Seven RASC London Centre members, including Dave McCarter, Harold Tutt, Mike Hanes, Peter Jedicke, Everett Clark, Mike Roffey and Bob Duff waited out a short windy rainstorm on Monday, July 23rd, 9:00—9:23 p.m., to present a star night at Wildwood Conservation Area for St. Marys Public Library.
Hazy clouds continued to blow in from the west throughout the evening; nevertheless 6 telescopes were set up overlooking the lake, including Dave McCarter’s 25.4cm Dobsonian; Harold Tutt’s 80mm Stellarvue refractor; Mike Hanes’ newly made 43cm Truss-Tube Dobsonian; Everett Clark’s 11.4cm Newtonian; Mike Roffey’s 102mm Celestron refractor; and Bob Duff’s 20.3cm Dobsonian. Objects observed included the crescent Moon, Saturn, Mars, Albireo, Epsilon Lyrae, M57 and M13. Mike Roffey also showed “The Coathanger”— Brocchi’s Cluster—to the guests. Dave reported that the visitors were keen on astronomy, including several young girls who returned to the eyepiece many times and adults who asked great questions. There were in all 17 visitors plus 2 library staff and one campsite security guard for a total of 20 people.
Observing ended with everybody packing up around 11:00 p.m. after an enjoyable evening.
Bob Duff
Higher Education Liaison
RASC London Centre