Once again, Pioneer Elementary School in Union City hosted its wonderful
annual Science Fair for the grade K-5 students who attend, and once again,
the good astronomers of the San Francisco Bay Area came through to provide
a great sideshow for the children and their parents. The kids and their
science displays were decidely the real "stars" of the show, with dozens
of excellent projects on display in the cafeteria, but with the assistance
of about ten swell amateur astronomers, the star party was able to extend
out of the cafeteria doors and into the darkened night.
And what a night it was! The air was crisp and dry with only light
breezes, with atmospheric seeing ranged from good to outstanding between
the hours of 6:30 and 9 p.m., and about 400 people came out and milled
around with us under the winter sky. It was perhaps the best set of
conditions we've had to date, and allowed us to show off some objects that
we haven't always been able to exhibit successfully before.
Despite the overall minima of organization on my part this year, we had a
grand show of support from the amateur community. Scopes ranging from
80mm to 18 inches were available for examination of the highlights of the
February firmament. Before about 7 p.m. the 3-day-old moon was the
highlight, setting early but followed by stunning view of Saturn (with
rings and moons), Jupiter and its four Galilean satellites, Orion and it's
deepsky showpiece M42, the "37" Cluster also in Orion, the Double Cluster,
and the three big M clusters in Auriga. Thanks to a new tracking device,
I was able to give 225x views of the snazzy bright planetary Eskimo Nebula
in Gemini, and toward the end of the evening, even a glimpse of planetary
Abell 12, snuggled up next to Mu Orionis seemingly to escape the growing
chill of the night. Mike Peck informed me that he even managed to show
off the Andromeda Galaxy to good effect, thanks to the clear dry air that
we often do not find in the California winter.
The children and their parents seemed very pleased; with shows like this,
maybe we will encourage another generation of youngsters to join our
ranks, and perhaps even become serious professionals ready to conquer the
next set of astronomical challenges that we will undoubtedly face in the
coming decades.
Thanks to the children and parents of Union City for their appreciation
and support - it is very gratifying to us to have their interest and to
see their positive reactions to the beauty and intrigue of the night sky.
Thanks to Principal Stanley, Vice Principal Eaton and Science Coordinator
Mrs. Bartlett for their gracious help and encouragement (especially
shutting off those lights - hooray!). A cheer for the personage, whoever
that may have been, that delivered to us such a sparkling night for this
year's event. Next, a personal and heartfelt thanks from me to all the
fine people and good friends who helped bring the sky closer to the people
of Pioneer Elementary School (no scope too big or too small!):
Mike Peck, 8" scope
Richard Ozer - 10" scope
Bruce Anderson - 12" scope
His young son William Anderson - 80mm refractor
Carlos Puig - 4 1/2" scope
Kevin Schuerman - 10" scope
Bob Garfinkel - 10" scope
Michael Swartz - 18" scope
Robert Hoffman - 6" scope
All of these generous folks really helped people see amazing things that
are otherwise (and all too often) invisible to city-dwellers.
A special thank you to Rita Derbas, whose onsite assistance in many ways
helped to make the evening a success. She brought enthusiasm and a
significant level of help to this frazzled coordinator. She also brought
to us this nice evening quote from young William Anderson, "The first
thing dad taught me about telescopes is 'no hands'."
It was a sweet night, and one whose memory will endure for many years.
May your nocturnal way lit gently lit by distant suns,
Bruce Jensen
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