Author Archives: Jim West

Father, amateur astronomer, geek

Red Lights for Astronomy – Skilight Mini

Dear Fellow Astronomer,Spring is (finally) upon us and although the cold weather didn’t necessarily stop us from going outside, the nicer weather is sure to entice more of us out under clear skies. A must-have resource for any of us (beginners, experts, and fair-weather astronomers alike), is a red light.

Texas Star Party upper field, 2009..Ron Ronhaar and Todd Hargis
Texas Star Party upper field, 2009..
Ron Ronhaar and Todd Hargis

Ideally, visual astronomers would work without any light source – it takes time for the human eye to adapt to darkness. Fully dark-adapted eyes are much more likely to make your observing session a success, particularly if you’re searching for dimmer objects with averted vision. But even on the most organized observing nights, it can be useful to have a little bit of light assistance when changing eyepieces and filters, or thumbing through a sky atlas in search of an unexpected target. In these situations-which should be infrequent to best preserve your dark adaption – only a dim, red light should be used.Continue reading “Red Lights for Astronomy – Skilight Mini”
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November 2011 Star Party

Date: November 4th, 2010 – Friday
Time: 7:00pm-11:00pm
Location: Bear Creek Regional Park – East Gardens

Co-Sponsored by El Paso County Parks

Bear Creek Park East
This is one of our primary location for public star parties.
From I-25, exit at the US 24/Cimmaron interchange. Drive west on US 24 to 21st Street. Turn south on 21st Street and drive about 0.8 miles. Turn east on Rio Grande Street. Take the first right into Bear Creek Park. The observing area is in the dirt parking lot to the east of the community gardens.


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Please be sure to read our Star Party Etiquette page before you attend!

International Observe the Moon Night

Join the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society for the second annual International Observe the Moon Night. This event will be held on Oct 8, 2011 at Palmer Park near the ball field. Join members of the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society for an evening of stargazing, viewing many celestial wonders and of course the Moon to celebrate InOMN. (weather permitting). Come view the Moon and more through the many telescopes that will be setup. This event will be from 7pm until 11pm. This will be a great evening for the whole family to see our Moon up close and personal. This event is TOTALLY FREE! Please dress appropriately for the weather.

Date: 8 Oct
Time: 7pm
Where: Palmer Park

For more info click: InOMN


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Solar Party

NOTE: LOCATION CHANGE!!!


The Colorado Springs Astronomical Society along with No Child Left Inside invites the public to a FREE Solar viewing session on Saturday, 1 October 2011 at Palmer Park, located at the intersection of Academy Blvd and Maizeland Street. Enter the park on Maizeland and turn right at the first intersection. Then turn left at the first left, Parking Lot A. CSAS club members setup their solar telescopes to allow attendees to view our closest star, the Sun. You can safely view the Sun up close. Ever wanted to see Sun Spots or Prominences up close? Reservations are NOT needed. All ages are welcome!

When: Sat, October 1th, 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Where: Rampart Park
The Colorado Springs Astronomy Club has changed its location for the events scheduled October 1, 2011. Due to Palmer Park being closed, the club will now host the Solar Observing and night time Star Party at RAMPART PARK located behind Rampart High School on Lexington Ave, appx ¼ mile WEST of Union Blvd. Solar observing of the sun will be from 3P to 6PM and night time star gazing will begin at 7PM and last until approximately 10PM!” For further information, you may visit the club website at www.csastro.org or contact Alan Gorski at 719.651.8476

October 2011 Public Star Party

NOTE: LOCATION CHANGE!!

Since the weather is so unpredictable in Colorado and especially in October, please be aware that this star party may be canceled on the day of the star party. So please be sure to check here before you head out. If it is canceled, we’ll have a notice here and on the main page of the website.

Also note that it will most likely be on the chilly side so PLEASE dress appropriately! Thank you.

When: Sat, October 1th, 7:00pm – 11:00pm
Where: Rampart Park
The Colorado Springs Astronomy Club has changed its location for the events scheduled October 1, 2011. Due to Palmer Park being closed, the club will now host the Solar Observing and night time Star Party at RAMPART PARK located behind Rampart High School on Lexington Ave, appx ¼ mile WEST of Union Blvd. Solar observing of the sun will be from 3P to 6PM and night time star gazing will begin at 7PM and last until approximately 10PM!” For further information, you may visit the club website at www.csastro.org or contact Alan Gorski at 719.651.8476

Date: Friday, September 2nd, 2011
Time: 7:30-11pm

Place: Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, CO

Directions: Enter park from Stella Dr and take first right. Follow road around to large parking area on right. We’ll be set up in the small parking lot a few yards further down the road.

Please review our Star Party Etiquette before attending. Thank you!


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July Meeting

NOTICE: TONIGHT’S MEETING LOCATION CHANGE!


Date:July 26th, 2011 (Tuesday)
Time: 7-9pm

Where:

Rockrimmon Library

832 Village Center Drive

Next to Safeway at Vindacator/Rockrimmon

Agenda:

  • Astronomical League Youth Astronomy Award Presentation
  • Spectrometry
  • RMSS Followup

    • Outreach

    As most of you in the club are aware. I’m big into outreach. I can blame my mom for this as she has always encouraged me and taught me all things scientific and instilled the premise that I always share what I know and learn. She would tell me that knowledge is power and that power needs to go to everyone.

    The sciences have always been a passion of mine. I love learning about the interactions of all things physical and like seeing our knowledge progress and expand as well build better tools to observe about our surroundings.

    And I really love being able to share that knowledge, especially with the younger generation, hoping to spark an interest in the sciences to keep progress in motion.Continue reading “Outreach”