Tim A.
sage
Reged: 09/19/07
Posts: 236
Loc: 40 30'N 105 3'W
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I think it was John Dobson who coined the concept of "Guerrilla Astronomy". It's the idea of taking a telescope to where people are out at night. People just happen upon you and your telescope, and can observe the heavens in a very spontaneous way.
I'm thinking of trying this as the weather warms up. I live in a smaller city (maybe 200,000 in the area) that includes Colorado State University and the usual assortment of shopping centers, hospitals, community colleges, etc.
I'm interested in any ideas regarding good locations for this sort of thing. For instance, I've thought of the following:
- Public Library
- University Library
- "Old Town" walking mall (but lots of drunk college kids there)
- Roof of downtown parking garage (would require street-level signage)
Any other good "generic" ideas?
PS: Obviously, personal safety is crucial; I sure wouldn't do it alone!
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Starbuckets 12.5" Dob
Celestron CPC800
Celestron CR-150 HD on CG5-GT
Galileoscope
Oberwerk Deluxe II 20x80 & Ultra 10x50
Celestron Regal LX 8x42
Bio-binoculars 1x6
"Me? Crazy? Oh, yeah. Crazy like an ox!"
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Bill Weir
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 1297
Loc: Metchosin (Victoria), Canada
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If the place you will be in front of actually owns the ground you will bestanding on, then you might need to get permission. It has to do with insurance. Ran into this once when we took some students from the astronomy program I voluteer with to do some Guerrilla Astronomy in front of a Walmart. They didn't chase us away, but said they might in the future.
Bill
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6'' Orion SkyQuest
12.5'' f/5 Custom Truss Dob
William Optics 80mm ZenithStar ED II
f/5 25" newtonian on a giant GEM, any time I want
Observing sessions grand total for 2008, 121.
So far in 2009, 92
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Tim A.
sage
Reged: 09/19/07
Posts: 236
Loc: 40 30'N 105 3'W
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Right, I knew I'd want permission on private property. It's only right anyway, insurance or not. That's not a showstopper, but adds a complication that a public location would not have.
A big-box retail store might be a good spot. Of course, the lights in any major parking lot are utterly blinding. That's why I've been trying to think of less brilliantly illuminated places that still have nighttime pedestrian traffic.
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Starbuckets 12.5" Dob
Celestron CPC800
Celestron CR-150 HD on CG5-GT
Galileoscope
Oberwerk Deluxe II 20x80 & Ultra 10x50
Celestron Regal LX 8x42
Bio-binoculars 1x6
"Me? Crazy? Oh, yeah. Crazy like an ox!"
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wirenut
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/21/06
Posts: 566
Loc: m'dale Pa
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I live in a very small rural town the only place I can think of having nighttime pedestrian traffic is the bar(not good idea) or the park during the 4th of july celebration this has possiblities there's normally a little bit of darkness before they set off fireworks and if your set up on the way towards parking you can catch folks on the way to their cars afterwards.
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8"GSO dob
8,17 mm hyperions & FT rings
21mm stratus
25,15,9 mm plossls
ultima barlow
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Tim A.
sage
Reged: 09/19/07
Posts: 236
Loc: 40 30'N 105 3'W
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Hey, there's a good idea!
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Starbuckets 12.5" Dob
Celestron CPC800
Celestron CR-150 HD on CG5-GT
Galileoscope
Oberwerk Deluxe II 20x80 & Ultra 10x50
Celestron Regal LX 8x42
Bio-binoculars 1x6
"Me? Crazy? Oh, yeah. Crazy like an ox!"
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wirenut
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/21/06
Posts: 566
Loc: m'dale Pa
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what good idea where
a good idea? where? who had it ??
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8"GSO dob
8,17 mm hyperions & FT rings
21mm stratus
25,15,9 mm plossls
ultima barlow
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Mark Z.
member
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 93
Loc: Texas
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I had good luck at a Borders bookstore. A high percentage of the people took time to look through the scope. At a Wal-Mart or grocery store there would be a lot of big shopping carts rolling around, and I'd be worried for my scope. Possibly Borders worked well because people weren't in a big hurry and weren't carrying a load of groceries.
