Ballycullen Public Night

Paul,

Don't matter what the scope is (mine is just a small 4" refractor).
Yes the bigger scopes get more attention, but when you hear somebody tell you that what they saw in your 4" is just as good as that big expensive scope over there, it makes you appreciate your little scope even more. We are talking bright targets on the night so aperature is not an issue here (there's no point showing the public a faint fuzzy at these events - M42 will be about as dim as it gets). The problem with binoculars at these events is that while you and I are accustomed to easily finding objects the general public will find it hard to locate even the moon in binoculars, its better to point a scope for them and let them look.
Also its harder for some neer do well to leg it with a scope attached to a mount and tripod than with a pair of 15x70s which they already have in their hands.

We are talking bright targets on the night so aperature is not an issue here (there's no point showing the public a faint fuzzy at these events - M42 will be about as dim as it gets). The problem with binoculars at these events is that while you and I are accustomed to easily finding objects the general public will find it hard to locate even the moon in binoculars, its better to point a scope for them and let them look.

Very true.

Also its harder for some neer do well to leg it with a scope attached to a mount and tripod than with a pair of 15x70s which they already have in their hands.


If the car is parked will the wheels still be on it when i leave,? LOL.

If the car is parked will the wheels still be on it when i leave,? LOL.

Its a very safe area with very nice people. No need to worry on that score.

I joker of course. Hopefully i'll make it across on Friday.

About 250 houses in the area have now been delivered an invitation - if the weather is clementish then we should have a substantial crowd. More scopers needed!

Dee has kindly done up a poster (larger one available at www.irishastrosoc.org )

John,

I'd say I'll nearly definately be able to make at least one of the nights.

Other than Mars, M42 and the Moon, have you any idea what other things we might be looking at. Like I said, I am a bit of a beginner myself and will need to learn off some facts about the targets lest I embarress myself in front of the parents when answering kids questions!