Here's the few pictures we did get: (they're only hosted on facebook, you don't need a facebook account to view them) https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4085396612682.2180567.1215656729&t... On Tue, May 15, 2012 at 6:24 PM, Chrismo <djchrismo@gmail.com> wrote:
The following was written by John DuCrest about our experience with the students from Ogden lastnight at Zion...
What a night! 25 honor students from Ogden came down to Springdale to experience nature, the night sky... And to do some home work. Myself and 2 other amateur astronomers (Chrismo and Dave) joined them and we pointed 6 telescopes into the darkness to see what we could see. Before the darkness fell though, we pointed our telescopes towards the sun, (Baader and Orion Solar Filters were used). It was the first time in my life, and I assume all of the students lives had the chance to view our amazing star. We saw her brilliance cast over Zion Canyon, at a time when Solar Flair’s are at their maximum. What a sight, we were preview to a Sun Spot 1/2 the size of Saturn... Unbelievable. We took a small break then resumed at night fall. Chris, Dave and I began our slewing... First to Venus as she kissed the horizon, her crescent ways reminded us of the moon. Mars was next, his dim orange / red glow taught us how small he my be, but how powerful he is in the night sky. We located DSO's like Double Stars and the bee hive cluster. Some Messier objects were more elusive that anticipated but the night was young (for us AA's ;). But youth is impatient so we all chose to give the coup de grâce. My friends, this is how it happened; the first to see her were awe inspired, taunting others a closer view. Her rings that night shined as bright as the moon on the clearest of nights. One after another looked through the eye pieces, wondering if what they were seeing was really in the night sky or not. It was real though, in fact it was palpable. I was honored to share this experience with them, and my new friends. John DuCrest