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Sess.#283 7:30-10:00pm Kanata Chapters - Mostly Clear!

This session almost did not happen. Janice called the Env.
Canada weatherman, and we (dummies) paid to find out that in Kanata
there would be cloud at least until 11pm. In Orleans, we had 90%
cloud cover at the time. But then Richard phoned up and said: "I'm
going, no matter what!" So, in the end, we eventually decided to go
anyway, mostly for moral support, but bringing the scope "just in
case".

Well, it turned out to be another mostly clear night! We set up as
soon as we got there, potential observers hanging around and asking
questions, as we were setting up. We ended up with about the same
bumber of people as yesterday evening, between 75 & 85 persons of all
ages, etc. stopping for a look.

Attilla joined us just a bit later, and once again we had one of each
kind of scope: refractor, dobsonian, SCT. Janice talked to people
and showed images, answered questions, and talked about astronomy to
the people waiting in line. It was a very nice setup, with the
perfect scope/people ratio.

There were many very sincere and repeated thanks to us for "sharing
our toys" the way we did. A couple of young women said:"It's amazing
that you people are doing this. It's just so great!" But my quote of
the day was the woman who said:"I'll have something to tell my
grandchildren." Anyone who's been to a sidewalk astronomy session
like this knows how absolutely thankful people can be for the chance
to see Saturn, Jupiter or the Moon.

For the members of OAFs, Jupiter was the main attraction with three
moons aligned very close to the planet's edge, and the other one close
to the planet on the other side. Finally, we were able to see one of
the shadow transits. A couple of the persons who stopped by for a
peek were very proud that they got to see the tiny black speck as
well.

This report can only touch the surface of the many fine moments we had
sharing the skies with all kinds of people of all ages. Sidewalk
astronomy is sure a fun way to spend those bright Moon evenings! And
to think we almost missed it... good call Richard!

Photon Man

PS- Times for the double shadow transit posted here were off by one
hour (too early). It looks like the data entered into to OAFs
calendar maybe did not account for Daylight Time.

Yes this session was a lot of fun. A few came back for second looks.
One woman called her husband out who stayed with us for about two
hours. He promply discovered a 4th moon of jupiter. (Well, we
thought it was a field star, so he has some claim. :) ) Also fun
was watching complete neo-phytes learn to see the tiny shadow
transit on jupiter.

Conditions were quite good. Tons of delicious high-contrast
detail on the moon. There was excellent detail of some rifts and
ridges in the Sinus Imbrium which I saw though Roland's scope.

Lots and lots of fun.

--- In OAFs@y..., r.prevost@h... wrote: > For the members of OAFs,

Photon Man

PS- Times for the double shadow transit posted here were off by one
hour (too early). It looks like the data entered into to OAFs
calendar maybe did not account for Daylight Time.

That was entirely my fault I'm afraid. I entered that calendar item
over a month ago and I forgot that my star-charting software
(guide7.0) doesnt automatically compensate for daylight savings time.
I'll have to check some of the other calendar events that I've
entered. They may have similar bugs.

Please note, that everyone is welcome to enter their own sky events
into the calendar, or correct errors in mine.

clear skies

-ad

Just one item I would like to add to your excellent report Roland. One of the men who looked through our scopes stayed for just under one hour!! I had just noticed that a second G. moon had peaked out from behind Jupiter and asked the gentleman if he would like to see it (he was hovering in the background peeking into the scope whenever no one else was looking). He looked and immediately exclaimed "there are THREE moons"!!!! I had a look, and sure enough, there were 3 moons set out as a small crown!! A beautiful sight!! Well the gentleman was so excited that he had seen it first (I smiled at his enthusiasm, but we ALL have been there!) that he couldn't contain himself and ran around helping everybody to the eyepiece (I must admit that I was excited and trying to get Attilla over as well who was busy showing a group of people the moon). What a great night!!
Richard