Saturday, September 14 is “International Observe The Moon Night“.
Imagine astronomy enthusiasts worldwide all looking up tonight. You can
look up at home and be part of the party, too! The founding San
Francisco Sidewalk Astronomers, and really, all astronomy clubs, have
had a habit going back to the 1960's and probably earlier of holding a
public first quarter moon viewing event for the public in cities around
the country and around the world. The moon is the best public astronomy
target, no dark sky needed.
Weather permitting, a few astronomers are planning to be at our usual
corner of Myrtle and Lime Streets in Monrovia tonight. Mojo and I will
be there. I have some Moon Lithos from JPL to pass out. This is our 20th
year of Old Town Sidewalk Astronomy, after I was a member of the SF
sidewalk astronomers since 1987, when I made a telescope in John
Dobson's telescope making class at the San Francisco Academy of
Sciences, and that changed my career and life. I think our telescopes
will be out sometime between 7:30 PM and 9:00ish PM once the moon crests
the Monrovia skyscrapers. :-)
Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the sudden death of one of our founding
members in late July. Gary Spiers read a notice I posted at NASA JPL
about Sidewalk Astronomy in Monrovia in early 2004, and showed up to see
what it was all about. He's been an active member and a dear friend ever
since. Those of you who are local and have attended our Monrovia
Sidewalk events have met Gary, and over the years, his two daughters,
with their telescopes over the early years. We miss him so much!
Gary proofread my What's Up Podcast script almost since it started in
2007, and many of his astrophotos appeared with credits over the 12
years. This was our favorite public National Park astronomy event with
volunteer astronomers since the 1960's. And this episode ends with a
photo of Mojo and Gary at Glacier Point, and is also dedicated to Gary
in the end credits. Hard to write this email but as I have told many
over the decades, the night sky brings comfort. Hope to see some of you
tonight. Send in a photo of your moon view tonight if you'd like.
Yosemite Nature Notes documented a Glacier Point public astronomy star
party Mojo, Gary and I volunteered for, Here's the link:
https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=CFC7487A-1DD8-B71B-0B2096D9A018…
And here is this month's What's Up video,
https://plus.nasa.gov/video/whats-up-september-2024-skywatching-tips-from-n…
Jane and the Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers
--
Jane Houston Jones, retired JPLer
Pasadena Bridge Club co-founder and owner
Find me on FB, IG
http://www.otastro.org/https://pasadenabridgeclub.com
