We did not know if this would be a flop or if the clouds would give way and it would be a great success.  Yesterday at 11:00 a.m. we got together and were hoping for the best.  We felt we had to stick it out  even if the weather would not cooperate because of all the publicity made.  And it did work out.  We had a number of great events and several of our members participated in the Stone Mountain event.  Click here for pictures to the respective events:  Bay Creek Park in Grayson/Loganville,  Homer Sharp Field in Covington and Little Mulberry Park in Auburn.  I would like to thank all, too many to call by name, that stuck it out with us, and the many, many “thanks yous” we received show us that these events in the middle of the communities really work.  Also thanks to those who showed neighbors, friends and others what Venus looked like during the transit  through their telescopes.
Truely an event that none of us expect to see again…..
Clear skies,
Theo

Although the weather does not look good, we might be lucky and be able to see the event through some holes in the clouds.  All our teams are on the way to their respective outreach locations. Looking forward to see you there.

Charlie Elliott Chapter members are ready for outreach events throughout the region to allow the community to witness a very rare astronomical event:  The transit of Venus.  Venus lines up very seldom in the line of sight between the Sun and Earth, but this coming Tuesday is one of those events.  The events happen in pairs of two, eight years apart, and the last event happened in 2004.  However, the next pair will not happen for another 105 years, well into the next century in 2117.   We will setup our Solar Telescopes around 5:00 P.M, but the transit does not start until a few minutes past 6:00 and will continue for about 6 hours until well after sunset.  All events are free, with the exception of Stone Mountain, with the regular park and lift fees to the top of the mountain.  We will observe until the sun sets at each location.  The locations to witness this rare event are:
Covington:     Sharp Field Drive (Between Sharp Field and Sharp Learning Center off Mill Street
Grayson/Loganville:      Bay Creek Park, 175 Ozora Road
Lawrenceville:     Little Mulberry Park, 3855 Fence Road, Auburn
Stone Mountain:     Top of Stone Mountain
Read the announcement in the local paper The Citizen.

Last Wednesday May 23rd, Frank Garner, Jeff Rebitzke and Anthony Edwards did a solar event for the two classes of Mrs Green on the last day of the school year, because their original scheduled date had to be postponed because of bad weather.  I setup my scope also but had to go home because I felt pretty sick.  About 60 students were able to take a look at the Sun and some nice prominences and active regions before they went home for the summer vacation.  Thanks Mrs. Green for staying with us because of scheduling issues for these classes.  Thanks also to the Charlie Elliott Chapter members for coming out and giving these students something great and worthwile to see.
Clear Skies,
Theo Ramakers

A great meeting with a very interesting presentation by club member Anthony Edwards: “Asteroseismology, Do Stars, Shake, Rattle and Role?”.  Steve Phillips presented his latest “This Month’s Sky” for May and June, since he probably will be representing us on the Atlanta Astronomy Club’s Board of Directors.  The Chapter elected a new Director and Observing Supervisor while Marie Lott was elected to serve as secretary for another year.  Larry Owens will be the new Director for the coming 12 months and John Towne will be the new Observing Supervisor.  Thanks for making your time available to the chapter.  We also want to thank the outgoing director Ken Poshedly and outgoing Observing Supervisor Steve Phillips for their outstanding contributions during the last 12 months.  Without volunteers like you the chapter cannot flourish. Click the thumbnail for some pictures of the meeting and observing following the meeting. 
Clear Skies,
Theo Ramakers

Frank and Theo did a three day outreach event for 12 classes at Memorial Middle School on 5/16, 5/17, and 5/18. In the classroom, Theo made a presentation to the 6th graders about how NASA helps study the Sun with satellites like SOHO, SDO and Stereo A and B. They also learned about how the sun can affect our lives on Earth and how the Earth protects us from some of the bad emissions of the Sun. Outside, the students were able to observe the sun in white light and H-alpha, and learned about the relative sizes of the Sun and Earth. (Click the thumbnail for more pictures of the events)

The Charlie Elliott chapter will participate in JAKES Day at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center this Saturday May 12th. Come and join us and the others at this event, which wille held around the Discovery building. The weather seems perfect to take a look at the sun and learn some more about astronomy.
Clear Skies,
Theo Ramakers

Join us for a teleconference on Wednesday, May 9th to learn all about Our Magnetic Sun with solar scientist and engaging presenter Dr. Bryan Mendez. This summer promises plenty of solar viewing opportunities. Be sure to be armed with sunscreen and solar trivia. And get ready for the newest Outreach ToolKit, Our Magnetic Sun, to be released the same week!
To join the Teleconference on Wednesday, May 9th at 9:00 pm Eastern call the toll-free conference call line: 1-888-455-9236
Call anytime after 8:45 pm the evening of the telecon. An operator will answer and:
- You will be asked for the passcode: NIGHT SKY NETWORK
- You will be asked to give your NAME and the CLUB you belong to, and number of people listening with you.
Find the presentation slides online here or download them here.
Clear skies,
Theo Ramakers

Frank and I spend a long day yesterday moving/delivering our large scopes to their new babysitters. Our webpage will soon reflect who is babysitting them. In addition, we now have the 16″ EQ in the trailer. This mount is in working condition and now can be moved easily to the Jon Wood Field for observing. The 12″ Optical Craftsman that was occupying the trailer up to now is in need of repair. The electronics started smoking a long time ago. So now we have the equipment ready for some more afternoon activity at the field as has been suggested by some of the newer members. We were happy to get ready for that.
Here is our Babysitter page on the web.

A beautiful day today for our outreach event for Trickum Middle School. We did a presentation about the launch and entry/descent/landing of Mars Science Laboratory’s Rover “Curiosity” for Mr. Patterson’s 6th graders, and in the class room we also took them on a trip to Mars, where they could observe the conditions and topography of the planet. In addition they got the opportunity to observe the sun with some nice prominences, sunspots and filaments. A few other classes took the opportunity to stop by to observe the sun as well as did some of the other teachers and administrative personell. Thanks to Frank and Theo, but mostly to Valorie Whalen, who participated today and learned very quick how to help out!! Thanks a thousand Valorie!

Yesterday, Charlie Elliott chapter members went to Scott Elementary in Atlanta for their first KITES Stem Festival.  Marie, Dan and Theo showed over 120 students the sun with a few prominences and some nice  filaments.  Theo did a presentation about the MSL mission, including how the rover Curiosity was launched and will land on Mars in August of this year.  Click the picture to take a look at the gallery.

Clear skies,
Theo