Letha House Park Observatory

May Public Night

James Guilford , , , , ,
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Bob Wiersma talks telescopes and astronomy with a family at CAA’s Telescope Night
Many thanks to fellow club members who joined me to help with our public star party at Letha House Saturday night.  In spite of partly cloudy skies, we had a good turnout with about 30 guests joining us for the program–including 5 or 6 guests who brought their telescopes from home to get help in using their equipment.
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Explaining the operation of a nice reflector kit received as a gift from man’s wife
CAA members who helped with the program included: Jay Reynolds, Rich & Nancy Whisler, Bill & Carol Lee, Tim Campbell, Bob Wiersma, Ray Love, Carl Kudrna, Suzie Dills, Gus Waffen, Dave Nuti, Nora Mishey, Dave Watkins, and Bruce Lane.
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Sisters learn about their telescope and aim for the Moon.
Apologies for missing anyone.  If I missed you, thanks for your help and please let me know who you are!
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Mother and son get a look at Jupiter courtesy of Jay Reynolds and the CAA’s big SCT.
Special thanks to Jay, who spent the evening showing guests the night sky in our observatory, and to Nora Mishey who greeted and talked with guests and managed our display of astronomical materials inside the Letha House shelter.
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Nora Mishey set up a fine and impressive display in the Letha House Park meeting room that most missed – the wonders of the sky were too alluring!
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This big telescope provided views of Jupiter and moon Io casting its shadow on an equatorial cloud belt; Io’s changing position was observed over the course of the evening.
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Simulated view shows Io casting its shadow on planet Jupiter – seen via larger scopes at the star party! – Simulation by Gas Giants iOS app.
Thanks again, folks!  See you June 3 for our next public star party for the Medina County Park District!  — William Murmann, CAA President

Annual Convention: July 18

James Guilford , , ,
Saturday Night – July 18

The Cuyahoga Astronomical Association’s Annual Convention, Potluck Dinner, and Star Party will be held on Saturday, July 18, at our Letha House Park Observatory in Medina County. The event will be held, rain or shine.

All CAA members and spouses are invited to attend this event. Starting time will be at 2 PM with registration and sale of tickets for the raffle of door prizes.

Our observatory director and CSU professor Jay Reynolds will be our featured speaker with a talk at 3 PM about NASA’s ongoing missions to Pluto and Ceres.

The potluck dinner will start around 5 PM. The buns, condiments, paper plates and napkins, utensils, and lemonade will be provided by the CAA. If you are attending the dinner, please bring a covered side dish or dessert that can be shared with fellow attendees.

There is plenty of room for parking. The shelter is air-conditioned, and features two modern restrooms and a drinking fountain. In addition to indoor seating, there are outdoor picnic tables on the shelter patio.

Please join us for the activities and a night of stargazing. See you there! Hope for clear skies!