Thursday, March 13, 2025

Final orbit for the 2nd Avenue Star Watchers

A dispatch from Felton Davis of the Second Avenue Star Watchers... 
There will be a late-night eclipse of the Full Moon on Thursday evening, March 13, starting around midnight and becoming total from 2:30 to 3:30 Friday morning, just above the celestial equator in the constellation Leo. 
This also marks the end of Felton's role as the unofficial official leader of the Second Avenue Star Watchers.

He explained in an email. 
Unfortunately, over the course of 12 years of wrestling with my bulky telescope, I have developed a chronic stiff neck and cannot continue to be the sidewalk astronomer of Second Avenue. 

I have no regrets about this project and the enthusiasm that people brought to it, including the eclipse of the Sun last April, but the repetitive motion of turning my head and reaching over to twist the adjustment knobs took a gradually increasing toll.

If another person wants to continue this project, I would advise them to: a) get a smaller and more manageable telescope b) always work with another person c) dress warmly in cold weather d) try to become aware of potential stress. 

Profound thanks to all who came and shared the challenge and the joy! 
Thank you, Felton, for being on the NE corner of Second Avenue and Third Street during key celestial events.
... and giving everyone a chance to capture the cosmos — and level up their Instagram feeds with stunning celestial shots...
And a few Star Watchers photo sets from:
2024
2022

2 comments:

DuchessofNYC said...

Aw, thanks for your service Felton! Enjoy retirement. I'm just bummed I never got over there to stargaze with you. But I'll be watching.....

Laura Goggin said...

Thank you, Felton! The first time I saw Saturn through the telescope, it blew my mind.