Apache Junction Public Library STEM Day 28-April-2018

Six brave souls from the Superstition Mountain Astronomical League (SMAL) set up equipment for the STEM program at the Apache Junction library Saturday, April 28, 2018 (1-4pm).

SMAL had also done this honorable gesture last year.

The club volunteers were: Kathleen Audette, John Talley, Bill Rudie, Joe Gerencher, Grant Klassen, and Bill Dellinges.

Kathleen brought a camera and long lens for visitors to take photographs of the Sun, which she would later email to those “photographers.”

Bill Dellinges brought his Lunt 80mm H-Alpha (solar) telescope. Grant Klassen had a sun projection setup going. John Talley used his CPC 8 with a white light filter. Bill Rudie displayed his Wm. Optics 80mm refractor. Joe Gerencher practically had a science fair going with a mirror making display, home made reflecting telescope, large concave metal dish focusing its rays to a point where sacrificial objects were placed, and a small parabolic mirror on a table where the public was encouraged to find it’s focus with a hand held simple lens.
Though somewhat far from the main action in the library, we still got a respectable number of the public (and their kids) to come by and interact with us. I think I must have had about 20-25 folks look through my scope. Many were able to pick out the sunspot and two prominences on the solar disk. I also gave out a “Sun Facts” sheet to those interested.

It was just the right mix of interaction with the public and goofing off with one another between their visits to make for a fun afternoon and take our minds off the heat. Below are few photos from the event. (Click on the thumbnail to see an enlarged version.)

Article and photos by Bill Dellinges, Apache Junction, AZ