Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri

The skies co-operated nicely for this event. Our St Charles County sponsored events for 2008 had several rain or cloud-outs this year, but this was an exception. Perhaps as a result of pent-up demand, we had a very sizeable turnout this evening.

Still waiting on the official count, but I estimate nearly 200 people attended this event.

Those bringing telescopes were Kirk and Carol Steinbrugge (our ISS timer), Marv Stewart, Brad Griffith, Cook Feldmann, Mark Shea, Amy White, Tom Richards, Mary Ann (?), Jim (?) and myself.

The campground was full. Campers (and attendees) included several troops of boy scouts as well as adults attending a local festival. The scope area was fairly crowded with lines from sunset until around 9:30 when it eased up a little. Around 10pm we experienced a big dew fall and those with front corrector lenses hung it up. About 5 scopes remained for the last boy scout troop (about 50 people with parents) that was scheduled for 10:15.

Most folks saw the usual fare of Jupiter, the moon, Ring Nebula, Albireo, Dumb Bell nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy, the Double Cluster and M13. Later on I played with tougher targets such as the Helix nebula, NGC 7331 (no fleas), and NGC 253.

After the last troop left, and the effects of the dew was measured, the rest of us started packing it in. We were all out by 11:30.

It was a very productive and enjoyable night. This was the last of our “summer” events for the public in association with the St Charles County Parks Department. We look forward to next year’s monthly public events at the Parks, which will probably start up in late April or early May. A calendar for next year’s events will be posted here before next April.

Thanks to all who brought scopes and participated!

Jim Twellman

The 25th annual Okie-Tex Star Party was held at Camp Billy Joe near Black Mesa in extreme Northwestern Oklahoma from September 28th through October 4th.  Yvonne and I arrived there on Tuesday, September 30 and stayed untul Saturday morning, October 4.  Along the way we picked up a 14-inch Celestron telescope with the Fastar system (which allows imaging at the prime focus of the telescope, t/2.1).

There were some 315 folks registered which, I believe, is a record.  The observing fields (2) were surrounded by a wide variety of camping gear (from pup tents to huge motor homes) and telescopes (the largest was 32-in).  During the daytime there were talks by various presenters and a few vendors.  At night it was strictly lights out and observing.  Occasionally, we would hear a loud argument break out because someone violated someone else’s sense of proper night time illumination.,

This is the new telescope.  Note the camera that sticks out the front.  Below are three images I took while checking everything out.  Of course, I didn’t have a good polar alignment so I limited exposures to 20 seconds.

M13 - 12×20 sec no filter

M16 - 12×20 sec no filter

M31 - 12×20 sec no filter

ASEM will conduct a public star gazing event at Klondike Park.  This is typically our largest attendance as the nearby campgrounds are often full.  The event is held at Shelter 3.  Arrive at least 30 minutes before sun down to set up.