October 2019 Member Star Party

Members’ Star Party at Bolingers’ Oct. 26 2019

What: Star party on a “new moon” (moonless) night

Who: BAS and BYA members only and invited guests—not a public party

Where: Bolinger’s

When: Oct. 26 6:30 pm-appx. 11 p.m. (This was timed to begin at sunset with a pizza dinner.)

Who coordinated: Rick Buck made the decision to have a star party on this date months in advance as part of his second-half-of year event planning. He also brought the food! John Blaesi did publicity and worked on a Sunday alternate date in case this was needed due to weather. He also suggested that we try plain “naked eye” or “regular” binoculars viewing, and sent out links describing what you could see with just your eyes or 7X35 binoculars. This was the first event for the club’s refurbished 10-inch Dobsonian telescope. It was used by several club members to observe gorgeous deep sky objects. John Blaesi, John Grismore, Rick Buck, and Craig Brockmeier have spent a considerable amount of time recently working on this telescope.

Publicity used: Announced at multiple BAS and BYA meetings and John Blaesi sent reminders a few days before the event.

Number of people who attended: 11, including Mr. and Mrs. Bolinger and one of their sons. One BYA youth attended.

Number telescopes used: 4, with astrophotography. Two people brought hand-held binoculars/binoculars on tripod.

Other materials brought: Rick Buck brought 5 large pizzas of various types from Hideaway, along with chicken wings, fried mushrooms and rolls. Everyone was encouraged to bring soft drinks; the Bolingers supplied some as well. Rick also brought paper plates and towels and ingredients for s’mores and hot chocolate mix (which we didn’t do). He also brought hand warmers. Denise and Craig brought October star charts. Others brought hot tea in their own hot drink mugs. People also brought lawn chairs.

Materials of location site used: Their lovely yard…and some Cokes! They had also recently installed red-light pathway lighting, which was very nice!

BAS expenditures: None. People at the party reimbursed Rick Buck for the Hideaway food.

What we observed: Lots! Numerous constellations and clusters, nebulae and even a couple of meteors (green and white), probably Orionids! Observations included Sagittarius, Perseus, Andromeda, Lyra, the Pléiades, Corona Australis, Delphinus, the Ring and Clown nebulae, and other Messier objects. We also experimented with naked eye/7X35 binocular viewing.

Comments: Very clear, beautiful autumn weather! Saw an amazing number of stars—one of our clearest star parties--and the Milky Way was beautiful. Rick got food for an estimated 15 people; we only had 11, so we had some leftover food. Earlier in the week clouds (and possibly rain) had been forecast, so this could have caused some to make alternate plans at the last minute. It did start to fog up slightly around 10 pm (which had been predicted) so we started putting equipment away shortly after that time.

Denise had estimated 1 large pizza would feed 3 people, and we got 5 pizzas plus wings, mushrooms and rolls. Next time figure that 1 large pizza (at least from Hideaway) would feed 4 people. Or better yet, if we are going to bring dinner, get RSVPs in advance and order accordingly so we don’t have as much food left over.