I arrived at Pine View at around five o'clock. I was one of the first people there, to help Mr. Percival set up. We set up four telescopes and one binocular station. While setting up, Mr. Percival showed us the many different parts and pieces of the telescopes. From the first telescope that Pine View purchased all the way up to "Big Bertha." My friend Nick Hernandez and I manned Pine View's first telescope which was aimed at the Horse head Nebula in the constellation Orion. The only other telescope that I remember what it was aimed at was "Big Bertha," which was aimed at Jupiter and its Moons. As the sky darkened, the brighter objects in the sky began to show themselves. Light pollution was not a problem at all, there were no clouds to be seen, and the Moon was in it's new phase so conditions could not have been better. The first objects we were able to see were Jupiter, Sirius, and Rigel. By seven o'clock, the sky had gotten dark enough so we could make-out many of the winter constellations. Orion, Canis Major, Gemini, Auriga, Canis Minor, Ursa Major, Cassiopeia, and Taurus. By 7:30pm, about 25 people (not including Astronomy students) had shown-up to enjoy the night sky. Mr. Percival used his high powered laser to help the people orient themselves and learn about the stars. He identified many of the other winter constellations, such as Leo, Monoceros, Colomba, Lepus, Eridanus, Fornax, and Lynx. I shared many conversations with people and younger Pine View students, answering questions and teaching what I know. It was a very successful Astronomy Night and I will definitely be attending next year.
Hours spent observing: 3.5x2=7
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