Neighborhood Star Party 10-12-08

Started by aristaeus63, 10/13/2008 12:35AM
Posted 10/13/2008 12:35AM Opening Post
I had a mini star party for my neighbors and their children tonight. This time of year is great for that because it's not to cold and it gets dark relatively early. I had 9 kids all ranging in age from 5 to 7, except for on 12 year old, and 7 adults. We looked at Jupiter, Neptune, Alberio, M11, and M57. Jupiter and M11 got the most oohs and ahhs. The youngest was having a little trouble looking through. I wasn't sure she was actually seeing something until I asked her what colors she saw when we looked at Alberio. When she said blue and yellow, I thought cool.

One other thing I thought was neat was I had a little discussion with the kids before we started about to look through the scope and not hold the eye piece. Not one of the kids did it wrong. It was a fun night.

Andreas

Attached Image:

aristaeus63's attachment for post 44170

DSOs observed:
NGCs 2005, ICs 103, Other 70, Palomar GCs 6, Abell PNs 12, Herschel 400: 316.
Equipment
Celestron CPC 1100, Lunt 60mm Ha Solar Scope
Posted 10/13/2008 01:57AM #1
Great stuff!
Well done Andreas! 8)
Thank you for sharing, with them & with us...

Keep it up! wink

Ivan Gastaldo 8)
Coconut Creek, FL

Ivan's Observatory
Lat 26N 16' 48" Long 80W 10' 48"
[COLOR="Red"]Personal Website:[/COLOR] http://www.ivangastaldo.com

CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky - Moderator
I like to complain about everything - Moderator
Posted 10/13/2008 12:10PM #2
I do the same thing every Halloween when it's clear
Posted 10/13/2008 06:15PM #3
Thanks guys. I love introducing our hobby to kids. They really love it.

Andreas

DSOs observed:
NGCs 2005, ICs 103, Other 70, Palomar GCs 6, Abell PNs 12, Herschel 400: 316.
Equipment
Celestron CPC 1100, Lunt 60mm Ha Solar Scope
Posted 10/15/2008 11:43PM #4
That sounds like so much fun. My favorite activity is sidewalk astronomy. For your next one, you could print out some star clocks to give out. They are a lot of fun, I used them A LOT when I did community star parties and they are cheap. You could either just hand them out to do at home or if you are more set up you can provide kid scissors and the brass fasteners (you can get all the supplies for less than 10 bucks) and you can have the kids do it right then and there and tell time by the stars. It is such a hoot to watch them. Here is a link to printing out the star clocks http://lawrencehallofscience.org/StarClock/starclockprintout.html Here is a picture of when we did star clocks for a big gathering of scouts at their astronomy camp. I am the one addressing the munchkins on the far right.

Dawn Grove (Baird)


Attached Image:

Sunwolf's attachment for post 125630
Posted 10/17/2008 09:23AM #5
Andreas,
What a nice thing to do for the kids (young and old!) in your neighborhood. I've been thinking of trying something similar. Several people who live in my neighborhood have seen me setting up near sundown and have looked interested. Hearing your account and seeing the pic gives me incentive to try it out. Thanks!

CM