Today the moon phase is "first quarter" which means you'll see a half
moon in tonight's sky.
That doesn't make sense does it? Shouldn't it be a quarter moon?
Actually the term "first quarter" refers to the fact that the moon is
one-fourth of the way through its 29.5 day orbit around the earth.
In one week the moon will be half-way through its orbit, but we don't
refer to its phase then as "half moon," instead we call it "full moon,"
which it is! (Homework: What then is "third quarter?")
Tonight it should be comfortable and clear in Old Town Pasadena, and
we'll be featuring the first-quarter moon and Jupiter. We try for
Colorado Blvd. somewhere between Fair Oaks and Pasadena Ave., near
Delacey, depending on parking, from 7:30 'til 9:30 or so.
Look for Jupiter to the left of the moon tonight -- it will be the
brightest object in the sky besides the moon, with a steady
cream-colored glow. In the telescope we'll easily see the four giant
moons of Jupiter discovered 400 years ago by Galileo.
Tomorrow night (Saturday) looks to be a carbon copy of tonight. Many of
our astronomers will be set up at the Huntington Library for a special
astronomy program, and will give out views through a great variety of
telescopes.
We'll also have at least a couple at our traditional spot in Monrovia at
the corner of Myrtle & Lime, at Library Park, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
A few of us had a good time under a true dark sky in the Colorado Desert
last weekend. I did a little astrophotography and wrote up a little trip
report: http://mojo.whiteoaks.com/2009/09/21/a-perfect-night-in-the-desert/
First quarter moon brings out lots of telescopes to give out views.
Other LA astronomers and clubs will be setting up all over the place,
including the big monthly first-quarter star party at Griffith Observatory.
I hope you get out and catch some photons!
Best regards,
Mojo
--
Morris Jones
Monrovia, CA
http://mojo.whiteoaks.com
Old Town Astronomers: http://www.otastro.org
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mojo_la
