There were 6 RASC London Centre members who assisted with the Cherry Hill Village Mall Astronomy Display, Saturday, May 12th, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., including Rick Saunders, Dave McCarter, Peter Jedicke, Harold Tutt, Phil Marusaik and Charlie Barbara, with his meteorite collection. The display was set up in cooperation with and just outside McKittrick’s Photo / Digital / Astro store.
A continuous slide show ran all day. Phil Marusaik set up his 127mm Maksutov and Harold Tutt his 80mm refractor and they talked with visitors. Charlie Barbara set up his Meteorite Display around 1:00 p.m. Peter Jedicke counted about 15 visitors between 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and had 3 detailed discussions about the RASC London Centre and the upcoming Venus Transit, June 5th. Dave McCarter brought a solar telescope in his car but had to leave at noon before having a chance set it up. Dave talked at length with one man who had a small entry level telescope. One visitor was with Rick Saunders asking about astrophotography for quite some time.
Harold Tutt remarked that the Mall really slowed down after 1:00 p.m. and estimated the people inquiring to be around 15-20. Charlie Barbara arrived and set up his Meteorite Display around 1:00 p.m. and was the busiest of everybody with people looking at his meteorite collection and asking questions.
Since Peter counted 15 visitors between 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and Harold estimated the number of people inquiring after 1:00 p.m. to be 15-20, the estimated number of visitors for the day should be around 30-35. Rick Saunders estimated that the number of visitors was pretty sparse with perhaps 100 people showing any interest beyond picking up a brochure.
Bob Duff
Higher Education Liaison
RASC London Centre