Astronomy for Seniors

[davidpretorius]

Hi guys,

The family went to the local nursing home a few nights ago as they had a fair.

I thought why couldn't i bring my scope down and let them have a look thru it?

I am looking for targets that the older generation, with failing eyes can spot easily.

I think i would make good use of the 2" ultra wide 30mm.

Full moon would be an obvious one and at the other end of the month, then mily way.

I do not want to make it hard and cause any embarassment because they can't see.

Any suggestions?

[seeker372011]

take a TouCam along and hook up to a PC....

My dad has very poor night vision..this way I could show him the rings of saturn and the cloud bands on Jupiter and of course the craters on the moon

[atalas]

Yes great idea Narayan ! It could'nt get more comfortable than that for them ,and showing them the brighter objects like some of the show pieces would be the way to go.
All the best with that Davo !

[asimov]

Damn great idea Dave! Sounds like the toucam is the way to go. Obvious choices would be venus....perhaps mars if they want to wait that long for it? No idea if the toucam can display DSOs on the lappy??

[ballaratdragons]

Dave,

avoid showing them the full Moon through the EP! It will almost blind them, and if not, they will have such a bright after-effect they won't be able to see where they are walking on there way back to a chair, and they trip over a lot of things and some even get nauseous. Believe me, I have seen this happen to many elderly at our Observatory (even some young'ens). Projecting would definately be the way to go on the Moon.

As far as Mars, Venus, Globs (and possibly even Orion Neb) they would get a great thrill seeing them through the EP.

Great idea and good luck with it!

[xrekcor]

47 Tuc could be a nice bright glob for them to see. If they can pick up stars
fairly well try showing them V Aql a nice deep orange (some say red) coloured
carbon star that looks nice in a wide FOV amoungst a populus of white/blue
types. Alpha Centuri a very bright double depending on your view of the
horizon can still be nabbed early evening.

If they can handle the fainter stuff try the Ring Neb in Lyra even try the
Tarantula and possibly NGC 253.

Just some thoughts, but I'm sure you'll make their day what ever your able to
show them.

Good Luck! have fun,CS

[davidpretorius]

Thanks guys, nice and practical and hopefully a nice break for the old folks!