Steve’s Virtual Planet

Another great year at Fernbank Observatory!

The Winter Solstice has arrived and I can now celebrate another great year of volunteering at Fernbank Science Center Observatory. Wouldn’t you know that the last two nights were clouded out last week but overall we’ve had a good run with weather overall for 2010. AND … I finished up the year with over 350 hours logged!! I have had a great time working with Dr. Angela Sarazine, April Whitt and Dr. Ed Albin up in the “dome”.

Even though most of that time in 2010 was spent upstairs as observing assistant, I also helped out in the planetarium. When I could, I helped with mounting slides, wrestling with projectors and learning more about the Zeiss Mark V. Then, in the fall, I got to do my first Saturday morning Sky Tour .. Live!! with a real audience even! With great coaching as usual from Angela, I did a pretty good job of showing the autumn sky using the Zeiss and a laser pointer. I am quite proud of of how well it went and I hope to do it again sometime.

Well, the upcoming Christmas break is upon us, so I’ll look forward to another great year and hopefully decent (or better) weather. See ya up in the “dome” in 2011!!

Clear Skies All!