No Quiet Areas at the Eden, NY Library September 25, 2009

The librarians were not shushing anyone tonight. Ooohs and aaahs could be heard throughout the night. It was difficult for those in attendance to stay subdued with all the amazing telescopic views. Celestial Show Time (CST) was 8:30 to 10:30PM.

Alan Friedman, Scott Smith and daughter Sarah, Irene Z., Marilou Bebak, and I ventured out to rural Eden, NY a predominately farming community that over the past number of years is increasingly becoming more suburban in some areas. This Friday observing event was organized through the Buffalo Central Library and was held at the Eden Library (http://www.buffalolib.org/libraries/Eden/index.asp). It is a very nice library branch and a wonderful site to do some observing except for some troublesome lights.

I arrived around 7:30 to begin setting up the large screen projector, projection screen, 10” Zhummel equipped with Alan’s Astrovid camera, and the Televue NP 101. Alan arrived shortly after in his cool hip little mini Cooper and his 130mm Zeiss Refractor with Astrophysics mount, and newer member Irene arrived with her 8” Dobsonian. Marilou was on the scene by 8:30 and began answering many of the visitor's questions. Poor Scott and Sarah got lost enroute but stumbled upon us around 9:00 with his 10”Dob and I believe a 5” Vixen Newtonian Reflector.

Some very nice ladies on staff with the library provided cookies(many in the shape of stars) and hot chocolate for all who attended. They also kept us quite well fed as well. Absolutely no healthy snacks were provided(Sorry SUG, president of the Healthy Eating Observing Club(HEOC).

The skies were quite good escept the library staff could not figure out how to turn off the extremely bright parking lot lights. We didn't let that deter us from putting on an extraordinary astronomy roadshow.

We were inundated almost immediately with visitors and the crowd grew very quickly within the first half hour or so to about 175-200 people of all ages. As we knew we didn't have the moon for long with it being low in the sky and a significant treeline to our south, we all first featured La Luna. The crowd loved it! I had my “Live Moon Theatre” and red arrow laser pointer out to identify some lunar topography. I did my mare, crater, rille, rima, lunar ray, albedo, terminator, limb, sea, marsh, bay, mountain, etc.. lunar feature song and dance routine. They seemed to enjoy all the different named features especially the Lake of Death, Lake of Dreams, Marsh of Sleep and the Bay of Love as well as some of the Apollo landing sites. Projecting the moon works quite well from an educational stand point as it helps orient the viewer when they go to the scope and see the various objects under greater magnification and detail.

I was scrabbling a bit between manning the TV101 and keeping the 10” Dob with Astrovid aimed on the moon. I REALLY COULD HAVE USED THE SUG”S ASSISTANCE. SUG we currently have a position open with the Buffalo Astronomical Associations's Traveling Astronomy Roadshow. No salary, no health benefits but amazing enjoyment and satisfaction.

We all then moved on to Jupiter with its posse of Galilean moons. Sorry librarians we couldn't keep the crowd silenced. Numerous choruses of "Is that really Jupiter", "That is so Cool!", "Those are really its Moons?", "How far and how many stars does that galaxy have?", etc... From there we stayed with the standard brighter objects due to the amount of light pouring in from the parking lot light. M11,M31, M13, Albireo and I did give some a view of Comet Christensen and M57.

Were were treated to a wonderful Bolide which lite up the night sky and ground and ended with an amazing brilliant white explosion above the library. At first my head was down when I noticed a bright light illuminating the entire area and my body and scope were casting a shadow. I quickly looked up and witnessed the end of the show. At first it resembled what is best described as a single firework type rocket display. It was then confirmed later by John Riggs who was observing about 40miles to the north that he had witnessed it himself and said it was the brightest he had seen in over 30 years. Over the next day others from the club reported seeing it too. What was really strange is that it appeared to be very close by, as if it was above the library roof in the sky just across the street. I did really think it was just a single firework that someone had set off in the neighborhood.

Here's Marilou on the left with some happy guests:


Well we finished up the night around 11PM by the time we had it all packed up.