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MundoTozz
member
Reged: 11/26/05
Posts: 49
Loc: Pittsburgh PA
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During the late sumer and early fall I carry my scope around like most guys carry golf clubs. If I dine at an outside bar or Cafe out comes the scope.
Have met tons of people and made new friends this way.
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Stellarvue Nighthawk 2
Hyperion ZOOM EP
TV20mm Plossil
Recession DisposaDob
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Astrosetz
sage
Reged: 10/05/03
Posts: 338
Loc: Wisconsin
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I still have my 8" Hardin and Orion XT 4.5" Dobs in the back of my minivan 
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-Astrosetz
www.astrosetz.com
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Doug Reilly
super member
Reged: 07/29/08
Posts: 158
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I did this a few times last year and plan to again during IYA, both as informal G.A. sessions and perhaps a more organized/advertised mini-star party in my small city (Geneva, NY). I actually did park the scope on the sidewalk in front of two bars and had a good experience. Some people were dismissive, even borderline abusive or taunting at first, but I simply invited them to look at the moon with a smile. It's a testament to the universe's beauty that a single peak in a telescope can wipe away a lot of semi-inebriated bravado. Instead of the usual "wows" of the star party, I'd get more curses and some really colorful ones at that, but the emotional content of the reaction was essentially the same. I think everyone needs a reminder of where they are, even the bar crowd.
I have a dob that's not really expensive...I would be crushed to have it destroyed but then, it would have died a good death trying to bring the universe to those who need it. In terms of personal safety, I wasn't too worried. I couldn't really see any motivation to trash the nice nerdy guy with the telescope who's offering free views of the cosmos. The trick is to just overlook the initial approach and posturing they do for each other and get them to the eyepiece. It totally changes the conversation.
That's not for everybody I understand. I was nervous, too!
Another idea that would probably work is in front of the local movie theater...just find out when the shows get out.
cheers
doug
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I keep a blog on astronomy, astronomy outreach, and other related topics at punkastronomy.com Nerd is punk!
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George N
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/19/06
Posts: 672
Loc: Binghamton & Indian Lake NY
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Quote:
....."Guerrilla Astronomy". It's the idea of taking a telescope to where people are out at night..... Any other good "generic" ideas?
I’ve spent a lot of time working with the public over the past 25 years, but nearly always with the “let them come to us” model via volunteering at our local “public observatory”. The usual crowd is about 100 to 200 people on a Friday night. For a similar time I’ve rented a second house in New York’s Adirondack Mountains from a couple who also own a small motel. Over the years I’ve set my scopes up on their motel beach an “entertained” lots of motel guests. Now people coming to the motel ask “Is George here this weekend with his telescope?” Also, for the past two years I’ve been spending time at the Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania doing observing. This park is especially set up for astronomy, and that fact has been well publicized. On any clear dark weekend that I’ve been there at least 30 or more people show up to wander around the observing field to look thru the scopes set up there. For most it’s their first look thru a scope. Based on these experiences I’d bet that a local, state, or national park in your area geared toward camping would be a great place to introduce telescopic views to passersby. It might even be an event that you could advertize with fliers, etc, and I bet the park staff would love it.
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George N
Obsession 20
Optical Guidance Systems 10" F/9 R-C Cass
6" F/5 & 8" F/8 home-made Newts
MI-250 mount
SBIG STL-1301E CCD
Member, International Dark-Sky Association
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Tim A.
sage
Reged: 09/19/07
Posts: 236
Loc: 40 30'N 105 3'W
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Your note made me think about National Forest Service campgrounds "up the canyon" from where I live. One of the bigger ones that come to mind is large and is well away from the highway. The depth of the canyon might be an issue; I might lose much of the deep southern sky. But there may be other good campgrounds that I haven't thought of yet.
There is also a State Park campground fairly nearby, though it would have a huge light-dome to the East. South might be OK; SW and W would be great although again there are mountains in that direction. But if I set up in the right place, I'll bet I could get a good night's crowd and have a pretty good palette to work with.
