Last night, the American Astronomical Society (AAS) and the Indiana Astronomical Society co-hosted a public star party. The event was BYOT (Bring Your Own Telescope), and people did! Astronomers set up shop and showed visitors double stars and Saturn. Three of the ringed planet's moons were visible, even from downtown Indianapolis. The International Space Station passed overhead just after 10 p.m. We waved from the steps of Indy's banking buildings. I think the astronauts probably saw. Right?
Here are some pictures to give you the flavor of the evening.
This telescope has a homemade wooden casing. // Images by Sarah Scoles
Even the youngest astronomers stayed up late enough for the skies to darken.
Members of the American Astronomical Society let loose.
The American Astronomical Society conference is taking place in that unfortunately well-lit building behind the telescopes.
Who doesn't love a Galileoscope?
Everyone ran to the front of this fountain, facing the place where the International Space Station would rise.
This was my exercise for the day. Check out those binoculars!