Hello all,
This Saturday is Astro Day and the event will be back at Chapters (Silvercity Plaza) in the east end for the first time since 2019! ?it goes on all day from 10am to 10am outside on the parking lot area. ?There is still lots of room for scopes and setups (solar and nighttime viewing) and it's not too late if you would like to join us! ?: ) ?All setups are welcome, but please see Jim Thompson's message below. ?He only ask that you let him know if you plan to attend, so that he knows who's coming, ensure enough space, etc. ?Email him at top-jimmy at rogers dot com ?(replace the "at" and "dot"). ?Alternately, reply here and I will let him know.
We plan to have a BBQ with food and drinks (small contributions for costs welcome). ?Would anyone have a BBQ propane hookup for a standard tank?
The location is heavily light polluted but it is primarily a public outreach event. ?Solar and lunar observing will be the highlights.
The weather looks good. ?Lets hope is stays that way!
Clear skies!
Pierre
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Hello all!
?I hope you are all getting ready for the big day.? So far I have around 10 people signed up to attend with telescopes.? If you are planning to attend at some point through the day, but have not told me yet, please let me know.? Below are a few bullet point notes regarding the planning so far:
-? ?As mentioned previously, Rio-Can and Chapters have both given approval for the event.??
-? The Chapters store manager has also indicated that we may use power from their loading bay during store hours like we have done in previous years.? If you need to tie into 120VAC, be sure to bring some long extension cords with you.
-? Once Chapters has closed for the evening, around 7pm, we will switch to my small gas powered generator.
-? I will block off the section of parking lot right beside Chapters that we have used traditionally on the evening before the event.? Depending on the number of people with scopes that show up, we may or may not allow some cars to stay parked in the lot as opposed to parking elsewhere in the complex.
- I plan to arrive around 8-8:30am on Saturday to start setting up my telescope, and the display area being coordinated by Andrea.
- Michel Godbout has offered to bring his portable BBQ in case volunteers want to cook up some hot dogs or hamburgers to eat through the day.
- Some people will have setups with cameras, some with eyepieces.? How simple or complex a setup you want to bring is totally fine.
- In all the years I have participated in the event it has been windy.? Plan accordingly with regards to your telescope setup, clothing choices, etc.
- Plan for everything under the Sun weather wise!? Bring:? warm extra layers, toque, gloves, sun hat, sun glasses, sun screen, water and snacks/food.
- The long range forecast is for rain on the 7th and 8th.? There is still lots of time for the forecast to change, so stay tuned.
- I have one large "OAOG Free Star Party" sign.? Pierre, do you have the two smaller ones?
- Some members are concerned over the slowly increasing COVID numbers.? If the pattern follows what happened in 2020 and 2021, the springtime bump should crest in the next week or so, and then quickly decline into June.? My plan is to proceed with the event unless city or provincial public health restrictions say not to.? We are an outdoor event where social distancing can be maintained and we can be wearing a mask, so the risk level in my opinion is low.? That said, I completely understand if some members find the risk level too high - please just let me know whether you plan to attend or not so I know who to expect.
- If anybody has any questions, please let me know!
Cheers,
Jim T.