Alan and I headed back to my house for a post observing Bass Pale Ale and recounted the wonderful evening to my wife. We partook in only one cold one as we have another Solar Program tomorrow at 10am at the Reinstein Library (http://www.buffalolib.org/libraries/reinsteinjuliab/) .

(Can't seem to fix the whacky variation in font style and size)

VLO: Hamburg, NY/Sparks, NV July 9-10, 2009

Below is a post I started to do months ago and forgot about it. I never did finish it but I thought I might as well post it for the pictures. SUG and I had a great time on our first official Virtual Lunar Observation(VLO). Our lunar email banter transmitted via our laptops went on until about 3 am EDT. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and we have repeated it many times since. We have since started to use Instant Messenger for greater ease. Lately its been SUG at his laptop, charts and telescope at hand and me and my blackberry and chart and telescope for a fun filled virtual observation from each others cities. I think live webcams are in our future.


VLO Hamburg, NY : Sparks, NV
Well it took me some time to get back to this post but I wanted to get something up because this night was too much fun. Richie "SUG" Smith was 2100 miles away in Spark's NV and was all set up near his beautiful backyard pond and at the time with his trusted Rukl lunar atlas with the broken binder. The Rukl has since gone missing! (Did the Rukl take the deep six into the pond?) Below you can see me preparing for our second VLO in the backyard of my office. The VLO was scheduled to begin around 9 PM but due to some technical difficulties- running my internet connection from my office to my distant site in the backyard as well as an email glitch pushed the start time to around 10 PM. Waiting patiently was our girl- a 17 day old waning gibbous.

First transmission from SUG at 9:45 EDT.
"High Altitude clouds over Sparks. Coulter with plumbing piece focuser ready to go... Where do we start?"
I race to various objects before the moon rises 10:12 EDT
Drive-by : "How about the Asterism "Napolean's Hat in Aquila?"

Sharing a Virtual Coffee with the SUGster.



A somewhat ghostly Drive-By and silly redlight art.

Lunar Lounging and Jake G's Maiden Lunar Observation

We've had very few nice evenings in Hamburg, NY this summer so it was impossible to pass this one up for another observing mission to the moon. It was great just to set up quickly in the backyard and take in the beautiful sunset over Lake Erie while glimpsing through the TV101 at a magnificent 6 day old waxing moon.
The new 9mm Nagler and the 7mm and 5mm University optics eyepieces were a joy to use.


Around 9PM my friend Don showed up with son Jake to say hello and take a quick peak through the scope which I think both have done only one time before a couple years ago (in fact it may have been the 10" Dob). Don had to leave so I suggested that 12 yr. old junior astronomer Jake stay and do a little time at the eyepiece. Pictured below is Jake and my son Mike "Jr" who actually came outside to spend some time observing too.
Well the moon didn't disappoint either of these guys. It was Jake's first time seeing the moon through a telescope. We spent about 20 minutes observing together all the while trying different eyepiece. Both were impressed with the amazing detail in the lunar surface.
Well I couldn't expect them to stay on the moon like the rest of us luna-tics do so we moved on to looking at the spiders on the light at the Seaway Trail Visitor Center across the street. (The site of my next public "Solar SUNday" event).



Well Jake wasn't satisfied with that and Mike "jr" was ready to watch ESPN. So I set Jake up with a few instruction on how to use the TV Starbeam and he was finding for himself with a bit of guidance from me Albireo, Beta Scorpii, e-Lyra, the Owl Cluster/ET in Cassiopeia, Alcor and Mizar, M11, M23, M4 and Jupiter with its moons which was just clearing the roof of the house across the street. Jake even asked about the life cycle of a star and gave me a little talk on binary star system.
Packed it up around 11 PM. Took Jake home and he proceeded to direct me to his backyard where he thought it would be a much better place to observe from. He was right and we need to just get a clear night for it.

The "SUG" was kept updated periodically during the observe via my Astro-Berry.

