“What telescope should I buy?”
“How can I learn my way around the night sky?”
“What can I see with my telescope?”
Outreach is all about connecting with the public. The Astronomical League has developed a series of downloadable outreach materials that do just that. They help answer questions commonly posed by the public and help spark curiosity about our fascinating hobby. These materials can be displayed at club activities and astronomy events such as Astronomy Day, school sessions, star parties and amateur conventions, and club meetings.
Simply download the pdf files on a CD and take it to a local printing shop (e.g., Kinkos). Many shops will print the materials in black and white on 20 lb paper for as low as $0.75 per square foot. Color printing will likely cost substantially more, which is why most layouts are designed in black and white. At some shops, the maximum paper width is 36 inches with no restriction on length. Indeed, banner posters many feet long can be printed. If your home printer allows banners, they can be printed on banner or “doodle” paper found in craft stores (e.g., Michael’s).
The aspect ratio (width to height) is given in the description of each poster. Therefore, the printed size can be any proportion of that ratio with no unintentional cropping as long as the maximum width doesn’t exceed 36 inches. For instance, a poster with a 2:3 aspect ratio that is originally designed to be 20 inches by 30 inches can also be enlarged to 24 inches by 36 inches.
