NorthWest Florida Astronomy Association

The E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center’s Camp Longleaf was the site of the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council’s 2022 Space Science Campout. The evening started with introductions and a safety briefing. Star maps and NASA handouts were also passed out.

One of the highlights of the evening was when new NWFAA member Olivia Weaver addressed the audience. Olivia is currently a high school senior attending Northwest Florida State College’s collegiate high school. She discussed her current project using the college’s telescope. She also advised the scouts when they got their turn to use the library loaner telescope.

Members of the NWFAA and our ‘guest observers”.

Olivia speaking to the scouts.

The scouts were treated to a 10-day old Moon as well as Saturn and Jupiter. Several deep sky objects were also on the list as each one cleared the ever-present biophilia center’s trees. The Andromeda Galaxy (M 31) and the Hercules Cluster (M 13) were just two of the additional sights the telescopes were aimed at. Some of the scouts were even able to check off the Neptune block of their observed objects list.

Dennis aligning his scope before the action begins.

Dave looking for the evening’s first target.

We had plenty of support from the club:

• Dave Halupowski
• Tom Haugh
• Marietta & Dennis Hausch
• Olivia Weaver

Our annual trek to Eden Gardens State Park went on under clear skies. It is always a pleasure setting up our telescopes on the grounds of the stately Wesley house. Luckily, we get to wedge ourselves into the park’s heavy schedule of weddings once a year.

Guests start their celestial viewing with Dennis’ scope.

Renee and George setting up their scope and camera.

We had an estimated 40 guest observers in attendance, and they started off with views of Saturn and Jupiter. With Jupiter as bright as it currently is, we were able to bring it into view before the sky got dark and once the scopes were synchronized to Jupiter, Saturn was quickly found. Ultimately, the sky was dark enough for the guests to observe several deep sky objects along with a brief glance at Neptune. In fact, the skies were dark enough to glimpse the Milky Way however, some high wisps of cloud showed up just as the event was winding down.

Anticipation while Scott re-points his scope.

The line grows to view Saturn at Tom’s scope.

The club was well represented:

• Renee & George Gollehon
• Tom Haugh
• Marietta & Dennis Hausch
• Scott Morgan

Once again, we need to thank the rangers of Eden Gardens State Park for the invite and support during the star gaze. We also thank Marietta Hausch for the pictures she took during the event.

We made our annual trek way up north to support Walton Middle School’s Astronomy Day early on Friday, the 13th of May. Hmm, Friday the 13th. So, it was comforting to know that we had no fewer than 4 people tell us “Don’t worry, all the sprinklers had been turned off.”.

This year we had 186 students with additional teachers and administration observers take advantage of safe views of the Sun. Tom started off each group of 8th graders with a presentation on the Sun which was then followed by a question-and-answer session. Afterwards each group headed outside to view white light, H-alpha and spectroscopic views. We spent most of the day under clear skies. However, late in the afternoon, some clouds started to appear and unfortunately, only a few of the last group got to see the Sun before the clouds and the school bell ended the viewing.

Dennis provided the H-alpha view.	Tom set up his spectroscope for a more colorful view of the Sun.
Faculty and staff must take a look as well.	And the clouds start rolling in.

Cub members supporting the event were:

• Tom Haugh
• Dennis & Marietta Hausch

We need to thank Marietta for her photos of the event.

We also want to thank the faculty of Walton Middle School for the invite and the excellent lunch they provided. We will be sure to make the north bound trip again next year.

Turnout was relatively low for our first public star gaze of 2022 with only 15 guest observers. As usual for Henderson Beach, we started early with solar telescopes. With the Sun finally coming out of minimal activity, there were actual solar phenomena to view. The next object was a 2-day old Moon. It was, of course, visible while the Sun was up but was much easier to view once the sky started to darken.

John taking a look at the 6% sliver of Moon.	Dennis & Frank trying to see the Trapezium as the sky darkens.
Dennis selecting the next target.	Tom admiring the clouds (NOT).

Luckily, there were some deep sky objects to see since the only planets visible in the nighttime sky were Uranus and Neptune. Both were very low in the western sky with Neptune setting less than a half an hour after the Sun. The Pleiades (M 45) and the Orion Nebula (M 42) were visible however, humidity induced haze dulled any extended object.

The club mustered a sizable cadre for the first star gaze of the season:

• Frank Atchison
• Clyde Bennett
• Bill Coffeen
• Dave Halupowski & Kennedy Odom
• Tom Haugh
• Marietta and Dennis Hausch
• John Walker

We would like to thank new member Bill Coffeen for the star gaze photos.

The dark skies of Camp Paquette were not as dark as usual as the Girl Scout campout was on the same day as International Observe the Moon Night. So, although the Moon made a bright and easy target, it did hamper viewing any dim objects in the night sky.

Even so, there were an estimated 50 very enthusiastic girl scouts with an additional unknown number of parents and siblings who got to view, not only the Moon, but Venus, Jupiter and Saturn as well. Luckily, there were a few deep sky objects the scouts got to look at that weren’t overpowered by the Moon.

In addition to the telescopes set up by club members, we set up an example of the type of telescope that has been donated to local libraries. The scouts used that scope by themselves. There was a line of interested future astronomers.

We had lots of club support for the Camp Paquette event:

• Walter Dunn
• Dave Halupowski
• Tom Haugh
• Dennis & Marietta Hausch
• John Walker