- Joined
- Aug 8, 2011
- Location
- Gettysburg area
We enjoyed this National Park Service event presented by the Westminster (Maryland) Astronomical Society on Aug. 10: a stargazing outing at Little Roundtop. As we waited for dark, a scattered light cloud cover dissipated, and Ranger Brian Henry set the stage by discussing astronomical events during the Civil War, including the "war comet" of 1861, the appearance of the aurora borealis on Dec. 14, 1862, during the Battle of Fredericksburg, and the fateful position of the moon that prevented soldiers of the 18th North Carolina from recognizing Stonewall Jackson at Chancellorsville. The Westminster astronomers had several telescopes set up, and I saw Jupiter and three of its four moons. (The fourth, passing in front of the planet, was obscured by Jupiter's brightness.) It looked as close to us as our own moon! We didn't stay long enough to see what the Gettysburg Times reporter said, next day, was a passing International Space Station (Friday was, unfortunately, a day to be up early to go to work) but it was a great opportunity to join a crowd of history and nature enthusiasts for a view from Little Roundtop that we otherwise wouldn't get to see. The Gettysburg Times reports that Ranger Henry suggested the Park Service may offer a similar program again, based on the turnout. If they do, be there!
(Moderators, if I have posted this in the wrong forum, would you kindly redirect it. Thank you!)
(Moderators, if I have posted this in the wrong forum, would you kindly redirect it. Thank you!)