Hi Everyone,
Saturday is "International Observe the Moon" night! The Old Town Sidewalk
Astronomers plan to be out at the southeast corner of Myrtle & Lime (Library
Park), weather permitting. Astronomy enthusiasts worldwide will all be
looking up. You can be part of the party too by either observing the Moon
from home, or join us on the sidewalk!
Both the nearly Full Moon and Saturn will be available to our telescope, but
they both need some time to clear the trees and buildings after the 6:30 pm
sunset. So the starting time may be around 7:30 to 8:00 pm. We hope to see
you there!
Dave Hasenauer
For the Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers
Hi everyone! This month the Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers are featured
in a display of astro people, places and things related the night sky at
the Monrovia Canyon Park Nature Center. The exhibit opened Sunday
February 1st and will be on display for a couple months. It’s really
lovely! You can find info on parking and maps and so forth on the park’s
website
https://www.monroviaca.gov/your-government/parks/canyon-park#ad-image-0
The Sidewalk Astronomers at Monrovia Canyon Park Nature Center
Three things for February:
1. There is an expected sidewalk astronomy event on Saturday, Feb. 21,
at Monrovia’s Library Park, Myrtle and Lime Streets, weather
permitting. There are also some events at Monrovia Canyon Park on
Feb 27th, and at the Library on March 21st. More on March events
next month!
2. Groundhog day = Cross Quarter Days. Did you know February 2 marks
the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring
Equinox? This celebration was observed by the ancient Celts who
called this celebration Imbolc. The other cross quarter days are May
1, known as Beltane, August 1 known as Lammas, and October 31, known
as Samhain. I love that ancient knowledge and culture have continued
to our present time on Earth. And I like this explanation from the
Old Farmer’s Almanac.
https://www.almanac.com/quarter-days-and-cross-quarter-days
3. NASA’s What’s Up video. I’m so happy to report that the What’s Up
video which was created in 2007 is still being produced by JPL and
NASA. That’s almost 20 years. It’s NASA’s longest running video
series! Here’s the February 2026 episode:
https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/whats-up-february-2026-skywatching-ti…
That’s all for February. Feel free to ask questions, let us know events
you are interested in reading about. Over and out!
Jane and Mojo and the Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers
--
Jane Houston Jones, retired JPLer
Co-owner, Pasadena Bridge Club
Astronomyhttp://www.otastro.org/Bridgehttps://pasadenabridgeclub.com
