[Chaos-l] Viewing session tonight?

[Robert Nielsen]

Christie:

I think tonight is the most overbooked Friday I've seen for observing 
for a long time.   In fact, there are three possible observing sessions 
for your viewing pleasure:

The Morehead Planetarium's obverving session at Ebenezer Point Rec Area 
south of US 64 on Jordan Lake.   This will be a "public" observing 
session, so there will be novices and people will little kids that want 
to see just a couple of what Jon Stewart-Taylor calls (appropriately) 
"tourist traps".   So a telescope could remain pointed at one single 
object (like the Andromeda Galaxy or Mars) the entire night while a line 
of people file past.   This type of thing is for outreach ... and for 
some reason I personally like doing it so I will join the planetarium 
folks down there tonight.   It is from 9-11 PM, and unfortunately, the 
ranger locks up the place soon after 11 (he does let us pack up) so we 
can't stay late and observe on our own.   We also can't stay and see the 
best of the Geminids, which will likely peak after midnight.

So ... we usually schedule an observing session at Farrington Point Boat 
Ramp to (1) allow astronomers to be left somewhat in peace if they want 
to look at something other than the tourist traps, and (2) have a place 
to congregate after the planetarium's show packs up at 11 PM.   If you 
want to observe on your own, and not be interrupted by "muggles", then 
Farrington Point is the place to go.   And if you really want to watch 
the Geminid shower, show up at Farrington Point around midnight.

Finally, there is an observing session once a month at the Duke Teaching 
Observatory off Erwin Road (it isn't actually on Erwin ... and I can't 
remember the road it's on ... perhaps Cornwallis) that is led by Kate 
Scholberg (professor at Duke).   I've been to one of these, and wish I 
could make it to more ... but as you can see, there are sometimes other 
observing sessions that conflict.   This one is primarily for Duke 
students, especially astronomy students, but I also think the general 
Durham public is invited.

Depending on how adventurous you are, you could start at the planetarium 
session, move up to the Farrington session, and basically get no sleep!

Robert (who will be attending the planetarium session ... and then who 
knows?)


Christie Boyce wrote:
> Is there a viewing session tonight?  I noticed that there are 
> different dates and times between the Morehead Planetarium website and 
> the CHAOS website.  Thanks!
>
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