- Spring 2023: Acquired a new Explore Scientific Firstlight 10” Dobsonian named Isaac. Isaac has about 20 signatures and $150 in donations so far.
- Late Spring 2023: Isaac has over 100 signatures. Raised over $100 and handed out over 100 “I SAW” stickers.
- Summer 2023: Donations reached $1133. Carolina, our next 10” Dob, is on the way. Isaac has been our most successful telescope, with over 2,200 visitors and roughly 700 signatures on the telescope and mount.
Isaac’s Outreach Log
02/26/2023
18:00-21:00
Taylor Dock
13 Visitors
Using a 10” Dob, we made visual Observations of First Quarter Moon. I handed out stickers and let visitors sign on the telescope (15 so far). Raised $30 in donations.
03/25/2023
19:30-22:30
Taylor Dock
53Visitors
Using a 10” Dob, we made visual Observations of the Waxing Crescent Moon, Venus, Polaris Achird, M42 and M45. I handed out stickers and gained signatures on the telescope (80 so far). Raised $42 in donations.
03/26/2023
19:00-22:00
Taylor Dock
32 Visitors
Using a 10” Dob and 102mm Refractor, we made visual Observations of the Waxing Crescent Moon before sunset. Then, we observed Venus, M42, M45, Polaris and Achird. I handed out stickers and gained signatures on the telescope (90 so far). Raised $42 (weird, same as last night!) in donations.
03/28/2023
21:00-00:00
Taylor Dock
13 Visitors
Using a 10” Dob, we made visual observations of the First Quarter Moon. Specifically, we looked at the Lunar “X” and “V” along the terminator. We also observed M42, M45, M13, M81, M82 and Polaris. Handed out stickers. Gathered more signatures on the Dob.
04/02/2023
20:30-22:30
Taylor Dock
15 Visitors
Using a 10” Dob, we made visual observations of a Waxing Gibbous Moon and Venus. Six people saw Polaris and Mizar, two people saw M42, M45and only one person saw M81 and M82. Handed out stickers and gathered more signatures on the Dob.
04/28/2023
20:30-22:30
Taylor Dock
20 Visitors
Using a 10” Dob, we made visual observations of a Waxing Gibbous Moon, Venus, Mars, Mizar and Polaris. Handed out stickers. Gathered more signatures on the Dob (over 100 now).
04/29/2023
18:30-21:30
Zuanich Park
95 Visitors
Using a 10” Dob, we made visual observations of a Waxing Gibbous Moon, Venus, Mars, Mizar and Polaris. While the Sun was setting we also used an 80mm Refractor on an LX65 GoTo Mount for observing sun spots. A white light filter was used to protect people’s eyes. I used my town’s local Reddit channel to publicize the event and it was a huge turn out! Handed out the last of my Moon stickers and let people sign the Dob. Roughly 150 signatures now.
04/29/2023
22:00-00:00
Taylor Dock
15 Visitors
After wrapping up the Zuanich Point Park event, I drove down to our usual outreach location and set up again. This time we only use the 10” Dob to share the Moon, Venus, Mizar and Polaris. More people signed the Dob and I handed out Planet/Double Star stickers.
04/30/2023
21:00-23:00
Taylor Dock
15 Visitors
Using a 10” Dob, we made visual Observations of a Waxing Gibbous Moon, Venus, Polaris and Mizar. Clouds were numerous and the seeing was terrible but people still enjoyed looking at the Moon through our atmosphere. I let people sign the dob and handed out more Planet/Double Star stickers.
05/01/2023
22:00-00:00
Taylor Dock
33 Visitors
Using a 10” Dob, we made visual Observations of a Waxing Gibbous Moon, Venus, Mars, Polaris, Mizar and Castor. I handed out the last of my Planet stickers and let people sign the dob.
05/09/2023
21:00-23:00
Taylor Dock
17 Visitors
Using a 10” Dob we made visual observations of a Waxing Gibbous Venus, Mars, Polaris, Mizar, Castor and M3. This was our first Globular Cluster observed this year. I handed out some Glob stickers and let people sign the telescope. Also, a family on Reddit reached out and asked to bring their telescope. They brought a Powerseeker 127EQ. We worked on ways to improve the telescope and make it simpler to use, such as adjusting the Altitude so high it turned the mount into an Alt-Az instead of an EQ. Overall they were satisfied with their telescope, but are eager to upgrade it. I also let them use the Dob and practice with it a little to see the difference in how the different mounts behaved.
05/12/2023
22:00-00:00
Taylor Dock
46 Visitors
Using a 10” Dob, we made visual observations of Venus, Mars, Castor, Polaris, M3, M13, M57, and M92. Multiple visitors also observed the International Space Station passing through the eyepiece, thanks to the Explore Scientific Reflex Sight which really helped line it up for each person.
