The most interesting was miniconference “Occultations of Stars by Asteroids” March,
20. There were people from 4 other cities and towns of the country. The main purpose of it
was to create a net of observers all over the country. We discussed the main problems of the occultations, the level of instruments
and the time measurement. After the conference we conducted the Forth International Sidewalk
Astronomy Meeting. We began it near the Planetarium, where Venus and the Moon were observed with two telescopes. About 40
people were there. Then we went to the riverside of Dnepr, where with the help of two telescopes
there really was a Star Party. About 250 people saw in telescopes the Moon, M42 and Saturn. A local newspaper took an interview
about the event. The Earth Hour. We gathered at 4 p.m. at the Planetarium
and helped to clean the territory from winter garbage. Then we carried out a Sidewalk Astronomy at the riverside. We began
in at 6.30 and finished at 8.30 pm. The Moon and Saturn could be observed in two telescopes. We took part in the program “How
Many Stars”. The street lights were not switched off during the Earth Hour so we measured no difference before and during
the Hour. About 150 people attended the event.