SPECIAL REPORT: A Tale of Two Other Cities

NEWS FLASH:

Buffalo News western U.S. regional astronomy correspondent Ekim Enolazna has reported that two City Boy Astronomy Outreach Experts to meet in undisclosed location in the Lake Tahoe, Nevada area. Sources indicate that "The Urban Astronomer Guy-UAG" aka Paul Salazar of San Francisco, California (http://urbanastronomer.blogspot.com/) will be in high level meetings with the "Sidewalk Universe Guy-SUG" aka Richie "The Jersey Asteroid" Smith of Spark, Nevada. (http://sidewalkuniverse.blogspot.com/)

Pauli Stromboli, owner of the "Pauli Stromboli's Cup of Joe " reported to correspondent Enolazna that the two might informally meet at his establishment in the Sparks, NV area. Dessert chef, Vinnie Breakurlegs of "Pauli Stromboli's Cup of Joe" revealed that a large order for cannolis had been called in earlier in the week for July 27, 2009.
There is also speculation that the two will collaborate with a Public Observing Session in possibly the southern Lake Tahoe Region where Salazar is engaged in some informal meeting with members of his clan. If it materializes, this will be the first meeting of such organizations and stimulate future interaction of other U.S. astronomy outreach entities.

Security will be high for this event so it may be difficult to see the two. However the public event in the Lake Tahoe region is open to all.

Sources indicate that both who are accustomed to spending a greater amount of time in more light polluted environments will be giddy with excitement in this more rural setting.

More details to follow as they become available.

Vitrual Lunar Observation- VLO and the "Tale of Two Cities" ----- Sparks, Nevada and Hamburg, New York

Well its been rather quite on the "Drive-by Astronomy Outreach" front due to the less than "Stellar" summer weather we've had lately.
So to fill the gaps and to have my fix of astronomy related activities I've hooked up recently with my astronomy blogger pal and we have joined astronomy forces for three fun and laugh filled sessions of Virtual Lunar Observing(VLO) from two cities approximately 2000+ miles apart: Sparks, NV and Hamburg, NY.

Here's the guy that started it all on June 27, 2009 initially with his LNF's (Lunar News Flashes) delivered to my Blackberry. The "The Man"... "The Legend of Astronomy Outreach" in Sparks, Nevada... aka the "Sidewalk Universe Guy", a guy I call "il mio amico di astronomia"-- Richie "When the Moon Hits your Eye Like a Big Pizza Pie" Smith.
Here's his fun blog: http://sidewalkuniverse.blogspot.com/

I believe he was doing some day time lunar observing and was providing me a selenic (related to the moon and not the chemical element Selenium) blow by blow account of his telescopic bobbing and weaving across La Luna's illuminated face.

Here's two of his LUNAR NEWS FLASHES : "Our on site reporter SUG reports to us of a awesome display of Lunar landforms and features in the little talked about Sinus Asperitatis the so called"Gateway to Tranquility". Nectaris doesn't have to steal the show all the time!
Because of a favorable lunar tilt crater Humboldt was sighted on the extreme edge of the moon with ponding and the multipeak central mountain range in view of our reporter - he also reports that the far rim is lit up brightly under the high lunar sun.
LUNAR NEWS FLASH: We now have sunrise on the central peak of Theophilus! Our on site reporter SUG reports that it is pretty cool and should not be missed for any reason!

In my mind's eye I could see the lunar landscape via his words... I "saw" the sun rise over Theophilus and the Altai Mtns and Richie had me hooked.

On June 29, 2009 everything in my astronomy world changed 8^). Hamburg, NY was within an earthly Mare Imbrium or "Sea of Showers". Storm clouds, torrential rain and thunderous lightening advance across Lake Erie and into my backyard. The extended forecast was unforgiving and the Clear Sky Clock was awash in white squares. But Ah, to rescue came forth an astronomical white knight from Nevada with clear skies and a waxing quarter moon above. Richie with his 12.5 Coulter(I think) and I with my lunar charts and up to date printout of the moon with the terminator indicated strewn across my living room floor and Blackberry in hand we journeyed on to our VLO maiden voyage. What fun we had for approximately 2 hours. With Richie's amazing descriptions I was peering directly from the terminator looking in all directions.

