New Sidewalk Universe Guy Outreach Effort

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

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

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

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

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

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 ?

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?