Recent ASNH Activities
Blackstone Library, Branford CT, Saturday, January 12
ASNH has loaned an Orion 4.5-inch Starblast telescope to the Blackstone Library, which can be borrowed by library patrons. The telescope loan program has been very popular. To follow up on this public outreach effort, we occasionally have public presentations at Blackstone to foster interest in astronomy and promote the use of the telescope.
Our latest event was on January 12, with several members attending and participating in the program. Jim Mazur began by giving an overview of what can be seen in the sky this winter with a small telescope. He also mentioned the upcoming lunar eclipse on January 20. About 50 people attended, young and old, and all were given a star chart for the January sky, and a list of good targets. Jim explained how to use the technique of star-hopping to find objects like the Orion Nebula and the Perseus Double Cluster. Then Al Washburn gave an introduction to the ASNH meteorite collection, which was on display. This was followed by a hands-on session in which everyone could come up to look at and touch the meteorites. At the same time, Laurie Averill and Greg Barker showed people how to use the loaner telescope, and other ASNH members were there to answer general questions about astronomy. The event was well received, and many of the public were very enthusiastic about the topics we presented.
Guilford Free Library, Wednesday January 16
This event was similar to the program at Blackstone Library on January 12, except that it was an evening event so we tried to do some observing after the indoor program. Guilford Free Library has a similar 4.5-inch Orion telescope that the library purchased through a grant. Another good group of about 50 people attended this event.
As in the Blackstone program, Jim Mazur talked about the winter sky, star charts were distributed to everyone, and Al Washburn presented the meteorite collection. After this, Laurie Averill and Greg Barker set up the telescope just outside the library, and Donna Pursley and Mike Zarick set up scopes nearby on the Guilford Green. The night was mostly cloudy, but there were enough breaks in the clouds so that several of those who stayed around were able to observe the gibbous Moon through the scopes.
This event was reported in an article in the New Haven Register.
Public Observing at Young’s Park, Saturday, March 16
Our first public event of the year actually wasn’t cancelled!!
There were clouds, on and off while we were there. We were able to see the Moon, the Orion nebula, ET, double stars and other clusters when the clouds opened up. There were a fair amount of people that braved the cold and stayed for a while. A few new ASNH members were also there, and it was great to have them participate.
Just as we were packing up the sky cleared up and a young couple showed up with their scope. They set right up and were finding things with a little help. They seemed eager to stay for a while even in the cold.
Teen Program at Guilford Free Library, March 21
This program consisted of presentations about the Sun and about meteorites. A small group of teens got a chance to watch some amazing videos of solar activity, presented by Laurie Averill. They got to try a demonstration using iron filings and an electromagnet to trace magnetic field lines, illustrating the fields that are present around sunspots. Then Al Washburn described the meteorite collection, and the teens were eager to handle the meteorites and ask a lot of questions. Some of their parents also got to inspect the meteorite collection, and all were enthusiastic about these rocks from outer space. Dave Noble and Jim Mazur were also at the program to help out.