Two nights ago I had the opportunity to go to my son's elementary school science night. There were all kinds of science exhibits, from magnets to hamsters! Lots of second- and first-graders and kindergartners were coming! That's just the place for a large refractor. I had just finished setting up when the first students arrived.
Venus and the Moon shone brightly in the west (thanks for the image, Phil). Most kids would want to see the Moon, which was just a crescent, so that's where the scope went. A long line formed and did not end until around 8:00. The moon was big and bright magnified 35x. A moderately bright star shone beside it. The moon was a
waxing crescent, but it was not dark on the side that was away from the sun! Sunlight shining on the Earth was reflected back onto the dark side of the Moon, lighting it up in eerie twilight! So the Moon looked like a round ball even though a crescent shape along one edge was lit up by the sun! I would bet around 200 kids and parents looked through the scope that evening. What a wonderful opportunity! Thanks to the school for a fine welcome, and thanks to all the kids who looked through my telescope! Sharing the evening with you was great!
Two nights ago I had the opportunity to go to my son's elementary school science night. There were all kinds of science exhibits, from magnets to hamsters! Lots of second- and first-graders and kindergartners were coming! That's just the place for a large refractor. I had just finished setting up when the first students arrived. Venus and the Moon shone brightly in the west (thanks for the image, Phil). Most kids would want to see the Moon, which was just a crescent, so that's where the scope went. A long line formed and did not end until around 8:00. The moon was big and bright magnified 35x. A moderately bright star shone beside it. The moon was a waxing crescent, but it was not dark on the side that was away from the sun! Sunlight shining on the Earth was reflected back onto the dark side of the Moon, lighting it up in eerie twilight! So the Moon looked like a round ball even though a crescent shape along one edge was lit up by the sun! I would bet around 200 kids and parents looked through the scope that evening. What a wonderful opportunity! Thanks to the school for a fine welcome, and thanks to all the kids who looked through my telescope! Sharing the evening with you was great!
1 comment:
Thank you so much, Val, for coming out to the school. The students loved it and talked all about it the following day. ~Chris R.
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