The Gladwin star party was a GAS. Several dozens of scopes were
set up and hundreds of astronomers covered several acres of the hill
top campground. Doctor Bjorkman gave an excellent power point
presentation on Stellar Disks and later I had a nice long talk with
her about Polarimetry and the role comets play in the evolution of
solar systems. Tom Trusock gave an excellent power point presentation
on star testing scopes, what to look for when testing them and
various methods for checking the entire observing system from night
sky to your eye. Finally Norb Vance gave an excellent presentation on
the history of rockets and the amazing experiences of modern day
rocketry topped off with the launch of 2 different model rockets
which amazed the large crowd of onlookers who all said Ohhhhh and
Ahhhhhhh. The bright apparition of the two Iridium satellites who
flashed at us within seconds of each other near Polaris was most
exciting to see. Also during the course of the night several late
Perseid and Aurigid meteors lit the sky unexpectedly.
I looked through dozens of scopes between 9PM and 5AM and learned
much from their owners. I spoke in depth with the first and second
place winners of the astrophotography contest who both won using the
Canon Rebel camera and I just ordered the Canon XT modified as a
result of their information and the great quality of their astropics.
Dobzilla gave me the best look ever at the Veil and Orion Nebulas
showing much detail in the filamentous structure of each. Joe's Ethos
eyepiece is the finest eyepiece I have ever looked through. Gary's I-
cubed electronic eyepiece did allow me to see the horse head visually
but I would never use that particular eyepiece because of the
distracting scintillations.
The many door prizes were wonderful and made many people happy.
The many wonderful vendors who contributed some amazing door prizes
were also very helpful and honest about their products. Everyone was
most helpful and happy to share information. I thank PJ for telling
me about Porrima and gamma Virginis and showing me some wonderful
double stars in his fine hand made scope. Also Doctor Nigg gave me a
nice perspective on teaching an astronomy lab in college which I hope
to do after finishing my MAE this winter. I want to thank everyone
who helped make this by far the best star party I have ever attended!
For Beauty and Truth look to the Heaven's above!
Patrick Stonehouse