Directions for Telescope Captain

The Telescope Captain is in charge of assuring the stargazing portion of the event goes well.

General Responsibilities

• Train Telescope Volunteers in how to use the telescopes a day or two before the event night
• Plan and execute the telescope observing
• Pick out the target objects and assign them to the Telescope Volunteers
• Coordinate directly with the Lecture Captain before and during the event
• Help set up all telescopes being used
• Oversee the stargazing event, directing attendees, answering questions, and solving problems
• Close the fields at the end of the event and return telescopes to Erika's office (Cahill 147)
• Answer attendee questions on astronomy, physics and science
• Positively represent the University, the Department, and our profession

Week Prior to the Lecture

• Plan what targets will be observed. Use the observational resources page for ideas. Is there a target that ties into the lecture topic?
• Study Observational Resources and know basic facts about the targets that will be observed: size, distance, age, phenomenon, etc.
• Contact the Telescope Volunteers to set up telescope training, and remind them they signed up.
• Plan telescope training for some evening a day or two prior to the Lecture Night

Telescope Training (1+ day prior to Stargazing)

• The plan for what is going to happen at the stargazing event
• Where the telescopes are stored
• How to move the telescopes to the field
• How the telescopes work
• How to point the telescopes at a desired target using the finder
• How to focus the telescopes
• How to find the right eyepiece for different targets
• What targets you'll all observe at the stargazing event
• What roles each Telescope Volunteer will have: one person on each telescope, extra volunteers answering questions of attendees waiting in line
• How to close up telescopes, turn off finder, put away
• Advanced: How to use Intelliscope on 10" Dob to point at faint objects
• Telescope Volunteers are expected to arrive at lecture start time to move and set up telescopes
• Volunteers should study Observational Resources and know basic facts about the targets they will observe: size, distance, age, phenomenon, etc.

Day Prior to the Lecture (or earlier)

• Look at the weather forecast. Will you be able to observe? Communicate with Lecture Captain.
• Contact the Lecture Captain. Exchange phone numbers so that he/she can text message you can update them with an observing status during the lecture if necessary.
• Make sure you have access to get telescopes from Erika's Office (Cahill 147)

10 Minutes before Lecture

• Get badges, glow necklaces, and tally counter from Lecture Captain before Lecture begins
• Assure that the NE gate to the field is open; if not, call security (x4701 or 626.395.4701) and ask them to open it for outreach event
• Gather Telescope Volunteers and start taking telescopes out to the field
• Bring eyepiece case along with any necessary filters, green laser pointer, barlows, etc.
• Help Telescope Volunteers set up telescopes in the field so that they're pointed at the targets
• Text message the Lecture Captain what the weather conditions are and if you’re going to observe (if uncertain)

30 Minutes after Lecture begins (NOT when the lecture ends)

• Greet people who arrive at the field, answer questions and direct them to the three telescopes. Use tally counter to count how many visitors we get.

Two Hours after Lecture

• Thank the visitors for coming and announce that the event is over.
• You and your volunteers should shutdown the telescopes.
• Assure all Telrads are off, eyepieces put away, lens caps on, etc.
• Help bring all of the telescopes and eyepiece cases back to Erika's Office (Cahill 147)
• Assure no one is left on the field before closing the gate (you cannot lock)
• Give badges and necklaces and tally counter back to Lecture Captain
• Discuss with the Lecture Captain if there were any highlights, problems, suggestion for running more efficiently next time
• Give Lecture Captain tally of how many attendees there were