Richies's LNF: "Mare Symthii looks like a giant wound on the Luna's eastern shore. "
Another LNF: "There is a pretty sunrise on the Lunar Alps with craters Aristillus/Autolyus begging for attention. He also states the Mare Vaporum with it's eastern adjacent neighbor "Finger Lakes" lunar real estate is a fine sight to behold."

See his post for what we saw: http://sidewalkuniverse.blogspot.com/2009/06/coast-to-coast-lunar-observe.html.

Unfortunately work gets in the way of this great hobby and I had to retire for the evening after midnight.

June 30, 2009 VLO II
Sparks, NV. Clouded in and expecting stormy conditions.
Hamburg, NY Scattered Thunderstorms.
However this was the sky around 7PM as I drove home from work. It was looking very promising for VLO #2 to take place.(For some reason I cant invert the picture)

Around 9PM as you can see from the photo below I was right on the edge of this storm. However the western horizon over Lake Erie looked promising. Tonight it was my turn to be at the scope and provide the people of Sparks, NV with observations of the moon and other celestial gems. By 9:15PM I was ready with the Televue 101, charts, Blackberry and Richie at the other end with his trusty Rukl atlas with the broken binder and other charts ready to guide me in for a lunar landing and await my lunar reports.
Unfortunately the weather degraded quickly and my gear and I had to take cover. Updated report to Richie was that our VLO was on hold but not scrubbed . This called for a Ben&Jerry's ice creme break. Status post one pint of ice creme the weather further deteriorated with dark pink skies to the north over the Canadian shoreline...but to the west an advancing dark abyss. The VLM(virtual lunar mission) was..................scrubbed. Sorry Sparks Nevada. We were all dressed up with no place to go. Oh such sorrow my Nevada cohort.
(I believe Little Richard was enjoying a special meal with his sweetie during all my turmoil)

However, within the hour an important news flash from Sparks, NV reporting that their skies had cleared somewhat and Richie had a visual ID on our target.
As Lewis and Clark may have exclaimed "Moon in View! Oh! the Joy!


Richie took over and began his reports.
First report: I just set up my scope and sunrise by Eratosthenes is awesome!
Then the reports started pouring in:
"Timocharis half lit shores are begging me for more and more!"

"The Straight Wall is no fake wall as it leads you to Hell in the Deslandres rubble which is no bubble!"

"I am Ptolemaeus one of the three I have a very flat floor come look at me.
I am Alphonsus second of three my middle rille springs forth like a tree.
I am Arzachel finale of three were gazelles will jump my terraces to thee."

"Nubium shores echo it's cry "it is dark no more" so my eye can see more and more!"
As you can see Richie is the Astronomical Poet laureate of the Great State of Nevada;

He also directed me to www.lunarrepublic.com which proved quite handy on my Blackberry for identifying lunar targets. An onslaught of rapid fire emailing ensued which was fueled by the fervor of our fascination with the beauty of the moon above us. My skies suddenly cleared for but a moment. Long enough for some lunar photons to pass the 540mm distance of my Televue and dance upon my retina to be carried via the 2nd cranial nerve on to the base of my brain in the cerebral cortex of my occipital lobe, and ultimately to the limbic region where the pleasure of it all is finally realized( I think even Ptolemy postulated on the explanation of vision).

Well with the moon dodging fast moving clouds I needed to transmit some of my own NLORs(Nonsensical Lunar Observing Reports) to the Richster . Here are but a few and they are painful to read:

"Mons pico's shadow extends just short of the terminator. Eratosthenes you are ours with your floor of darkened abyss and blazing western rim . Diamond beacons twinkle forth from craterlets within Ptolemaeus and Alphonsus"

"Oh plato my friend... How sweet your silken floor adorned with a magnificent shadow strewn upon your eastern flank"

O the horror. Where are you crater superstar Plato as you skirt the terminator with your floor of low albedo. I too rest within a Sea of Showers. Holy hot Pitatus I should be at your eastern crater's rim as the darkness recedes. Tycho you hold your ground in spite of being hacked in two by an encroaching terminator edge. Glorious Eratosthenes where art thou?

Getting Ready for contact with Richie while the clouds passed through.:


Well I think it ended after midnight EDT. Given the challenge with the weather I had a blast with my astronomy outreach and observing pal Richie Smith from the Truckee Meadows on the eastern slopes of the Sierras in Nevada.

