Astronomy Day Report

This post is more than 60 days old and may no longer be the most up-to-date content. For event related posts, please check for a newer article to avoid confusion on times and locations.

Many HAA members attended our Friday night event at McQueston Park. Although the skies were hazy, excellent views of the Moon, Saturn, Mars and Venus were shared with the public through over a dozen telescopes.

Astronomy Day (Friday evening) at McQueston

Our Saturday afternoon solar observing session was almost completely clouded out with just a few glimpses of a hazy solar disk through white light and h-alpha filters. That didn’t stop the public from coming out to ask questions and get help setting up their own telescopes.

Joe helps Gina set up her telescope properly.

Nine HAA members attended the Saturday evening session at McQueston Park from 8:00 until about 9:00. True to the weather forecast, the skies were cloudy and a light rain was falling. In spite of that, about a dozen members of the public showed up. We couldn’t set up any telescopes because of the rain, but an impromptu tailgate party quickly ensued. John Gauvreau showed his meteorite and explained “falling stars” to an appreciative group while the rest of us answered astronomy and telescope questions.

Tailgate Astronomy in the rain at McQueston Park

About 9:00 the parking lot began to clear and the remaining HAA members headed to Tim Horton’s for well-deserved hot chocolates and coffees.