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Unexpected turnout for "Eyes on the Sky" live

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#1 magic612

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Posted 29 February 2012 - 07:59 PM

Some of you may be aware of the weekly videos I make (see my signature). In addition to those, I have been working on live presentations as well. I do a short history of important figures in astronomy, talk about magnitude, measuring distance in the sky, and why star charts use the various designations that they do (referencing many of those important figures). I have also spent quite a bit of time putting together mythology videos that take a humorous look at the mythology of some of the more prominent constellations. These not only get good laughs, but they help people remember the constellations/characters when I get to the actual night-sky portion of my talk, when I highlight pretty much all of the naked eye, binocular and telescopic objects on the SkyMaps.com all sky charts. Finally, I talk a little about reducing light pollution so everyone can see more of what they've just learned about.

Anyway, I have done a couple of these talks so far. My latest one was at the Kankakee Public Library in Kankakee IL, a metro area of about 65,000 people or so. The Library is quite nice, and fairly large. They have a wonderful presentation room, which holds up to 240 people. I offered to give a presentation there a few months back, and they were excited to have me be there. I gave the presentation last night. To say I was surprised at the turnout would be an understatement!

I was expecting 25 to 30 people, and would have been ecstatic with 40 or 50. Well, the room had that many people in it 15 minutes before I even started - turnout was estimated to be 100 to 115 people in total! They actually had to add chairs, as they were initially only set up for 100. Here's some pictures of it:

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#2 Connor Walls

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Posted 29 February 2012 - 09:22 PM

Awesome!!! Is this the first library that you have given a presentation at?

#3 magic612

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Posted 01 March 2012 - 10:57 AM

Awesome!!! Is this the first library that you have given a presentation at?


Hey Connor, thanks! Actually, this is my second library presentation, third "live" presentation overall (I debuted this at the Chicago Astronomical Society's "Astrofest Outreach" event last August). Funny thing is, I think I'm more comfortable in front of a room full of 100 people than I am in front of the camera when I do my videos. No doubt that has something to do with my Communications/Theater background. ;)

Definitely looking forward to giving more of these!

#4 johnthomas

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Posted 01 March 2012 - 12:34 PM

Good job David. I'm sure you did well & were well received!

Also good to see that much interest!

#5 StarGeazer

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Posted 01 March 2012 - 12:44 PM

Dave the turn out was awesome! That has to be heart warming to you. I wish I had the background astro knowledge to be able to effectively do the same in my area.

BRAVO magic!

#6 magic612

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Posted 02 March 2012 - 11:07 PM

It definitely was heartwarming to see so many people. As someone who has done a lot of theater and speaking, I understand the physiological reaction before an event such as this: Being nervous means having a shot of adrenalin. And as the room filled up, I started getting nervous, but then I thought to myself, "Holy cow - there are THIS many people interested in the night sky. How exciting is THAT?!?"

And at that moment, the "nerves" went away, I smiled, and had a blast for the next hour. :)

#7 mak17

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Posted 08 March 2012 - 01:44 AM

Good stuff. Thanks for sharing and keep it up.

#8 desertstars

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Posted 09 March 2012 - 05:18 PM

"Holy cow - there are THIS many people interested in the night sky. How exciting is THAT?!?"


:waytogo:

#9 magic612

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Posted 12 March 2012 - 10:53 AM

Thanks guys. It was a real pleasure sharing the info with that group of people; they were very attentive, courteous and engaged with what I was discussing. I certainly hope to be able to do more of these in the future.

#10 Herr Ointment

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Posted 06 April 2012 - 09:08 AM

It's great when hard work pays off.

Well done, Sir!


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