Ken Minichiello
There was no better place to have an “out of this world experience” than at the Dinner Under the Stars with Gene Fioretti. The event was sponsored by the PebbleCreek Italian American Club on Friday, Nov. 1. What looked like a converted hot water tank, this huge refractor Dobsonian scope allowed us to see detailed features of the moon, Jupiter, and Saturn.
Imagine seeing the “Sea of Crisis” with the flying eagle at 3 o’clock with the wing making up the wall of Yerkes crater, and the Lick crater just above as can be seen in this photo of the moon.
Further away, 630 million kilometers from earth, we could see Jupiter with its four most viewed moons.
Even at 1.2 billion kilometers from earth, Saturn with its rings could be seen with such clarity. Truly an exciting experience for many attending this event.
How is one able to see with such clarity these marvelous planets and the moon from PebbleCreek? “Thank you” Gene!
Before the actual telescope observations, Gene gave the attendees a presentation of the history and story about Lick and Yerkes who both financed the construction of their own observatories…largest at that time, (19th century) and subsequently the reason for the names of two of the moon craters.
Following Gene’s presentation, a fabulous Italian buffet dinner by Food & Beverage was served. A big “thank you” is also owed to Gene’s wife JoAnn for planning and coordinating this successful event.