John O'Neal, NC Stargazer
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John's Ramblings and Musings

28 Aug 2017

Pam & Randy Shivak and Dorothy O'Neal and I at CAMP SOLARACTIVITY in Smith's Ferry, Idaho on August 21st, 2017 for the Great American Total Solar Eclipse.

28 Aug 2017
28 Aug 2017
28 Aug 2017
20 May 2017
The SOX Solar Observatory, the first building in the Shiloh Observatory Complex
The SOX Solar Observatory, the first building in the Shiloh Observatory Complex

Today, May 20th, 2017 we will be dedicating the first observatory building to our Shiloh Observatory Complex. We've invited friends and neighbors over to partake in the festivities!

Now, if the weather holds out, all will be fine. The prediction calls for mostly cleat skies until after midnight, then rain...

5 Jun 2017
We hung the SOLARACTIVITY Banner and Telescope Viewing on the carport facing the street to help people find us.
We hung the SOLARACTIVITY Banner and Telescope Viewing on the carport facing the street to help people find us.
We hung out banners on the side of the future Spectro Building
We hung out banners on the side of the future Spectro Building
An 8
An 8" Reflecor and SCT were setup for guests to use.
5 Jun 2017
We displayed some of our images and books, etc on the POD Deck.
We displayed some of our images and books, etc on the POD Deck.
Our display tables
Our display tables
Showing off the Sun and the Solar Observatory.
Showing off the Sun and the Solar Observatory.
5 Jun 2017
Jeff manning the 8
Jeff manning the 8" Newt.
Bob manning the Meade LX200
Bob manning the Meade LX200
5 Jun 2017
We put up our popup tent and umbrella to shade our guests. It was quite sunny.
We put up our popup tent and umbrella to shade our guests. It was quite sunny.
Some of our neighbors and astronomy friends
Some of our neighbors and astronomy friends
We strung red lights to keep dark sky adaptation after dark.
We strung red lights to keep dark sky adaptation after dark.
11 Jun 2017
Our neighbor, Amber, took this photo through the 6
Our neighbor, Amber, took this photo through the 6" Refractor with her smartphone
One of the coolest things I've seen, ever. The first picture is Jupiter and 4 moons, and the second, its Saturn! I'm glad my phone could pick it up through the telescope. I mean, just look at it! Its amazing! Thanks to our neighbors for allowing us to view
One of the coolest things I've seen, ever. The first picture is Jupiter and 4 moons, and the second, its Saturn! I'm glad my phone could pick it up through the telescope. I mean, just look at it! Its amazing! Thanks to our neighbors for allowing us to view
5 Jun 2017

We had a wonderful time with our new neighbors and friends from the astronomy club. The weather was fabulous and the skies were clear. The Pizza was GREAT and the sodas were cold, and it doesn't get much better than that.

Dorothy and I would like to thank everybody for making our special evening a success.

24 Apr 2017
All setup on the lawn and ready for visitors...
All setup on the lawn and ready for visitors...

On April 22nd, 2017 Dorothy and I were at the Catawba Science Center in Hickory, NC with the Catawba Valley Astronomy Club and doing solar outreach for Astronomy Week and Arbor Day.


We had some more hi-res solar images framed for our table. Since the weather was mostly cloudy we only broke out the Sun Bucket.

One of the administrators at the event estimated that we had about 500 visitors over the course of the morning. I'm calling this event a SUCCESS!!!

24 Apr 2017
Our display table looks nice with Dorothy's added touches.
Our display table looks nice with Dorothy's added touches.
24 Apr 2017
Dorothy is manning the Sun Bucket
Dorothy is manning the Sun Bucket
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