Observation Time: 7:30pm to 9pm (observing time ~1.5 hrs),
Location: Hyatt Hotel, La Jolla.
Weather: okay.. in light polluted area.. Full moon after 8:30pm
Instruments: Jon's 12.5" scope and np-101 f/7 scope
Highlight of the night was meeting Astronaut Scott Altman aka Scooter.
Attended a private fundraising event by Astronomy Society of Pacifics. They were honoring the Astronaut Scott Altman (Scooter). The organizer and the board member of the ASP, Russ Carroll, invited my friend Jon to setup his telescope for the guests outreach. Jon asked me to help him.. I was more than happy to be there.. got a chance to meet Scooter, had a lil chit chat with him.. got a chance to listen to his funny experiences of piloting the space shuttle and fixing the Hubble space telescope.
After the event Jon and I entertained the guest with the viewing of Jupiter, Venus, Mars, Pleiades, M37, M38, Sigma Orionis DS, Orion nebula.
Probably 50% of the guests have never even seen thru a telescope, so they were amazed to see the planets thru the scope. It was fun for me in answering some "fundamental" questions like:
- How do you know that bright star is indeed Jupiter?
- Why does Jupiter has so many moons while we have only one?
- Why are the moons in same vertical line?
- How big are the moons compared to Earth's moon ?
- What is a difference betn a galaxy, nebula, star cluster and a star?
Jon and I spent about 2 hrs talking with guests.. I have done the public outreach after a long time..
Thanks to Jon for asking me to help you.. Thanks Russ for inviting us.. Thanks Scott for sharing your wonderful experiences..
Some photos from Jon and Russ.
Jon and me with Scott Altman
Me in action.. setting the fan for the mirror at the base of the scope..
With Russ.. at the end of the night..
