The Crossroads Astronomy Club held its Annual Seadrift Stargaze Party on Saturday, August 23, 2014. In attendance were Kelly Hawes, David Blomberg, David Pozzi, James Arkadie, Kip and Joyce Norcross, Joey and Laurie Beaver, Wes and Ziomara Hunt, Members arrived by car or truck, except Kelly Hawes who pedaled to the party on his grown-up tricycle.

Everyone enjoyed a delicious meal of grilled bratwursts with sauerkraut, pinto beans, potato salad, and oatmeal cookies. After dinner, Joey Beaver showed his latest framed collection of arrowheads and dart tips which he found beachcombing the bay around Seadrift.
As the sky began to darken, Kelly Hawes set up his 10-inch telescope, David Blomberg set up his 12-inch telescope with a tracking device that allows for Earth’s rotation, and James Arkadie set up his binoculars on a stand.

Once the sky was dark and the clouds dispersed, members were able to view objects in the night sky including Saturn, Mars, the constellation Scorpio, the constellation Sagittarius, a globular cluster, and a man-made satellite as it orbited Earth.

Anyone interested in learning more about astronomy is encouraged to contact: The Crossroads Astronomy Club, Secretary Peggy Yandell at kpyan@suddenlink.net . The club meets the third Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in Room 223 at UHV West.