These kinds of sites, now that you've triggered my thinking, are great candidates all-around. First, the sky is better. Second, the visitors already have an interest in nature. And third, you aren't very likely to run into a mugger or a staggering drunk.
Thanks for giving me a new line of thought! 
By the way, Rocky Mountain National Park has a summertime astronomy program for which I volunteer my time and talents (more of the former than the latter).  The site is pretty good; the only headlights are from people arriving. The skies are dark and transparent, NELM 6.8 or so providing we're not dodging thunderstorms. There is a light-dome to the E and SE from the Front Range cities (Denver, Boulder, etc.), but the S, SW, W, NW, and N skies are very good.
Crowds run from 20 to 150, depending on many factors. Most are underdressed for the altitude; temperatures drop sharply after sunset to the 55F-65F range, and those in shorts and flip-flops are soon shivering.
Unfortunately, the Ranger who runs the program can only allot two nights a month for it. Because it's a 45-mile one-way trip for me, twice a month is probably OK.
I generally take at least one trip to Yellowstone Park every summer (it's only 8 hrs. away, and I grew up even closer). This year, I'll probably pack along at least one telescope, and do some Guerilla Astronomy while I'm there. Again, the campgrounds offer good access. I have also thought about setting up in the Upper Geyser Basin (well away from mineral-laden steam plumes!). If I set up early, I might get visitors from the Old Faithful Hotel to come out after dark. But the campgrounds might be a more sure-thing, I suppose.
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Starbuckets 12.5" Dob
Celestron CPC800
Celestron CR-150 HD on CG5-GT
Galileoscope
Oberwerk Deluxe II 20x80 & Ultra 10x50
Celestron Regal LX 8x42
Bio-binoculars 1x6
"Me? Crazy? Oh, yeah. Crazy like an ox!"
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Doug Reilly
super member
Reged: 07/29/08
Posts: 158
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This summer I'm planning to volunteer for a month at Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, helping out with their very-well developed dark sky program astronomy outreach program. I've wanted to do this since I first visited Chaco Canyon about five years ago, and finally have the chance to take a full month off this summer.
I also hope to coordinate some smaller-scale star parties in my city, and start an astronomy column in the zine I publish quarterly with a simple star map and some other information. All of this is with a mind to helping out IYA.
There's great ideas above, and one key one, which is to find allies and places where people already show up. Parks are a great resource, and many schools, after school programs, and other community groups might appreciate someone setting up a telescope at their activity. Halloween hay rides, for example.
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I keep a blog on astronomy, astronomy outreach, and other related topics at punkastronomy.com Nerd is punk!
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Zebra24601
Postmaster
Reged: 10/09/05
Posts: 11476
Loc: San Gabriel Valley, CA 91770
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Quote:
Your note made me think about National Forest Service campgrounds "up the canyon" from where I live.
Sorry, pet peeve interuption: You can call it a National Forest campground. You can call it a USFS camground. You can call it a U.S. Forest Service campground. You can call it a USDA Forest Service campground. But don't call it a National Forest Service campground. There's no such thing. But I digress. . . .
Back on topic: thanks for all your outreach efforts. Sounds like you've got a pretty busy schedule. I think doing outreach at Rocky Mountain or Yellowstone would be a real kick. Cold, but a real kick. 
Regarding sidewalk astronomy in town, if there's a "concert in the park" type of event, that's another good place. Fair amount of traffic, most people are well-behaved and they're not in a hurry to get anywhere.
Parks that are adjacent to "old town" areas are nice because you don't have to block anyone's business but you still get the pedestrian traffic you're looking for. "Our" park is Library Park in Monrovia, California. Follow the link for a peek!
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Zebra24601
Meade 8" SCT w/UHTC * Celestron 100ED * Celestron C11 * Celestron Firstscope 80EQ
Meade LXD55 mount * Orion Sirius goto mount
Bushnell Voyager 4.5" Compact Reflector * Barska 15x70 binoculars * Galileoscope * Really cheap Tasco spotting scope
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Tim A.
sage
Reged: 09/19/07
Posts: 236
Loc: 40 30'N 105 3'W
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Yes! There is a summer music series on the CSU campus. LP is probably as tolerable as one can hope for within the city. Then there's the 4th of July displays; the one I prefer is held in a very dark city park; it would be excellent!
