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emersonv
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Reged: 04/01/09
Posts: 15
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I put a note on the bulletin board of the only store in my community of about 200 people in the Kootenay mountains, British Columbia, Canada. I set up my scope at our campground on the shore of Arrow Lake which has a wide view and a level parking lot. My CPC8 is one of the few decent scopes within maybe 90 miles. The first 2 nights canceled for rain, but last week, both Tuesday and Wednesday, the seeing was maybe 8/10 and a handful of locals and one tourist had their first views through something bigger than binoculars. There were two 10-year olds who delighted in operating the hand controller, gleefully slewing through the Milky Way. We had a great tour of the major constellations available between sunset and midnight. We zoomed in on a few bright clusters that brought the expected Wows. The reason I'm describing these small events is my discovery that nearly anyone can do this. A few local loggers and farmers thought I was some kind of Einstein, but I persevered and they realized anyone can look through an eye-piece. They also discovered more than they expected and wanted more, so I'm trying again later when the moon's crescent appears. Once they get into those craters, they'll be hooked like a BC salmon. Not only did about a dozen people get Astro-fever, but I saw the small black spot near Jupiter's equator for the first time at 270X. I'm giving you-all a truly Canadian <I'm Sorry> for such a long post, but we deserve it! Those kids have a better shot at being an astronaut than most of us codgers and geezers. The infant Edgewood Astronomical Society is alive and kicking. Who'd a-thunk it? Peace, Coatsy.
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