Free Public Talk - Comet Hunting in Singapore

[Gary]

Hi Dave & Alfred. Thanks for the solar session before the talk! Although the sky was not very clear, it served as a great additional publicity for the evening stargazing event. While having a quick dinner there before the talk, a few regulars there told me they saw 2 telescopes deployed and inquired about them! So at least you guys have indirectly "taught" them sometime new without even saying a single word - astronomy can also be enjoyed in the daytime and Sun can be observed with proper solar filters and accessories.

So regardless of the sky conditions day or night, the more people see telescopes deployed in a public area, the better it is for astro-awareness. Sometimes people will see them and suddenly remembered they had one in their storeroom. They may then walk up to the telescope volunteers and chat astro with them. And that may rekindle their stargazing interests again.

[Gary]

The crowd is growing Gary ! Must be due to the word-of-mouth from those who attended earlier and some articles in the ST recently too. It can only grow more now !

The multiplier effect of astro in the news lately and efforts by NLB and Toa Payoh Public Library definitely helped! Imagine the surge in local stargazing interest when Comet ISON grips the nation! Only 8 months away!