24th August 2019
Next day, we travelled to Jamestown to conduct public outreach astronomy in Memorial Park Jamestown. Padraic Koen conducted day time solar astronomy through his Lunt 60mm H-Alpha telescope and amazed the public with the views of solar prominences streaming on the tablet screen. Seeing was a bit disappointing with nearly 50% cloud cover, which worsened to 100% cover in the evening and no viewing could be started. Trevor of Jamestown Lions Club and another local fellow kept people busy and warm with their donut and bbq trailers at the event. Public's enthusiasm was very encouraging as many people stayed around despite full cloud cover and drizzle, until 8:40pm when sky cleared up. We were able to point the telescope towards Jupiter and people were treated with good view of Jupiter and its Great Red Spot.
Nearly 100 people attended the day time solar astronomy session and nearly 40 people who were still there by the time sky cleared up enjoyed the night time viewing. We are thankful to James of Jamestown Council and Trevor and the other mate with their food trailers for facilitating the activity and the public for their immense interest in the activity. We will definitely visit Jamestown again for astronomy outreach activities in future.
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