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With a chorus of chirping crickets and lightning bugs dappling the darkness, the Toledo Astronomical Association members set up their telescopes at Sylvan Prairie for some out-of-this-world star gazing.
This vibrant group shares their enthusiasm and knowledge of outer space by hosting a series of public viewings April through October to offer everyone the ability to see the wonders of space in incredible detail.
Asked why astronomy, and in particular viewing the night sky, is so fascinating, member Tom Tinta says, “It is one of the few hobbies where you can still experience that ultimate thrill of discovery.” And indeed, when I looked through the lens I felt like I really was among the stars.
Roy Montgomery, drawn to astronomy because it is the “closest he can get to the stars,” gives us an astounding live view of the rings of Saturn (awe, awe, awesome), the really beautiful double star Albireo and the moon’s craters with his Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector telescope (a smaller version of the type used at the University of Toledo Brooks Observatory).
The group’s love of outer space translates into an evening of “oh wow” moments as they take you on a very cool and amazing “star hop” across the universe—they make it all come vividly alive!
More to See
The next viewing at Sylvan Prairie, 8601 Brint Rd., Sylvania (olanderpark.com/pages/Sylvan.htm) will be August 29 at 9pm.
The group also invites everyone out to their next public viewing at Beaver Creek Preserve (woodcountyparkdistrict.org) 23028 Long Judson Rd. in Grand Rapids, Ohio, on September 27 at 7:30pm (weather permitting). Tom said they will have a larger telescope mounted on a viewing platform and the area has less ambient light than Sylvan Prairie, so they often can see the swirling arms of the Milky Way and the M13 globular cluster of hundreds of thousands of stars all balled up together like “a glob of sugar crystals on a piece of black velvet” (Both are a must see, so I’ll be there!).
The annual Summer Star Party (check website for forthcoming details) offers more telescopes with more deep space objects to see. Attending viewings does not require a telescope; the group is happy to share.
Astro-tips for beginners:
Suggestions from members of the Toledo Astronomical Association:
- Talk to experienced users first so you get a telescope that has the capabilities you want.
- A small reflector (Newtonian type) telescope is a good way to start; you can see brighter deep space objects on a budget.
- The Orion DeepMap 600 foldout star chart is great for telescope and binocular use.
- Smartphone apps like Google Sky and Sky Safari allow you to hold your phone up to the night sky see a labeled map of stars and planets.
Visit toledoastronomy.org for dates, locations for public viewings and monthly meetings and presentations.
