Many astronomy groups took advantage of National Astronomy Day on May 7 to host public events. One of them, the Southern Colorado Astronomical Society of Pueblo, held a successful public star party as part of Astronomy’s Discover the Universe program. Public relations director Alan Knight elaborates:
There’s just something about seeing telescopes set up that fascinated and attracted passersby to the Southern Colorado Astronomical Society’s (SCAS) National Astronomy Day sidewalk star party. The daughter in this family already had a small Newtonion of her own, and likely left the event with new plans for it. // All photos by Alan Knight
The Southern Colorado Astronomical Society (SCAS) observed National Astronomy Day by hosting a stargazing party in the middle of Pueblo, Colorado, May 7. SCAS Pueblo President Walter Russell and I were the first to arrive on site in front of the Rawlings Public Library, on the corner of two busy streets in the Steel City.
As the first telescope went up around 6:45 p.m., the curiosity factor immediately came into play when two young ladies walking down the opposite sidewalk switched course and crossed the street to come see what was happening. It was still very light out and the Moon was the only object available, so I stopped setting things up and slewed my 8-inch Meade LS telescope onto our natural satellite.
“Oh my goodness!” our first visitor squealed with delight. “I’ve never seen the Moon so close!” As she gaped at the lunar surface, her friend grew impatient, at first giving her little taps on the shoulder asking her to move before finally administering a healthy shove. “Oh, wow!” the friend exclaimed as she took her turn. With the official starting time approaching, I turned my attention back to setting up while the ladies alternated gazing through the scope.
Despite the glare of the city’s streetlights, the crowds still witnessed amazing views of Saturn, the Moon, and other sights — sometimes for the first time in their lives. The mother of this family of four was interested in astronomy, and plans on joining the SCAS.
Not 5 minute later, a mother and daughter arrived, also ready to start looking into the sky. I gave them a quick tour of the Moon and returned once more to setting up. Thankfully, we had various reading materials and handouts from
Astronomy magazine, allowing us to help keep visitors occupied while we finished getting the telescopes in place.
With a few of our members’ Dobsonians set up right on the sidewalk, we had several cars simply stop in the middle of the street with their occupants asking what was going on. At first, my answer was, “It’s National Astronomy Day; we’re looking at the stars.” I would then invite them to come take a look through the telescopes. Some would, others would just drive off. An attempt to stop people from driving off met with fair success: I started answering their question with, “The universe is expanding — you should look through the telescopes!” That usually drew an expression of shock, followed by the car driving into the parking lot, its occupants quickly getting out and heading straight to a scope.
Joining SCAS Pueblo members Mike Maselli and Debbie Russell at right, an attendee from the Deep South (in brown at left) was so moved by the sight of Saturn through a telescope that she spontaneously hugged SCAS Pueblo member Alan Knight (not pictured).
Finally, as the last light faded from the sky, the “Lord of the Rings,” Saturn, shone brightly enough to punch through the street lamp-flooded sky and the magic of stargazing unfolded. One couple who had moved here recently from the Deep South (as they told me) peered through the lens at the gas giant. At first the woman was speechless, but then she took a step back from the eyepiece, turned, and gave me a big hug. I did not see that coming. Never before had she seen Saturn through a telescope. Her husband then took his turn, giving me the opportunity to back away just a little (I was good for the night with hugs). She was the sweetest lady, though, and deeply appreciative of the opportunity to view the heavens.
We had people of all ages stop by to look at the sky. A young girl in sixth grade who had just gotten her first telescope, a small Newtonian, was thrilled to no end as she looked at the objects above. After looking through our telescopes, she confessed she would now probably be disappointed with her smaller scope. Quickly, we offered her words of encouragement, reminding her that the Newtonian was perfect for looking at our neighbors in the solar system. At the end of the night, she left with a smile on her face and, I’m certain, the plan to go home and set up her telescope. I get the feeling we can expect that young lady and her family at our next monthly meeting.
In all, dozens of people stopped by in the scant time we had to view the night sky, all of them amazed by the views from our six telescopes. Also, a special note of thanks to these SCAS Pueblo members for giving their time to place smiles on so many faces: Walter Russell, Mike Maselli, Scott Goins, and Frank Miller. I look forward to our next outing and hope we can again show people the wonders of the night sky.
Congratulations on such a great event, Alan. It sounds like quite a night! Good job turning so many unsuspecting (and even suspecting) people onto astronomy, and we’re glad the Discover the Universe program could help out. If you have any questions about how it can help out your club, please email me at bandrews@astronomy.com.