Finally!!!
After work, kids, family and just plain LIFE, I finally have the opportunity to talk about what happened at the outreach session on May 25.
Overall, I'd say it went well. At the beginning, a few of the kids and their parents arrived a few minutes early. I had already set up all the equipment, so I had the chance to talk about how to measure the sky. In other words, where Polaris was, and why, even though it isn't directly overhead, represents 90 degrees. Then demonstrated how to count down to 0 degrees (celestial equator) using Jupiter as a reference point. I also explained the general path of the moon and planets and how if you followed from Polaris south to the celestial equator, you will always find the moon and planets within 15 - 20 degrees of that imaginary line. Pluto being the only exception.
When more students and parents arrived, I distributed the handout I had created, which included the "NightSky" map for May, two pages of general information about the planets, and a chart of the constellations (unlabeled). After handing them out and eplaining the rules about flashlights and behavior around the telescope, we got started. During my alignment process, I had the science class teacher take a head-count of students and parents.
The total was 23 kids and 21 parents. While I was aligning, I started asking questions from the handout about distances of planets from the Sun. They learned pretty quickly that the first right answer got them a snack. Tootsie pops, cheezeit, gum or fruit rollups. At that point the students were enthusiastically involved.
We started with Jupiter. Because it was positioned almost directly opposite any street lights from nearby Vandenburg AFB, the view was good. The viewers were able to pick out the large color bands of the planet. We were also lucky enough to easily pick out 6 of jupiters moons. The kids and parents really liked that.
Next was Saturn. It seemed to be the favorite planet amoung the viewers. We picked out 4 moons, but I think they got the biggest thrill from being able to see the rings. It wasn't just in a picture anymore, but actually there right in front of their eyes. This was a big hit.
Third was M13. Always a crowd pleaser. I think what interested them the most about it was that it is made up of more than 1000 stars all jumbled together. It was about 9:45 pm at this point, and some students started heading home. There was a light dew forming and with a light breeze, it was starting to get cold. personally I think it more the parents who wanted to leave than the kids, but at least they all got to see the two planets.
The last object of the night was M51, the Whirlpool. I tried M101, but M51 for some reason was coming through better, so I went with it. The kids were able to view it well and were impressed with the idea of being able to see a galaxy.
During all of this viewing, I had the students and parents divide up into groups of 5 and started a name the constellation contest. The group with the most constellations correctly identified in 15 minutes got a prize. The winning group got to choose between 4 issues of Sky & Telescope Magazine (one for each season), and a hardback book title "Visions of The Cosmos". I forget the authors name right now, but it has some great photography in it, and provides some insight to future space travel and what we may yet discover. It's a bit too flowery for my taste, but I'm sure the student who got it will enjoy it.
Again, I think it was a success. The kids made a big card and signed it. That was great. The only item I missed out on was getting to take some photos of the group. It was a huge task just trying to keep the kids busy and not thinking about how cold it was getting. I think I was the only one out there without a heavy coat on.
If there is one thing I could change, it would be to have more than one telescope.
The teacher and I are talking about doing it again in the fall when some of the biggest and brightest objects will be visible. I'm looking forward to the next one and if there's anyone in the area interested in joining in, you would be most welcome.
Thanks again for all the input from you. You all helped make it a successful night.
Clear Skies,
David Eccles
Lompoc, CA
