Hopewell Middle School March 20th, 2014

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Hopewell Middle School March 20th, 2014

Post by solarchat »

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Stephen W. Ramsden
Atlanta, GA USA
Founder/Director Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project
http://www.solarastronomy.org
MissBluesArtAstro

Re: Hopewell Middle School March 20th, 2014

Post by MissBluesArtAstro »

Hello Stephen
Very nice video and beautiful solar disk!
But I have a question!
When children come to admire the sun, your telescope, what are the words that "they say, to say that" they feel at that moment?
I'd love to know.!!


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Re: Hopewell Middle School March 20th, 2014

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Stephen

another wonderful event


Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE :)

from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch

from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa ;)
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Re: Hopewell Middle School March 20th, 2014

Post by marktownley »

Good job there Stephen!


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Re: Hopewell Middle School March 20th, 2014

Post by solarchat »

its usually along the lines of


"Wow"
"Is that the Sun"
"How much were these?"
"I like your rims"

"Do you work for NASA?"
"Have you been to space"
"I don't see anything"


kids say whatever comes into their heads without any prejudices or filters. Its quite refreshing usually.


Stephen W. Ramsden
Atlanta, GA USA
Founder/Director Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project
http://www.solarastronomy.org
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Re: Hopewell Middle School March 20th, 2014

Post by Sunwatcher »

Bet there are quite a few comments along the line, "How do you get all that equipment in that little van?" too.

These videos showing the process from beginning to end are always most enjoyable!


Downtown Fort Worth.
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Re: Hopewell Middle School March 20th, 2014

Post by solarchat »

strangley, I have never heard that from a student. Lots of adults, but students, no. I don't think they have any perception of the fact that someone has to unpack and set up all of this stuff and then pack it back up after they leave. It is just there in their minds..:)


Stephen W. Ramsden
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Re: Hopewell Middle School March 20th, 2014

Post by Sunwatcher »

Ah, Youth!

All will become apparent soon enough.


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Re: Hopewell Middle School March 20th, 2014

Post by MissBluesArtAstro »

And how many hours between your arrival on the scene and your departure?
How many classes do you have at your events?


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Re: Hopewell Middle School March 20th, 2014

Post by solardave »

good job Stephen :)


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Re: Hopewell Middle School March 20th, 2014

Post by solarchat »

Miss Blues,

I usually work my schedule around the schools existing class schedule. It usually works out to be about 6 periods of 45-50 minutes each with 70-100 students per session.

I arrive 90 minutes prior to the first session stay about 7 hours after for classes (there is almost always an empty hour in the middle for their lunches) and then its a 60-90 minute pack up period. So, normally it is 10 hours there with an hour or so travel on each side so about 12 hours total.

If someone wants to talk to me while I am unpacking or packing up I have to add about 30 more minutes.

It is a very full day. The getting up at 5:00am to get there and get going is sometimes difficult but generally I am setting up during sunrise and my heart and soul fills with a pleasant kind of inspiration every time I see the Sun's initial light break the horizon and play with the colors in the fleeting morning clouds. By the time the students get out there I am always in a wonderland of science and beauty and I can't wait to share it. The first eyes in the scope and the initial reactions of the students always make t worthwhile and the day goes by like it was only a few minutes.

It very fun and I highly recommend it to everyone on here. You may think you are enjoying the hobby by staying crammed into your observatories or whatever but there is a whole new world of enjoyment and appreciation for the Sun and stars when you go to a school and teach a class on it. Hard to get someone to understand it until you get them out there. it is different than at a big event full of stuffy old astronomers, none of these kids have ever seen anything like this and it is awesome to watch their amazement. People always say things like "Its not for everyone" or "some people prefer to do it in solitude"...I usually just shake my head in agreement and look at them like they are nuts. :)


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Founder/Director Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project
http://www.solarastronomy.org
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Re: Hopewell Middle School March 20th, 2014

Post by nqastronomy »

Agree 100% with your comment there Cobber!

Showing just one other person who hasn't had the experience of looking at or learning about the Sun, it just as important as showing 100+ people the same thing! That one person you showed the Sun to, will go off and tell their mates - and before you know it, you'll have 100+ people with no effort at all!


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Re: Hopewell Middle School March 20th, 2014

Post by MissBluesArtAstro »

You must sleep well at night after such days .
 They are rewarding for you and for all her children! .
 you 're lucky to be able to do what you do! . I 'd like to, be a little mouse and see locally. thank you for answering my questions !
 I wish you a good sky ;)


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