Sidewalk Astronomy

Matthew,

Sidewalk or Guerilla astronomy is the best way of getting the public interested in astronomy. They won't come to you, so you need to go to them - most housing estates have a geen and this is the ideal spot. I sent leaflets out to all the houses in the area, set up some flashing red lights to attract people and pretty soon we had queues at all the telescopes. The public reaction is amazing and there is no shortage of intelligent questions (mostly).

Thanks to all who brought scopes last night - Michael Murphy, Val Dunne, Deirdre Kelleghan an' me own of course. (Poor Dave Brannigan got stuck in work).

We still need scopes for tonights session so please bring em on, if it's clear tonight word will have gotten around and we should have an even bigger turnout. Most of last nights crowd said they would be back again tonight and were bringing their friends.

The most popular scope all night long was Deirdre's big white Dob.


Note the queues in the background for Vals scope theres 8 or 9 waiting there. Deirdres queue is just waiting on a finder alignment.

I sent leaflets out to all the houses in the area, set up some flashing red lights to attract people and pretty soon we had queues at all the telescopes.

Thats a good idea. Sounds like ye had a great night

Val Dunne does his stuff. That's one of my boys (Ben) in the picture.

wow well done to all,
it is great way to get people interested in astronomy . I would love to do something like that in balbriggan .I think it would be very popular if any lads from the boards and from balbriggan would give me a dig out let me know on this tread. I know the perfect spot.

Michael Murphy displays his 11" to the public.