiter experience. I had 32 visitors and that was really good for a Tuesday night.

9/15/10 Wednesday evening started out on the windy side so my plans to put out my resource table went by the wayside. But I got C8 up and running quickly and people started to gather. With so many lunar delights to show off it was hard to stay on just one. But this familiar crater trio bought wows to the masses with lunar day break showing up on central peaks with pitch black crater floors! The pictured family stayed glued to the scope and enjoyed astro presentations for a good hour with the kids being like sponges absorbing everything ! Dad and mom along with grandmother were heartily involved with this outdoor school experience. Mom really was shocked and delighted with the stark beauty of the lunar surface and dad enjoyed Jupiter's moons and Red Spot show. I had 41 visitors and many want to come back later in the week to experience more of the unfolding show.

9/18/10 Well its finally here - the night of nights so we're official now with our outreach to the public concerning the moon. I wanted to get out on Thursday evening but was prevented due to some allergy symptoms. So here I am anticipating a fun evening out and the park looks a little quieter than expected and sure enough it is. I really thought that with the fine weather we have been having that the place would be bustling with activity but no. I can't leave now for I have had several hits on my Night Sky Network address so I am committed to the cause right here. I am glad that the folks that were aware of the InOMN and inquired did saw up and their interest level was indeed high. Early on the Bay of Rainbows and the Jura Mtn light show held top billing much to the delight of the budding Selenographers but later on the sunrise on the Gassendi/Letronne crater complex was stirring the minds of the viewers. Tiffany and son Hunter enjoyed a bit of Lunar exploration with oohs and wows following every new discovery.

All totaled over the course of three outings during the week I had around 100 visitors. I estimate about 25-30 walked off not wanting to wait for others in the line to the scope before them. But those that stayed and participated got to enjoy old moon a bit. Fun conversation filled the air, space science was taught, some pseudo science debunked, new friendships made, and some imaginations ignited!

A Sunday Evening Under the Sky

2010-09-10T14:06:00.001-07:00

I had a really fun outing this past Sunday of the holiday weekend. I was invited out to a volunteers BBQ for Manna Cafe which is a outreach of various services to the poor and struggling of Carson City NV. This turned out to be a really awesome time as we had excellent skies and a wonderful group of people which kept me hopping over my 3 hours out under the sky. The time went so fast it felt like I had hardly started. Lots of good interaction, questions, and everyone loved the views and constellation tour toward the end of the evening. What was really fun about this time out was the simplicity of heart and attitude my crowd (no science geeks or scholars here) and the enjoyment that the sky gave to everyone. A joy just to watch the group just take it in and enjoy each others company.

This young lady was totally enraptured by the views through the scope. It is always fun to see how expending gas shells from dying stars ignites the imagination !

Tom's Big Chunky Astro Adventure

2010-08-18T22:25:00.000-07:00

I met Tom several months back at the Marina during a Sun Earth Moon Saturday morning program. His interest level was keen and he was actively involved with all I was doing this day with a expressed interest in getting started in astronomy. I meet many folks who share a interest in getting started in astronomy but I tend to never hear from them again. Maybe they forget or get sidetracked (did they get overwhelmed by the SUG?) but this was not the case with Tom. Sure enough several weeks later my phone rings and its Tom asking about my whereabouts and program times along with questions concerning a certain pair of large binoculars he has acquired. Sure enough Tom meets me at my next outing and is totally into it and now has become a regular at my programs just soaking it all in. He also pulls out these beefy binoculars so lets get out the credit card and order a snazzy mount (that can also hold other small telescopes and one that the SUG can barrow from time to time) to get his hobby rolling.

Two weeks later in early July the mount arrives and so does Tom and in my backyard we are like 2 youngsters at play tearing open boxes and thinking about some fun binocular views. My mind is racing thinking about getting Tom trained on his new toy when oh no! Missing mounting post. Here's Tom holding some steroid binoculars with a stoutly built mount and we can not use either. Yes we where sad and heart broken. Tom would be leaving for several weeks the next day so no binocular fun for us till August.

Here we are now with the finished product. Our wait is over and Tom is digging on the Lunar views this evening. Nice gibbous moon details and comfortable viewing from almost any angle. But there is more. Yes this guy has gotten infected with the astro bug and of course I am going to egg it on whenever possible. Over the weeks Tom has kept his eye on my C8 OJ and has expressed a interest in having one. Sure enough I saw one for sale locally and Tom went out and bought it while I was at home still thinking about it and wondering when I could break free to check it out for him!

How can you go wrong with one of these? Yes it is old but in nice condition. Built like Fort Knox, light weight, easy to set up with good optics. So in between binocular views we start to tinker with this black beauty and it will only require minor repair to the altitude adjuster, finder bracket and a fresh mirror alignment. The drives hum along nicely and it is tracking like a champ. Tom already had a power supply and inverter - cool. I quickly make out a minor shopping list to get this scope ready for some fun beginner astronomy and outreach. Yes outreach ! Tom not only has acquired the astronomy infection but also the outreach passion. He has experienced first hand the joy in sharing the universe with others. No Tom is not a seasoned observer and has much to learn but he wants to give out of what he knows now and share what he has acquired. This so cool to watch and be part of this process so expect to see another scope and outreach guy in the pics on this blog. Tom is in no hurry to learn everything or master the sky but I expect his patient and quiet demeanor to be a great assist to a whole other segment of people that the SUG bowls over with his energy, excitement, and observing challenges! Not everyone needs a SUG but some will need a Tom with his binoculars and black C8 to lead them on a simple heavenly viewing quest.

Welcome aboard Tom!

Marta's Moon

2010-08-17T08:15:00.000-07:00

"Why do you do this?" is a question I am frequently asked. My answer is generally that I love astronomy and I am a people person. These two things energize my life and why not do both at the same time! Astronomy has opened new and wonderful experiences in my life, brought comfort, satisfaction, a knowledge and understanding of nature. Why not share these things. Someone once said "share out of what you possess not what you do not". Midlife has away of bringing reality to one so I quit trying to be what I was not and be what I am. Part of my adult growth has been connecting with the truth of who I am and living my life out of this without a second thought. My outreach is a reflection of what I am and what is important to me. Which brings us to this encounter on Monday evening which may explain my passion with all of this astronomy outreach activity.

I had a crowd of 15 or so surrounding my outreach post anticipating a view of a early evening Luna. The air was buzzing with conversation as folks researched the moon posters on my table with questions and comments already filling the gathering like a important press conference. And there in the midst of this small crowd was Marta waiting patiently for the astro guy to get his scope prepared for the evening activity. What stood out about her was the mile wide smile on her face and with a quiet voice asking with a childlike quality " Oh I want to see the moon!" If only more adults could be kids once in a while! Sometimes folks will approach my gig with a great deal of seriousness and some are disappointed that I am not doing something serious like research, or photography - no this is fun astronomy here people! Astronomy to capture your imagination, wonder and bring the kid out in you!

What was really funny about all this was Marta's demeanor seemed to infect the rest of the crowd! Walls were coming down and folks started to loosen up!

Marta approached the scope with a reverence like she knew something special was about to occur. Yes she was transported to a world only dreamed about or seen on the television set or in a book. As she looked I encouraged her to "Take your time and ignore the line in back of you this is your time and your moon to explore " and soon I heard "This is so beautiful so wonderful " " I can not believe I am seeing this " " The mountain tops look like they are covered in silver!" More she viewed the bigger the smile and " This is so wonderful I feel like I'm there!" As she stepped away a tear rolled down her cheek and than another and another as she was obviously moved by the whole experience. She then went straight to the back of the line to await another opportunity! The folks waiting behind her watched all this unfold and soon the whole line was buzzing with anticipation with the next 30 minutes being filled with laughter and excited folks at the scope.

What will happen when she sees Saturn?

International Observe The Moon Night

2010-08-16T13:22:00.000-07:00

September 18th millions? world wide will be exposed to the wonders of our nearest neighbor in space. I plan on being a part of it. Sometimes I think it is always Observe the Moon Night! But I am glad that this effort was organized and with it another opportunity to do some fun community service.