Thanks for the tips!
Quote:
... don't call it a National Forest Service campground.
Yes, sir. It won't happen again, sir. 
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Starbuckets 12.5" Dob
Celestron CPC800
Celestron CR-150 HD on CG5-GT
Galileoscope
Oberwerk Deluxe II 20x80 & Ultra 10x50
Celestron Regal LX 8x42
Bio-binoculars 1x6
"Me? Crazy? Oh, yeah. Crazy like an ox!"
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George N
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/19/06
Posts: 672
Loc: Binghamton & Indian Lake NY
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Quote:
......
There's great ideas above, and one key one, which is to find allies and places where people already show up. Parks are a great resource, and many schools, after school programs, and other community groups might appreciate someone setting up a telescope at their activity. Halloween hay rides, for example.
Here are two more ideas:
I’ve not gotten involved, but some guys from my astro club set up a Dob on the field after a minor league baseball game. The target was the moon and a planet or two. They got a lot of strange looks and people accusing them of showing fake views, but a lot of folks did stop by.
Another friend and his children camp out with two small Dobs at an American Cancer Society walkathon held at a high school running track. People walking to support cancer help stop by for a break to look thru his scopes. He also hands out info. The people love it and look forward to it since he’s done it for about 3 years.
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George N
Obsession 20
Optical Guidance Systems 10" F/9 R-C Cass
6" F/5 & 8" F/8 home-made Newts
MI-250 mount
SBIG STL-1301E CCD
Member, International Dark-Sky Association
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Zebra24601
Postmaster
Reged: 10/09/05
Posts: 11476
Loc: San Gabriel Valley, CA 91770
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Yeah, one of our Library Park nights was also the night of a cancer walk-a-thon, and we were happy to be able to give the walkers a nice break.
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Zebra24601
Meade 8" SCT w/UHTC * Celestron 100ED * Celestron C11 * Celestron Firstscope 80EQ
Meade LXD55 mount * Orion Sirius goto mount
Bushnell Voyager 4.5" Compact Reflector * Barska 15x70 binoculars * Galileoscope * Really cheap Tasco spotting scope
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Doug Reilly
super member
Reged: 07/29/08
Posts: 158
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The fact that people challenge astronomers with accusations of "fake views" is really stunning to me. I wonder if this was always this was, or somehow we've become incredulous to the wonders of nature? If it's not on TV, it just can't be as "breathtaking"?
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I keep a blog on astronomy, astronomy outreach, and other related topics at punkastronomy.com Nerd is punk!
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Zebra24601
Postmaster
Reged: 10/09/05
Posts: 11476
Loc: San Gabriel Valley, CA 91770
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I think it's because they can't believe the moon and planets are so accessible. They assume you need an observatory or a Hubble telescope to see Saturn's rings and Jupiter's clound belts. They're just amazed by the sharp, almost 3D appearance of the moon.
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Zebra24601
Meade 8" SCT w/UHTC * Celestron 100ED * Celestron C11 * Celestron Firstscope 80EQ
Meade LXD55 mount * Orion Sirius goto mount
Bushnell Voyager 4.5" Compact Reflector * Barska 15x70 binoculars * Galileoscope * Really cheap Tasco spotting scope
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wirenut
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/21/06
Posts: 566
Loc: m'dale Pa
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hmm maybe I shouldn't have joked about the battery pack for fan working a video screen with one of my friends. I had him believing that half the night  . sporting events can bring out the worst in people. teams and thier fans can be rude and very disrespectful oposite teams and their fans(or who they think is one) and of course the officating crew. this goes for from kid leagues all the way up to the majors.I'm not saying to rule out sporting events but if you support a team expect issues with opposite team and fans.
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8"GSO dob
8,17 mm hyperions & FT rings
21mm stratus
25,15,9 mm plossls
ultima barlow
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