A Truly Celestial Celebration This Saturday
by John Weckerle
The Albuquerque Astronomical Society will hold the first of this summer’s three big East West Mountain events – combining a Star Party and Astrophotography Boot Camp – at Oak Flat this Saturday, May 30 (subsequent events are June 27 and July 25). Astrophotographer Becky Ramotowski (some of Ms. Ramotowski’s outstanding photos can be seen here), whose photos were reportedly featured in the BBC series, The Sky At Night, will provide instruction on taking great celestial images to novices and advanced shooters alike, with any type of camera: digital SLR, point-and-shoot, and even film cameras. As Ms. Ramotowski notes in the May 2009 edition of the Sidereal Times, “The ultimate goal is to get attendees whipped into shape so they will have an extraordinary photo to enter in the TAAS Astrophoto Show in November.” That’s a great opportunity for photographers of any stripe.
For the most up-to-date information on the event, including a list of things you should bring, see the June edition of the Sidereal Times and visit the Albuquerque Astronomical Society web site. According to Ms. Ramotowski’s article in that edition: “We have a very bright international space station pass at 8:35 p.m., and the Moon will be near Saturn, so they will be our prime targets for the evening. We also have a minus 7 Iridium satellite flare that night at 10:31 p.m. just east of Vega.” The Society requests that attendees arrive before dusk.
The Society’s Star Parties are known throughout the region as a great way for people to get a guided tour of the cosmos – people with great telescopes and the expertise to use them are kind enough to give us all a look at what we might never see otherwise; show interested beginners how to use their telescopes; and trade tips, tricks and facts with all who are interested. Start preparing now by getting a map to the event. For more information, contact Bruce Levin at 505-286-1387.