NorthWest Florida Astronomy Association

The NWFAA’s first daytime star gaze for the North Okaloosa Association of Homeschoolers (NOAH) was a great success. At least, on our second try. The first was cancelled due to solid overcast but the event on Monday had perfectly clear skies.

We started by giving our solar presentation to the assembled students and parents. After a lively question and answer session the 80+ attendees adjourned to the lineup of scopes.

Dennis Hausch brought his Hydrogen-Alpha scope, Robert Sutphen had his 8″ Celestron filtered for white light views and Tom Haugh set up his spectroscope. Since we didn’t need a second white light scope Dean Covey pointed his scope in a different direction and provided everyone with a daytime view of the crescent Moon.

Dennis shows off the Sun in H-Alpha light.	Part of the line at Robert’s 8″ Celestron.
Future astronomers examine the Sun’s spectrum.	Dean shows you really can see the Moon in the daytime.

 
We need to, once again, thank Marietta Hausch for her event photography.

We were finally able to synchronize with the Hurlburt Library and hold our annual star gaze with picture perfect skies. We had plenty of club support as Dean Covey, James Dubben, Tom Haugh and Dennis Hausch all brought scopes. We started off with some solar observing with the Sun providing a couple of small prominences and a small filament. Ultimately, the filament dissipated just before the Sun set.

Viewing the Sun through Dennis’ white light filtered Maksutov.

Tom’s H-alpha scope provides a view of the Sun.

By the time we transitioned to nighttime viewing club member Scott Morgan joined in the activity. We had a smaller crowd than our last gaze, but the group that was there was enthusiastic. As usual, Saturn was the star of the show but quite a few guest observers were also able to check Uranus off on their observing lists. Among the other deep sky targets was Alberio, the Ring Nebula as well as Messier objects 7, 8, and 13.

Fresh from the total eclipse on Monday, Dean Covey, Tom Haugh and Robert Sutphen set up scopes for the Topsail Hill Preserve State Park star gaze. After an initial viewing of the Sun we shifted to nighttime mode. We had a fairly good turnout but the high wispy clouds discouraged any deep sky object viewing. Luckily, Saturn was high in the sky and that was our primary target for the evening. A couple of star clusters were visible through the haze, but all the assembled guest observers went home pleased with the event.

This event at Henderson Beach state park was not like any of our past events here. As we arrived an hour before our published start time, there was already a long line of ‘guest observers’ waiting. Even before we arrived park staff had setup a comfort stand to hand out water to those that would need it, so we took advantage of their help and gave them the eclipse glasses that we brought for the guests.

Guest observers waiting for 11:00 AM

Finally, the line starts to move.

Meanwhile we started setting up the solar equipment. Dean Covey and Tom Haugh each set up two telescopes; one white light filtered and one H-alpha. Robert Forrester brought his white light filtered Maksutov for his first public star gaze with the NWFAA. He also setup a static display with information and handouts about the eclipse and the Sun. His help was greatly appreciated.

Tom checks the 3rd mount’s compass heading.

Guest observers getting a ‘before’ view of the Sun.

As we finished setting up those scopes, the clock chimed 11:00 and the crowd started to gather at each of the scopes. Lines formed and we were busy from then until well past maximum eclipse. If fact, we were so busy that Tom did not have the chance to finish setting up his third telescope. Unfortunately, that was the scope with the piggyback camera to record the eclipse, so he was not able to get any photos. Dean wasn’t able to get any either while he manned his two scopes.

Eclipse underway.

Watching the observers watching the eclipse.

The rarity of the event led to great coverage by our local media. The Northwest Florida Daily News and Channel 13 out of Panama City sent teams to cover the eclipse.

Northwest Florida Daily News live streams a report. Note the un-scoped mount in the background.

Channel 13 live from Henderson Beach.

Although none of the NWFAA members got the chance to get any photos of the eclipse, one of our guests did. He was kind enough to send us some that were taken through the eclipse glasses that were handed out at the beginning of the event.

Near maximum obscuration.

Past maximum.

The park ranger’s first estimate of attendance was 1,400 and with the uninterrupted flow of observers, we believe them. The weather started out with some high hazy clouds, but well before first contact the skies overhead were clear. Luckily, the ominous clouds to the north stayed away until well after last contact and most of the crowd had left. But ultimately, the skies darkened, the wind picked up and we scrambled to get packed before the rain started. Thankfully, it didn’t.

Hurry!

Frank, Robert, Tom and Dean (L-R)

We would like to thank the Henderson Beach rangers for their support of our event. We also need to thank Donna Haugh for her support and photography. And finally, we need to thank guest observer Artis Coleman for his pictures of the eclipse and of the crowd. Thank you all.

Our first visit to Parkwood Estates was our second attempt after the first was postponed due to weather. Unfortunately, what looked like better weather conditions deteriorated until the skies were very overcast before the Sun even set. Tom Haugh held a question and answer session for the assembled crowd until Jupiter finally made an appearance through a few holes in the clouds.

Tom answers questions while stalling for clear skies.

Dennis answers guest observer questions.

In addition to Tom’s telescope, Dennis Hausch, James Dubben and Robert Sutphen all brought scopes in hope of clear skies. The clouds slowly broke revealing a 6 day old Moon. Those guests who waited out the sky were able to ultimately view Vega, Epsilon Lyrae, the Ring Nebula (M 57) and the great Hercules cluster (M 13).

A line finally forms at Roberts 8″ Celestron.

James aims the 16″ for a young observer.