Mornings are left open so that students can explore the many beautiful
surrounding areas. I managed to go on a tour of a gold mine, see several of
the prettiest mountain lakes I've ever seen as well as hike up for a view of
Frazier Falls (a spectacular vista).
In the evening we travelled to the school's observing site at Packer Saddle
(7200ft) under pristine skies. Ray, Steve, and Jim S. set up their 17.5"
dobsonian telescopes, Ira his 8" SCT, and Jim P. sets up a variety of scopes
from an astro-scan (4.25" RFT) to a 14" Dob. Students are encouraged (but not
required) to bring their own scopes. For this particular session, I was using
Ray Cash's 13.1" Dob. We tracked the variable star Delta Cephei to learn about
variable star observing. Another of the course's requirements was to observe,
sketch and make notes about 10 astronomical objects of which at least 5 should
have been found by the student. The course concludes on Thursday evening with
a star party for the local folks, campers, etc. Students are assigned
telescopes to treat the visitors to the astronomical sights which they have
spent the prior 4 nights learning to find, observe, and note.
At the beginning of the course, students are allowed to choose whether they
would like to take the course for credit or simply audit the course. I chose
the latter as many of my observing sessions lasted well into the morning hours
and (being from CT) I wanted the opportunity to play tourist and sight see.
I can't recommend this course highly enough for anyone from the rank beginner
to the seasoned veteran. The opportunity to observe with people of this
caliber is both a wonderful and exhilerating learning experience.
I'll definately be back next year!
Information on SFSU's course offerings can be found at
http://thecity.sfsu.edu/snfc/index.htm
Regards,
Kevin Daly
Mattatuck Astronomical Society
http://members.aol.com/kdaly10475/index.html
Please visit the Erie County Mobile Observers Group web site:
(Deep breath) Ok, I'm better now, really :-). I ended up taking some a
summer course here at our local Junior College (Santa Rosa Junior
College, N. CA, for those of you who know that area) and the astronomy
thing was right next to the final. Ouch. So I had to drop it this year.
But next year I will almost certainly be going.
BTW, nice post. Clear skies.
-Paul