[Chaos-l] [Medoc-mountain-men] Thanks

[Robert Nielsen]

Yep, last night was actually a lot of fun ... and some work as well getting everything ready for the visitors (so I was more worn out than normal after they left, and didn't really have a good set of things to see in The Mistress or the stamina to stay later, sorry Ian and Mark), but even more importantly I think it was good for Medoc Mountain SP and astronomy in general.   

As Mark said, you are the anchor, Allen ... but I was impressed how everyone just works together and contributes different things, from sharing with visitors to fixing things to building a fire (I think we might not have survived last night without that last one).   Seems like wherever I go (like MASP) if you get that group together, it's a good time.

So what did everyone show the visitors, and what worked well?   (I ask, so that we can plan better for the next session).  I know Allen was showing off M15 and Jupiter.  I think Mark was showing M31 and Jayme was showing the Ring Nebula at one point.   What did the public appreciate most?  Could you tell?

I tried a couple of the "tourist traps" at the beginning, but switched to the "Parachute Man" to see if folks would enjoy some real observing techniques - finding things in a star-filled view and recognizing patterns or asterisms.  I think almost everyone eventually saw it ... including some 4-5 year olds.   Then I switched to "Mirach's Ghost" ... everyone seemed to enjoy it.   I'm not sure if they remember it today (compared to the views of Jupiter).

Just wondering ... it was definitely a successful night.  I was wondering whether the cold temps would keep people away, but as Allen said, the line of cars parked on both sides of the road was amazing.

Robert

Sent from my iPad

On Nov 19, 2011, at 3:29 AM, "Allen Davis" <starstorm151 at embarqmail.com> wrote:

> I want to thank all of you who came and helped with the astronomy program.
> If I remember, they were...Robert Nielsen, Mark Clegg, Robert Fitzgerald,
> Tony Garcia, Alexey Toptygin, Michael and Ashley Camp, Ian Stewart, Jayme
> Hanzak, Jason Strother, Matt and Karen Cousins..am I forgetting anyone?
> 
> 
> 
> Robert N and I estimated that we in the end probably had 125 to 150
> visitors.  The last time I saw so many cars lined up along the road was
> years ago when we had a Comet party for Comet Hyakutake.    I think that is
> a great turnout for a rural setting like Medoc when whoever came travelled a
> little ways to get there.  
> 
> 
> 
> A note of thanks to Ian for helping me out personally.  He helped man one of
> my scopes while I lined up the other, and assisted by supplying me with a
> fuse for the power cord on my 20".  As always it seems, I had minor
> glitches.  But everyone stepped right in and started showing objects to
> folks.  Robert N gave a laser tour...and everyone did their part by just
> taking part in the outreach.
> 
> 
> 
> Robert N brought delicious warm cider and his coffee machine.  Thanks.
> 
> 
> 
> Jason and Ashley made a fire.we were so busy early on that it never got made
> until after Jason arrived.  By that time I was an ice cube and it certainly
> was nice.  Ian showed people M15 for a long time in my 20" and it was
> awesome.
> 
> 
> 
> The seeing was wonderful, and so many people were amazed at Jupiter.  We
> were treated to a Europa and shadow transit.  It was very clear and the
> skies really cooperated ...I heard many comments on how wonderful people
> thought it was that we were there.  
> 
> 
> 
> Again if I forgot anyone who helped let me know..if it did it is not
> intended and I will correct.
> 
> 
> 
> E. Allen Davis
> 
> starstorm151 at embarqmail.com
> 
> 
> 
> "M'Illumino              "I am enlightened
> 
> D'Immenso"              by the immensity."
> 
> 
> 
>   -Ungaretti               -Ungaretti
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Medoc-mountain-men mailing list
> Medoc-mountain-men at rapideye.us
> http://rapideye.us/mailman/listinfo/medoc-mountain-men_rapideye.us