Just who is Professor Cosmo Q. Redshift

As a member of the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club in Massachusetts, I took a special liking to Club offered "Star Parties." My background as an educator has given me a fair understanding of just how to motivate young learners to take an interest in learning. In a manner of speaking, I opted for the "fun" approach to catch their interest. "Star parties" are offered to groups, schools, etc. as part of our club charter. So, the Professor Cosmo Q. Redshift persona was developed while preparing for a large "star party" audience made up of 4th graders. The "Professor" hails from "The Starry Night University." His name, Cosmo originated from the word Cosmos. "Q." was offered by a fellow club member. You may know "Q." as a character on an '80's Sci-fi serial. Finally, "Redshift" is from the color shift astronomers use to measure star travel away or toward the Earth. The Professor had to have "refined" maturity, hence the white hair. His dark glasses help preserve his eyes for "night vision," and a red light hung around his neck is a must for any night time observer. Finally, all scientists must have a "signature" shop coat adorned with stitched on "glow in the dark" galactic objects!
Walking out to a group of children as Professor Cosmo Q. Redshift is a truly rewarding and fun filled evening for me. I'd like to think the "Professor" has sparked an interest in amateur astronomy for many of the "kids" (young and old) he has invited to an evening of "star gazing!"

Missed it again!

Darn! I missed my chance at catching a glimpse of the latest sunspot, 1019. Weather, clouds and even some laziness cost me the chance to take a look at one of the few sunspots that have formed on our "quiet" sun for over a year.
Every Amateur Astronomer learns very quickly that this hobby teaches "patience." The other thing I just learned is, celestial events don't wait for anybody!
Keep looking up!

There's activity on the sun's surface!

Finally, check out http://spaceweather.com/, sunspot #1019 is moving across the sun's surface in the sun's northern hemisphere. Time for the solar filter! I should remind everyone that you should NEVER look at the sun without a proper solar filter. There are two types of solar filters that are most popular with astronomers; a white light solar filter and a hydrogen-Alpha filter. If you'd like to see the sun through a properly filtered telescope simply search the local Amateur Astronomy Clubs in you local area. The Clubs offer public and solar observing "Star Parties" when sky conditions are good. If you're interested in a celestial telescope, I'd recommend visiting with your local club to research the type and size of instrument you might like to own.Now, let's see, it's been so long since I last set up my telescope, what do I do first??