From: Collin Smith [mailto:CollinofAlabama@cox.net]
Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2006 4:44 PM
Subject: Observation Report for June 6, 2006

The moon was large, bright and gibbous on Tuesday night, but the forecasted thunderstorms stayed at bay and the sky was mostly clear, with occasional wispy clouds.
We observed these targets:
Luna
Saturn/M44
Jupiter
M13
M3
Rasalgethi
Epsilon Lyrae (Double Double)
Mizar
Albireo
Tom Heisey and I met two Honors College students, Taylor and John, who served as chaperones for the Upward Bound kids.  Taylor is an astronomer in her own right and had a small refractor there as well.
Tom's moon-on-the-LCD video setup was a big hit with the kids as everyone gathered around for a better look.  Tom had a pretty high power view.  I also had a low power 1.7 degree view of the entire moon plus in my scope with the 26mm Meade Plossl.
I then put this setup on Saturn, and the planet was nicely framed with the nearby Beehive Star Cluster (M44).  After this, I revved up the power to 101x with my 9mm BO/TMB.  But besides a nice view with an evident Cassini division, Crepe ring, planetary banding and globe shadow cast against the back of the rings, I also learned something new.  Chaperon John was the first of the Upward Bounders to look through my scope with the new, higher powered view, and he exclaimed, "Tight! Come here, all you people, you gotta see this."  Apparently 'tight' means 'cool' or 'neato' or some such.  So there you go!  Needless to say, his comments started a long line behind my dob to enjoy Saturn at high power.
I got the same response from John later, after all the kids had been taken back and he and Taylor stuck around to see more when I showed him Albireo through the Meade.  It is probably the best colorful double in the sky.
Tom got Mizar in his Meade SCT to remind us of its importance as the first discovered double star.  Epsilon Lyrae wouldn't split cleanly till I pulled out the BO/TMB 5mm, but even it couldn't resist that kind of power.  Fortunately the skies submitted to such high power for that moment.  This would have been too much in my scope that night on Saturn, for example.
The Globulars M3 & M13, though better than nothing, showed up in their normal, sheepish way under Luna's intense glare.
All in all, a nice evening under the stars.  We'll be doing it again.  Hope to see everyone at the Club meeting this coming Thursday, June 15th, at the YWCA (35th & Flint).  I will be late on account of the Buddy Holly Center Summer Concert Series, but I will be there.
Coelum Serendum,
CDS

From: Collin Smith [mailto:CollinofAlabama@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 5:08 PM
Subject: Good cause this evening
Folks,
First, sorry for the last minute notice, but I also only found out about this today myself.  Tonight Upward Bound of TTU (http://www.depts.ttu.edu/upwardbound/index.asp) is sponsoring a Star Party at Tech Terrace Park.  I will show up around 9:30, but Taylor Mastin and the kids will get there about 9.  Please come if you can and bring some binoculars or a telescope, too.  We'll meet along the south side of the park.
Of course, if it's overcast we'll not meet, but if the skies are clear or mostly clear, please come down and help some kids who might not otherwise have the opportunity to explore the scientific wonder of astronomy and the inspiring natural artistry of our universe.
Thank you,
CDS