Comments and anecdotes about the event:
The last Francis Park Stargazing event for 2024 was a spectacular success. 160 adults and kids attended for stunning views of the Moon, Saturn, Venus, and the ET Cluster (NGC457). The weather was perfect, with mild temperatures in the 60s and clear, steady skies. There was no humidity nor pesky mosquitos. The public was quite excited to gather here tonight to get their first view of Saturn this year. Titan, Saturn's largest Moon, was clearly visible in the eyepiece as well. Good seeing allowed us to crank up the power near 300x to view Saturn, and the image was rock solid. On the Moon, the Lunar X was also visible tonight as an extra treat. What a great evening for stargazing! We provided the public with a truly unforgettable night. I look forward to hosting these events again in 2025.