Theo Ramakers gave the kids of CE’s Summer Camp a view of the night sky. During the session the kids continued to learn about our solar system and each had a chance to see the “Half phase of Venus”, Mars and Saturn with its rings. Because the group had to leave before it really got dark, we were unable to show them some nebulas and clusters. Click here for some of the pictures.(click the thumbnail for the full sized picture). But the kids loved what they saw. 

Marie Lott, Stephen Ramsden, Frank Garner and Theo Ramakers particiapted in the Solar event which was scheduled for 10:00 A.M., but the temperature was already way in the 90s. But the kids saw a nice sunspot and three very nice prominences in H-alpha. During the evening indoor session, which was put on by Frank and Theo, the kids learned about our solar system and each made a model of the relative distance at which each planet orbits around the sun. Because of the stormy weather, the observing was rescheduled. Click here for some of the pictures, and note that because of the heat, Stephen did not need a shower to take a shower…….
Clear Skies,
Theo

Just a quick reminder for Tuesday’s outreach event at CE. Solar at 10 A,M., hands-on workshop with the kids at 7:30, observing around 8:30 or 9:00 P.M.
Come if you can make it.
Theo Ramakers

We need some volunteers for a solar and evening outreach event at Charlie Elliott on next week Tuesday, June 29. The solar event is at 10:00 A.M., so we should setup at 9:30 A.M. The Evening event starts with an inside presentation in the Visitors Center at 7:00 with observng at dark. Unless you want to participate with the inside presentation, Frank and I will take care of that, but any additional scopes at Jon Wood field are appreciated at dark. Please let me know if you can participate in one or both of the events. This event is the first of two summer camps at CE. Our outreach event for the second event is on July 14.
Clear Skies,
Theo Ramakers

Thanks to Frank Garner, Alan and Sally Bolton, Milena and Jimmy Choy and Theo Ramakers who did participate in this event for the Scouts. The first scouts arriving after the camp fire saw Venus, Saturn, Mars, and the Moon, The rest had to be satisfied looking at the clouds. However we did talk much about our solar System, the Milky Way and the Universe!! Click here for a few pictures.(click the thumbnail for the full sized picture).
Clear skies,
Theo

We are having an outreach event this coming Saturday, June 19, at the Bert Adams Boy Scout Reservation. We have received the invite from Scout troop 211. About 300 scouts and parents are camping there and would like some help in understanding “what’s up there”. This is an evening event only. So if you can spare the time come on out and help us in letting these scouts see the beauty of the night sky. Address: 218 Boy Scout Road. Covington, GA 30016.
Directions: In Covington, go south on GA 36. Go 3 miles beyond Hendersons Restaurant and turn right on Boy Scout road. The reservation is on the right. I have been told to ask for David Evercombi to let us know where to setup.
Hope to see you there.
Theo

Thanks to Marie Lott, Annette and Pierre Michel, Frank Garner and Theo Ramakers for participating in Charlie Elliott’s JAKES Day. We had some great kids with a lot of very interesting and good questions!! Check here for some pictures.
In addition, we had a surprising number of attendants for the meeting, despite the ongoing “Georgia Star View” in Griffin. Check the past Events page for more information and pictures of the meeting and observing after the meeting even though some clouds made observing a challenge. Over all, a long but very rewarding day !!! Thanks to all.
Clear Skies
Theo

Thanks to Frank Garner, Marie Lott and Theo Ramakers for participating in the Chapter’s outeach to the above school. The noon event was great, except that clouds kept obscuring the sky, but the students learned some about the relative sizes and distances in the Solar System. At night, each student created a mini-solar system showing the orbits of each planet. They took a trip through the solar system and did visit some planets and some of the moons. At the Field they all saw Saturn and a few of its moons, Mars and Venus as well as some far way galaxies and the complex star Mizar. Click here for some of the pictures.
Clear Skies,
Theo Ramakers

We will have two outreach events at the Charlie Elliott’s Outdoor Discovery School this coming Tuesday May 11. We will start with Solar observing at lunch time and have an indoor and outdoor event in the evening. If you can, please come and help with the solar event and/or the evening event. Lunch will be provided at noon by CE, as well as dinner if you can come around 6:00 P.M. Please let me know if you can make it.
Clear Skies,
Theo Ramakers

The school that was coming to Charlie Elliott’s TODS tomorrow has cancelled and with that our outreach event for them is cancelled also.
Clear Skies
Theo