And this will be my view of the moon on this date by the time my home world spins around enough for me to see her! I can hear my visitors questions and wows already! I will more than likely do a 2 scope setup with one being a nice wide field low power view and another for those who will take up on the SUG Lunar Challenge! I will be encouraging folks to navigate this orb and get to know her treats for the eye!

August 1st Quarter Luna and Friends

2010-08-16T08:08:00.000-07:00

It is that time once again to invade the sidewalks of Reno/Sparks and share the night sky with the general populace. Our weather has been cooler than normal though still warm - this Sunday we had a quickie T-storm move through and dropped our temps a good 10 degrees and I felt this was a good time for me to kickoff my late summer/fall programs. I am really glad I got out this evening as the storm really cleaned the air out ( well not entirely more on this later) and folks were coming out of the woodwork to enjoy the evening Marina Park walkways. No rush this time to get out the door as I had my old SUV all packed and ready to go and C8 was tuned up and its power pack loaded with juice for a long session out. And this turned out to be a fun filled 5 hour session out! They just kept coming and coming and..........

Paul was my first visitor and he fell prey to the moon's 1st quarter delights. With a little help he was kicking around the moon dust seeing sights never seen before. His only comment was " I'm speechless " as one should be after a viewing like this!

Patricia ran into the Sidewalk Guy 1 year ago this same weekend and had her fill of Jupiter and Luna. Now a year later she is back with her son Quinton who just returned from his military service in the middle east! What a pleasure to meet this awesome young man who is excelling in his role as a field medic, leading and training others as they seek to aid their comrades in arms and local populace. These two enjoyed views of our moon, and double stars.

Just when you think it is time to pack it in 3 cars pull up and out pops out this horde and they must be satisfied with views and banter! Oh what fun we had sharing views of double stars, a dusty moon and a discussion about stellar evolution! At this time by chance a dust storm of our own decided to blow into our meadow with a vengeance! But these guys where not detracted from their quest to view and learn. One of the ladies asked " gee I wish I could see Jupiter " and just then I said "well there it is my friend" as I pointed to its appearance in the eastern sky! Talk about timing - your wish is my command ! Jupiter was now in fair position for viewing and they were treated to a nice sight of banding and moons. They left with loads of freebies which I am sure will be devoured over the next few days.

Not done yet. Darleen stopped by with Ted to see what this was all about and soon she was smitten with the astro bug which first invaded her life with a nice view of Jupiter and its four moons of Galilean distinction. Not to be over shadowed by it's bigger brother Uranus begged for a showing and Darleen had the first views of this Solar System outpost this season! She was taken in by this turquoise blue sphere which "looked like a gem stone!" Ted is enrolled at our local university and is taking a astronomy class - he said he "liked this better than his class and this was a bunch of fun !" No math required here.

It is now midnight and I got pack up but wait here comes some more folks down the sidewalk heading my way and.........

August Outreach Start Up

2010-08-09T11:05:00.000-07:00

I am looking forward to hitting the sidewalks again within the next couple of weeks. Our summer continues cooler than normal so for the most part our skies have offered good/fair viewing conditions. I am anticipating some fun outreaches this late summer and fall with Jupiter in our evening skies. There will be Jupiter Observation Challenges and dancing moons to explore! Who will push their imagination and risk take at the telescope?

Uranus will be getting a significant viewing time this late summer and fall season also. With it being nearby Jove in our line of sight along the ecliptic this is a perfect time to show off this mispronounced and misunderstood Ice Giant Planet. Oh the wonders of it's tilted over spin axis and Shakespearean named moons. This world has always captured my imagination and I will be doing my best to make sure my visitors get the same level of fascination! Oh yes you will be infected!

I can not wait for the show to begin!

Kickoff August Observe

2010-08-03T16:02:00.001-07:00

Well we made it through another July and as expected our hot temps has kept any personal sky foraging and outreach to a minimum. But we seem to be in a earlier than normal cooling trend - still warm but our evenings are cooling down fast with very pleasant temps. In fact last evenings double star hunt required a jacket at 10:30 p.m . So much fun to be out and about the sky with CR150 splitting stellar combos, drinking green tea, and listening to the various insects and toads stake their personal territory in my back yard. Sierra August/September skies are greatly anticipated by me each year and are some of the most memorable and special times for me under the stellar canopy. My neighbor Edi stopped by to chat and view and is looking forward to a dark sky night out with his one year old 10" dob. I would like to pick up my outreach again in mid August but I am not to sure if this will happen as some stuff is in flux right now and of course temps could go up and range fires smoke us all out!

But this night was a nice foretaste of things to come - pretty sky, people to chat with, and a chance to recharge the photon bucket!

Quickie Off the Cuff Lunar Street Astro

2010-07-21T09:35:00.000-07:00

Normally July is written off by me for any street astro programs due to the heat of the late afternoon/early evening and the unstable weather conditions such as t-storms and then the local brush fires they can create. Sometimes too fires elsewhere can send huge clouds of ash and smoke into our meadow and really foul any chance of viewing. This July is cooler than normal and drier if that is possible here in this high desert area. Last evening was just awesome with light breezes and a rapidly dropping temperature. I was in my backyard enjoying dinner and a bino survey of a wonderful gibbous moon and the thought came to me : get out and share it! Just then my phone rang and there was Mr.Drive By from his western NY location out and about enjoying views of the lunar south polar region. Well after some quick banter and exchange of text messages I was in the garage loading up my wheels with my outreach gear with a lunar mission in mind to share with the walking public at the Marina. These spur of the moment outings either go really well or really poor - which will it be? When I'm hurried to get out I will sometimes forget something - what will be be this time?

On my drive over to the park I'm kicking myself for not getting out earlier, waiting on Ma Nature to be more favorable to me, wondering what I might have forgotten all the time surveying Luna on my transit thinking about key lunar landforms to show. When I arrive the first two spots I picked to set up where unavailable due to the parking areas being full - RATS! I wanted to try two different than locations due to the amount of folks at the park this evening so it was back to my "normal" location on the east end of the park. Low and behold a perfect parking space is open just for me and I start too unload my wears and to get this program off and running.

What did I leave at home? Well five things in my rush to get out the door:

My camera is sitting on my computer work station. I though it was in my resource materials bin. OK no pics tonight but I sure like to have them of some of the nice people I meet.
Light shield for the telescope on the shelf in the garage. OK not too bad being as this is a moon program.
Plastic delivery case to support C8's power supply and inverter. I do not like my power supply getting dirty on the ground. OK lets use my step stool to hold these. Parents you will have to lift your kids tonight to the eyepiece!
Laminated lunar and phase cycle posters - I use these a lot. OK I will make due with just one of my large format astronomy atlases and no resource table setup. Tonight it will be just the scope with Mr.SUG providing the verbal commentary and my guest holding the atlas !

C8 is up and running and people start to gather - large gatherings of 10 -15 at a time. "Hey we've heard about you!" " Are you that guy everyone is talking about down here ? " or " The park rangers said to look for you !" or " I want to see the moon dude!" and "Where have you been I need my astronomy fix!" On and on it went for the next 3.5 hours with lunar terminator views, southern curvature, Copernicus & Eratosthenes sunrise stealing the wow's for the evening. Dressed in my cotton khaki shorts, Old Navy t-shirt, and sandals I am starting to get cold as our high desert terrain cools off. What else did I forget?

Did not consider the more August like conditions so the SUG is starting to chill in the cool of the 10pm evening with the wind starting to pick up. Great for walking, running, and biking but not for a lightly dressed SUG attempting to show off the sky. Light layers rule the evening here as do cotton slacks, a hat, and a lite fleece.
My power snack. Yes this guy must take in calories to maintain his energy level. My bucket is starting to empty a bit but the visitors just keep coming. I must press on to complete my mission.

I had a fun night and so did many others I spite of my rush and last minute preparations . My finale people count was around 70 plus. Out of this crowd there were 10 or so who have experienced the power of street astro views before and were looking for more. If I had not been at my normal location and made the effort to get out they would have missed this evenings show. For me I would have missed the encouragement that they gave and sincere gratitude they expressed to me which makes all of this so worthwhile. Missed too would have been the looks and expressions of excitement from a bunch of sidewalk astro newbies - newly infected with the astronomy bug that must be satisfied from time to time!