July 9-10, 2009 VLO III

Stay tuned for more VLO observing fun.

My "Old School" Astronomy Stuff circa 1970

Here's a small collections of what got me interested in astronomy. All are circa 1970.



My first planisphere. 1969 $1.00 I still use it today.



The book on the right I bought the same day as my first telescope. $1.50. The "Sky Observers Guide" was purchased on August 5, 1971 for $1.25.



15th Edition of Norton's Star Atlas was purchased in 1970 for $6.50. Boy did this seem way over my head at the time (and much still is...). It did however motivate me to want to learn more with the hope that I could understand it some day.



This guide was purchased in 1970-71 for $5.95. It's filled with photographic star atlases. It did get me to try some night sky film photography. I had my own photography dark room at the time.



H.A. Rey's "The star" was awesome to look at as a kid. The best book I think for kids getting started in astronomy. $6.95 at the time. Money well spent!

"Stars sand Universe " Book was $3.50.

Sky and Telescope was $0.75 at the time at my local bookstore. $8.00 for a yearly subscription in 1972.



Below is a picture of my two "Norton's Star Atlas". On the left the 15th Edition, 1969 and on the right the 20th edition, 2004. Below, ( in honor of my astronomy buddy-Richie Smith from Sparks, NV) are a close up from charts 13 of the constellation Lyra. On the right is the 2004 version(bland and boring) and on the left is the 1969 version--- "Old School Rules...Way Cooler"!

"Wilson Star Search" June 13, 2009

Congratulations to Steve Smith for making our presence know up north in Niagara County along the shores of Lake Ontario by initiating the “Wilson Star Search” at Krueger Park in Wilson, NY. Although I understand the 1^st event was clouded out, his second event on June 13, 2009 was a great success. A front came through that concerned all of us but it quickly cleared and provided our visitors and the “BAA Astronomy Road Show Crew” with a beautifully clear and pleasant evening. BAA members in attendance were Steve Smith, Rick Guerin, Gary Flagg, Frank Pirrone, and me! All 20+ visitors were very interested in astronomy, many have scopes of their own and all were delighted as their eyes feasted on the “Astronomical Buffet of Celestial Wonders” we served up for the evening! Steve even set up a table of astronomy and BAA related information. We’re all looking forward to coming back Steve!

"BAA Astronomy Road Show Crew" for the evening:

This is how to take a picture of your astro buddies so as to not affect their dark adapted night vision!


We finished the evening with a peak at a beautiful waning gibbous Moon and gazed upon the spectacular "Gaseous Goliath Jupiter" and it's "Paparazzi of Galilean Groupies" around 2AM. What a way to end the evening! Arrived home in Hamburg around 3AM after the 55 mile trip.

"Starlights, Drinks, and Bites" at Buffalo Museum of Science June 6, 2009

This yearly event is always fun to participate in and once again it did not disappoint! The “BAA Astronomy Road Show Crew” and all our visitors enjoyed themselves in spite of the cloudy conditions that prevailed throughout most of the night. Another great crowd attended this year and estimates were in the 500+ range. Although the clouds rolled in about 45 minutes prior to one of the highlights of the evening-- the Moon’s occultation of the star Antares, we were able to provide a few glimpses of a full moon with Antares approximately 10’ to the east and some very brief views Saturn. All were wowed by the awesome views while they lasted.

I also had my traveling movie theatre on the roof which we projected various astronomy themed movies on to as well as some live night time video images of the spectacular Buffalo skyline architecture observable from our vantage point. You need to do this sometime if you weren’t there this night.

To add a little drama to the evening we even had a fireworks display after the baseball game at Coca Cola Field which was off in the distance. I was there just hours before volunteering for "Family Fun Days" which is a big fund raiser for my wife's agency- "WNY United Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse (http://www.wnyunited.org/).

As always a few adult beverages always seem to relieve a little bit of the sting and disappointment of cloudy skies and somehow enhance the experience! We hope to see you at next year’s event.

I got home around 1 AM after a long fun and rewarding day!