NorthWest Florida Astronomy Association

Although this was not our fist visit to Walton Middle School, it was our first Science Palooza Day event. We spent the whole day with telescopes setup outside the school and were able to provide 200+ eighth grade students multiple safe views of the Sun.

Marietta & Dennis Hausch provided a white light filtered view of the Sun. Dean Covey set up his Hydrogen-Alpha scope to show the Sun in that frequency of light and Tom Haugh set up his spectroscope to view the Sun’s spectrum.

Dennis discusses the white light filtered Sun.

Dean explains Hydrogen-Alpha.

The day started out clear but as the morning wore on clouds started to creep into view and began to interfere with the observations. But, as the day continued, the gaps between the clouds started to widen and by the end of the day it was mostly clear. Luckily the clouds never completely blocked the sky so even though some had to wait a bit, everyone got to view the Sun using all three instruments.

Tom explains the information available in the solar spectrum.

All 3 instruments gainfully employed.

Unfortunately, the Sun, being in a minimum activity phase provided nothing other than a boring featureless surface. In fact, the only excitement of the day was when the school sprinkler system came on. Telescopes and equipment were quickly removed from the observing field and the situation was relayed to the school staff. The sprinklers were turned off and the rest of the observing sessions went on without incident.

Some equipment still needs rescued.	Students discussing the situation.
Starting to dry out.	Sprinkler recovery complete. Tom briefs the next class.

We would like to thank the staff of Walton Middle School for the invitation and for the great lunch that was provided. We had a really good time and hope to get invited to next year’s Science Palooza Day.

Once again the NWFAA support of Valparaiso’s Saturday-in-the-Park celebration started early so traffic was clear for the start of the 5K Run/Walk. Our intrepid early risers were Dennis Hausch, Dave Halupowski and new association member Walter Dunn.

Dennis with his dual mounted telescopes.

Walter and Dave discuss Dave’s scope with one of our guest observers.

The sky was clear giving an excellent view of the 42% lit Moon in Dave’s telescope. Walter’s and one of Dennis’s scopes sported white light filters to provide a safe view of the Sun. Unfortunately, the Sun was not cooperating and the visible surface was featureless. Dennis’ other scope was a Hydrogen-Alpha scope and there were a couple of very small but short lived prominences that were visible throughout the day.

Walter and Dave with Dave’s small dobsonian mounted telescope.

A guest observer takes a look at a Hydrogen-Alpha view of the Sun.

We had 70+ guest observers take advantage of the clear sky and we handed out lots of our 2019 state park public star gaze schedules.

Unfortunately, the skies did not cooperate with Florosa Elementary School’s science night, so we were not able to set up telescopes to view the setting Sun. We did come prepared though and set up a display amongst the other science stations. We focused a refracting telescope at an image of Saturn that was set up way down the hallway. This provided an hands-on station allowing the students to exercise the focuser and view the inverted image the scope provides.

NASA Solar System Ambassador Tom Haugh also displayed a model of NASA’s airborne observatory SOFIA as well as a video showing the modification of the aircraft and one of the recent missions it participated in.

Even though we didn’t get to view the Sun, we do consider the event a success as 337 students got a brief hands-on introduction to Astronomy.

Kenwood Elementary School Science night followed our first science night of the year by less than two weeks. This means our displays were pretty much the same. This time though the reason for no outside telescopes was the solid overcast skies.

We had some additional help for Kenwood’s event. Tom Haugh was joined by member Terry Rozanski. The additional manpower allowed us to demonstrate two different telescope designs. Terry manned a refractor while Tom demonstrated a reflector. Tom also handed out February star charts, NWFAA’s star gaze schedules and photo’s of the Moon taken during the recent lunar eclipse.

NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Norm Dingle was in attendance as well. Unable to restock this quickly he had fewer handouts and NASA stickers to pass out but there were a few left to pack when the event was over. He commented “Many students were very well versed in the subject. There seemed to be a great fascination with nebulae and galaxies.”

The event coordinators estimated an attendance of 150+ students, siblings and parents.

Our star gaze support for Kenwood’s Science night has been weathered out now 3 years running. We really hope this is not a permanent trend.

The skies were totally clear for the 2018 Walton County Explore the Outdoors Festival. However, with the Sun still heading toward minimum there was no activity to show. That doesn’t mean we didn’t try. Dean Covey and Tom Haugh both brought scopes capable of safely viewing the Sun. Dean set up his H-Alpha scope and Tom started off with a white light configuration. After a while though he slewed the scope off the Sun, removed the filter and slewed even further to view a thin crescent Venus.

Lots of club star gaze schedules and past astronomy magazines were handed out. We also gave out sky maps showing the path across the sky that the ISS would be taking that same evening.

We had a great time and look forward to next year’s event.