It looks as if the amateur astronomers are becoming a regular fixture in the city these days. After the BRO post (a while back) that notified viewers to look out for the urban stargazers…
Driving down Elmwood Avenue last evening, a sublime astronomical experience was the last thing on my mind. The strip was teeming with Cinco de Mayo revelers and jubilant Sabres fans, and I almost missed the small cluster of people and telescopes gathered in front of the Neighborhood Collective, across the street from the Co-op.
It turns out a group of amateur astronomers had set up shop to observe some of the amazing things happening right above us. The first telescope I approached was pointed at a binary star system in Leo. I learned from the telescope’s owner that binary star systems (two stars revolving around a common center of gravity) are common, even though it seemed pretty special to me.
But if that impressed me, the next telescope absolutely blew me away… I saw Saturn, rings and all! When I tore myself away I noticed the group was drawing quite a crowd as passers-by stopped for a glimpse into the heavens. Young and old alike where held spellbound by the sight of something hundreds of millions of miles away from Buffalo right there in the viewfinder.
The astronomers were happy to answer all my questions about stars, planets, and telescopes, but sadly I’ve already forgotten it all… seeing Saturn was that cool!