[Chaos-l] Tuesdays 4-H observing session

[Jayme Hanzak]

Randy Young, Steve Andrews and myself had a great time at the 4-H observing
session. We had a beautiful night of observing. Steve came to the session
with information that an Iridium flare was to happen at 7:39. Funny thing,
everyone waited for the flare and the telescopes stayed unused until after
the flare.

Steve, Randy and I l waited nervously because we were asked where it was
going to happen and we were told 10 minutes before, 9 minutes before and it
continued until 1 minute before. Was the Internet correct????? Thankfully
we watched a satellite approach the part of the sky that we said it was
going to happen and low and behold, it happened. The satellite flared as
predicted and we looked like geniuses. Well, Steve did.

The telescopes then became the main interest for the 4-H youth for a while
until some partook in chasing each other around the yard in the moonlight.

However, many of the older and very young hung around, hungry to look at
the next object. One young lady was grabbing anything she could to look at
the skies, and one of the youngest members was doing the same.

The parents enjoyed the session more so then the kids. A gentleman was told
by his wife, "You're going to a 4-H meeting tonight."
"Why am I going to a 4-H meeting?" was his reply
"There's going to be telescopes and an Astronomy club there."
 "Cool! Let's go."

One parent said,"This has been the best meeting we've ever had. Thanks for
coming out."

These comments and the excitement in the eyes of the kids when they see the
object in the eyepiece, makes these events worth it.

Clear Skies!

Jayme
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