About 100 kids plus teachers and counselors were entertained at Camp Sherwood. A few clouds threatened occasionally, and distant 'heat lightning' seen in the south. A good amount of dew for awhile, but overall a really good viewing night. We got started at 7pm, which was a little early and provided only Saturn in all 4 scopes for nearly 30 minutes. We enjoyed a pass of the ISS at 7:35, and a decent Iridium Flare at 8:02. By then the Milky Way was gorgeous! The Andromeda galaxy was about 40* up and could be seen naked eye. Stacey Thater brought a 6" Newtonian and a 4" Maksutov. I had my 8" SCT and the Nolan 12" dob. In addition to Saturn, we showed Mizar, Albireo, Messier 22, M13, M31 and a few others. Plenty of oohs and ahhs. We lost Saturn to the trees before the last two classes came out. We finished just after 9PM and enjoyed a few more views before we left. I was surprised to see color in M27 in Stacey's 6", very cool. I was home by 10pm. Folks were often reminded that we do this (for free) every clear Friday night at Broemmelsiek Park. |