LVAS conducted its 2010 Astronomy Day on April 17th instead of April 24th with the rest of the nation.  We had already scheduled our Astronomy Day for the 17th based on there being a Crescent Moon instead of a near Full Moon on the 24th.

John and young Visitor at Solar Scope

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We had a record public participation both during the daytime solar viewing and the evening viewing. Although we didn't try to take an accurate count, we estimate at least 400 people came to view the Sun, talk with our LVAS members, and take away some handouts from NASA, Harvard University, and other sources. We had a constant flow of people through our setup area between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Ranger Kate estimated we had between 535 and 600 people to attend the evening program. There were at least 125 people that attended the evening presentation on "Saturn - Lord of the Rings". There were so many folks that without a microphone quite a few couldn't hear me and went back out to the scope area to talk with our members. About 20 people stayed to ask questions until Ranger Kate came and said, "Rob, I need you outside.  We have over 500 people wait to observe." When I got outside, there were people everywhere.  Our scopes were spread across the front of the Visitors Center walkway and there was wall to wall people everywhere.  With 13 scopes, we had people patiently waiting to see whatever the object of interest was at each scope.  At one time, I had over 75 people standing around my monitors viewing the Moon, M42, M81, M82, and M51.  Even though we fought hazy skies all night, the people were especially thrilled at what they got to see.

Part of the great turnout had to be attributed to the articles about our March Red Rock Star Party in the various Community View newspapers that came out on Tuesday.  Jan Hogan, the Las Vegas Review Journal Correspondent that wrote the article, was thrilled to learn that the article had that significant an impact on the crowd. It was a great day and an even greater evening. 

Thanks to the following LVAS members that supported the Solar viewing and manned the information table during the day:

Morning Crew: Brett Platko, Paul Kelm, Dave Redding, John Heller, and Bob Boyle

Afternoon Crew: Jeanne Howerton, Ron Helbling, Shawn Mann, Paul Kelm, and Harold Nations (Sorry I didn't get a photo of the afternoon crew.) 

And thanks to everyone that came and supported the evening viewing.  I didn't get a chance to get around to see the everyone that provided support in the evening, especially on the north east end of the Visitors Center.  I know that Laura Kelm and Rob and Renee Howard were there.  I'm sorry I missed the others that were on the other side of the entrance from where I was.  Please know that I appreciate your support.  Without your help, the crowd would have been unmanageable.  If you were there, please drop me a line and let me acknowledge your support.  If anyone took photos that we could post here, please send me a copy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Thanks again.

Rob Lambert

President