Last night a dozen students from the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering stayed over on the hill, and were treated to dazzling views of the moon and Saturn in the Gaertner Telescope.
The were hoping to see some Lyrid meteors after moonset, but I didn't last that long. Thanks to Jacob I. for organizing the trip.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
NEAF a Treat
Thanks to Peter Scherff for again organizing a great Arunah Hill booth at NEAF. We picked up several new members and got to talk to amateur astronomers from throughout the northeastern United States. We even met two gentlemen from Finland, a crew of solar watchers from Virginia, an 11 year old boy from Houston, Tx and a 14 year old girl from Washington, DC that came a long way to enjoy the show.
Our booth was next to Shady Pines booth, a natural fit, a gold mine, and a live birds of prey demonstration. Peter was disappointed the hawk never went after the field house sparrows.
Our booth was next to Shady Pines booth, a natural fit, a gold mine, and a live birds of prey demonstration. Peter was disappointed the hawk never went after the field house sparrows.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Hill in Great Shape after April Work Day
The hard work of last fall paid dividends as despite the heavy spring rains and run-off our road remains in good shape. Only a few buckets of gravel to smooth out some low spots will be needed once things dry out. In the meantime, the road is passible to the top in any vechicle, as long as a bit of caution is used.
The telescope shed continues to be rodent free, and the scopes all seem to be in great shape for spring. Our trails are in great shape too, as Chevy and Ben, Ray Burk, Tucker Blanchard and I walked and cleared the network. Thanks to Dan Carnevale for a quick tuneup on my chainsaw, and for setting up another bluebird house on the hill.
Peter Scherff, Barry Herveux and his ever-active chainsaw also helped out on the hill and John Klinkowski made burgers for the whole crew.
I faded by midafternoon, but re-inforcements were expected as Kevin Collins, Tom Walker, and Matt Paine were due on the hill to work on building maitenance and add to the radio tower. Tom also had a bluebird box to contribute to the hill.
Dan and Barry were then off to host the first Notchview public viewing of the season, and most of the rest of the crew were heading to Amherst College Observatory for the public sessions.
Spring has returned to the hill, and I'm looking forward to a great year at Arunah.
Thanks to all who helped out today.
-Ed
The telescope shed continues to be rodent free, and the scopes all seem to be in great shape for spring. Our trails are in great shape too, as Chevy and Ben, Ray Burk, Tucker Blanchard and I walked and cleared the network. Thanks to Dan Carnevale for a quick tuneup on my chainsaw, and for setting up another bluebird house on the hill.
Peter Scherff, Barry Herveux and his ever-active chainsaw also helped out on the hill and John Klinkowski made burgers for the whole crew.
I faded by midafternoon, but re-inforcements were expected as Kevin Collins, Tom Walker, and Matt Paine were due on the hill to work on building maitenance and add to the radio tower. Tom also had a bluebird box to contribute to the hill.
Dan and Barry were then off to host the first Notchview public viewing of the season, and most of the rest of the crew were heading to Amherst College Observatory for the public sessions.
Spring has returned to the hill, and I'm looking forward to a great year at Arunah.
Thanks to all who helped out today.
-Ed
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