The 9th Kunming Road Astronomy Night
April is the International Astronomy Month. Every year, the Yunnan Astronomy Enthusiasts Association and other organizations hold the "Astronomy Nights on the Road." This year marks the ninth edition of this event. The theme is "Our Neighbors and Uninvited Guests," focusing on lunar and comet-related knowledge.
At around 6 p.m., we arrived at our destination in Yulong with a group of seven people. As we set up the banner and started assembling the telescope, most members had already gathered in the northwest corner of Cuihu Lake. Initially, everyone aimed their telescopes toward the sky. Soon, more people joined, creating a growing crowd. Some locals had been waiting for a while and were already enjoying daytime moon viewing.
This was the first time Yulong participated in the road astronomy night. The team introduced their products, such as astronomical filters, to the public while explaining their use. The moon, against the blue sky, had a low contrast, but the craters near the light-dark boundary were clearly visible and impressive. The visual effect was great. Some citizens tried to capture the moon using their phones or iPads. To get a better view, Teacher Yang Xiaohu suggested attaching the camera directly to the telescope's adapter ring. Surprisingly, the result was excellent—the moon’s surface appeared sharp on the screen. Afterward, many visitors removed their lenses and waited to take photos of the moon.
As Jupiter rose, everyone turned their attention to it. Through the telescope, participants could see four of its moons—three below and one above. Though small, this discovery amazed many. When Jupiter passed, Saturn slowly appeared. We adjusted our focus to Saturn. Although the magnification wasn't high, the rings were clearly visible, resembling a khaki hat. While adjusting equipment, we also explained the details to the public, keeping the atmosphere lively yet organized.
Among the attendees, the student group participating in the Olympic finals later this month stood out. They set up a new telescope (90EQ) and guided the public in finding celestial targets. The youngest member of the association, Deng Yun, didn’t start by observing the moon. Instead, he pointed out the Big Dipper and shared the story of "Kaiyang"—a traditional method used by ancient armies to test soldiers’ vision. He also explained the names of the other six stars in the Big Dipper, giving a mini astronomy lecture.
Other members of the association were busy explaining astronomy to the public. Lao Guo’s 10-inch Dobson telescope was always in use, whether for the moon or Jupiter. Uncle Guo’s RC8, Wang Da Ge’s equipment, and Brother Feng’s C8 were all actively used. Shi Teacher brought students together, making the scene even more lively. One member even used a water cup as a counterweight when his equipment lacked sufficient balance. The adapter ring he brought was available for public use. President Su led the event, while Deming and Tiger helped everywhere. Zhang Jie managed member registration, and others distributed flyers to attract more people.
Two photographers captured the entire event with photos, preserving the memorable moments.
At around 10:30 p.m., President Su gathered everyone, and the group took a photo together. The 9th Kunming Road Astronomy Night came to an end.
Thanks to the Yunnan Astronomy Enthusiasts Association and all the participants. Science is alive and inspiring!
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