Public star party at Almanden Lake Park

by Jim Van Nuland


We had 8 telescopes for this experimental star party. The observing area was open to the north, up, and west, but partly obscured east and south. With careful setup, we managed to reach the Teapot. Air was very dry after a warm day, but not especially steady. An off-lake breeze made it comfortable.

We showed the Sun, Moon, and Venus prior to sunset, then had perhaps 100 customers come by during the evening for views of the usual subjects. Many of the guests were camped in the park. I showed the infamous Coathanger Cluster, Albireo, Polaris, etc. By midnight we were packing up.

We'll try again Aug.10, this time from a site in the parking lot, where we will have a better view of the east and southern sky.