I See Heavenly Bodies
I really can't imagine myself looking at the planets (Mars, Jupiter, Saturn), our very own moon, the Orion Nebula, and the M22 cluster as if I was in deep space. Mind me for exaggerating this but honestly it was my first time seeing the "heavenly bodies" using the MIAS-1, a dobsonian telescope ever built by the hands of the MSU-IIT Astronomical Society people. My view of such beauty was made possible during our 2nd star party yesterday (February 19, 2005) held at MSU Naawan Campus.
We headed off at around 4:30PM to our destination. The campus was such a perfect place to do star-gazing stuffs. We camped at their softball field, which was just perfect in looking at the spectacular sunset since it's just near the seashore. It was also perfect for sky-gazing since it's so open and one can capture sky moments if one's at the center of the field. At arrival, off we separated to do our tasks. Some prepared for the food, some made sure about the tents and the camping area, some prepared the scopes, and some prepared the laptops. With the event, Rodion had his digital camera and Johnard had his video camera to capture the moments of the event. Special thanks also to the campus personnel for the hospitality and their provision with stuffs that ought to be needed for the event.
On the first mount of the dobsonian telescope, we fixed our eyes on the moon. So spectacular. I was even amazed since the other refractor we bought was useful by making it have its own tripod by means of tree branches and using masking tapes. The moon's also a great view over the refractor. We tried to look for other such views but was really dismayed to the thick clouds that enveloped the sky. While waiting for clear skies, we filled our stomach. We eased ourselves listening to Brigs's reggae music while waiting. At the very instance of clear skies, off we rushed at the telescopes to look for Saturn and the Orion Nebula. Good thing we had the Starry Night software, and we were able to locate and see Saturn and the Orion Nebula. What a wonder! Bad thing we weren't able to capture it on video since the image's not that good when we tried to mount the video camera on the scope.
The heavy clouds began to distract our view. We utilized our time with our "Getting To Know Each Other" activity. One has to go at the front and look for an image (which Rodion prepared for it), tell something about yourself, about the image, and relate the image on why he or she joined the organization. Along the activity, more members came. After the activity, Rodion declared that the next observation period will be around 2:30AM as the moon will set. Four of us just roamed around, others were browsing the laptops, others filled the night with music (there were 2 guitars brought), and others just sat and talked to each other. Around 2AM rained poured, turning down our hopes to have clear skies. We just hid in the tents while the others went to sleep at the stage prepared for us.
Some haven't slept through the night. I was one. I was thinking that maybe clear skies would pop out. So instead of sleeping in the tent, I went out and just waited for the rains to clear. Around 4AM, Farz went out and exclaimed that above was a clear sky. With one laptop on we tried to view Jupiter and Mars. We see Jupiter with its 5 moons (unluckily the depression might be on the other side), and Mars was not that clear but sure thing that reddish figure was Mars as gazed by the Starry Night software. Farz also was able to locate the M22 cluster.
It was 6AM that the others woke. We were able to tell them that clear skies was present and we have a view on Mars, Jupiter, and the M22 cluster. They were glad that we have seen those things, even though they haven't saw it with their eyes (pretty bad, the cold weather shivered them off with their sleep). We had coffee and noodles to stuff the chilly morning and listened to trance to energize us out. Louie's the only one who really fantacized the morning. Rodion then checked to his rack and let us saw a documentary on the conspiracy against the Apollo's landing on the moon.
The event ended at 7:30AM and we headed off back at Iligan City.
Even though weather really restricted us, patience would still be a virtue. The 2nd star party was really a success. It really made a conclusion that the MIAS-1 projected pleasing results. Also along the event, it oriented us in using MIAS-1, on navigating with the Starry Night software, and having a great acquaintance with the members.
Mabuhay ang MSU-IIT Astronomical Society!!!!
We headed off at around 4:30PM to our destination. The campus was such a perfect place to do star-gazing stuffs. We camped at their softball field, which was just perfect in looking at the spectacular sunset since it's just near the seashore. It was also perfect for sky-gazing since it's so open and one can capture sky moments if one's at the center of the field. At arrival, off we separated to do our tasks. Some prepared for the food, some made sure about the tents and the camping area, some prepared the scopes, and some prepared the laptops. With the event, Rodion had his digital camera and Johnard had his video camera to capture the moments of the event. Special thanks also to the campus personnel for the hospitality and their provision with stuffs that ought to be needed for the event.
On the first mount of the dobsonian telescope, we fixed our eyes on the moon. So spectacular. I was even amazed since the other refractor we bought was useful by making it have its own tripod by means of tree branches and using masking tapes. The moon's also a great view over the refractor. We tried to look for other such views but was really dismayed to the thick clouds that enveloped the sky. While waiting for clear skies, we filled our stomach. We eased ourselves listening to Brigs's reggae music while waiting. At the very instance of clear skies, off we rushed at the telescopes to look for Saturn and the Orion Nebula. Good thing we had the Starry Night software, and we were able to locate and see Saturn and the Orion Nebula. What a wonder! Bad thing we weren't able to capture it on video since the image's not that good when we tried to mount the video camera on the scope.
The heavy clouds began to distract our view. We utilized our time with our "Getting To Know Each Other" activity. One has to go at the front and look for an image (which Rodion prepared for it), tell something about yourself, about the image, and relate the image on why he or she joined the organization. Along the activity, more members came. After the activity, Rodion declared that the next observation period will be around 2:30AM as the moon will set. Four of us just roamed around, others were browsing the laptops, others filled the night with music (there were 2 guitars brought), and others just sat and talked to each other. Around 2AM rained poured, turning down our hopes to have clear skies. We just hid in the tents while the others went to sleep at the stage prepared for us.
Some haven't slept through the night. I was one. I was thinking that maybe clear skies would pop out. So instead of sleeping in the tent, I went out and just waited for the rains to clear. Around 4AM, Farz went out and exclaimed that above was a clear sky. With one laptop on we tried to view Jupiter and Mars. We see Jupiter with its 5 moons (unluckily the depression might be on the other side), and Mars was not that clear but sure thing that reddish figure was Mars as gazed by the Starry Night software. Farz also was able to locate the M22 cluster.
It was 6AM that the others woke. We were able to tell them that clear skies was present and we have a view on Mars, Jupiter, and the M22 cluster. They were glad that we have seen those things, even though they haven't saw it with their eyes (pretty bad, the cold weather shivered them off with their sleep). We had coffee and noodles to stuff the chilly morning and listened to trance to energize us out. Louie's the only one who really fantacized the morning. Rodion then checked to his rack and let us saw a documentary on the conspiracy against the Apollo's landing on the moon.
The event ended at 7:30AM and we headed off back at Iligan City.
Even though weather really restricted us, patience would still be a virtue. The 2nd star party was really a success. It really made a conclusion that the MIAS-1 projected pleasing results. Also along the event, it oriented us in using MIAS-1, on navigating with the Starry Night software, and having a great acquaintance with the members.
Mabuhay ang MSU-IIT Astronomical Society!!!!
Creation by Patrick at 9:32 PM
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