Primary School Astronomy Night

[Shasta55]

This morning I went to help my grandson put together a gyro toy kit I'd got him. He's an intelligent and curious 7 yo who has already shown an interest in the stars and planets - independent of Pop. And he's had few go's with my scope.

I was bloody chuffed when he handed me an invite to his primary school planetarium and telescope night Tuesday week. I'll take my 4'' refractor along. Being pretty new to the hobby. I was thinking the brightest SH stars, Eta Carinae, Tarantula, Orion Nebs and Ω Cen Cluster. I wonder if anyone can give some suggestions for other Bortle 5 viewable objects.


Chriis.

[EpickCrom]

Hi Chris.

Some good objects for this time of year for a 4 inch refractor in bortle 5 skies:

NGC 3532 ( Carina)
NGC 4755 (Crux)
Alpha Centauri double
NGC 3114 ( Carina)
Large Magellanic Cloud
M42 (Orion)
NGC 3372 (Carina)
Mars ( although it's shrinking!)
Venus in the west
NGC 3766 (Centaurus)
M44 (Cancer)

Have fun!

Regards
Joe

[Shasta55]

Thanks, Joe. Pretty happy to see the little fella's school introducing the kids to this interesting field at a young age.

[EpickCrom]

I agree Chris, it's a good thing that your grandson's school is doing this. I always lament that astronomy is not taught at my son's primary school! Maybe I will contact the Principal about organising a telescope night and lug my 10 inch dob there:)

Clear skies
Joe

[Shasta55]

I'm not exactly sure what they have in the way of telescopes. I'm contacting the school in the next couple of days as they apparently only have 3 or 4 available. But it's being run by someone from the Gin Gin observatory IIRC. Looks like they run regular school outreach programs, judging from their website. Seems they tend towards years 5-8 then the physics area from yr 9-12 . I can send you a PM with details after the night if you like.

[EpickCrom]

Hi Chris.

Yes if you can PM me the details after the night that would be great :thumbsup:

[Shasta55]

Well I'm pleased to report that this was an enormous success with a huge turnout and some great scopes. The kids really enjoyed it - almost as much as the parents. Happily about 30% of the kids raised a hand that they'd seen the sky through a scope before. Anyone interested in contact details can PM me.