Reports - 2015
Astronomy Benalla Outreach
Presentation to U3A Euroa 10th April 2015
Jeff Knight and Rupe Cheetham
The newly formed ‘Astronomy’ Group within U3A-Euroa were visited, upon invitation by Robyn Sheehan, the
initiator/lecturer of the new group.
Comprising Robyn and seven very enthusiastic ‘students’, this group began at the commencement of the academic
year with a broad introduction to astronomy, outlining its development through history.
In April, Robyn was planning to focus particularly on the Sun, Earth and Moon, and so invited the assistance of
Astronomy Benalla to present these topics to her students.
Rupe had only recently given a talk on ‘Our Nearest Star’ with Astronomy Benalla, so was quite well prepared to
present this also to Euroa.
Held every month at the Euroa Community Education Centre in Binney Street, Rupe and Jeff travelled down on the
Friday, where they were greeted quite enthusiastically by the U3A members.
Before commencement, the Coronado Solar scope was set up in the sunny courtyard ready for use at the end of the
session. We then quickly made our way inside to begin.
Following formalities Robyn began by asking everyone to jot down three facts they were aware of for each of the
topics to be looked at. This proved very telling to where everyone sat with their general knowledge, and was also an
excellent introduction to the subject at hand. Having shared that collective knowledge on a whiteboard, Rupe was
then offered the floor.
The PowerPoint Rupe presented was very well received. He spoke passionately about the discoveries concerning the
Sun’s physical makeup, and then considered the many and varied phenomena associated with our Sun. All in all, this
occupied the best part of an hour, but all participants continued to express their desire to learn more. To finish, Rupe
wound up the afternoon with an astronomical quiz, and awarded sweet prizes for their efforts.
After their break, which involved a delicious afternoon tea, the group was led outside to witness firsthand the solar
phenomena Rupe had previously described. Prominences were particularly active and easily seen around a
significant portion of the Sun’s disk. The view was totally unobstructed, and the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ as each viewed the
Sun safely through the solar scope was gratifying to hear. We considered that reward enough, but, in appreciation for
our visit, we were both presented with a generous gift for our trouble.
Jeff Knight
initiator/lecturer of the new group.
Comprising Robyn and seven very enthusiastic ‘students’, this group began at the commencement of the academic
year with a broad introduction to astronomy, outlining its development through history.
In April, Robyn was planning to focus particularly on the Sun, Earth and Moon, and so invited the assistance of
Astronomy Benalla to present these topics to her students.
Rupe had only recently given a talk on ‘Our Nearest Star’ with Astronomy Benalla, so was quite well prepared to
present this also to Euroa.
Held every month at the Euroa Community Education Centre in Binney Street, Rupe and Jeff travelled down on the
Friday, where they were greeted quite enthusiastically by the U3A members.
Before commencement, the Coronado Solar scope was set up in the sunny courtyard ready for use at the end of the
session. We then quickly made our way inside to begin.
Following formalities Robyn began by asking everyone to jot down three facts they were aware of for each of the
topics to be looked at. This proved very telling to where everyone sat with their general knowledge, and was also an
excellent introduction to the subject at hand. Having shared that collective knowledge on a whiteboard, Rupe was
then offered the floor.
The PowerPoint Rupe presented was very well received. He spoke passionately about the discoveries concerning the
Sun’s physical makeup, and then considered the many and varied phenomena associated with our Sun. All in all, this
occupied the best part of an hour, but all participants continued to express their desire to learn more. To finish, Rupe
wound up the afternoon with an astronomical quiz, and awarded sweet prizes for their efforts.
After their break, which involved a delicious afternoon tea, the group was led outside to witness firsthand the solar
phenomena Rupe had previously described. Prominences were particularly active and easily seen around a
significant portion of the Sun’s disk. The view was totally unobstructed, and the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ as each viewed the
Sun safely through the solar scope was gratifying to hear. We considered that reward enough, but, in appreciation for
our visit, we were both presented with a generous gift for our trouble.
Jeff Knight
Pictures from the Hubble Site
