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Girl Scout Outreach at Stephen F Austin State Park

by Todd Murray

I met Dave Herlinger at Stephen F. Austin State Park just after 6PM and we set our scopes down where we hoped we could look up through the trees to see Jupiter and Saturn if the clouds were to go away in time.

As thIMG_9013-75.jpge sun went down, Dave gave a great class on how to use sky charts and planispheres and I spoke briefly about how to use SkySafari to help identify things in the sky.  The clouds were up there but weren't too much trouble as we showed the scouts Saturn and Jupiter through a C8 and an 80ED.  As the evening progressed, we showed them M13 and Albireo and wrapped up with Dave's cool laser show through diffraction grating glasses.

It was a big hit, there was lots of engagement and genuine oohs and ahhs all around.

Editor’s note: HAS received a request for the Girl Scout campout at Stephen F. Austin State Park for Saturday, October 12, from 7pm - 9pm. Why not join us at our next outreach event? Watch the website, Facebook group, and email list for coming events.