Ladies At the Eyepiece

2010-07-12T09:27:00.000-07:00

Our weather continues relatively mild for this time of year so I was able to squeeze in two programs on Saturday and Sunday night with long lines and a obvious Ecliptic convict lineup for a personal booking and capture. "What is going on ?", "Is this normal?", "Is that a constellation?" were just some of the questions coming my way. All in all I had over 120 visitors over the two programs but what was important to me was the quality of observations and insight gained by these three ladies who had no prior telescope viewing experience and a relatively small exposure to astronomy.

Esmeralda came by with her family early on and had the first look on Saturday night. Full of life and excited to learn this youngster devoured Saturn, it's moons, ring shadow, and banding with hardly a sweat! Oh to have young eyes! Besides this her encouragement to her younger brother was impressive as she motivated him to make the same observations. When it came time for modeling and discussion she was right in the mix. A pleasure to be around this young girl's desire to learn and encourage others was a joy to behold.

Somethings are just meant to happen. Kathy was my last visitor on Saturday night. She works in the medical field and is a very educated person with a appreciation for the forces of nature that shape our world and universe. Not ever having time on a scope before she had C8's optics all to her self as she surveyed Saturn, double stars, and star clusters, enjoyed a personal constellation tour and picking out fine details along the way. Not only this she had a low horizon view of a rising Jupiter in our eastern skies. Obviously moved by it all her "nature bucket" was filled to the brim - for now!

Angela was engaged in her evening workout and was stopped dead in her tracks when she came upon the Sidewalk Guy on Sunday. What is going on here that one in the middle of a brisk pace, high heart rate, focused workout would stop to inquire? Maybe it was the crowd around the resource table listening to SUG banter about Saturn? How about C8's mature orange/grey good looks? Whatever it was the brakes were applied hard, eye glued to the scope, and the gears of her imagination began to turn as she saw sights never seen before. In a nut shell she was speechless, moved, and on her cell phone sharing her experience with friends. A work out of the observational kind ensued with Saturnine details falling to her gaze. Impressed with the faint moons on Saturn's sides she imagined a 3-D view and had a opportunity to explore a world that is far removed from us.

Thank you ladies for making my efforts so worthwhile!

Before It Gets Too Hot Street Astro

2010-07-06T10:06:00.000-07:00

Time to get out this post Fourth of July evening with its cooler than normal temps, breezes, walkers, runners, strollers, bikers, boarders, dogs, skaters, lovers, enemies, families and friends. Hardly set up and a crowd gathered many of which heard about this astronomy guy with his scope and flair for the dramatic. Yes he is for real and everything you have heard is true! One kind lady said " my friend spent sometime with you awhile back and said you made astronomy so much fun and easy to understand - can you do the same for me?" This was a great way to start the evening!
Ashley and her mom Diane had a post 4th blast. Not only did they nail the Saturn Challenge when wind gusts picked up for a short while but get up close and personal with a bunch of the double stars which populate our skies this time of year. Both picked out the subtle colors and magnitude differences with ease.

It is never too late to try something new and gain a unique experience to tell others about. Cris here had a blast with Saturn and all the stellar gems I was able to show off. The Sidewalk Guy's laser Star Comparative opened her eyes and mind to the science of stars, and how their appearance in our skies have influenced culture, faith, and philosophy. So much to this astronomy stuff for anyone who is curious. Cris works with a retirement community and commented that "my seniors would love this!" And to that I said "lets do it!"

Astro Workout Street Astronomy

2010-07-01T14:37:00.000-07:00

End of June. Usually the weather is very toasty along with unstable sky
and high winds. But like most things this year with no normalcy we have a cooler than normal pattern hanging around so here I be with the show of shows to show off to a stellar show malnourished citizenry of my northern NV community. OK get out while the going is good for it could be weeks before I'm able to again! I had plenty of folks stopping by to enjoy the busy ecliptic show; constellations, bright guide stars, and planets. But this trio (L-R) of Wade, Bobby, and Fred made a stop to their vigorous workout routine to participate in something new - willfully submitting themselves to a street astronomy immersion that required some critical and abstract thought, patient observation, and at times a healthy guess! This astro workout challenged all kinds of things and added a little bit of wonder to their lives. Those smiles are the real deal!

Sunday Night Street Astro Fun

2010-06-28T13:10:00.000-07:00

Things are shifting weather wise fast around here. Once we get into July our temps go high, thunderstorms build round the Sierra with general instability along with forest fire smoke rolling into our high desert meadow community. I usually write off July and late June for astronomy outreach except early morning personal observing with cool temps and clearer skies. I'm going to get in as many programs as I can before summer bears down.

Had a nice time this evening with about 56 visitors eager to look. This group was really serious about this ecliptic thing with Constellations, Venus, Regulus, Mars, Saturn, Spica, Antares and a waning gibbous Luna taking up the tail end. Following the road of the Sun, Moon, and planets what fun!

Jareta was the highlight of my evening. This youngster enjoys anything space related he nailed the Sidewalk Universe Guy's Saturn Challenge with ease and walked away with some astro stuff to learn from at home. Polite, inquiry centered, and a follower of instruction he will go far in life!

Summer Solstice Street Astro With A Twist

2010-06-22T09:07:00.000-07:00

Another Solstice come and gone. Seems like they are coming around faster all the time. Through my eastern facing bedroom window it is so much fun to see old Sol move from the SE to the NE and back again. From my western facing front porch to see the drama of the Sun's bye bye times shifting from the SW to the NW. How can we get the public informed and interested in this Sol movement? Most folks know the Solstice as the "longest day" but what does that mean? When really pressed (SUG is always gentle with his cross examination) most do not know what this is all about. One of my goals with all this is for the average person to begin to notice the changing position of the sunrise and sunset and the reason for it. Solar standstill time - gotta love it! Equinox - like it but Solstices rule! Hook them in with a telescope view and then educate them about this sublime bi-yearly event.

I received two generous donations last week for my program which allowed me to purchase this wonderful 38mm 2" eyepiece from University Optics - just perfect for the OJ the C8's f10 optics! This thing is like a porthole to the sky with plenty of eye relief so just about anyone can view through it with ease. I was weathered out over the weekend so I was anxious for some good weather to roll in and to put this eyepiece to work. With our busy Ecliptic and Waxing Moon I want to do some astronomy outreach in a bad way.

I barely get my outpost semi setup when Jared stopped by from zooming bike laps around the Marina and inquires as to what is going on. He is certainly not prepared for what is about to happen to him as he is reeled in to this outdoor astronomy classroom. Jared is a busy guy but somethings are meant to happen and this was his night to get a full dose of the Sidewalk Universe Guy's presentation of our local universe. He had the first look through OJ C8 on Luna with the new eyepiece. This one look started a 2+hour time for him under the sky learning the Solstice, Luna surface features, the Ecliptic, and nailing the Sug Saturn Challenge! He was actively engaged with all the modeling and presentations - a shift in his evening plans indeed!

Kyle and his generation 2 Archuleta's got a eyeful also. All eager to see and learn this family was a joy to spend time with. Kyle was digging on the views and the kids were so well behaved and patient as they waited for their turn to look - by this time I had a crowd closing in. Family bonding and astronomy at its finest!

My resource table is a disaster, presentations are quick, questions coming at me left and right, and my Solstice plans are on hold much like the Sun's movement - just go with it and have some fun! Over 60 where exposed this night to our sky with the Sidewalk Universe Guy packing up around 12 a.m!

What is the twist? It was one of fate. My best laid plans for Solstice demonstrations and modeling fell to the power of the telescope views and the contagious excitement of seeing distant worlds with a convenient crowed ecliptic. Hard for the everyday Solar movement to compete with Lunar terminator, Saturnine views and a growing line at the scope. But some did get the Solstice presentation and eyes where opened to this aspect of celestial mechanics.

