You might think high thin clouds, a near full moon wouldn't make for a very good stargazing event, but Troop 504 from North Amherst, MA were treated to some great views in the 100 year old Gaertner telescope tonight. In addition to the moon, Saturn, Mars, the Orion Nebula, and some double stars drew great reviews from the 10 scouts and their leaders who were sending a seasonable cool March night camping out in Scout Heaven.
An iridium flare and some great questions from the kids added to the evening. The Scouts even helped me reposition the weights on the Gaertner drive to get the old 'scope tracking perfectly.
Four neighbors from down Trouble St dropped by to enjoy the view and even built a fire in the clubhouse so the scouts could warm up.
The driveway is now passable to the top in a four wheel drive, high clearance vehicle, but watch out for those ice channels, some are 4 inches deep. I made it to the lower lot just fine in my little Matrix.
-Ed
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