[Chaos-l] Observing Sessions For Cedar Ridge HS

[Robert Nielsen]

Everyone,

According to the Clear Sky Clock, tonight will have cloud cover in 
the evening ... so Ms. Bennett (the science teacher at CRHS) and I 
have decided that we will try for Thursday and Friday nights of this 
week to hold observing sessions near the school.   If you can attend, 
and bring a telescope, that would be great!   The more telescopes we 
have, the more the kids get to see "in action" (for instance, I would 
really like for them to see a Dobsonian in action) and the more 
astronomical sights they will get to see!   Because of the time 
change, the sessions will start at 7:30 PM instead of the time in the 
original notice.

We all understand that the moon will be a factor.  C'est la 
vie!   The high school students will be amazed to see the moon as 
well as other sights like M27. M57. the Andromeda Galaxy, M13, and 
Comet Swan (is it still visible?).   If you could, also explain to 
them how your telescope "works" and how you are finding things in the 
sky.   That will tie in nicely with the talks that Jayme and I gave 
to the students last week.

As a reminder of where the observing session is ... take I-40 west to 
the Hillsborough exit (261).   At the bottom of the ramp, turn right 
and travel roughly a mile to the first stoplight.  Turn left onto 
Oakdale Dr., go to the end of that road (again, roughly a mile) and 
turn left onto Orange Grove Rd.   You will quickly pass *over* I-40 
on a bridge, and then immediately come to a stoplight at New Grady 
Brown School Rd.   Go straight through the stoplight, and the 
observing will be immediately on the right, in one of the practice 
soccer fields for the high school (which is down New Grady Brown 
School Rd if you had turned at the stoplight).  Look for cars on the 
side of the road.

Thanks for everyone that can help with this outreach.  I have to say 
that some of the students were interested in astronomy in the sterile 
environment of an auditorium (where I talked to them) ... I can only 
image how interested they will be if they actually SEE things in the sky!

See you Thursday and Friday night!

Robert Nielsen