05/14/2023
21:00-00:00
Taylor Dock
81 Visitors
It was my birthday. It was also Mother’s Day. Using a 10” Dob, we observed Venus, Mars, Arcturus, Vega, Epsilon Lyra, Castor, Polaris, M13, M57 and M51+NGC5194. M13 and M57 were also shown to some visitors through our EAA camera on the 10” Dob. I was able to zoom in on the laptop’s display to show the red halo around M57 live while we also saw hundreds of stars in the globular cluster drift by on the screen. By the end, there was a small gathering of maybe 6 people sitting around the laptop. Then, we went back for more visual observations. I handed out the last of my Double Star stickers. We raised 4$ in donations.
05/26/2023
22:00-00:00
Taylor Dock
15 Visitors
Using a 10” Dob, we made visual observations of the First Quarter Moon. Specifically, we looked at the Lunar “X” and “V” along the terminator. We also observed M13, M57,Venus, Mars, Polaris and Castor. Handed out stickers. Gathered more signatures on the Dob.
05/27/2023
18:00-00:00
Zuanich Park
132 Visitors
Using a 10” Dob and a 80mm Meade ETX Refractor on an LX65 GoTo Mount, we made visual observations of a Waxing Gibbous Moon, Waxing Gibbous Venus, Mars, Polaris, Castor, M13, M57, and lastly we used an EAA setup to view M51 on the 10” Dob. I used a ZWO ASI 294 MC Uncooled astronomy camera and a Microsoft Surface Pro 4 to produce a live-feed of the galactic pair while tracking them intermittently by hand. This was my club’s monthly outreach event and my first time hosting it! There were four others who brought telescopes and shared them with everyone. They brought two 102mm F 6.5 Refractors, a 6” GoTo accompanied by a 90mm Tabletop Maksutov and a Celestron C6. I used my 80mm to first track the Sun and show people sun spots. Once the sun set, we used the 80mm GoTo to track the Moon and let people take photos through the eyepiece with their phones.
05/28/2023
21:00-00:00
Taylor Dock
89 Visitors
Using a 10” Dob and a 80mm Meade ETX Refractor on an LX65 GoTo Mount, we made visual observations of a Waxing Gibbous Moon, Venus, Mars, Polaris, Castor, M13, M57 and M101. To see M101 and the Supernova SN2023ixf we used a ZWO ASI 294 uncooled astronomy camera to perform EAA. We used a single-updated frame every 10 seconds (no live stacking) to see it on a Surface Pro 4 laptop. Visitors got to sign the 10” Dob and gave away the last of our stickers.
06/04/2023
21:00-00:00
Taylor Dock
44 Visitors
We setup a live stack on the ETX 80/LX65 GoTo to show everyone the Supernova SN2023ixf in M101. We used the ASI 294 uncooled astronomy camera and a Surface Pro 4 laptop. Meanwhile, we made visual observations of sun spots, M13, M57, Mizar and Alcor, Polaris, Albeiro, Castor, Venus and Mars. We also watched the Moon Rise above the horizon before wrapping up.
06/11/2023
20:00-00:00
Taylor Dock
86 Visitors
Using a Meade ETX 80 with a White Light Solar Filter, we shared many sunspots with visitors. We also made visual observations of Venus, Mars, M13, M57, Mizar and Alcor, Polaris, Albeiro and Epsilon Lyrae (the double double). Later in the evening we used the ETX80 to perform a live stack on M101 for EAA.
06/18/2023
20:00-23:00
Taylor Dock
40 Visitors
Using a Coronado PST and a Meade ETX80 dual-mounted on the LX65 GoTo mount, we observed 3 large prominences and counted up to 16 sun spots. Once the Sun went down, we switched to observing Venus using the 10′ Dobsonian covered in signatures. We also observed M13, M57, Mizar and Alcor, Polaris, Albeiro and a few visitors even caught the ISS through the eyepeice of our 10” Dob while I lead the station manually using an Explore Scientific Reflex Sight. Donations are now exceeding $500.
06/25/2023
13:00-23:00
Zuanich Park
308 Visitors
Using a Coronado PST and a Meade ETX80 dual-mounted on the LX65 GoTo mount, we observed many large prominences and sunspots. Once the Sun went down we used a 10” Dobsonian to look at a Waning Crescent Venus.
07/01/2023
19:30-00:30
Taylor Dock
139 Visitors
Using a Coronado PST and a Meade ETX80 dual-mounted on the LX65 GoTo mount, we observed many large prominences and sunspots. Once the Sun went down we used a 10” Dobsonian and a 102mm Refractor to look at a waxing gibbous moon.
07/02/2023
19:00-23:00
Taylor Dock
178 Visitors
We stayed until the Moon rose above the horizon and observe the entire event until it cleared the treeline. Earlier, we observed prominences off the sun using the PST and Venus with our 10” Dobsonian. For EAA we observed M51, M8 and M17.
