Searles Elementary School 2008

Greg Claytor

During most of the day, way down south here in Morgan Hill, the sky was cloudy. I had serious doubts the event would happen, but checked the CSC nonetheless. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but there appeared to be a window from my perspective. I packed up and headed up the highway about 4:45 pulling into Searles at 5:45. Soft doesn't begin to describe the viewing conditions. Mushy. The only other people in the lot were my Father and brother in-laws, but they were excited, I was here, and decided to go ahead and set up. They helped me move my gear to the center of a field where I attempted to minimize impact from building, street and parking lot lights.

As I set up I look back up and then was surprised to see a growing group of parents and students gathering around me. Still no other astronomers. I've never been to, much less hosted, a school star party and it was clear this had become my current situation. No time to panic, so I dove in describing:

Newtonian Optics and Newton Dobsonian Mounts, John Dobson and the side walk astronomers Collimation and what was being adjusted Proper use of and correct kinds of flash lights Dark adaptation and why it's important Light pollution, light domes and their impact on urban astronomy Clear Sky Clock - clouds, darkness, seeing, transparency - how they impact astronomy and what we'd be able to see given our conditions Charles Messier, The Messier Catalog and M31

It was about this time that a gentleman appeared on the field to proclaim the Chabot astronomers had postponed the star party in front of what was now a group of about 100 parents and students.

I chose M31 as my target object because it was about 70 degrees overhead, I had a cloud clearing, I like galaxies, and figured it would be bright enough to see. I described what it was, it's relative size and distance to our Milky Way, it's shape and what to look for as they stepped up to the eyepiece. I'd learned from the NASA Ames Return to the Moon star party in 2007 to be vigilant in managing the scope's position and focus.

One by one people stepped up to the eyepiece and began soaking in some photons. I found myself coaching them about how close to place their eye to the eyepiece and to close or cover the other. I'd ask kids to describe what they were seeing. If they couldn't I'd recheck position and focus then re-describe what they should look for then give them another peak.

I had one little girl wearing glasses step up and could tell she wasn't seeing anything based on the proximity of her eye to the eyepiece; although, she claimed she was. We tried with and without glasses, rolling in and out of focus. Nothing. I retracted the rubber eye-guard on the Panoptic and instructed her to place her glasses as flat against and as close to the eyepiece as she could. Finally she excitedly announced "OH! I see it!" I replied "That's the response I was looking for!" When she stepped back... she had a big smile. I had several Hispanic families step up and while I don't speak Spanish I'm certain "Ooooooh!" is universal, a positive expression.

By the time the last few folks got a turn the clouds were closing the window and fast. I continued to answer questions as I broke down. I'm certain that I inspired and educated some future armatures. They invited me to return and that's always a good sign.

Meade 12" LightBridge
Televue 24mm Panoptic