If conditions are clear Saturday (July 4) evening, a few of us are going to set up our telescopes to do some summer observing at McQueston Park here in Hamilton. The parking lot and paved pathways in the park are illuminated by lights, but that won’t stop us from seeing the moon, Saturn, some interesting stars, star clusters and brighter deep sky objects.

McQueston Park is on Upper Wentworth Street, just south of the Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway. There is lots of parking. If it’s clear, I will probably arrive about 9:00 pm for setup.

Hope to see you there!

Ann Tekatch

It is looking for tonight I will be there to help out.

Jim Wamsley

Report on McQueston Park Sidewalk Astronomy:

Our first Sidewalk Astronomy event at McQueston Park was a huge success! As expected, the park was full of families out for an evening stroll, watching a soccer game or bike riding and everyone was thrilled to look through our telescopes at the Moon and Saturn. Many people even went home to return with the rest of their families to look through the telescopes! I estimate that there were at least 100 “Galileo Moments” tonight.

There were 7 HAA members in attendance and we were all kept busy from the moment we set up our telescopes and binoculars until after 11:30. Many members of the public were reluctant to leave and we were asked many times when we would be returning to the park. Considering how appreciative our audience was and how well we were received, I am certain we will be returning soon.

Many thanks to Jim, John, Ed, Don, Joe and Alexandra for volunteering to help me with my first foray into Sidewalk Astronomy. What an awesome night!

Ann Tekatch