TheSkySearchers

My daughter asked me to support an observing session to provide my grandson's Cub Scout Den an opportunity to pass the requirements for their "Sky is the limit" badge. The requirements included: viewing the night sky, observing an object through a telescope, discussing two astronauts that were scouts, and pointing out two constellations (this could be met using planetarium software).

Last evening was the selected date with tonight as the backup. As usual, after careful planning, last night was forecast as mostly cloudy and tonight was 100 percent rain!! In spite of the forecast, my wife and I made the two hour trip from Culpeper to Maryland. As luck would have it, the skies miraculously cleared by 1830 hrs and we were able to view the Moon, Jupiter, and Saturn.

The session was attended by 8 scouts (ages 7-8) and 7 adults. I brought my 1987 vintage Brandon 94 (94mm, f/7) refractor using a Stellarvue M02MC alt-az mount. EP's used included TV 22mm Panoptic (22x), TV 10mm Radian(64x), and TV 6mm Ethos (106x). One of the other adults brought his Celestron 6 inch SCT on an alt-az mount. Of interest, he had purchased his telescope after my last observing session with the scouts!!

Using both scopes we provided views of first the Moon (70 % illuminated) then Jupiter, then Saturn. I pointed out several brighter Lunar features (Copernicus, Apennine Mountains, Sinus Iridium), the Galilean Moons....but as usual Saturn with its moon Titan was the crowd pleaser. During the hour of observing, both scouts and adults kept returning for views of both the Moon and Saturn. I really enjoyed seeing and hearing their enthusiasm.

Following the observing, everyone went inside to discuss several of the other requirements.

All in all a very successful and productive session!

Dave

Hi Dave. A wonderful observing report from the Maryland site with the Cub Scouts and parents. I know that a great time was had by all and they enjoyed the views of Jupiter, Saturn and features on the Moon. Thanks for sharing this great read report with us on here Dave and congratulations on your wonderful astronomy outreach work.

That is great that you could help out Dave and viewing with children is always fun

Makuser wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 1:58 pm Hi Dave. A wonderful observing report from the Maryland site with the Cub Scouts and parents. I know that a great time was had by all and they enjoyed the views of Jupiter, Saturn and features on the Moon. Thanks for sharing this great read report with us on here Dave and congratulations on your wonderful astronomy outreach work.

Thanks, Marshall! And I got to spend some quality time with two of my grandsons! Always an added benefit.

Dave

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 2:18 pm That is great that you could help out Dave and viewing with children is always fun

Thanks, Gabrielle! I never tire of seeing and hearing the reaction of children looking through a telescope for the first time, especially when Saturn is involved.

Dave

Sounds like a really nice session with superb outreach. Just think of how one of these lives may have been changed by exposure to the wonders of the heavens. (In fact, you mentioned one of the adults amongst your company has already purchased a new scope.) Congratulations on a neat report Dave and the VROD for today!

Way to go Dave! Great job on igniting interest in astronomy in kids and adults alike. Congrats on the VROD!

A super outing Dave. Sounds like a wonderful time was had by all, and it is well worthy of the VROD. Well done my friend!

helicon wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 4:50 pm Sounds like a really nice session with superb outreach. Just think of how one of these lives may have been changed by exposure to the wonders of the heavens. (In fact, you mentioned one of the adults amongst your company has already purchased a new scope.) Congratulations on a neat report Dave and the VROD for today!

Thanks, Michael! Appreciate the recognition.

Dave

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 5:38 pm Way to go Dave! Great job on igniting interest in astronomy in kids and adults alike. Congrats on the VROD!

Thanks, Andrey! Just fanning the flame!

Dave

kt4hx wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 6:43 pm A super outing Dave. Sounds like a wonderful time was had by all, and it is well worthy of the VROD. Well done my friend!

Thanks, Alan! Nothing more wonderful than clear skies (dark or otherwise), great targets...and a captive audience!!

Dave

Nicely done Dave, and making the two-hour drive hoping for clear skies... I'm glad everything worked out for you and all involved. You certainly made a lot of people's night! You even inspired from the previous outing too

My only "astronomical" experience with the Scouts was in 1983 while flying from Montreal to Alberta for the 15th World Scout Jamboree in Kananaskis, Alberta. First and only time seeing the northern lights from an airplane; very cool.

Good on you and well deserved VROD for sure! I hope you can continue to inspire

All the best,

Sounds like a great time was had by all. Excellent report and grats on the VROD!

Thefatkitty wrote: ↑Sun Dec 04, 2022 12:20 am Nicely done Dave, and making the two-hour drive hoping for clear skies... I'm glad everything worked out for you and all involved. You certainly made a lot of people's night! You even inspired from the previous outing too

My only "astronomical" experience with the Scouts was in 1983 while flying from Montreal to Alberta for the 15th World Scout Jamboree in Kananaskis, Alberta. First and only time seeing the northern lights from an airplane; very cool.

Good on you and well deserved VROD for sure! I hope you can continue to inspire

All the best,

Thanks, Mark! I was involved in scouting as a kid...and then for many years as an adult leader. My Dad had over 80 years continuous scouting membership!!

Dave

Razz wrote: ↑Sun Dec 04, 2022 12:30 am Sounds like a great time was had by all. Excellent report and grats on the VROD!

Thanks, Razz! We got very lucky with the weather!

Dave

Very nice to show the cosmos to kids, always fun!
Congratulations on the well deserved VROD

Congratulations on the VROD!

Ylem wrote: ↑Sun Dec 04, 2022 3:13 am Very nice to show the cosmos to kids, always fun!
Congratulations on the well deserved VROD

Thanks, Jeff. I enjoy working with the kids, especially when they are enthusiastic.

Dave

John Baars wrote: ↑Sun Dec 04, 2022 6:29 pm Congratulations on the VROD!

Thanks, John. While questionable at first, turned out to be a very nice evening.

Dave