How Could I Forget to Post This Sunday Evening Street Astro

2010-06-17T21:22:00.000-07:00

Sunday was a fabulous day here with spring like temps, brilliant snow capped mountains and good sky. After being lazy all day I was ready to go out and met some folks and share some universe stuff. I decided to bring the Orion 8" out as the dust was building up on it in the garage. In years past this scope has had a lot of street astro lookers, scouts, neighbors view through it. A half hour of cleaning and tuning it was ready to go wearing C8 's light shroud as a crown.

It was a pretty evening with a magnificent sunset and 18 hour Cheshire Cat Moon grinning at us in the west. Saturn put on a show and the lines where building faster than expected. These folks in the pic where at the tail end of that line. But they heard every presentation, saw every modeling and when they hit the scope they were ready to look and do some astronomy. What a pleasure to work with this group as we covered a lot of sky for them! Each of them nailed the SUG Saturn Challenge pushing their novice viewing skills. After the ecliptic objects du jour on to double stars and some globular clusters too!

Waiting at the end of the line has its advantages!

3 Evening Street Astronomy Blitz Part 1

2010-06-17T10:19:00.000-07:00

Last night I kicked off another astro foray on the walkways of the Sparks Marina Park along with my new outreach pal OJ the C8 SCT all outfitted and ready to go. With the ecliptic offering so much in the way of eye candy along with super weather (save for the setting sun windy time) surely OJ and I would be busy tonight and we were! Over 60 stopped by to look & learn and many took up on the Sidewalk Guy's Saturn Observational Challenge which is:

Low power view of Saturn; how many moons can you spot?
Medium power view; you see Saturn's oblate shape?
Higher power view/orange filter; can you spy Saturn's mascara ring shadow, atmospheric banding, polar hood?
How long will you stick around to listen to SUG's banter?

Besides all this there is the Moon to show off, and the Ecliptic Sky to point out!

These guys were astro geeks deluxe throughout the evening getting totally hooked on this space stuff. And they came back with more of their gang to reel them in too! They may be joining me on Thursday evening for a detailed Lunar observe and more "phasing out"!

Rosa and her trio of surprised walkers made very detailed observations of Luna and Saturn with a little coaching. All of them have never looked through a scope before and where glued along with miles of smiles beaming from their faces and rapid text messaging going on to family and friends to join in the proceedings.
David is a budding amateur photographer who enjoys photographing the night sky in panoramic and scenic shots - earth sky stuff. What he had to show me on his 3G phone was impressive and needless to say this telescope on the walkway thing captured his attention fast! Luna, Saturn views led to a discussion about Venus and it's unique characteristics along with a understanding of the ecliptic.

This was a fun night!

Edi's Galaxy Quest

2010-06-08T14:50:00.001-07:00

Well the time arrived for Edi my novice astro geek neighbor to have his hand at hunting down the faint fuzzies. He has been on the SUG Astro Training Program the last year and is growing rapidly in his skill and tonight it is galaxies. Though not ready to shoot the Virgo Cluster he is ready to bag & tag the brighter Messiers and then move on to the Caldwells.

He did great this night with his mentor challenging his navigation skills and he used all of his tools - DeepMap 600, Telrad Charts, and starwheel. With the good seeing, 10" f/5 optics, and 2" eyepieces he was seeing them with ease! What more can the SUG teach this guy? SUG showed off some quickie Caldwell gems to keep my charge motivated and not to cocky.

Here are some pics from our high desert location. Yes the trash cans are part of the landscape!

Double/Double Duty Time For CR150/UA

2010-06-06T08:55:00.001-07:00

The day broke clear and cool with a just past 3rd quarter Luna sitting pretty in my skies along with sunspot group 1076 making freckles on the Sun. Sounds like a Saturday morning Sol & Luna Street Astro is in order. So I hurriedly load up my tools of the trade and out we go and the park is busy! I start to set up my outpost and folks are stopping by! Art in the pic was one of the first to come by and was instantly taken in. He received the full brunt of a SUG modeling demo "Why & When We See The Moon" which explains the Lunar Phase Cycle and why we see the moon at various times throughout the days of the month. Just what is with this daytime morning moon anyway? Well Art got a serious Lunar education and left only to come back later with friends in tow for the same hands on education. As the Sun rose in my skies CR150/UA was back and forth from Luna to Sol with my visitors being treated to fun views of both. The Sunspot group 1076 through "small" was putting out the faculae show which was easy for most of my peps to see along with Solar Granulation. I was out for just under 3 hours with over 40 exposed to some daytime astronomy.

I was fairly tired when I arrived home and thought I was done for the day. After lunch I helped my neighbor Edi with some yard work (trench digging) and some house cleaning. I was tired and loading up on pasta salad for dinner did not help. But the skies were calling, not clear clear but good considering the strange weather patterns we have been having so CR150/UA is out of the car and on the patio! Excitement is building : Double Stars, Saturn, Waning Luna, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and a morning comet await my gaze! And I'm not tired anymore. (OK a iced black tea did help with some of this!) Oh yes the SUG is in observational mode and doubles are falling right and left down to about 4". Patience is required with the unstable air but even my neighbor Edi (who needed a double star fix) was seeing some of these "stellar huggers" with his weaker vision. I helped Edi get re-acquainted with the sky with a Constellation/Messier Tour and he is ready to begin observing again! About 3 a.m the lenticular clouds floated in killing any chance for comet hunting and quality Lunar & Planet views. I could hear my pillow calling so off I go. As I land in my sleeping place I remember that CR150/UA is not at all snug as he is uncovered and exposed to the chill and this can not be so I stumble down the stairs to cover my acromatic telescope with his grey knit blanket to let him dream of other full astronomy days.

Marina Saturday Night Saturn View

2010-05-30T15:25:00.000-07:00

One thing about this sidewalk stuff is that it is very unpredictable especially on a Saturday night. You never know who you will meet or the reactions you will have when you do this sort of thing as you are catching folks off guard. But this night was a night of pleasant encounters. With this being a holiday weekend I was not sure what kind of crowd there would be at the Marina Park. What I found where curious and excited folks who came briskly walking or riding their bikes by to see what this was all about. Smiles and looks of excitement would follow the invitation to look and learn. I had a lot of fun encounters throughout my time out along with good science lessons. The Galvez family really ran with this Saturn thing. All three viewed moons, ring shadow, atmospheric banding and stayed glued to the scope in between other visitors. This was not the evening they expected as a simple walk turned into a adventure traversing across the Solar System!

Monday Morning Constellation Connection Program

2010-05-24T12:27:00.000-07:00

I had a fun program today with 80 students and three teachers. This is the first time I have done a program like this for such a large group but the students were involved and focused along with excellent preparation by the lead teacher . They were surprised as to how much is involved with seeing and understanding the patterns of stars that grace our skies. We covered Earth's revolution, rotation, day/night, tilt/season change, our changing horizonal view. They made Polar Clocks and Star Wheels and practiced their usage. We modeled the Zodiac and the stations of the Sun and ended with a really good question and answer session covering gravity, the multi - universe, space time, super nova, cosmic origins. It is fun to see what simple star patterns can do!

New Outreach Aids

2010-05-21T13:00:00.001-07:00

I found these recently at the local community college. They are a laminated tri-fold presenting the basic of the universe. Sometimes in my outreaches it is fun to have folks for themselves read or research the answer to their questions - this is a major component of the inquiry method that I use with my street astronomy. You should see the look on the faces of my visitors when I hand them a easy to read resource and flashlight! Yes when you visit my outpost you get to look but you pay the price with a little effort on your part to learn and engage. This will normally stimulate more questions and on and on we go with a quick look turning into a education time. One thing too is that sometimes it is hard for me to remember facts, numbers, distances etc. Handy resources take the pressure off and I seem less like a know it all. I try to use a variety of materials at any given time to fit the need of the great diversity of folks I encounter.

I have missed my outreach here the last 6 days or so due to funky not so spring weather........

