Our second outreach event of 2013 and the weather had to spoil the observing part of the event. The event was done in collaboration with Hand on Atlanta. 25 Students from Oakview attended the event with about 10 additional adults . In the classroom they learned about the Sun, how it works and what it does that affects our life on Earth. They also saw what colors the lights in the classroom created, and first hand observed a simulated moon and star using the glass and morrors of our telescope. Outside they learned how tiny we are on earth compared to the sun and the rest of the sola rsystem. Because of clouds, we had to cancel the Solar observing part of the event. Click the image to go to the gallery.

The Chapter reached out to the vistors of Panola Mountain State Park on Hwy 155. The day started with broken clouds and the attendants had to wait in between times when the sun would show its face. Half through the event everyone went inside for a presentation on the Sun, the impact the Sun has on our lives on Earth and how we study the Sun. Some very good questions showed that individuals were interested. Thanks to the staff at Panola Mountain for asking us to come again this year! Click the image for the gallery.

Frank and Theo went to Ison Springs Elementary in Sandy Springs to show the Night Sky to the students and parents as part of their Science Night. This STEM event was well attended and parents, teachers and students also learned a few things about our night sky. It was new moon, so they could not take a look at our close neighbor, but they observed the double star Alberio and learned which one of the stars burns a lot hotter than the the other. Jupiter and four of its moons also received a lot of Wows.
Click the image to go to the gallery.

December 4 and 5th we went to Hightower Trail Elementary School to show the 4th graders what happens on the Sun. They were very surprised to find out how small we are on earth and how huge the sun is and how volatile the sun can be. The group on the 4th was able to observe the sun through our solar scopes, but the 5th it was overcast. We will be back here in January for Space Camp

Astronomy Night at Gokuldham Haveli in Norcross was a blast… Jack Fitzmier, John Towne and Jeff Rebitzke “cooked up a comet”, calculated how fast you are moving when sitting still, then went outside and observed a beautiful waxing gibbous moon and Jupiter. Steve Siedentop was fashionably late, showing up right after all the heavy lifting was done Click image below for gallery.
Thanks for those that came to help.
Jeff Rebitzke

We received a last minute request to participate in Grayson Elementary Science Night. The clouds just disappeared in time for this event but the humidity was terrible. Despite this, the students and parents were able to see a 2 day crescent moon, a planetary nebula, a globular star cluster and could make out which of the 2 stars of Alberio was the hottest. Click the image to go to the gallery.

6 Chapter members brought scopes out to Loganville Christian Academy to show the students and parents what’s up in the night sky. They were explained what was visible and than had the option to see some star clusters, blue and red stars, the ring nebula, the blue snowball, a galaxy and the second group also saw Jupiter with three of its moons. Some very good questions from the students showing that they knew their material. Click the image to go to the gallery.

7 Of us went out to the Jon Wood Field at CE to show the wonders of the night sky to a group of young female adults who participated in the program “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” (BOW) at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center. It was a great night with clear skies, and the ladies learned how to find North at night, they saw our milky way streching accross the sky and took some closer looks at star clusters, planetary nebulae, double stars, a galaxy, and yes, Jupiter with four of its moons while Europa came from behind the planet. Thanks to everyone who came out for this event.
Theo

Jeff Rebitzke and Steve Siedentop spend Friday evening 11/02 with BS troop 554 in Lawrenceville and go through some of the reuirements for the Astronomy badge. They were able to demonstrate different types of telescopes, discussed why telescopes and binoculars are important to astronomy, and Jeff gave a presentation on the sun and sunspots. Outside, they showed the troop red (Mu Cep), yellow (Capella), and blue-white (Pleiades) stars as well as NGC457, M31, and M42. As so often happens at events like this, Jeff had his camera in his car, but did not think about making a picture.

Boyscout Troop 282 came out to camp at CE to earn their Astronomy Badge, and we were asked to give them a hand. Frank, Theo and Jack came out and guided them through the requirements, using all the NSN kits we have. Unfortunately, Hurricane Sandy send some thin high clouds our way, obstructing a lot what we could see. Despite this, I believe the scouts learned a lot and came pretty far through the requirements for the badge. Click the image to go to the gallery.