Astronomers in Sydney's Eastern Surburbs

hickny (Peter) · #1 05-03-2009, 07:12 PM

Hi All Astromomers in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.
I am teaching at Randwick Girls' High School and have recently been taking my 8" DOB to school on evenings for our students to view the night sky. As it is the International Year of Astronomy I thought that other Eastern Suburbs astromoners interested in sharing their scopes might like to join me. My school Principal is supportive of the idea and I have in mind Friday 4th April in line with 100 hours of astronomy. If I can get interested people to PM me we can nut out an event that will share this fascinating hobby and hopefully satisfy many.
The students and parents who have attended my sessions this year have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Let me know.

Hickny

GeoffW1 (Geoff) · #2 05-03-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hickny

Hi All Astromomers in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.
I am teaching at Randwick Girls' High School and have recently been taking my 8" DOB to school on evenings for our students to view the night sky. As it is the International Year of Astronomy I thought that other Eastern Suburbs astromoners interested in sharing their scopes might like to join me. My school Principal is supportive of the idea and I have in mind Friday 4th April in line with 100 hours of astronomy. If I can get interested people to PM me we can nut out an event that will share this fascinating hobby and hopefully satisfy many.
The students and parents who have attended my sessions this year have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Let me know.

Hickny

Hi,

I'd be interested in assisting. You can see from my signature what is available, 3 telescopes, assorted eyepieces, and I am a former TAFE teacher as well, so understand the milieu.

Let me know, PM or here.

Cheers

hickny (Peter) · #3 08-03-2009, 04:10 PM

Bump

Silly me I meant Friday 3rd April. Now there are two of us willing to take our scopes to Randwick Girls' High School between 8pm and 9:30pm to show the night sky to anyone interested as part of the 100 Hours of Astronomy. If you'd like to bring a scope to this event drop a reply.

hickny (Peter) · #4 08-03-2009, 04:49 PM

The event is now registered with 100 Hours of Astronomy see http://www.100hoursofastronomy.org/c...st/details/696

Come and join us

iceman (Mike) · #5 08-03-2009, 08:34 PM

Great stuff Peter, good luck with it!

mental4astro (Alexander) · #6 09-03-2009, 05:29 PM

I'm in

.

I've PM'ed intrest.

Only thing is, should I notify the school or go through yourself?

hickny (Peter) · #7 09-03-2009, 06:06 PM

Thanks (iceman)
With 3 of us onboard now all we need is clear skies.
Anybody else interested???
http://www.100hoursofastronomy.org/c...st/details/696

norm · #8 09-03-2009, 09:20 PM

Hi Peter,

I just need to ensure I can get my car close enough to where the viewing will take place, other than that, count me in.

Clears Skies,

Norm

hickny (Peter) · #9 11-03-2009, 04:13 PM

on board Norm. I've PM you details of parking on the night. There are now 4 of us. This is getting very exciting.

lacad01 (Adam) · #10 12-03-2009, 11:14 PM

PM sent

hickny (Peter) · #11 21-03-2009, 05:26 PM

Thanks

to mental2astro for the 4" reflector. I had it out Wednesday morning for the girls to view the moon. About 50-60 students and a few teachers had a look and the response was truly

positive from each and every of them. Many had said that they'd been to Sydney Observator but had unrewarding experiences as the clouds had rolled in and spoilt the viewing on their night.
I took the scope to our outside assembly and advertised the 3rd April viewing.
I have emailed each of the local DET schools and will contact the local paper next week.

On Wednesday evening I had 15 participants including parents and older siblings. Saturn proved a winner with everyone.

I showed it last.

To the people bringing scopes on 3rd April ... Do you need anything?

Can you email me how many scopes you intend to bring so I have some idea?

Clear skies (fingers crossed)

hickny (Peter) · #12 22-03-2009, 10:17 PM

It looks lik ewe have a minimum of 7 scopes at present. Lots of schools have been notified and even pre-schools. If you can think of any other way to drum up interest let me know.

GeoffW1 (Geoff) · #13 22-03-2009, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hickny

It looks lik ewe have a minimum of 7 scopes at present. Lots of schools have been notified and even pre-schools. If you can think of any other way to drum up interest let me know.

Hi,

You could let everyone know I will be there

Hmmm perhaps not then

Any screen sprinting or similar in the School? Maybe a big sign on the School fence (you may already have one, in which case apologies).

Cheers

GeoffW1 (Geoff) · #14 29-03-2009, 01:47 PM

Hi,

Attached is a list of suggestions as backup objects or whatever for the night.

Cheers

Wavytone · #15 29-03-2009, 06:36 PM

With first quarter moon and skyglow in Randwick, i'd suggest you can scratch most if not all the galaxies as far as the public is concerned.

On new moon maybe possible (having looked at some of these last night from Waverton) but not at 1st quarter.

GeoffW1 (Geoff) · #16 29-03-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wavytone

With first quarter moon and skyglow in Randwick, i'd suggest you can scratch most if not all the galaxies as far as the public is concerned.

On new moon maybe possible (having looked at some of these last night from Waverton) but not at 1st quarter.

I ought to report you for a negative post

What a wet blanket

...........not serious, it is all true.

I have in mind showing the participants what the real restrictions are. I'm already worried about them expecting things to be as colourful as they see in books.

Cheers

mental4astro (Alexander) · #17 29-03-2009, 08:51 PM

Hey all,

This 'Earth Hour' thing is a blessing in disguise for us as astro-fans: awareness into excessive power consumption through functions as this can only benefit both our passion and the climate

.

I can see less today with my 10" f/5 scope than my 5" f/10 SCT 18 yrs ago.

We all have to travel further and further away for dark skys,

.

Here is an opportunity to raise awareness of reducing consumption, climate change sceptic or not, pollution of all types benifits no one,

.

Passion drives us, so other than a blackout, we'll have to do our best to show-case the sky,

.

Galaxies, well quite likely not, still, ET might show,

.

GeoffW1 (Geoff) · #18 29-03-2009, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mental4astro

Hey all,

I can see less today with my 10" f/5 scope than my 5" f/10 SCT 18 yrs ago.

Here is an opportunity to raise awareness of reducing consumption, climate change sceptic or not, pollution of all types benifits no one,

.

Hi,

That is an excellent viewpoint to take at this astro evening, I will try it.

Cheers

mental4astro (Alexander) · #19 29-03-2009, 09:35 PM

Geoff,

I wonder how many people have been turned off astronomy because their first glimpse through a scope did not resemble what Hubble shows us.

How many scopes have only seen one or two nights for this.

Ours is one of subtle and delicate details.

I wonder how "extreme astronomy" might manifest itself,

?

GeoffW1 (Geoff) · #20 30-03-2009, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mental4astro

Geoff,

I wonder how many people have been turned off astronomy because their first glimpse through a scope did not resemble what Hubble shows us.
I wonder how "extreme astronomy" might manifest itself,

?

Hi,

Yes, I believe that is a problem. I know two friends who never use their telescopes now, one of them the person who got me started.

There is an active thread about it all here also, where the solution is to use this forum to find out as much as you can about what avenues there are.

I was fortunate because my thing is looking at double stars, and that pastime is not as badly affected.

What is "extreme astronomy", is it observing in winter while naked?

Cheers