A New Copy Of A Old Friend

2010-05-17T11:13:00.000-07:00

I have had a copy of this atlas for many years. I love its simplicity, content and easy layout. It has been a constant outreach friend and quick resource when I'm out with the public as it is seen on my outreach resource table. I truly enjoy this guide except from its poor binding which breaks apart. This old copy was purchased in '96 and is well worn and barely held together with packing tape. The other thing is that the new addition does not have the same feel and layout as this one which was first published in '84.

Well sure enough I was able to locate a copy of the original from a private seller and at a wonderful price. It arrived Friday and is in totally new condition. This one will sit on my bed stand table for now and will be perused at night before sleepy time. What is with the Sidewalk Guy's connection with this guide? What about my old one? Should I take it apart and put the charts in page liners for my outreach binder? The thought of dismantling this well worn copy is troublesome. Can this pocket guide have a second life? Can this backyard astronomer outreach guy get over this?

Saturn Sights Street Astro/ HEOC Request

2010-05-14T07:59:00.000-07:00

Lots to see and share this spring for sure from the byways of my desert town. But before you go out and share it all one needs to get fueled up so.......
Here's a Healthy Eating and Observing Club as per special request for one reader who's cloud layered skies will not clear : Quick Thai Pasta Bowl. Angel hair pasta, green onions, snap peas, carrots, mushrooms, edomme beans, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, almond butter, fresh cilantro, crushed red pepper. I go heavy on the vinegar and seasonings as the pasta is like a sponge. Make lots for this will disappear fast! Total comfort food and so easy to prepare!

Now that I'm fueled up it is time to hit the streets. OJ the C8 is with me tonight for a trial run and our skies look good for a Saturn up close & personal night. OJ did a nice job with Saturn's rings and moons with most of my visitors having no problem looking through his eyepiece. Higher power views of 140x - 200x showed off Saturn's mascara ring shadow to the delight of this foursome. This along with planet scale size and active modeling rounded out their experience with the Sidewalk Guy. This group was spellbound by it all and were greatly appreciative of their experience. 33 visitors in all and some leftovers at home awaiting my consumption!

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-09T13:06:00.000-07:00

Where would we be without mom's gentle but firm tug, hug and influence on our lives!

Happy Mothers Day to all astro moms out there!

OJ Taking Shape

2010-05-08T08:08:00.000-07:00

OJ the intrepid vintage C8 is slowly getting ready for his outreach debut. Last week I had two kind folks give me donations in appreciation for my efforts in bringing the universe to the public. These went to OJ's new light shield and 2" diagonal.

Next up is a power supply and converter that he will need to run his drive motors. One of OJ's desires (OK mine too) is for a Thousand Oaks Prominence Filter setup which will allow for super Solar Prominence views at f30. Up close and personal for the photon deprived masses. A white light filter is also on the list to show Sunspots, Beaches, Limb Darkening and Solar Granulation.

But for now some personal viewing as OJ gathered the light of a waning crescent moon in my dust layered morning skies. Nice sharp views, and easy to look through with the 2" format. OJ and I are anticipating fun outreach sessions with the public.

OJ's gonna deliver the goods while the Sidewalk Universe Guy banters away with the curious public!

Friday Morning Sun Earth Moon Street Astro.

2010-05-07T14:00:00.000-07:00

Start with this......

Add a telescope.

You get this...... a fun time for all in the cool morning of a new day! Jackie and Elaina were astro buzzed for sure along with 45 others who received a morning jolt of astronomy caffeine!

Downtown Sparks Planet Show Off

2010-05-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Friday night and where are the people? Movie theaters! So off to the Sparks NV Victorian Square City Center and the Century Movie Theater with it's nice lawn, reasonable sky and people! Besides the theater staff likes me and they will watch my gear when I need a potty break! Even with the city lighting I have good views to the east and west. Winds were light but steady so my planned resource table activities had to be scraped. Tonight Saturn, Mars, and Venus had top billing. Many were very surprised by the views: just how small Mars is, Venus's gibbous cue ball look, and Saturn's edge on rings. Polaris's true identity was reviled as a distant variable/binary system. Castor's multiple members were shown. Rigel's brilliance with the subtlety of it's companion compared. A lot of astronomy can be done out here along with some educating. Let's not forget the Zodiac which is the path of the Planets, Moon, and Sun along our sky . Let's compare Planet and Star sizes while we are here. I had 43 visitors tonight who left with a new experience under their belts and hopefully a greater curiosity about the universe around them.

Post Astronomy Day Outreach

2010-04-26T08:03:00.000-07:00

Saturday was the official Astronomy Day nation wide and the day was clear skies and 70's till 6 p.m when the clouds rolled in. Bust and disappointment for a Saturday night at the movie theater with its throngs. I was really looking forward to this outreach. But Sunday remained relatively clear so off we go energized by a fish taco dinner and a zeal to make up for the previous evening. I will get my Astronomy Day programs in! How can I not be a small part of this national effort in outreach education joining my fellow astronomers in bringing the skies to the public? A gibbous Luna, the Saturn ring and moon show, a Venus Pleiades's dance in the west all need to be shown and discussed. Mars overhead, Castor & Pollux, the Dipper on it's handle, arc to Arcturus & speed to Spica, the Zodiac must be understood and put into context.

Sunday evening was fun and I was not even set up when they arrived to look see and be inspired. I had 60-70 visitors with most having heard about my antics in outreach wanting there own personal view and exposure to the Sidewalk Guy. I had folks from Oregon, Louisiana, California visiting the local area partaking and offering invites for astro intoxication in their of the woods.

I guess it was still Astronomy Day after all!

Astronomy Day Kick Off

2010-04-24T08:05:00.000-07:00

With the nice weather finely arriving to Northern NV, Astronomy Day upon us, and a busy Zodiacal sky all the ingredients are in place for some fun outreach. This Friday evening event had a lot of energy and fun! I was a busy outreach guy helping folks at the scope, moon modeling, Sidewalk Guy's Planet Round Up, Pocket Solar System, charting the Zodiac and fielding questions.

Luna was really putting on a fine show and many came under her spell as she is indeed the doorway to understanding the Solar System. With the Clavius crater complex, crater Bullialdus central peak, crater Copernicus rim terracing, and the Sinus Iridium Daybreak Light Show featuring a well lit Jura Mtns, wrinkles with shadows, and Luna curvature providing lots of " wows "and "oh mys". Folks were excited about our moon this night and rightly so.

And of course Saturn taking the main stage at dark sealed the deal for many of my visitors. Even with our bright moon and parking lot lighting many wanted to learn the Zodiac. I had folks with their 3G phones programed with the various astro software but still needing some good old fashioned hands on instruction. There will always be work for the Sidewalk Guy!

I had a estimated 80 + photon infected visitors this night.

Sunday In The Park Marathon Outreach Event

2010-04-19T08:06:00.000-07:00

What I thought was to be a 3 hour outreach featuring our Sun Earth Moon System turned out to be a outreach long distance race. They just kept coming and coming - and then returning with more family and friends. Was it fun? Yes it was. Was it worth it? Yes as many lives were enriched questions were answered, and a few potential astrophiles added to our ranks .

I started at 2:30 and finally closed shop at 10:15 with folks wanting more but a local brush fire closed us down. Using my NSN tool kits we covered Lunar cratering/phases, scale sizing of the Solar System. Folks loved the Pocket Solar System as it was fun watching people walk off with glee with long strands of register paper flowing in the light breeze excited about their new creation! The power of planets is strong indeed!

I met so many nice folks along with this cutie pie who just loved Luna's wonderfully complex surface. She came by with her folks at just the right time as I had a small break and the scope was hers! It must have seemed monstrous to her but when her eye hit the eyepiece she was transported to new vistas and her nice smile was beaming on her face. This little girl fell for the Moon big time!

At dark Saturn delighted these new astro explorers with Titan in tow and ring shadow giving Saturn a mascara look! Eye make up on a planet, imagine that! All this led to more hands on demos and scale modeling. All in all I am estimating 160+ visitors and one tired outreach guy!

Special thanks to my visitors that supplied me with bottled water, and snacks during my longer than planned stay!

