BAS Observer November 2017

6 BAS OBSERVER Marvellous Maleny by Peter Allison B AS members on the Sunshine Coast have taken their public observing night to the next level – an astronomical new level! Members John Waugh and Doug Edwards purchased a set of ten outdoor chairs that provide the group with an outdoor planetarium with real stars above. The chairs provide the perfect venue for members of the public to enjoy one of Ken Wishaw’s wonderful laser sky tours in perfect neck-saving comfort. Thank you, John, Doug and Ken, for creating this fantastic public outreach initiative. Facebook comments by members of the public who have partaken in an outdoor planetarium show have gushed with thanks and enthusiasm for the initiative. Now we just need to keep the clouds away! For those who enjoyed the outdoor planetarium sky tour, their next big treat was a chance to look through Peter Robbins’ 30-inch monster telescope. Wow! Enough to make your brain spin while trying to balance on the top of a rather tall ladder. So . . . another big thank-you to Peter for going to such an effort to show the public some of the wonders of our southern sky. You might need some more chairs for October once word of this gets around! Well done the Sunshine Coast BAS team.  ■