The 9th Kunming Road Astronomy Night
April is recognized as International Astronomy Month. Every year, the Yunnan Astronomy Enthusiasts Association, along with other organizations, hosts the "Astronomy Night on the Road." This year marks the ninth edition of the event, with the theme "Our Neighbors and Uninvited Guests," focusing on lunar and comet-related knowledge.
At around 6 PM, we arrived at our destination in Yulong with a group of seven people. As we set up the banner and began to assemble the telescope, most members of the association had already gathered in the northwest corner of Cuihu Lake. At first, everyone aimed their telescopes toward the sky, and soon the crowd grew denser. Many people had been waiting for a long time, eager to catch a glimpse of the moon during the day.
This was the first time Yulong participated in the road astronomy night. The team explained the purpose of the event while showcasing the astronomical filters they had developed, helping the public understand both the filters and the brand. The moon, though subtle against the blue sky, revealed its craters near the light-dark boundary with striking clarity. The visual experience was impressive. 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. The result was surprisingly good—clear images of the moon’s surface appeared on the camera.
Afterward, many visitors removed the lenses from their own Canon cameras and waited for their turn to photograph the moon. As Jupiter rose, everyone turned their attention to it, noticing its brightness. Through the telescope, participants could see four of Jupiter’s moons—one above, three below. Though small, this discovery amazed many, as not everyone knows that Jupiter has such satellites.
As Jupiter passed, Saturn slowly emerged, and we adjusted our focus to it. Although the magnification wasn’t sufficient, the rings of Saturn were still clearly visible, resembling a khaki hat. While explaining the equipment to the public, we also fine-tuned the setup, creating a lively yet organized atmosphere.
Among the attendees, the student team participating in the Olympic Games finals later in the month stood out. They set up a new telescope (90EQ) and guided the public in observing celestial objects. The youngest member of the association, Deng Yun, didn’t start by looking at the moon. Instead, he pointed out the Big Dipper and shared the legend of "Kaiyang"—a historical method used by ancient armies to test soldiers’ eyesight. He also explained the positions of the other six stars in the Big Dipper, presenting himself like an expert.
Other association members were actively engaging with the public, sharing knowledge about astronomy. Lao Guo’s modified 10-inch Dobson telescope was always in use, whether observing the moon or Jupiter. Uncle Guo’s RC8 and Wang Da Ge’s equipment were also in action. Shi Teacher brought students together, making the event even more dynamic.
The wind brother had an issue with his counterweight and even used a water cup as a makeshift weight. His adapter ring was also available for public use. President Su was the main organizer, while Deming and Tiger helped wherever needed. Zhang Jie was busy registering members, and others distributed flyers to attract more participants.
Two photographers captured the entire event, documenting the highlights with photos. Around 10:30 PM, President Su gathered everyone, and the photographers from Beihe took a group photo. The 9th Kunming Road Astronomy Night came to a close.
Thanks to the Yunnan Astronomy Enthusiasts Association and all the participants. Science is alive and happening!
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