Quickie Outreach With Another Catch

2010-04-17T11:49:00.001-07:00

Our skies cleared out a bit and with a lot of Solar System action going on the evening looked to be fun and active. But it was not to be as I had a very short(for me) and lite traffic event - the park just emptied out. But it was fun just to get out as the Lunar and Saturnine views were excellent and the 28 who came by were treated to these.

Here's CR150/UA ready to go!!!!!!!!!

I had a very sparse resource table due to some sunset wind gust which are common here. But it is uncanny how I manage to have just what I need out for the visitors who stop by.

Jessica and Shane love this astronomy stuff. Shane is a devoted watcher of all the current astronomy programs on the airwaves. He is now ready to take the plunge and pursue this as a hobby for himself.

Of course the Sidewalk Guy is available to help with all the enthusiasm, nearby snacks, high energy level he is known for. Just give me a few moments to overwhelm you!

Once you are in my astro grasp your not wiggling free!

Messier Month!!!!!!!

2010-04-10T10:02:00.000-07:00

Hey gang it is that time of year again to enjoy and share these far flung objects of photonic delight!

All we need is some clear skies and a crowd of folks to show them too!

DeepMap 600 & Almond Butter Washed Out Astronomy

2010-04-07T08:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday spring arrived to my storm rattled corner of the universe. After spending a good portion of the day garage spring cleaning and rushing dinner to the table some astro foraging was in order. In my previous post I talked about my 600 Blitz - tonight would be a slower pace, and relaxed photon meal time with galaxies and planetary nebulae on the menu. RED the 10" not so fancy tele with the plumbing piece draw tube focuser was set up, lined up, and primed up. SUG was in his finest warm gear with the 600 DeepMap in hand ready to go. The Venus Mercury dance in the west is coming to a end but it is a pretty sight. Oh what is this I see in the west - oh no high altitude haze rolling in with the tide of Pacific Ocean air! OK I should have a couple of hours of good seeing anyway.

Now it is dark and time to observe and just as I start - Oh no their back!!!!!!!!!!! my neighbors to the south of SUGS eastern facing backyard are back(seasonal renters). Every light in their home is on, first and second floors, beacon like (no kidding folks) light from their front porch, garage floods my yard. Their light is bouncing off my stucco finished home, neighboring house to my north, even my juniper trees are glowing with a sick ashen green! There is no escaping this invasion. I am just beside myself - months they have been gone and tonight they show up!

Mrs.SUG patiently listens to the plight of her spouse - I ask for nothing more than a roof over my head, clothes to wear, something to eat, and some sky to look at! She says "hey if anyone can see stuff out there it is you so go give it a try and you know how to make the best of it!" She's right I gotta make the best of it or sink. RED is game for the challenge so lets go!

My viewing is around mag 4.2 with the haze and lighting soup over head as I lay back in the lounger with a jar of almond butter and spoon in hand to help comfort me and strenghten me for this endeavor. Lets just hang here for awhile. Funny thing is the more almond butter I eat the more I see. Sometimes I can see mag 5, then back to mag 4 even with the neighbors lights blasting through the slates of my fence. OK I am ready to go with comfort food inside and targets in mind.

Galaxies start falling like flies to RED's crude optics. Stray light is all over the place but we are on a quest and we will not be deterred! Even with this photonic intruder from earthly sources flooding RED's tube and eyepieces we are going to make this work.

Here are some of the highlights:

M94's core is brilliant with ripples seen just off of it.
M51 arms discerned - easy.
M63 delicate haze shows some unevenness.
M101 haze fills the eyepiece with some dark areas near the core.
M106 shows a way out appendage like it is being torn.
M97 the Owl has eyes tonight! with the help of a LPR filter. Nearby M108 is on the threshold of my vision but there in the same field.
M81-2 are easy. M81 shows hints of its arms and I am seeing a bar?
Globbies M13, M3, M53, M92, fall captured to RED's mirror net. M3 shows a distinct topaz shine, with 53 giving me a spooky kinda view. I'm enjoying 13's wild star arms and 92's dense star jam.
M65-66 are easy but NGC 3628 is hiding!
On to Coma where Melotte 111 and Alpha, Beta, Gamma Com on the threshold of my vision. But it is enough for the hunt!
M64's black eye is seen with a adverted stare.
NGC 4565 is a ghost - tap the tube there it is, then gone!
NGC4889 the brightest of the Coma far flung cluster can just be seen! Not bad!
On to Corvus and to face my neighbors lighting head on: NGC 4361 Ghost of Jupiter is seen with the help of the LPR.
NGC's 4038-27 are dots of light but seen.
M104 is a specter in this sky glow viewing site. Its dark lane is still easily seen and its core is a bold pin point - very cool.
When it was all said and done 41 targets where acquired, 2 cups of tea downed, 1/3rd of a jar of almond butter consumed with remains on my mouth, gloves and telescope.

This observe wore me out. It is easy to observe when conditions are good, it is a test when they are not. Once I got past my attitude things started working right. I finished off the jar of almond butter on my couch composing a tactful note to my on and off neighbor to the south and dreamed of early morning Lunar vistas to see at dawn. I 'm glad I continued on.

The New Kid On The Block

2010-04-04T16:07:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone my name is OJ. I was adopted yesterday into SUG's telescope troop and I was rescued from years of idleness in my case waiting for another chance to gather energy from above. Once SUG laid his eyes on me he flipped and quipped "oh my!" Well before I knew it I was in the back of his old car and off to my new digs. He says " outreach my fine old friend outreach it is for you" as he drives me home. I'm an old telescope for sure but I feel very young. SUGGY likes my optics, mount, and drives which are in perfect order. He was pleased with the quick look we had last night with a arctic like Sierra storm bearing down on us. I won't be out for use yet as my new caretaker has to purchase a power supply, dew shield, and 2 inch stuff for visual. All the pennies and dimes he was saving went for me at a my not to be resisted price.

I'm feeling really good right now as I'm all cleaned and set up. Finally out of the case and on my legs! But what is this black thingy SUG taped to my tube? SUG says " that it will help me point you to things faster, and easier". OK as long has I get to do my thing! I am liking this fancy eyepiece though. He then plugs me in and my mount is purring, my are optics cooling and I'm on top of the world! We viewed some of my favorites, M41-2, M36, 37, 38, M1, M46-7, M68, M35, Venus, Mercury, Saturn, double stars galore. Oh rupture & bliss to be used again - nothing like photons bouncing around my mirrors! No collimation needed and I'm in step with the sky like a fine Swiss watch ticking off the seconds, minutes and hours!

Here I am in my new garage - the other scopes of this platoon are rather quiet under their bags and wraps all shelved or upright against the wall. I can hear whispering from among them but no one answers my greeting. I got to meet Mrs.SUG. She's cute and she likes my color scheme and likes looking through SCT's like me. I hope she takes me out! Boy she's cute and smells pretty.
Can you guys tell me anything about my new owner? He certainly enjoys driving around the sky. I understand he is a colorful and different sort of person. And what about these not so friendly scopes whom I'm sharing space with......

4/5/10 Update: Clementine is Mr.Dr.Drive-by Astronomy's C-8 who is in a disparate situation and needs to be rescued from non usage! I received a cry for help from her earlier today. Can anyone help my new friend of like opticalness? There is nothing worst than sitting around collecting dust, rust, mildew, cobwebs, with my mount becoming a clothes hanger, my tube a large desktop paper weight and being condemned as a relic of the observational past. We must find a way to snatch this fine scope from more years of this abyss. I know what it is like.

WOW Picture - OK for me it is!

2010-03-29T20:10:00.000-07:00

Full moon tonight with clouds failing at hiding her gaze upon me through the window. Winds are blowing at 70+mph with a chance of snow. Sierra foothills early spring! No Venus, no Mercury along with their dance to be seen in the west. No Mars, no Saturn. No just Luna in and out through the haze but this caught my eye on APOD and I'm wondering how did I miss this.

Kimble's Cascade and NGC 1502 which was featured on a recent posting on this blog. This duo is a favorite and I enjoy climbing up and down the cascade with my telescopic eye!

