NorthWest Florida Astronomy Association

Once again the Crestview workshop had a small but enthusiastic group.  Tom Haugh briefed the guests on the library telescope, basic observing and what to expect when using the 4.5 inch Orion Starblast. 

Last month’s constellation was Lyra, which is directly above us and in the best atmospheric position for viewing.  Experience has shown it is not in the best position for viewing with an Alt/Az mounted telescope such as the library scope. 

This month the constellation was Pegasus.  It is in a somewhat lower in the sky but better positioned for the small scope.  After a map of Pegasus was handed out, Tom started with a brief discussion of Pegasus’ mythological background.  Then several observable objects were discussed.  The two deep sky objects were NGC 7331, a bright spiral galaxy and M15, a bright globular cluster.   51 Pegasi, the first sun-like star discovered to have a planet was mentioned as well as the bright variable star R Pegasi.

Tom then finished off with a list astronomical events that would be visible/occur before next month’s workshop.

For the first time since the library workshops were started, the skies were clear once it got dark.  Tom took his 6″ Newtonian out to the grassy area in front of the library and set it up to attempt a look at the Pegasus objects.  Unfortunately, the library has no control over the exterior lighting around the library and surrounding area.  Although the light fixtures are full cut-off lights preventing light from shining up into the sky, the light that shines down onto the library is quite bright.  Any astronomical object will have to be very bright to be seen from around the library.

The second Crestview library astronomy workshop was attended by 8 guests.  Since only one of them had been to the first meeting, Tom started off with a beginning astronomy presentation.  It is intended to provide the people who check out the library telescope some simple instructions and an idea of what to expect.  This briefing explains Astronomy in general and starts with the solar system, then continues to objects viewable in deep space.  The pictures used as examples are supplied by club members.   Using amateur imagery gives a better representation of what will be visible in the library telescope.  Each attendee was given a club handout and  The Evening Sky Map.

Next, the constellation Lyra was discussed since it is currently directly overhead at dusk.  The constellation’s mythological background was explained.  Then objects visible in the libraries 4.5″ Newtonian telescope were shown.  The Ring Nebula (M 57),  several binary stars, Vega and the globular cluster M 56 were discussed.

Finally, astronomical events that would be visible before the next meeting (18 Sep 2012) were listed.

[Update:] One of  the public guests was a member of the press.  He wrote up the workshop in the Crestview News Bulletin.  The library staff sent the link for the online write-up to Tom.

We would like to thank Brian Hughes for bringing the workshop to the attention of so many future astronomers.

The once in a lifetime event came and went without any of our participants being able to check off the block.  We had quite a few stalwart attendees hopeful of seeing the transit.  However, the weather did not cooperate at all.  The best view any of us had was just at setup.  There was a light cloud cover that did not interfere at all with seeing the sun spots that were visible on the sun’s surface.  But, the weather very slowly got worse throughout the event with a light sprinkle of rain sending most of the telescopes for shelter.

Well, maybe the weather will be better on December 11, 2117.

The second time was the charm as the rescheduled Hurlburt Field Star Gaze was a great success.  Coincidentally, the 28th was a multi-purpose day as it was also National Astronomy  Day and the NWFAA’s regularly scheduled meeting night.   This is event is usually a cooperative event between the NWFAA and the Escambia Amateur Astronomers Association (EAAA) out of Pensacola, but the reschedule conflicted with one of their beach sidewalk star gazes.  We would like to thanks Gary W. for coming over and helping us support the Hurlburt Library. ( He also brought the largest scope ).  If you haven’t been to one of the EAAA’s beach sidewalk star gazes or better yet, one of their monthly sky interpretation events at Ft. Pickens you really should try and make one.

The usual suspects +1.

Astronomy merit badge requirement 1a.

This year we had additional help during setup.  A couple of Boy Scouts came out to work on their Astronomy merit badges and successfully accomplished several requirements.  They assisted the Library staff with setting up the break area and helped unload some of the telescopes.  Once they had the support tasks done, they started on the Astronomy.

Once we finished initial setup we quickly held our April meeting.  By then guest observers had started to arrive. 

Young guest observing the moon.

The moon started things off until the sky was fully dark.  Our clubs had seven telescopes on site and two guest observers brought telescopes to add to the arsenal. 

With that many scopes the planets that were stretched out across the sky were well covered.  Toward the west, Venus was very prominent as it headed into a waning crescent phase.  Mars high overhead and Saturn climbing out of the eastern haze also had dedicated coverage.  The Great Orion Nebula was visible for a short time until it dropped into the Gulf  of Mexico haze.  Sirius and neighbor M 41 were also visible for a while.

The International Space Station made a brief appearance.  It arrived quite late and as such dropped into the earth’s shadow quite high in the sky.

Sabrina, our POC for the Hurlburt Field Library said the attendance was 220+.  We would like to thank her for her invitation, support and cookies.  She also provided the photos posted here.

Early quick moving clouds tried to put a damper on the Scout-o-Rama but by the time the event officially started the skies were perfectly clear.  That left a small but well positioned sun spot group as the main attraction at the NFWAA’s merit badge midway display this year.  The sun spot group was far enough from the limb to remain in sight for the whole day but the shape and darkness changed appreciably.  Dennis H. provided a wide angle view of the sun with his 8″ Dobsonian while Tom’s 6″ Newtonian presented a narrower view centered on the sun spot group.

Dennis waits for the first observer of the day.

Tom and Dennis were early enough for the opening ceremonies, with Chuck L., Justin G., and Tony R. filtering in during the day.  The scouts and parents kept up a fairly constant flow of observers and several asked about the club and how to join.

You don't have to be a boy scout to enjoy the Scout-o-Rama.

We would like to thank several members of the Eglin Aeromodelers for their assistance with setting up the pop-up canopy we used for shade.