From: jgalla@orca.esd114.wednet.edu (John Gallagher)
Subject: Lunar Eclipse Star Party
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 1996 07:11:12 -0700
Our Port Angeles High School astronomy students hosted a star party for the eclipse up here at the high school in Port Angeles. We had between 200 and 300 folks show up! They patiently waited in lines for our three school telescopes - one looking at the moon, one at Jupiter and one at Saturn. We are known for our rainy Septembers but there wasn't a single cloud in the sky all night long. My students helped the elementary and middle school kids do star counts while waiting once it got dark enough. By 8:30 we were clear and dark enough to see most major constellations and the Milky Way. Everyone had a great time and the community is really turning on to astronomy. We have a goal of raising enough money from the community to purchase a Starlab this year with the district matching every dollar I can get. We are 1/3 of the way there now! John Gallagher