The next Sun Fun and Star Walk at Copper Breaks State Park south of Quanah, Texas is June 1st.

Last month we were successful in initiating the Sun Fun, which  consists of solar observing near the Park Headquarters from 1 to 3 PM  the same day as the Star Walk. We are using both Baader white light  filters and Coronado hydrogen alpha filters and in the latter case  enjoyed seeing some dramatic prominences.

The evening Star Walk has relocated to the northern side of the Park to the Big Pond Campground. This proved to be a much darker site and combined with the new GlareBuster light fixtures within the  Park has greatly enhanced already good dark skies.

The format remains the same. The public is treated to an introductory program of the night sky, making use of a green laser pointer, and then the public disperses to the various telescopes run primarily by member of the Dallas and Fort Worth astronomy clubs. As always, the success of the program for the public benefits greatly by participation of Metroplex members. When the public departs generally after two to three hours the instruments are now for the use of members for the rest of the night as desired.

The following instruments are expected to be among those available. Obsession Dobsonians ranging from 15" to 25" at this time. Three of these nine instruments currently make use of Equatorial Platforms.

There are two refractors: Televue 101 and 102. there are several  Orion 10" Dobs. There are now two giant Fujinon 25 X 150 binoculars each with its own parallelogram mount.

Newly arrived is a StarChair from Australia. Sitting with binoculars supported on a mount in front of the observer's face, movement is via a joystick and power by a 12 volt marine battery.  This chair allows the observer to lie on his or her back when observing the zenith. It is now up and running and will be put into public use at the June 1st Star Walk.

Individuals interested in participating should contact Richard Brown at RABrow@aol.com regarding instrument selection and assignment. Copper Breaks State Park should be contacted separately and the individual identified as a Starguide in order to receive two free nights of camping within the Park. And to enjoy as well the hospitality of a Saturday night dinner at the home of the Park Superintendent. For the Starguides especially, we seek to make the occasion a social event as well as one devoted to astronomy. We welcome and encourage member participation in this growing event.  Either he or I will be glad to answer any questions. The Park can by reached at (940) 839-4331 or at cbsp@srcaccess.net .