Star gazing with the Obamas on the White House lawn
Barack and Michelle Obama, with Sasha and Malia, host a star-gazing party at the White House with student astronomers and celebrity astronauts.
On a cool and nearly cloudless Wednesday evening, some 150 middle school students gathered for what is believed to be the first star gazing event ever held at the White House.
The floodlights that normally bathe the South Lawn had been turned off.聽So most of the illumination came from two TV light towers that focused on the Diplomatic Entrance to the White House, which is located under the Truman Balcony.聽The Washington Memorial shimmered in the distance.
Behind the crowd and to the right on the lawn were two large white inflatable domes, each marked with a large NASA insignia.聽The first dome had a sign out front that said 鈥渟nacks.鈥� Spread around the lawn in the dark were 20 telescopes, aimed skyward.
Astronauts as appetizers
The crowd broke into applause at 8:03 p.m. as Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon and Sally Ride, the first female astronaut, emerged from the White House.聽They stood with the assembled teachers and students waiting eagerly for Barack and Michelle Obama.
There was loud cheering at 8:07 p.m. as a casually dressed first couple emerged from the White House.聽The President was wearing a black windbreaker and grey sweater.聽Mrs. Obama was in a blue top and tan pants.
鈥淲elcome to all the students and teachers and amateur astronomers,鈥� Mr. Obama said.聽 In addition to those in the Fall sky, he said there were 鈥渁 few other stars out tonight.鈥澛燭hen he introduced White House Science Advisor John Holdren, Buzz Aldrin, Sally Ride, and Mae Jemison, the first African American astronaut.
Two 15 year old students stood at the podium with the president.聽Both had discovered rare cosmic events.聽One had discovered a supernova when she was 14, the other found a pulsar when he was a high school sophomore.
Lots of mysteries left
鈥淚f they can discover something great, so can any of you other students here tonight.聽All you need is a passion for science,鈥� Mr. Obama said. "There are a lot of mysteries left and a lot of problems for you students to solve,鈥� he added.聽鈥淭hat is why we are working to reinvigorate math and science in schools.鈥�
Noting that earlier in the day he had presented the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, Obama said, "Here is my question, which one of you are going to come back here to claim your prize?鈥澛燬everal students in the crowd raised their hands.聽鈥淲hat will your great discovery be?鈥� he continued.
After speaking for eight minutes, Obama moved to the eight inch telescope which had been set up next to the podium as Science Advisor Holdren instructed him in its use.聽The President crouched to get a better view.聽Holdren said the instrument was focused on twin stars called the "double-double" in the constellation Lyra, some 160 light years away.
Waiting for Sasha and Malia
The Obamas then stood for several minutes chatting with Holdren and White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers.聽Soon it became clear what was causing the delay.聽The President walked into the residence and emerged with daughters Sasha and Malia.聽Sasha was in a plaid top and red pants and sneakers, Malia in sweater, black vest and jeans.聽As soon as the girls arrived, Obama walked with Sasha and the first lady walked with Malia through the crowd of students to the first inflatable dome.
And with that, the TV lights were turned off, making it even darker on the South Lawn as reporters were escorted out and the middle schoolers began their White House astronomical adventure.
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