WaterFire Arts Center: August 2022
by Francine Jackson
Thursday, August 18th, Curtis, Fred, Jim Hendrickson and Francine finally were able to return to the WaterFire Arts Center for its Troop Top Thursday celebration. It was our first clear Thursday since May.
As we began at 7:30, before dark, we first aimed our telescopes at the neighboring trees, the Independent Man, and a nearby tower; however, soon, Saturn came from behind the next-door building, and we all moved to it.
In addition to our observing, the Center’s rooftop had a bar, so there were a fair number of persons up there, many curious as to what we were doing. When we showed them Saturn, however, all who saw it were amazed. Many talked about a far off Astronomy class they had taken in college, others talked about how fascinated they had always been with “Astrology,” and still others admitted they had a telescope in their attics that had been there for years. To all, we invited them to both Seagrave and Ladd (when it will open), and several stated they may try to come to Scituate on a nice Saturday evening.
Although the ISS wasn’t available, the Chinese space station, Tiangong, made a beautiful several-minute trek across the sky. At close to -1 magnitude, it was seen and marveled by all.
This was supposed to have been the last of the Center’s Thursday nights, but there does seem to be talk of possibly having another 3rd Thursday in September. All four of us heartily agreed we would come, if the sky cooperated.
