TASOS Sidewalk Astronomy at Vivocity

Post by **Airconvent** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 2:03 am

Was at Astroscientic on Sunday and came across an advert promoting TASOS' sidewalk astronomy to be held at the roof garden of vivocity from 1-2 May 09 between 1900-2200 hrs. Do drop by as there will be many scopes there.
If I remember their sessions, you will be seeing Saturn at low magnification for their big scopes...sigh...
But it will still be a nice gathering for astronomers...

starfinder · Post by **starfinder** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:02 am

Hey Rich, tks for the info!

I think it's a good thing having the sidewalk event there. Will check it out if I have the time one of those two nights.

Tachyon · Post by **Tachyon** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 10:27 am

I have a feeling it will be very crowded! Anyway, I may walk across after dinner...

Clifford60 · Post by **Clifford60** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:28 pm

Got the below thru e-mail from SSC.

In celebration of the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) 2009, Science Centre Singapore and The Astronomical Society of Singapore (TASOS) together with our partners, HISTORYTM , StarHub and Vivo City, will like to welcome you to the Sidewalk Astronomy Carnival @ Vivo City on 1st and 2nd May 2009.

The Carnival will provide a unique opportunity for all to gain an understanding of astronomy through observations of the sky and related educational talks, activities and documentaries that bring enjoyment and edutainment to both young and old. Get up close and personal with the Moon and Saturn through telescopes set up on site. There's lots to do for the whole family and we'd be giving away lots of Science Centre and HISTORYTM premiums and prizes so make a date with us on 1st and 2nd May!

Sidewalk Astronomy Carnival

Date: 1-2 May 2009 (Friday & Saturday)
Time: 6pm - 10pm
Venue: Vivo City Skypark

6:00pm - 6:30pm Astronomy projects for kids/families
6:00pm - 7:00pm Stage games and Q&A
7:00pm - 7:45pm HISTORYTM Screening of The Universe: Mysteries of the Moon
7:50pm - 8:00pm Welcome Ms Ellen Lee, MP for Sembawang GRC & Adviser to Woodlands GROs (1st May)
8:00pm Telescope viewing starts
8:00pm - 9:00pm "The Night Sky and our Solar System" Talk by Mr Kalaimani s/o Retnasamy,
Founder member and Hon Secretary, TASOS
9:00pm -9:15pm Stage games and Q&A
9:15pm -10:00pm HISTORYTM Screening of "The Universe: Saturn - Lord of the Rings"
10:00pm Close

Post by **Airconvent** » Sat May 02, 2009 1:17 am

ok. Just activated the usual gang but I think some are at Mersing today.
In anycase, Gavin and Sam answered the call and were there with me this evening.
Overall a very well organised event. But probably expected as Science Centre and Starhub (throught their discovery channel) was co-hosting the event with TASOS.

Organisation :
Very well done. They were very organised. There were large LCD screens at the telescope area so you can still see what is being shown at the open theatre area. Some very nice documentaries on Saturn was being shown too. Was amused by this sign :-)

The nice touch was the solar system poster given free as well as the cardboard solar system construction kit for the kids (I took one for my kids...really!)

Observation Section
Lots and lots of Celestron and Tak scopes. Many of the gotos there were showing Saturn and I could make out 4 moons including Titan. Both Gavin and I agreed a nice chap with a 10" Dob telescope had the best views at the venue.
Met JinPeng there..."paiseh" but couldn't recognise him as most of the time saw him in the dark..haha. He was there representing Marine Parade CC astronomy Club.
Also managed to talk to TASOS president Albert Lim who was very pleased the event went well and the weather was good. (no rain). He and his gang worked hard to put this together.

Post by **Airconvent** » Sat May 02, 2009 1:24 am

Dang, I made a wrong setting on my camera ended up using ISO1600 which made the photos noisy. Ironically the Fujifilm F200EXR is supposed to be a low-noise performer. Anyhow, here are some pics.

This one reminded me of Chris Yeo and his homemade Dob...

Another random snapshot. The guy on the left looks like Mr Au but its not him!

Gavin is fascinated by the Tak on a Porta-Mount-like Tak mount with nice slomo controls. And on a Televue Gibraltar-like wooden tripod, also by Takahashi. He's seen holding the free poster in the second photo.

Post by **Airconvent** » Sat May 02, 2009 1:27 am

Jin Peng is so engrossed that he did not hear me even when I called out to him 3 times!

Sam Lee and Gavin talked shop about the new Obs place compared with Australia and Sam's harrowing experience of nearly being killed by a bunch of wild kangaroos.

Sam Lee · Post by **Sam Lee** » Sat May 02, 2009 2:38 am

haha, nice report on the event.
Where's your shot with the 'space astronaut' ?

starfinder · Post by **starfinder** » Sat May 02, 2009 9:05 am

Agree, the organisers did it very well! And were very friendly too. There were around 15-20 scopes (or perhaps more) set-up for viewing, mainly Celestron SCTs and a 10" Dob, and Takahashi refractors and at least one Mewlon.

It's good to see celestial objects being showcased to the public at a "sidewalk" event. Am sure some people would have developed a keen interest in astronomy after their first view of Saturn and the First Quarter Moon through a scope.

I met Albert Lim for the first time in quite a few years. Good to chat with him again. He said that he was so glad the weather was good. We discussed this November's Leonids, during which there could be a possible storm according to some predictions.

Also saw Siu Yang too whom I first met at Astronomy 2008 last August. He as manning a refractor set up very low for the little kids. We later had an interesting discussion on the Pluto debate.

Good thing that Rich posted about this event or I would have missed it. Tks again Rich! I may possibly go down again tonight.

chrisyeo · Post by **chrisyeo** » Sat May 02, 2009 11:40 am

That IS / WAS my dob! (tube is formerly Weixing's 8") They just redid the rocker box. Haha.. so good to see it again and familiar faces in the photos.

Looks really nice. Thanks for posting photos, Richard!