Hi everyone!
Step outside tonight to see the full moon rise in the East after
sunset. Sunset is at about 8:00 p.m. and moon rise is at about 8:30
p.m. so depending on your horizons it may take you a little while to
see the moon rise after 8:30 at your location. Often when you
observe the full moon rising, it "looks" bigger than it really is.
It's an optical illusion that is easy to test and interesting to see.
"The full Moon of June 18th is a "solstice moon", coming only two
days before the beginning of northern summer. This is significant
because the sun and full Moon are like kids on a see-saw; when one is
high, the other is low.
This week's high solstice sun gives us a low, horizon-hugging Moon
and a strong Moon Illusion.
Sky watchers have known for thousands of years that low-hanging moons
look unnaturally big. At first, astronomers thought the atmosphere
must be magnifying the Moon near the horizon, but cameras showed that
is not the case. Moons on film are the same size regardless of
elevation: example. Apparently, only human beings see giant moons.
A fun activity: Look at the Moon directly and then through a narrow
opening of some kind. For example, 'pinch' the moon between your
thumb and forefinger or view it through a cardboard tube, which hides
the foreground terrain. Can you make the optical illusion vanish?"
The above excerpted from the excellent Science@NASA's feature all
about the moon illusion:
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/16jun_moonillusion.htm
Here is another good article about the moon illusion.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25212851/
Both of these articles have some excellent graphics for you teachers
(and students) out there. And there is a full moon every month for
you to practice this activity with your friends and family.
Since you're out looking at the moon, swing your head around to the
West for a look at Mars and Saturn. You'll see they are appearing
closer and closer to each other. On July 10 they'll fit in the same
binocular view.
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 SOC http://soc.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm
What's Up? http://education.jpl.nasa.gov/amateurastronomy/index.html
We had a great night in Old Town Pasadena last night, with about 260
visitors getting great views of the moon and Saturn.
One thing we realized is that 7:00 is a little too early this time of
year, with the sun not setting before about 8:00.
So a more realistic start time for us is really 7:30. To see Saturn,
you'll need to wait 'til about 8:30.
Clear skies!
Mojo
--
Morris Jones
Monrovia, CA
http://www.whiteoaks.com
Old Town Astronomers: http://www.otastro.org
It looks like a perfect weekend for Sidewalk Astronomy. We should have
a lovely gibbous moon and views of Saturn.
Tonight (Friday) in Old Town Pasadena, 7:00 'til 10:00. Come after
about 8:30 to see Saturn. We'll be on the north side of Colorado Blvd.
near DeLacey, somewhere between Fair Oaks and Pasadena Ave.
Saturday night in Monrovia at the corner of Myrtle and Lime, in Library
Park, 7:00 'til 10:00.
And this new page on the Old Town Astronomers site introduces you to the
fine people who join us on the sidewalk to show you the moon and
planets: http://www.otastro.org/astronomers/
Best regards,
Mojo
--
Morris Jones
http://www.whiteoaks.com
Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers http://www.otastro.orghttp://twitter.com/mojo_la
There is an excellent pass of the International Space Station tonight
visible from the Los Angeles area.
The station will first be visible low in the northwest (to the right of
where the sun set) at about 8:44 p.m. By 8:46 it will reach its maximum
visible altitude of 58 degrees, and will fly past Mars, Saturn, and the
first quarter moon, in that order. By 8:50 it will disappear in the
southeast entering earth's shadow.
The station is so bright now with its added modules and solar arrays, it
will be the brightest thing in the sky besides the moon. Space shuttle
Discovery is currently docked to the station, and it's fun to keep in
mind that there are ten astronauts on that bright moving star as it
passes overhead.
For predictions based on your own location, visit
http://www.heavens-above.com
The station has no lighting of its own. The brightness is sunlight
reflected off the station. If you're following an object with red or
blinking lights, that's not the space station.
Cheers,
Mojo
--
Morris Jones
http://www.whiteoaks.com
Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers http://www.otastro.orghttp://twitter.com/mojo_la
This weekend the moon glides past several planetary way points,
including Saturn. All you'll need to enjoy this show is a clear
evening sky . On Friday, June 6th - that's tonight - the slender
crescent is below Mars and might be difficult to see, but give it a
try. You'll be looking low in the western sky after sunset. On
Saturday June 7th you'll spot the crescent moon just a little below
Mars. On the 8th, take another look! The moon is now closer to
Saturn, forming a little triangle with Leo' bright star, Regulus!
And on the 9th, the much larger crescent will be higher still above
Saturn, tracing an imaginary line along the ecliptic plane.
There's a different bright planet coming into view a little later in
the evening, too. Jupiter! You'll have to wait until about 11 p.m.
or later to see Jupiter. Look low in the east for a view of the king
of the planets.
Over the next few weeks Mars and Saturn draw closer together. On
July 10 and 11 both planets will be visible in the same telescope
field-of view.
Next week - June 13 and 14 will be our sidewalk astronomy nights.
See you then! Jane and Mojo
--
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 SOC http://soc.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm
What's Up? http://education.jpl.nasa.gov/amateurastronomy/index.html