Sun Earth Moon Tuesday Street Astro

2010-03-24T18:02:00.000-07:00

I missed doing a Saturday program due to the weather but Tuesday bloomed pretty along with a open time slot for the Sidewalk Guy to get out and do some astro pollinating! Lots of folks out and about mid afternoon with temps in the 60's - perfect! This outreach pulled in 87 visitors to my celestial educational center. This group stayed with me for a hour+ with folks coming in and going and we modeled and discussed so many topics. The Sun Earth Moon system was our jumping off point to the cosmos!
Eric came by on his bike after a couple of fast laps around the park with his workout buddy. They were glued to everything and later Eric came back to enjoy some late afternoon Luna views. With map in hand he was off surveying everything the moon had to offer. When others came by he readily gave up his "box seat" and then was at it again. This went on for sometime! He was kind enough to help me with crowd control and handouts to interested visitors as he shared about his views through CR150 with his infectious smile and tales of discovery.

Seems like this pollination effort is showing some fruit already!

More March Madness: First Quarter Delights

2010-03-23T09:20:00.000-07:00

After being clouded out on Saturday and wind blown on Sunday Monday unfolded with sunny skies, light breezes with very dry air. With Luna's half covered face at not quite at zenith this can make for some neat views of our tag a long moon - and it did. I left my camera at home so no pics of my peeps but I had some really interested folks this evening. I had 27 throughout my 2 hours out and many were totally floored by what Luna was showing. This is a easy moon for people to learn to navigate around on - just orient the correct image map, set the scope, give them a major landmark home base, let them loose. Autumn D'Amico was walking the marina with her dad and mom and before long they fell under the Sidewalk Guy's spell of March Madness. After a 10 minute SUG Lunar Lesson on to the scope. Autumn is a quiet sort of 15 year old but when Lunar light hit her eye she she let out a burst of glee. Before long she doing detailed sightings like the one in the pic which CR150/UA was happy to provide. Her dad John commented he's never seen her so excited about anything dealing with science before. Autumn is waiting patiently for her drivers license but she took an extended drive across our moon with her curiosity, openness to try something new as her permission slip. By the way she drove great with no mishaps and her folks did not break a sweat at all with her behind the wheel !

March Madness Under The Skies

2010-03-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

With Spring weather and good skies it's time to hit the old Marina and have some fun. Last night was my kickoff of 3-4 evenings of street astronomy. So much to see and share. I started to set up my table around five or so and within 10 minutes 8 had stopped and inquired. Set up CR150 and my little outdoor school room was surrounded by a hoard of folks anxious for the show to begin with questions flying like a press conference! I did a modeling session of the lunar cycle and then turned them loose to locate our smiling waxing crescent. Here was a group of 12 + all facing west trying to locate this skinny moon - folks who never met before captivated with a single cause that only a few minutes before would never have entered their minds. I was busy with no down time and just time for this one pic of Jay and Theresa who were the first to spot Selene got the first look with CR150 digging on Day 3 Luna with Mare Crisium showing off its wares. Fifty six visitors this night. More to follow.............

Update 3/19/10 Friday night street astro is always a good time. Lots of folks out and about and the SUG was active sharing his cosmic wares to the public. I was marketing to small groups all evening, 5-7 folks at a time which made for fun modeling times in which everyone played a part. Someone is the Sun, another is Venus, another is Earth, another is Luna. How come we see Saturn's rings like a wire across it? Lets model it! What about the seasons or the lunar phases? Lets model it! The views were neat too. Just ask this young lady in the black coat. She was glued to the scope!

Mike and Jayde bought their kids Nathan and Chloe down to the cosmic market get some astro provisions. Views of Luna, star clusters, and Saturn ignited fun conversation and a good hour under the skies. This family loves science and the arts so we had a fun connection with both. I find that as I attempt to give a personal touch to all my visitors different points of connection open up. The sky is a wonderful catalyst for this. Needless to say my social bucket was getting full!

By the way Mr.Percival Lowell stopped by and asked that I specifically show off Mars and bragged about his very large Refractor telescope down in Arizona. I would expect nothing less from him!

47 visitors this time out and a tired Sidewalk Universe Guy.

Astronomy Photon Phood Passion

2010-03-16T14:38:00.000-07:00

Here I am again waiting for our skies to clear out. Our spring temperatures have arrived along with Venus low in our western skies, Mars high in the southeast, Saturn low in the southeast along with a new Lunar cycle with a waxing Moon all during early evening hours. Lots to see and share along with Orion wonders and star clusters scattered about the sky like so many islands across the oceans. But I and they will have to wait a little longer. Mr.Drive - by aka "Great One" so honored recently by the Buffalo Astronomical Association mentioned something about APPP - Astronomy Photon Phood Passion. I think you would agree that this is one unique astronomy blog. I will be posting my outreach activities when I am able to do them but in the mean time I want to have some fun. Mr.Drive -by is right, good food and good astronomy are things that fill my life with joy. I like eating well, I like looking up well into the heavenly vault...........

Something to eat with passion: Almond Anise Biscotti. Oh the power to please is in these twice baked cookies with a decided crunch, nutty and old world flavor in every bite. I had so much fun putting these together and enjoyed watching the way the they disappeared over the course of two days. No guilt at all enjoying them, they are lean with egg whites and low amounts of fat. Cindy enjoyed hers with a White Bloosom Tea & SUG with Earl Grey! Here's the before and after treats!

Something astronomical with passion: Looking beyond the eyepiece is an important part of my hobby. I like my sky to be personal, meaningful and one way to do this is to learn some names - star names! We grow in relationship with others with the introduction of names, and personal history hence the starry sky becomes more personal as I dig into this sphere of inquiry. And how meaningful it is. This book is in my opinion is the definitive work on the subject. Not a fast read, no this is to be pondered and read over the course of years. An exhaustive history it is and totally fascinating. No way can I remember all the names, but it is fun to rediscover them over and over again!

Like the delicate biscotti flavors which intensify as they sit in a container your taste for astronomical lore and history will grow as you pursue it. I never thought that this subject would intrigue me, but it has enriched my life. This journey is to be enjoyed all comfy in your favorite chair with a hot something in your cup with a biscotti nearby.

SLURP, CRUNCH & FASCINATION a complete package!

SUG NewsFlash: CR150 Off The Shelf & Out of The Bag.

2010-03-13T11:47:00.000-08:00

A wait of many months has paid off for my intrepid Celestron telescope the CR150. It's stock mount gave it up several years back from constant usage and a heavy load. I love this scope. With CR150 outreach events, double star surveys, open cluster surveys, Jupiter's prancing moons, and Luna surveys were a common treat. CR150 has been more or less on the shelf for awhile. The wait is over and this observing pal is back and ready to go!

This wonderful Alt/Az mount is from Larry over at Universal Astronomics and is able to handle this heavy and long tube. The mount with this pier on concrete has a "damp" time of 3 seconds and it should be less when mounted on CR150's surveyors tripod anchored into the ground! Cool as CR150 does not like the jitters. What a joy to use with smooth movement, balance, and stability too boot! Of course it goes without saying as I set it up first for a peek at the Sun the clouds rolled in just as I inserted the eyepiece - timing is everything! This mount will be able to handle all types of other scopes with ease and simplicity as I expand my outreach efforts this year. One of my dreams is to have a H-Alpha scope this year to piggy back on CR150 for those narrow band Solar views to wow the public. I wonder what CR150 thinks about this, being the pack animal for another scope!

The Reality Check:

Oh just to keep me humble Mrs. SUG took this pic today as a reminder has to how she "would like me to organize certain aspects of our kitchen". I may rule the skies of my backyard from time to time but she rules the roost. NEVER FORGET THIS!

A Lynx & Lentils Healthy Eating And Observing Club

2010-03-09T11:14:00.000-08:00

Here are two sublime items; one residing forever in your pantry and a bit of a mystery. The other in the sky hidden amongst more notable sky patterns hard to discern.

