In 2025, we welcomed Astronomer for Hire, Chuck Schlemm, to our gathering in the woods to show us a glimpse into the stars. We plan to make this an permanent addition to our programming. Please plan to join us in the big field next to the main lodge before dinner on Saturday night to peek at the cosmos.
Chuck’s review from his visit in 2025 is below the photo:
Outside Con 9/6/25 at Montgomery Bell Park
I, Chuck Schlemm, ASTRONOMER FOR HIRE, had an enjoyable evening sharing views of the night sky with guests at Outside Con on Saturday 9/6/25 at Montgomery Bell State Park Group Camp 1.
30-40 of their 100 campers came out to see telescopic views of some celestial wonders. I used an 8” Dobsonian reflector to present the starry sky.
We started with the 99% full Moon. I described to viewers a variety of features they could see including the Ocean of Storms, the bright Censorinus Crater in the Sea of Tranquility near the Apollo 11 landing sight, and the south polar region where Artemis 3 astronauts plan to land in a few years. We also looked at the Sea of Crises, 50 mile wide Tycho Crater and its ejecta rays, and mountain tops on the western limb of the Moon.
Although there was a heavy mist in the air reducing our views, guests were able to see many targets: Saturn with its edge on rings slicing through the globe & its moon Titan; Vega and the quadruple star system Double Double in Lyra; the blue and yellow binary stars of Alberio, the head of Cygnus the Swan and the bottom of the Northern Cross; the Big Dipper handle’s middle stars of Mizar A&B and Alcor; and red stars of Arcturus and Antares, the heart of Scorpius.
We also saw 6-7 satellites traveling at ~17,500 mph including the Chinese Tiangong space station with 3 astronauts in orbit.
I pointed out several constellations and I heard excited callouts for 2 meteors, “shooting stars”.
Thanks to all who came. We had a good time. I received many thanks for showing all the stars.
I want to thank Bryanna Michael for inviting me to Outside Con 2025 and for booking me to come back next year.
I look forward to coming back next year.
Chuck Schlemm
ASTRONOMER FOR HIRE
625-969-4523
Cschlemm@comcast.net