Hi everyone, it's that time again - we'll have telescopes out at the
usual spots in Pasadena and Monrovia this weekend. But step out
tonight at sunset if you can for a gorgeous view of my favorite
planet, Saturn, near the equally gorgeous crescent moon. I hope to
see some of you on the weekend. After June, Saturn will not be
visible from our sidewalk events for quite a while, so get your
viewing in soon. Jane
For Wednesday March 31:
Look up in the western sky tonight after sunset and you'll have a
ring-side view of Saturn near the crescent moon. No telescope
required.This article shows a nice chart for tonight, but it is also
useful for the weekend viewing too, scroll down to the charts.
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/30may_starsandplanets.htm?list55774
For the weekend:
This weekend, look up and view planets and the moon from your
backyard without a telescope. Mars and Saturn draw closer to each
other each night. These two planets are to the lower right of the
moon Friday the 2nd. Meanwhile near the horizon, try to spot Mercury
low in the west-northwest 5 degrees above the horizon after sunset.
If you don't see it, don't worry, it will be a little higher in June.
Meanwhile, Jupiter reigns all alone over the southern sky - you can't
miss it - it's the brightest "star" in the sky. Use this star chart
[link
http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance/article_110_1.asp ]
for guidance.
For telescope viewing this weekend, dust off that 'scope in the
closet for a tour of the solar system, or join one of these groups
for some moon and planet viewing.
Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers http://www.otastro.org/
Friday, June 2, 7:30 p.m. 'til 10:00 p.m., Colorado near Delacey -
Pasadena Ave., Old Town Pasadena
Saturday, June 3, 7:30 p.m. 'til 9:30 p.m., Myrtle & Lime,Old Town Monrovia
Griffith Park Observatory Satellite (telescopes courtesy of Los
Angeles Amateur Astronomers and LA Sidewalk Astronomers)
http://www.griffithobs.org/Special.html
Satuday June 3 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Mount Wilson Observatory Association lists events all over Southern
California, scroll down for "Star Parties and Telescopes" for more
viewing events: http://www.mwoa.org/events.htm
--
Jane Houston Jones
Senior Outreach Specialist, Cassini Program
JPL - 4800 Oak Grove Drive, MS 230-205
Pasadena, CA 91109 818-393-6435
jane.h.jones(a)jpl.nasa.gov
Cassini Saturn Observation Campaign
http://soc.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm
Jane and I are planning another trek to our favorite isolated desert
location for a night of deep sky observing this weekend, and you're
welcome to join us.
Our favorite spot is a bit of a trek -- 150 miles from our home in
Monrovia -- but the desert landscape is beautiful and the skies are nice
and dark. You can see pictures of the location here:
<http://www.otastro.org/2006-04-01-messier/>
If you've marveled at the night sky from a truly dark location, here's
your chance to visit with a knowledgeable tour guide. You can bring
your own telescope, borrow one of ours, or just "mooch photons." We'll
have charts and things to borrow as well.
If the weather looks good, Jane and I will depart Monrovia about 3:00
p.m. on Saturday to arrive well before sunset. You're welcome to join
us any time in the evening, and stay as long as you like. If you're
interested in some help with your own telescope, and want to join us,
it's best to try to arrive about 7:00 p.m. Telescope orientation is
best done before it starts getting dark.
May is probably my favorite month for deep sky observing. The giant
Virgo galaxy cluster is high in the sky, along with all the great Ursa
Major galaxies. After a short nap, the rich summer Milky Way is
available to wander in the quiet morning air.
If you'd like to join us, please send me a note and a way to get in
touch with you in case the weather turns sour. I'll send along
directions. Our spot is on BLM land, just two miles off I-10. Plenty
of room to camp, but no water or toilets.
