Hanford Observatory

June, 2005
Photos courtesy of Frank Murray and Columbia Basin College

Tri-Cities' first "El Cielo en Mayo" attracted nearly 350 area residents to Pasco's Columbia Basin College campus (CBC) and the Moore Observatory on May 21. Visitors took turns viewing 10-minute demonstrations of the Observatory telescope and the rotating dome. LIGO supplied descriptions of gravitational wave astronomy, and the Tri-City Astronomy Club (TCAC) provided hands-on time with portable telescopes while an enthusiatic team of volunteers skillfully translated the discussions into Spanish. The only clouds over the evening's program were the thick grey ones in the sky, hiding the heavens and dropping steady rainfall but failing to dampen the interest in astronomy that the community expressed during the four-hour event.

CBC Astronomy Instructor Tony George was busy from start to finish as he demonstrated the Observatory's capabilities to small groups who gathered in the facility's upper deck. He was delighted with the attendance and the level of enthusiasm. "I think the event was an amazing success. Looking through the telescope is only one part of the education and outreach we are trying to achieve with these types of activities. The rain and clouds allowed us to focus on the other parts of astronomy -- how you use the equipment, how you improve your skills with the sky."

LIGO's Gerardo Moreno modeled the behavior of a large gravitational-wave detector using a table-top Michelson interferometer. Visitors observed the relationship between tiny movements of the device's mirrors and the obvious changes that resulted in the interference pattern of the light. Fred Raab provided polarizing lenses, diffraction gratings and mirrors for mini-experiments while Dale Ingram helped younger guests explore waves in coiled springs and in a water bottle, along with the mysterious behavior of rattlebacks. TCAC member Lynn Gibson provided invaluable assistance through his gift for restoring highy tangled Slinky's to service.

TCAC members Thom Ahl and Mark Bryant set up telescopes outside under the tent and provided views of terrestrial objects while Bobbie Rittman discussed telescope operation with guests inside the Observatory, using several portable CBC scopes for illustration. Club member and Ochoa Middle School teacher Jean Scott brought sky software on her laptop, adding another opportunity for learning as visitors patiently waited for a turn to go up to the deck.

The challenge of orchestrating the Observatory tour groups rested with CBC staff members Marisela Mendoza and Frank Murray. "We were very happy with the turnout," said Marisela. "It indicates a strong interest within the community. Of course we would have enjoyed better weather, but I think it is important that we move forward and offer more of these events. In the future we will use a reservation system that will let families call in advance to schedule a time to go up in the dome. Better weather will help us offer more telescopes and activities."

Those who are interested in upcoming astronomy events are always welcome to check the LIGO Hanford, Moore Observatory and TCAC Web sites for dates and times. Watch for announcements of the August 12 Perseid Meteor Shower viewing at LIGO, sponsored by LIGO and TCAC. TCAC will hold the Club's monthly public star gaze at Lynnwood Loop Park in Richland on the evenings of June 10 and July 15.