Bishan Park sidewalk astronomy- Tonight (1/9/2014)

[cloud_cover]

3 nights in a row!
Power!

[James Ling]

Although is my first time there, from the residence communication with us, Dave is very famous there, as they know usually where is the location he is setting up...........for his countless side walk activities....

Another interesting point i wanted to point out now is that many residences , at least 4 or 5 times, asking whether we are from Singapore Science Center ???????
Looks like SSC is more well known than Singastro........................

And at least one residence there even have told us they have seen us at TPL side walk.......

So now we have Gary and Dave, very famous among the residence......
So one of this day, when people see us, they do not mistaken us as SSC.... but Singastro......instead, hahaha......

Regards

James ling

[James Ling]

Last night, after our scopes setup , the queue is seen non stop from around 8pm till 11pm, and half way through the moon gazing session, I managed to get Gary to attend to my scope, and I took this short video clip.....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/james_ling ... hotostream

Usually at TPL, I would allow the crowds to use their hand phone to snap a photo or two from the ep, but last night, for the 3 hours, I do not allow them to do so.....
So you can imagine how good is last night crowd turn out..........

And of course the two most happy man, is Gary and Dave....

Regards

James Ling

[Gary]

Very happy indeed. Walked away with the scope in the video for $50. Thanks James!

[Gary]

Regarding being asked if we are from SSC, just sharing my 2cents so bear with me.

The fact that people are asking us that means SSC have been doing a fine job spreading astronomy and other sciences. Especially putting lots of hardwork into planning and executing major astro events there and especially their regular Friday free public observations. Public usually assume SSC means must have lots of overflowing resources to run events. But in reality this is not so. Even if they do, still need lots of co-ordinating and follow-up work.

As event organisers and key helpers for singastro events, we all know how tough it can be. So we can fully respect the same work SSC is doing and they fully deserved to be remembered for a long time. I am a fan and follower of their Scobber blog and twitter.

End of the day, the most important thing is local amateur astronomers and science educators keep doing public outreach in the best way they can regardless of their affiliations to any organisation or non at all.

[Airconvent]

Its always good to have some healthy competition to spice up the hobby!
But when it boils down to what matters, Singastro has no issues working together and publicizing for SSC since we all have the same aim to promote this healthy hobby in Singapore. And I like the gallery at Astro-scientific too..so many scopes and stuff on display!
But of course, I also do politely point out to people that Singastro is an alternative and its free...the magic word for bargain-hungry Singaporeans..haha.

And thanks to Dave, Gary and their usual gang for having so much energy to provide so many sessions for people to join in! I presume, like the mars Rover Curiosity, both of you are running on a Plutonium-based RTG!

[Davegn]

Weather permitting, Some of us will be conducting a sidewalk astronomy session at Bishan Park.

Date: 20/10/2012
Time: From 8PM onwards
Venue: Bishan Park's McDonald's (viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10766&)

Would bringing my telescope for the session.

Feel free to join me.
All are welcome to join in the fun with or without telescope.

[Gary]

Support. Will be there. Night rider bus NR1 last bus is 4.05am.

[Gary]

Brief report on the sidewalk session conducted on last Saturday evening, 20 Oct 2012.

It was raining cats and dogs from late afternoon. Caught a lightning strike on video in my phone while shooting the thunderstorm as seen from entrance of McDonald's. Will try to upload to youtube someday.

We started our session late at around 11pm. Was playing hide and seek with the clouds throughout the session. Managed to see Jupiter, Cassiopeia, Sirius and "sword" of Orion. Did not catch any meteor.

Also managed to show some passer-bys what we saw. When asked if it was his first time, one gentleman was very happy and recounted he first saw Jupiter at Bedok Reservoir last year and remembered a guy called Weixing. Good job guys for making a lasting impression!

When Haz bought some drinks at McDonald's, the manager recognised him as a regular sidewalker and eagerly requested him to show them Jupiter when it is visible. Later at around 2am when McDonald's was closing, we invited them to take a look and they marvelled at how it look just like a star in the sky but so different through the telescope.



Brought along my copy of BBC Sky at Night's Beginners' Guide to Astronomy. While the clouds were blocking Jupiter, managed to share with Haz some knowledge mentioned in this bookazine. Later it was used to show the McDonald's crew how other astronomical wonders look like.

Took the NR1 bus home later at around 2.30am. Overall a good observing session and big thanks to Haz and friends for keeping me company.

[Davegn]

Weather permitting, Some of us will be conducting a sidewalk astronomy session at Bishan Park.

Date: 26/10/2012
Time: From 11.30PM onwards
Venue: Bishan Park's McDonald's (viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10766&)

Would bringing my telescope for the session.

Feel free to join me.
All are welcome to join in the fun with or without telescope.