Wow! What a party!

by: Dave Flynn

We had a triple event last weekend with a star party, pizza party and Girl Scout outreach all happening at the same time and place.  Our quarterly Vasquez Rocks Star Party kicked off with folks arriving around 6pm.  We had astronomers from The Local Group and LAAS. I think I saw some AV folks as well but didn't get down to greet them.  Looked like close to 30 scopes.  We had lots of visitors as well with the estimate being well over 100.

While preparations were underway down at the lower parking lot, I was up at the group camp with Ellen giving a lecture on our closest star to a group of around 20 Girl Scouts.  These were some of the ones who's outreach was cut short by the fire in Newhall a few weeks ago.  We had a couple solar scopes set up and they and their leaders were treated to some great views of the Sun.

After the lecture Ellen and I headed down to join the rest of the festivities.  Thanks for saving me a spot!  It was already crowded with astronomers by 6:30.  Brian and Van had their H-alpha scopes set up giving folks a look at the Sun while it lasted.  Glenn had also just arrived with six large pizzas for our members.  We also had wonderful deserts provided by Christine.  Take a marshmallow, dip it in chocolate and roll it in graham crackers.  Genius.

Soon the sun was down and we were able to show folks a beautiful crescent Venus and a while later Jupiter was visible.  I think Venus is best viewed in the evening sky before it gets too dark.

By 9:30 we were in full swing.  The weather was great, not too cold and the wind died down. Saturn was breathtaking.  The Girl Scouts had hiked down from their campsite and it was time for me to give a constellation talk.  I think I got most of it right. ;-)

At 10:30 we started packing up and were gone by 11:00.

All-in-all it was a great evening with lots of folks thanking us and looking forward to the next one in October.