Grandson Hooked, Meteors & Astronomy

[Baddad (Marty)]

Some of you may remember earlier threads about 11 yr old David. Hooked on Astronomy. He is starting at a school with an astronomy club and a 14" SC scope.
Tonight we are setting up to watch the meteors roar in. Last time we did this we viewed a little over 30/hr. I think I posted results on jjj's thread.

Currently we have a beautiful clear sky this morning after a day of light rain yesterday. Having David so enthusiastic to view such events inspires me to do more.

Will post results tomorrow. For those who will be out tonight, I wish you clear skies.

Cheers

[Baddad (Marty)]

Result was a fizzer. We saw a few streaks The sky was just empty.
Clouds moving through, or should that be "clewds" Interfering moon as well.
David's Mother has never seen a shooting star. Each time we saw one she was looking down.
David fell asleep and we called it a night by 2 AM
Rather poor show compared to the last time when David and I counted over 30 in an hour.

Maybe next time

[Lee]

That's astronomy!
Have you shown him ISS passes or iridium flares??....
predictable/bright and educational in terms of working out where/when to look....

[Baddad (Marty)]

Hi Lee,
He has seen the ISS passes. I phone his father before its due and they both watch. David has noticed iridium flares and its now not as exciting to him.
David is much more interested in the natural type of events.

Cheers

[tilbrook@rbe.ne (Justin Tilbrook)]

Hi Marty!

I share your enthusiasm with your Grandson!

My Grand daughter Isis loves the night sky. She is 7 years old and knows all the major stars by name and can point them out too.

It's a bond we share, and as you say it inspiring!
Santa decided a telescope for Xmas is the go for her this year.

Cheers,

Justin.

[Baddad (Marty)]

Aah Justin
As Isis matures a little more in the coming years I believe her enthusiasm will grow.
I found that to be the case with David. During the years 7 to 9, David learned the major names. He was correcting the teachers at school. Now at age 11yrs, he has a small scope that he amazed his mother with. She actually could see individual Moon craters. She found that WOW factor.

And Justin, over the years I nurtured David's 'astronomical enthusiasm'. I hope you will find similar enjoyment that I had and will continue to have. It just keeps getting better.

One of David's sayings now is, "I may not see aliens but I can see back into the past!"

Cheers

[Suzy]

It was a pretty disappointing night for sure wasn't it.
I watched for two hours between 1.40am and 4.00am and only got 10 wee tiddlers. The last two years my daughter has watched the Geminids with me with so much excitement. Just as well she didn't join me this year and ruined the memory. But boy, it's special watching these events with children isn't it. When they perform.
On the upside, the ISS made a gorgeous bright pass starting around 3.55am right next to Jupiter low on the horizon. At first my eyes nearly popped out of my sockets as it looked like Jupiter was moving and then errrrr I realised.

[Baddad (Marty)]

Hi Suzy That is NFOCL (Nearly Fell Off Chair Laughing)