Quote:
Originally Posted by mental4astro
Say, Lumen, the idea of taking some pics is a good one. My wife suggested the like, particularly if something through a scope of the moon or Jupiter. I found an article on using a wedcam as a makeshift planetary camera in the 'Projects & Articles' section here. The kids here are very comfortable with computers, so this astro thing will have more tangible relevance to them. Also makes for a momento of the occasion. 
The ISS has also being mentioned if it would be visible that night from Sydney. Can anyone point me to a site where I might be able to get this info?
This time of the evening is also good for spotting satellites, though this would be a difficult task for this age group & the poor skies of Sydney not helping. |
What I like doing, which I might try out, is running a webcam / digicam to either a laptop / tv screen.
I bought a $80 closed circuit security camera / tv set. Rigged the camera via a similar way to the webcam method, which allows me to present what the scope is viewing on the screen. Saves everyone waiting in turn to view... There's nothing like viewing through the eye piece of the scope though first hand.
I generally run the digicam to a 54cm rear projection tv. Really good quailty for a cheap digi cybershot.
You have a dslr yeah? If so you should let the kids, hit the shutter cable button and take "their" shot.
Let all the kids take a shot....get a class list and mark atleast the number of the first and last shot...
Take the camera download the pictures onto one of their computers... Get the kids / teacher to work out which shot goes with which kid....(Should be easy, with the list you made)
Chances are, at least three shots should have "something" in them.... a piece of junk burning up, satellite, planes etc... Get the kids to search their photo to see if "they" caught something...
I think that could be a REALLY fun activity, for the kids to do when you are not there. It would be like a big astro hide 'n' seek.... Tell them they have to look really close to find things.... Even when they don't, the fun will be in searching.....
When everyone is done, you will need to explain that the "lucky" winner/s were only made possible, by the other frames.... you would very rarely capture junk etc in one shot. But with lots you will...
See my thread on Star trails from Sydney. Check out how much junk I see from sydney...
I'm starting to realise I have above average viewing from Thompson's corner. I see visible junk burn up every night i'm out. Not to mention when I am capturing wide-field frames.