Soaked in the name of astronomy: Coona and the AAO (part one)
There we were on the lush grass of the Coonabarabran Information Centre: Chris Wyatt (outbackmanyep), Donna Burton and me with four scopes between us, an evening of good seeing and magically-disappeared clouds. Not only that. We had two or three dozen locals and grey nomads keen to view the Moon, Jupiter and anything else we cared to present. This 'Galilean Night' was going to be just perfect!
"Yes, those really are the moons that Galileo saw." "How much does this telescope cost?" "Can I take a shot with my iPhone?" (Some remarkably good results were had with people's snapshot cameras.) "Can I shine that laser into your eye to see what happens?" and "Look folks, there's the ISS rising up from the horizon!" How Donna arranged this apparition at just the right time, I have no idea.
You know how much fun this public outreach stuff is, except maybe for the fingerprints on the eyepieces and small stones in the dew shields.
Unfortunately for the dignity of all concerned, it was soon obvious why the grass was so green ... there was an amazingly efficient in-ground irrigation system! You've heard of all sorts of observing hazards ... immediately add this one to your list.
Without warning (except for the perplexing commotion around me) I was slashed across the back and legs with an amazingly strong and freezing jet of water. Luckily I was blocking my scope and a keen viewer from being drenched. Just as the second sweep hit I said to the observer "Don't stop ... er ... science is more important than comfort!" She must have thought I was completely mad.
I endured another couple of watery sweeps before joining my relocated and dripping colleagues on the edge of the grass next to our parked vehicles. It's amazing how long it takes to carry an 8-inch SCT on its tripod, star maps and accessory cases ten metres to the west when under attack.
A bit more observing ensued, until a new spray pattern caught us all off guard. What is it with the makers of these things? They must be back in the factory laughing their heads off, designing new and even more fiendish systems to make the lives of dogs, campers and astronomers a misery.
By this time it was about 10pm, and time to pack up and relocate to drier places. Despite the aqueous assaults, it really was an excellent evening, the second event of the four planned for the Coona's 2009 annual 'Festival of the Stars'.
The first event was the evening before, 'Science in the Pub'. Fred Watson and two young researchers expounded on 'Life in the Universe' to the Royal Hotel's packed (very packed!) dining room. Fred finished off with a couple of songs on his guitar. I think I preferred the water torture. (Oops ..only joking!)
It was good to meet IIS-ers Chris Wyatt, Ron Knight (astroron) and Rod Berry (rodstar) on this particular evening, and of course at other times through the weekend. I shouldn't forget Rod's kids, who encouraged me to spill water all over the place, act the goat and generally destroy our end of the table whan dad wasn't looking.
Sunday was the Anglo-Australian Observatory's Open Day. I can honestly say this was better than excellent ... if you haven't been, plan for it next year. The astronomers and technical folks were all there to show and explain everything with great patience and clarity. Open were: the 3.9m AAT; the 2.3m ATT; the 40-inch; the Uppsala and UK Schmidts, and, if you were there just at the right time, ROTSE. (Refer to the Web for explanations!)
The Bart Bok Lecture on Sunday evening was also excellent: Prof. Bryan Gaensler on "Magnets in Space".
Astroron was travelling from his home in Queensland to Perth so I was pleased to be able to offer him accommodation here in Kandos on Monday night. Ron is a great talker, but unlike with some visitors, it's all good stuff and I learned a lot about almost everything. I think I got a thumbs-up for Rocky Peak Observatory as well.
Hi Mike!
I had actually moved my scope onto the bitumen about 10 mins before we got soaked.......i felt it coming!
No harm done! Thanks for the funny story, you left out the part where i lost my wallet at the fish n chip shop only to have Okiscopey return it to me up the road 10 minutes later, all in tact!! Must thank you again for your find and generosity in returning my wallet! hehe
I owe you one!
Hey Mike
I've merged your threads together. You can add new pictures to a new post, by replying and then hit "Go Advanced" to see the "Manage Attachments" button again.
Without warning (except for the perplexing commotion around me) I was slashed across the back and legs with an amazingly strong and freezing jet of water. Luckily I was blocking my scope and a keen viewer from being drenched. Just as the second sweep hit I said to the observer "Don't stop ... er ... science is more important than comfort!" She must have thought I was completely mad.
And she thought right!
Shame I couldn't have come with you to AAO. Sounds like it was a blast.
