Solar Education
I'm an active amateur astronomer, and I do a LOT of astronomy outreach; I lecture about astronomy and space science at schools, conventions, planetariums, and other venues, and frequently set up my telescopes for both daytime solar, and nighttime lunar and planetary observing.
Lecturing about the Sun to ninety third grad students. Image Credit: Constance L. Martin-Trembley
I frequently get enthusiastic reactions from people when they see prominences and other features on the Sun; unfortunately, my small solar telescope's eye relief makes it difficult for children, and some adults to use.
A prominence on the limb of the Sun. Image Credit: NASA/SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams.
I'd like to upgrade my solar telescope to larger model that offers much higher resolution, and is easier for viewers, especially young people, to look through.
Image Credit: Constance L. Martin-Trembley
My telescopes get used for educational purposes quite frequently; in many instances, my telescopes are the first ones students (and many adults) have looked through.
I plan on continuing this practice of sidewalk astronomy and classroom education indefinitely, but I would like to offer an even better observing experience for the public.
Proposed Equipment:
80mm Lunt w/ 18mm Blocking Filter with feather-touch focuser
iOptron Mini Tower Pro Mount w/ SmartStar
Counterweight
Medium Orion Pro Pluck-Foam Waterproof Accessory Case
If I should go past my goal
* Wow! Wouldn't that be great!
* There’s any number of items I can get to help with the outreach I do:
- a stand for my Dobsonian telescope, so observers don't have to lean way over to see objects low in the sky... which happens a lot...
- a replacement for my rattling 25mm eyepiece... ew.
- a cart (oh I SO need a cart!)
- a foldable kiosk with Sun, Moon, planet, and space probe pictures plastered all over it.
- a couple triangular easel signs: Telescopes this way!
If I should go WAY past my goal, I’d buy as many $100 starter telescopes as possible, and donate them to school science departments.
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More about Bob:
Homepage: http://BalrogsLair.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BalrogsLair
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BalrogsLair
* I'm fantastically interested in asteroids, near-Earth objects, and Planetary Defence. I gave a lecture about asteroids as part of AsteroidDay at Cranbrook Institute of Science.
* While I was doing research for my asteroids lecture, I got to know several planetary astronomers; I was able to arrange to have a main-belt asteroid named after my wife Constance- a fantastic, and inspirational middle-school science teacher.
* I edit and layout the newsletter of the Warren Astronomical Society : The W.A.S.P.
* I write astronomy and space science posts for the Vatican Observatory Foundation - a charitable organization, doing astronomical research, and educational programs, and *ahem* who are also looking for donations.
* I play Kerbal Space Program, and am simply amazed by it's educational potential.
* I'm extremely concerned about the negligible amount
of astronomy and history of the U.S. space program being taught to students in schools. I'm honored that my telescopes are the first many people have used - at the same time, I'm piqued that those people were never offered the opportunity to use a telescope while in school.
The Motto on my website reads "No student should go through school without looking through a telescope!"
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Yes, I am THAT MUCH of an Astronomy Geek!
