2004 Pioneer School Star Party

by Bruce Jensen

January 12 was looking iffy as to weather, no doubt, but a few intrepid amateur astronomers defied the elements and brought home a better-than-expected star show to the children participating in the 2004 Pioneer School Science Fair and their parents in Union City, California. Hoping against hope as twilight dwindled, Stacy Jo McDermott, Hugh Bartlett, Bob Garfinkle, Jerry Elmer, Mike Peck and yours truly invited a few hundred kids and adults to have a peek through the glass after they'd had a chance to see the cool science fair displays that the kids had prepared (including some nice astronomy and geoscience displays). Even as we nervously watched the skies from 6PM onward, folks came out and enjoyed fine, surprisingly stable views of Saturn, Mars, Venus, the Great Orion Nebula, the Double Cluster in Perseus, the Pleiades, and the fine M-clusters in Auriga. Scopes ranged from 70 and 80 mm refractors up to the 18" reflector, a good range of glasses for the objects we showed off. Bob Garfinkle came sans scope, but that turned out great as it gave him time to explain the cosmos to people and take over on one or more scopes to give the operators some breaks from the relentless lines.

As we noted clouds beginning to push in at about 7:45 PM, we raced against time to get as many people to the oculars while giving them a good opportunity to see what was up. By 8:15, though, people were peering through tiny holes in the clouds to glimpse fleeting views of the brightest objects, and by 8:30 we lost the sky - but not before putting up a gallant battle! The science fair attendees once again went home happy.

Thanks to the astronomers for doing their best to come out and help - it was a smaller group than we sometimes have, but they pulled it off gracefully. Thanks also to the astronomers who indicated their interest but ultimately were unable to help - be assured, your offers were appreciated. Also, to Principal Joanne Stanley and Science Coordinator Angela Higgerson for their help in preparation, to my wonderful wife Pamela for her cheerful support of my own habits, and to the children of Pioneer School for coming up with a great main event. Congratulations to Ms. Higgerson on her new baby!

Other schools in Union City are now asking us to do star events for them as well, including Delaine Eastin School on the 12th of February. Good show, guys, and here's hoping that all of our events can continue to bring the joy and science of the night sky to the next generation of observers.

Posted on sf-bay-tac Sun Jan 25 21:14:15 2004 PT
Converted by report.pm 1.0 Thu Jan 29 20:47:58 2004 PT