Best regards,
Mojo
--
Morris Jones
Monrovia, CA
http://www.whiteoaks.com
Old Town Astronomers http://www.otastro.org
May 20 and 21 are the dates of JPL's annual Open House - a fun and
educational weekend for kids of all ages. Our JPL website has a
sneak preview of what you can expect to see and do this weekend.
here's that link http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/
If you do decide to come, be prepared to walk a lot and expect large
crowds - we counted 20,000 people per day last year. Early mornings
are less crowded. As you enter the main entrance, the first thing
you'll see is the Cassini Huygens display and behind it, a half scale
model of the spacecraft. That's where I'll be most of both days.
Surrounding the spacecraft will be a bunch of half scale Cassini
mission folks (including me) to demonstrate the i size of the
spacecraft, Full sized counterparts will be on hand to take you on a
spacecraft tour. :-)
The Mars Exploration exhibits are the most popular (and therefore
most crowded) venue, so you might want to do that first, if you get
there in the morning. But even if there are long lines, there is
interesting material to see and read along the way. There will be
several movies, including the story of the Cassini Mission to see
when you want to get out of the sun for a while. There will be Solar
Telescopes for safe solar viewing, weather permitting.
There will be an education office and an employment office where you
can get a lot of information and even apply for a job! Many of the
coolest buildings, such as the Spacecraft Assembly Facility ,
Spacecraft Fabrication Facility, and the building where I work, the
Space Flight Operations Facility will be open. Kids love to become
"Martian roadkill", after our Mars rovers roll over them - that's in
the Mars area. Don't worry, it's a mini rover, and the kids recover
immediately. :-)
Wear comfortable walking shoes, and you may want to check on the
weather (there looks like a chance of rain according to the forecast
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?wfo=lox&zone=caz047&fire=c….
I was about to suggest sunscreen, water and hats , but with this
forecast, just dress accordingly. There are lots of indoor events and
large tented areas, in case of rain. No backpacks or coolers are
allowed, but lots of fun, plenty of handouts and activities are
encouraged. food, drink , NASA and JPL items are available for sale
too.
Hope to see you this weekend. As a telescope reminder, we'll be at
our usual Pasadena/Monrovia sidewalk astronomy locations on June 2
and 3, have a special stargazing campout night at a Monrovia
elementary school on the 9th. And on May 27th - that's the Memorial
Day weekend, we are tentatively planning another dark sky adventure
to the desert, depending on interest, weather and our schedules.
Jane
--
Jane Houston Jones
Senior Outreach Specialist, Cassini Program
JPL - 4800 Oak Grove Drive, MS 230-205
Pasadena, CA 91109 818-393-6435
jane.h.jones(a)jpl.nasa.gov
Cassini Saturn Observation Campaign
http://soc.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm
Most of LA county is in the clear, but there seems to be a cloud island
covering the eastern half of the San Gabriel Valley today. It doesn't
look good for sidewalk astronomy in Monrovia this evening.
Jane and I will visit the corner to take a look, and likely hang around
Monrovia for some dinner.
Best regards,
Mojo
--
Morris Jones
Monrovia, CA
http://www.whiteoaks.com
Old Town Astronomers: http://www.otastro.org
It's Jupiter opposition this week, which means Jupiter joins Saturn as
part of our evening sky. At opposition, Jupiter rises at about sunset,
which is about 7:30 tonight. An hour later, it should be high enough to
view. Before then we'll have a nice first-quarter Moon, and Saturn as
soon as it's dark enough to find it (probably about 7:50 p.m.).
The only unknown right now is the weather. The forecast is for typical
"May Gray" marine-layer fog. It might close in before Jupiter is
available for viewing.
In any case, Jane and I will be in Old Town Pasadena this evening
(Friday) from about 7:30 'til 10 p.m., or until the low clouds and fog
wipe out the sky. We'll be on Colorado Blvd., somewhere on the two
blocks between Fair Oaks and Pasadena Avenues.
Saturday evening we plan a repeat performance in Monrovia at Myrtle and
Lime, from about 7:00 'til 9:30 p.m.
Hope to see you!
Best regards,
Mojo
--
Morris Jones
Monrovia, CA
http://www.whiteoaks.com
Old Town Astronomers http://www.otastro.org
