NorthWest Florida Astronomy Association

The weather forecast for the 2024 partial solar eclipse was iffy at best. We started with slightly cloudy skies to start with, but the clouds thinned into very wispy high-altitude clouds for the majority of the event. The impact of those clouds was minimal at best and only occasionally were visible as they moved across the face of the eclipsed Sun. They did start to fill back in but only after the period of maximum eclipse (which was predicted to be about 75%).

We handed out 324 eclipse glasses to our guest observers. These included the college’s women’s softball team, several of the nursing school’s students, as well as quite a few of the colligate high school students. Several of the groups had their own eclipse glasses so we estimate around a total of 350 guests.

In addition to the eclipse glasses we had a hydrogen-alpha telescope as well as several white light filtered telescopes. Numerous guests attempted to take smart phone pictures through the scopes, and a few got some pretty remarkable shots.

The club was well represented.

• Robert Forrester
• Tom Haugh
• Curt Kroha
• Prof. Chris Mizell
• Scott Morgan

We would like to thank the staff and administration of Northwest Florida State College for sponsoring the eclipse watch and we look forward to working with them again for the September 14th International Observe the Moon Night event.

The final star gaze of 2022 started off with clear skies and solar telescopes. A few sunspots were visible now that the Sun is coming out of solar minimum.

The Sun’s chromosphere comes into view with Dennis’ H-alpha scope.

Observing sunspots using Scott’s scope just before the trees get in the way.

A guest observes the Sun’s spectrum through Tom’s spectroscope.

As the Sun set, the solar equipment was put away and nighttime scopes were pointed towards Jupiter and as the skies darkened further, Saturn came into view.

Much later, high haze prevented dimmer objects from being observed but by then the guests were heading back home or to their camp sites. Overall, we had about 50 guest observers.

The club was represented by:

• Tom Haugh
• Dennis & Marietta Hausch
• Scott Morgan
• Oliva Weaver

We thank Marietta Hausch for her photographs.

The E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center’s Camp Longleaf was the site of the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council’s 2022 Space Science Campout. The evening started with introductions and a safety briefing. Star maps and NASA handouts were also passed out.

One of the highlights of the evening was when new NWFAA member Olivia Weaver addressed the audience. Olivia is currently a high school senior attending Northwest Florida State College’s collegiate high school. She discussed her current project using the college’s telescope. She also advised the scouts when they got their turn to use the library loaner telescope.

Members of the NWFAA and our ‘guest observers”.

Olivia speaking to the scouts.

The scouts were treated to a 10-day old Moon as well as Saturn and Jupiter. Several deep sky objects were also on the list as each one cleared the ever-present biophilia center’s trees. The Andromeda Galaxy (M 31) and the Hercules Cluster (M 13) were just two of the additional sights the telescopes were aimed at. Some of the scouts were even able to check off the Neptune block of their observed objects list.

Dennis aligning his scope before the action begins.

Dave looking for the evening’s first target.

We had plenty of support from the club:

• Dave Halupowski
• Tom Haugh
• Marietta & Dennis Hausch
• Olivia Weaver

Our annual trek to Eden Gardens State Park went on under clear skies. It is always a pleasure setting up our telescopes on the grounds of the stately Wesley house. Luckily, we get to wedge ourselves into the park’s heavy schedule of weddings once a year.

Guests start their celestial viewing with Dennis’ scope.

Renee and George setting up their scope and camera.

We had an estimated 40 guest observers in attendance, and they started off with views of Saturn and Jupiter. With Jupiter as bright as it currently is, we were able to bring it into view before the sky got dark and once the scopes were synchronized to Jupiter, Saturn was quickly found. Ultimately, the sky was dark enough for the guests to observe several deep sky objects along with a brief glance at Neptune. In fact, the skies were dark enough to glimpse the Milky Way however, some high wisps of cloud showed up just as the event was winding down.

Anticipation while Scott re-points his scope.

The line grows to view Saturn at Tom’s scope.

The club was well represented:

• Renee & George Gollehon
• Tom Haugh
• Marietta & Dennis Hausch
• Scott Morgan

Once again, we need to thank the rangers of Eden Gardens State Park for the invite and support during the star gaze. We also thank Marietta Hausch for the pictures she took during the event.

We made our annual trek way up north to support Walton Middle School’s Astronomy Day early on Friday, the 13th of May. Hmm, Friday the 13th. So, it was comforting to know that we had no fewer than 4 people tell us “Don’t worry, all the sprinklers had been turned off.”.

This year we had 186 students with additional teachers and administration observers take advantage of safe views of the Sun. Tom started off each group of 8th graders with a presentation on the Sun which was then followed by a question-and-answer session. Afterwards each group headed outside to view white light, H-alpha and spectroscopic views. We spent most of the day under clear skies. However, late in the afternoon, some clouds started to appear and unfortunately, only a few of the last group got to see the Sun before the clouds and the school bell ended the viewing.

Dennis provided the H-alpha view.	Tom set up his spectroscope for a more colorful view of the Sun.
Faculty and staff must take a look as well.	And the clouds start rolling in.

Cub members supporting the event were:

• Tom Haugh
• Dennis & Marietta Hausch

We need to thank Marietta for her photos of the event.

We also want to thank the faculty of Walton Middle School for the invite and the excellent lunch they provided. We will be sure to make the north bound trip again next year.