Yuri’s Night in Edwardsville – Who Needs Dark (or Clear) Skies?

Astronomers are a determined bunch—especially the amateurs. In pursuit of dark, starry skies–and possibly the best view ever of the Whirlpool Galaxy–they drive for miles to escape city lights. They endure cold, hunger, and the occasional wild animal as they try to bag another deep sky object. Fervently hoping and praying that the clouds or dew will hold off for just one more hour, they scan the night sky with telescope, binoculars, and cameras.
Clouds? What clouds?
Fortunately, the scene wasn’t quite so grim or dramatic at the first annual CosmoQuest Yuri’s Night MeetUp at Annie’s Frozen Custard in Edwardsville, Illinois, USA. On the other hand, it wasn’t perfect. The skies had been marvelously clear for three days in a row—virtually guaranteeing cloudy skies the night of the big event. The previous week’s weather had been unusually yet pleasantly warm—perfect for sampling the fine array of frozen custard to be found at Annie’s; but the weather, too, had changed. So, with a chill in the air and very little blue sky to be seen, activity tables and telescopes began to appear in the parking lot. The River Bend Astronomy Club (RBAC)–our own Local Group–provided a supply of NASA’s Night Sky ...