[Cam_NSW (Cameron)]

Seeking experience from those that have shown night sky objects to members of the public. Astronomy outreach. .... that kind of thing.

Posting as one of the people that started our intended 'annual StarGrazing event' with much effort, NE NSW, Ben Lomond village 2017. Initial great success.

Then we had forced amalgamations, loss of funding, drought, fires, covid19, ... who knows what next!

Our small village community remains committed to this direction. So I need a little help for those experienced with showing the public astronomical objects.

Note, we have good dark skies. Around 22.0 on the Bortle scale as measured by a few experienced guests. Um, that is when it is not raining, hailing, snowing, or dust storms .... .




The Question:

When it comes to 'wow' factor, how significant is it in your experience when working with the public, in going from a 12" to a 14" to a 16" reflector telescope.


Note: We are talking specifically here engaging people on astronomy as they look through a telescope with their eyes. Not astro-photography capacity.

I seek to gauge how significant the extra "light bucket" factor is. Need to trade this off with other considerations like, cost, weight to set up, height of eye piece above ground, etc. Assume mount will have basic "Go To" tracking.

Experienced comments sought and valued ....


StarGrazing.

Ben Lomond, NSW.