07/09/2023
19:00-00:00
Taylor Dock
125 Visitors
Someone brought a kitten named Charcoal and it wandered into the base of our Dobsonian. It was adorable and we noted how cats are nature’s mascot for curiosity. We also setup EAA with our Meade ETX80 and shared many deep sky objects on the live view, as well as visual views of the Sun with a white light filter and an accompanying Coronado PST mounted on the LX65 before sunset. While performing EAA we had looks at the objects visually using the 10” Dobsonian as well.
07/19/2023
19:00-00:00
Sumas Camp
9 Visitors
For the girl scout camping event we first observed prominences and sunspots using a white light solar filter on a Meade ETX 80mm and a Coronado PST on the LX65 mount. After Sunset, we used a 10” Dobsonian to observe a crescent moon setting behind trees. Then, we transitioned to EAA with the ETX80 and checked out many messier objects. Everyone got stickers and a chance to sign the dosbonian.
07/23/2023
18:00-22:00
Taylor Dock
240 Visitors
We setup a sign that said “FREE LOOKS AT SPACE!” that drew in many visitors. A good trick to know! We used a 102mm Refractor and the 10” Dobsonian to mainly observe the Moon.
08/12/2023
21:00-00:00
VanderYatch
200 Visitors
Using a 10” Dob, 102mm Refractor and 80mm Apochromatic we made visual Observations of the Saturn, Albeiro, M13 and M31. I handed out stickers and gained more signatures on the Dob, Isaac.
08/13/2023
19:00-00:00
Taylor Dock
81 Visitors
We started with with a Coronado PST and 80mm APO with a white light solar filter to look at the Sun on my LX65 Dual Saddle Mount. Later, using a 10” Dob, 102mm Refractor and the 80mm Apochromatic without a filter we made visual Observations of the Saturn and many deep sky objects. We also performed EAA on M51, M13 and the Moon. I handed out stickers and gained more signatures on the Dob, Isaac. There were still some Perseid meteors visible.
08/23/2023
18:00-22:00
Zuanich Park
32 Visitors
It was cloudy and we did not have many visitors arrive due to the uncertainty of the forecasts but we persevered until it cleared up. Which it did! After the first nervous hour, we had a great time exploring the Lunar surface. The wind was strong so we made sure to set up against the low trees and had a natural blocker which helped steady the views. The few that did join us stayed for hours and we had a great time!
08/27/2023
19:00-00:00
Taylor Dock
133 Visitors
A reporter from the Cascadia Daily News arrived to take photos of us and share our event in the following week’s local newspaper. The target of the evening was Saturn as it was in opposition. Despite the haze and poor seeing conditions, everyone had a great time and the article was later published and printed. We also observed the Moon. The telescopes used were an 8” SCT on a Losmandy G11, 80mm APO on the LX65 mount, 102mm F6.5 Refractor on a Starsense mount and the 10” Dobsonian.
09/01/2023
21:00-01:00
Taylor Dock
14 Visitors
This time Saturn was much clearer than during opposition simply due to weather. We setup late and didn’t expect many visitors but still a few stopped by and marveled at the rings with us. We also got very high detailed views of Jupiter. It was certainly a planetary night and the steady atmosphere was terrific. We only used a 10” Dobsonian.
09/08/2023
21:00-01:00
Taylor Dock
25 Visitors
Almost as clear as last time, we set out again for a late showing of the planets to anyone still up. More visitors showed up and were more interested in Saturn this time around. This time we brought the 80mm APO with us as well as the 10” Dobsonian.
09/21/2023
18:00-22:00
Zuanich Park
50 Visitors
We observed the First Quarter Moon with our 8” SCT on the G11, the 80mm APO on the LX65, the 10” Dobsonian and another member brought his Meade LX200 8” SCT. Sprinklers turned on sooner than we had anticipated and many of our telescopes got soaked. Luckily no damage was done but a lesson learned to double check with the park about the sprinkler times!
09/30/2023
19:00-00:00
Taylor Dock
45 Visitors
We observed the Moon Rising, Saturn, Jupiter and double stars through a 10” Dobsonian and an 80mm APO on the LX65 Mount.
10/06/2023
18:00-22:00
Taylor Dock
38 Visitors
We had another great evening of observing Saturn through our 10” Dobsonian and 80mm APO. The sky was very clear after sunset and the details only got better as the night went on.
10/07/2023
20:00-23:00
Taylor Dock
47 Visitors
We used our 80mm APO to show objects through EAA while also observing them visually with the 10” Dobsonian. We looked at everything from planets to galaxies to nebulae and maintained a steady crowd for the majority of the event.
10/14/2023
09:00-13:00
Zuanich Park
113 Visitors
We witnessed a partial Annular Solar eclipse. Multiple club members showed up and brought their solar prepared telescopes. We had a Coronado PST, SolarMax, 50/60/80mm Refractors and an 8” SCT. We handed out solar glasses and viewing cards, cast shadows with colanders and had a pinhole projector to hand around. There was a seafood market happening simultaneously and we had many well-fed visitors that enjoyed the wide variety of activities available. It was also supposed to be cloudy but it cleared up just for this event!