The Legumes: Lentils are funny. How many bags of these dried protein packed saucers are hanging out in cabinets and pantries unused I wonder and the greater mystery is how to use them. I love them! Simple, unpretentious and not a looked for item for most folks but still there waiting to be discovered. I found a neat recipe where cooked lentils are baked along with onions, peppers, artichokes, garlic, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, black pepper. I served this over angel hair pasta and topped with chopped green olives with a dash of olive oil. Oh my the flavors just exploded in my mouth with sweet, spicy, and earthy begging for attention. Oh the leftovers where totally delightful! Never underestimate the power of this legume to satisfy!

The Constellation: Dim and elusive hence the moniker Lynx. Tracking and slinking its way through the intersection of Cancer, Gemini, Auriga, Leo and Leo Minor and the nose and feet of Ursa Major. Not a mainstream constellation and it takes an effort to discern amongst the gaggle of near by star patterns. But once seen and located it is forever yours to enjoy! During my DeepMap 600 Blitz with Gemini riding high there was the cat purring away at me all most at zenith. I just had to sit down in my lounger and take a break just to enjoy this elusive feline once again. Just tracing out its form ignited my imagination of early astronomers dividing the sky up into sections for easier study and having to make sense of the leftover stars not connected to anything! This cat is a double star hunting ground for seasoned observers and a constellation catch for the cat like night visioned novice. Once you spy it you will know what to do with it; grasp it's tail to capture, explore it and savor its stealthy ways!

A Quickie Astro Blitz - Orion DeepMap 600 Survey

2010-03-08T09:26:00.000-08:00

Really unusual weather pattern for us here in NV. Cloudy weeks on end but a opening between storm fronts so why not take advantage of it! Yes it is time from my twice yearly Orion DeepMap 600 Blitz - how many of these 600 celestial buggers can I bag in one evening observing session & one morning observing session. Sometimes I will do this over the course of a few nights but with another storm on the way it looks like my window of opportunity is just this one evening. As it turned out I had 3 hours of reasonable seeing in my suburban Reno area backyard and dealing with a neighbors overly bright front porch lights and impending storm front building in the west over the mountains!

The DeepMap 600 is an incredible tool for any observer at any level. I have all my astro newbies buy this along with a star wheel to begin their telescopic safaris. Each constellation neatly displayed with all its treasures at your disposal. Any one can learn to star hop with this neat tool and I taught plenty of folks in just a hour or two how to use this map and soon they are bagging objects and learning the skies. For me tonight it is my road map for a intense survey, "catch & release", and to relearn my skills after a long down time. It is amazing to me how everything looks so "fresh" after a long time away from the deep sky! It was a 3 hour blitz with 72 being bagged and tagged before the clouds rolled in. I did pause to savor a few but like a long haul trucker I had to stay on the gas peddle!

RED the 10" Coulter Scope with the Plumbing Piece & Draw Tube Focuser joined me for this observe. Usually 12.5 is used for the Blitz but Mr.SUG 's lower back was sore so RED get to go on this trip with me. He was up to the task. His crude optical system lined up very nicely and stars where very nice points with good color for a f4.5 scope. Mrs. SUG even joined us in our drive across the sky and surveyed some star clusters in Taurus & the Unicorn.

Here's RED under his blanket all SUGGY SNUG under the morning clouds after a 3 hour prior evening workout - he was tired and I got photon filled!

SUG Spuds & A Overstuffed Horizon Hugger HEOC

2010-03-03T10:48:00.000-08:00

Here go once more with the over active imagination of your blog host. As I was preparing dinner I got to thinking about our Solar System and a little rocky world we are just now beginning to understand in harmony with more questions.

The Munchies : SUG Spuds version 2.1 - Twice Stuffed Baked Potatoes. So much can be done with a spud but this is a family favorite. I like to take my baked spuds and carve out the insides and mash them up, mix them up with assorted veggies; in this case frozen mixed peppers and peas par cooked along with mashed steamed winter squash. Seasonings include sea salt, black pepper, paprika, sage, cumin, season salt. All this mixed together with a bit of Greek style yogurt and olive oil. Place the mix back in the spud shell till over flowing & bake till done. The combination's are endless has to how you stuff 'em and season them. A little work but worth it. Tonight's will be served with fresh garlic green beans.

The View: Mercury that little Inner Solar System Planet that speeds about the Sun and dances in our line of sight for precious fleeting moments - sometimes morning, sometimes evening. Never far from the furnace which blasts it environment. This place is indeed twice stuffed & baked and a joy to see in the twilight sky with its orange/tan glow. Baked & stuffed twice over by a impact which most likely renovated the whole place with a super large core and a active magnetic field!

In my years at the eyepiece I have had only a handful good views - just some shades of light and gray, and patches. Go to the Mercury Messenger website for some great pics and info. But the naked eye view of this place is always a treat for me. It is common to see Mercury in conjunction with our moon. Now here's 2 twice baked impact morphed and formed objects side by side in our skies! One near, one far.

Check it out folks!

More Funky Weather So Let's Eat And Dream

2010-03-02T18:32:00.000-08:00

The title says it all so lets have a virtual munch:

What to eat: Oven Roasted Cauliflower, Squash & Pan Seared Garlic Basil Chicken Breast. So fast and easy to do. Really any combo of your favorite veggies will do which are cut to size, coated with olive oil, sea salt, fresh ground pepper - roast in foil . Use a very hot pan, olive oil, fresh minced garlic, basil, and a little season salt with the chicken. Total prep time for this dinner 30 minutes. Cindy found some really good brown Basmati rice at the store so that rounded out this dinner. There were scant leftovers!

And a virtual dream time:
What to look at : Here's NGC 1501 another gem to be found in the faint constellation of Camelopardalis the Camel. I had a very mystical observe with this planetary nebula last season and in my opinion this is one of the finest and I like it much better than the famous M57. It resides over 4200ly away yet it stands out like a cosmic gem stone being presented to you. It's color is striking along with the ripples seen in its annulus. Oh the star field that surrounds this has been star is outstanding.

Like the roasting veggies in my oven I imagine the 11th magnitude super hot white dwarf star of NGC 1501 providing plenty of ultraviolet energy to "roast" the gas and set it aglow! You will come back for seconds with this one!

Hey if I can't observe and outreach I will eat well and dream! If you want to you can email me your food and object idea for the Healthy Eating & Observing Club and remember "healthy" is a relative term!

BBFMO - A Back To Basics Full Moon Observe 2/28/10

2010-02-28T13:14:00.000-08:00

Full moon tonight - the bane of backyard astronomers along with some high altitude haze. Is this worth the effort and time? Well that depends on your attitude, and what do you want to accomplish. I always see something new every time I observe as I exercise patience with a good dose of expectation. I was sitting out in the backyard lounging and reading when I started to complicated this observe and I found my expectation rising! No full moon is the same due to several factors:

The moons orbit around the Earth is not a perfect circle so it's distance varies and accordingly it's size will vary.
Full moon time will vary depending upon where I am on the Earth and where Luna is in her race around the Earth. This full moon is official at 11:38 a.m east coast(8:38 a.m here) time. So by the time I see it in NV at sunset, around 6:15 p.m pacific time I am 9 hours past full and the eastern edge of the moon has receded a bit into shadow. Sometimes full moon time will be when it is right over my head!
And finally because of Luna's tilting action (libration) we see the edges (north south east west) more or less. In the pic note that the lunar south & west are very exposed, north & east is very closed. A bobbing moon - so cool!

Tools of the trade are very basic too - how about a GalileoScope (SUGALEO SCOPE as coined by Drive By Guy) with cheap camera tripod, basic eyepieces & two 2" eyepieces which fit and focus, filters which happen to fit real nice in the friction held dew shield, basic moon map and atlas book.

And of course there must be food and drink. Tonight it is a blueberry scone, maybe a espresso but for sure some hot tea - Earle Grey anyone? We must have 30 or so boxes of tea in various places around the kitchen. That scone has a subtle likeness to tonight's quarry - imagine a little if you please:

It is not perfectly round.
It has rough edges.
Lite and dark shading with a uneven surface texture.
Bright marks punctuate it's surface.
Looks like a full moon with a southern exposure!

I will let you know how it goes. Why not do your own?