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496 discussions

ISS pass tonight, Eclipse after midnight, possible comet sighting, Dark Sky Star party Nov 1

by Jane Houston Jones

Hi everyone, sorry about the cancelled sidewalk astronomy night Oct 4. None of our astronomers were available that night. Mojo and I were in Hawaii, where we attended the Hawaiian Astronomical Society's monthly in-town star party, however. We observed one planet, one star and three moons (2 of Saturn's, and our own moon) in spite of heavy clouds, nearby rain, and even a flood warning over central Oahu. Tonight Tuesday the 7th, look for a 6 minute long ISS pass beginning at 7:03 p.m., reaching a height of 74 degrees, nearly overhead! It appears in the SW and disappears in the NE. That's not all! There is a total lunar eclipse on Wednesday morning. If the sky is clear, the entire event should be visible to the unaided eye from the West Coast. The particulars are as follows (all times are Pacific): partial eclipse begins 2:14 a.m., totality begins 3:25 a.m., greatest eclipse 3:55 a.m., totality ends 4:24 a.m., partial eclipse ends 5:34 a.m. All before sunrise! And that's not all either! There's a partial solar eclipse later in the month (visible in the afternoon of October 23rd). I'll send out another email with save viewing tips before the 23rd., but my monthly podcast gives some details. You all know never to look directly at the sun with special solar filters or glasses, of course. I cover all these things in my monthly What's Up podcast, plus Comet Siding Spring's close encounter with Mars on the 19th. It's unlikely that the comet will be visible, but I show where to look. If it does make an appearance and I see it, or think you can see it with binoculars, I'll be sure to let everybody know. Another exciting month of astronomy is underway! What's Up Video: http://youtu.be/uPQh0JwfEh4 or many versions here, and check out September - it is still relevant: http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/whatsup-archive.cfm What's Up for October flyer, suitable for sharing http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/docs/Whats_Up_October_2014.pdf Mark your calendar for November 1. Although this should be our monthly sidewalk date, it was the only Mojave Campground opening for our twice-a-year dark sky star party. Details here http://www.mojavepreserve.org/, and although the November flyer is not on the website, the May 31 flyer has directions and RSVP info. Free campsite, Bring your own potluck, breafast on your own, RSVP is just so the park knows how many people are coming. -- Jane Houston Jones @jhjones @CassiniSaturn @NASAInsight What's Up For Oct? Eclipses, near misses http://youtu.be/gj9MshXoUy0

11 years, 1 month

High, bright pass of the Int'l Space Station tonight

by Morris Jones

From Los Angeles tonight, just a few minutes before 8 p.m., there's a high bright pass of the International Space Station. It will appear low in the southwest about 7:54, and by 7:56 it'll be very high in the sky, slightly to the west, moving from southwest to northeast. It will be very bright, looking like a moving star. Just after 7:57, it will pass into earth's shadow, and slowly fade out of sight in the northeast. If you see it, be sure to wave at the astronauts! For other passes and satellite information, I use http://heavens-above.com Best regards, Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA http://mojo.whiteoaks.com

11 years, 1 month

No telescopes tonight

by Morris Jones

It would be our sidewalk astronomy night tonight, but all of the astronomers are scattered and doing other things. Next month's first-quarter moon would be on November 1, but instead of Monrovia, we'll be having our fall visit to Mojave National Preserve. Jane will have more information about that later. Aloha! Jane and I are joining the Hawaiian sidewalk astronomers tonight in Honolulu. :) Best regards, Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA http://whiteoaks.com

11 years, 2 months

No sky tonight!

by Morris Jones

We appear to be hopelessly clouded out tonight in Monrovia. There might be a chance for some sidewalk astronomy next weekend. I'll let you know! Have a great weekend ... Best regards, Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA http://whiteoaks.com

11 years, 4 months

Astronomy stuff

by Morris Jones

Sidewalk Astronomy update! We should be out this weekend in Monrovia -- Saturday evening, about 8:00 'til about 10:00, at Myrtle & Lime. Thing is ... the weather forecast is a little iffy! Right now, for Saturday night, it calls for "Mostly cloudy with a 20% chance of thunderstorms after 11 p.m." (Wouldn't that be fun, except for the lightning.) :) Nevertheless, I'll give it a chance, and post an update to the list either way. We should have a great crescent moon, with some excellent views of Saturn, if the sky clears. MEANWHILE Jane's "What's Up" podcast for August is fresh and just out, featuring a little of my astrophotography :) : http://youtu.be/yLxtK2WDhU0 We spent last weekend at Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park for our annual summer star party trip: http://photo.whiteoaks.com/2014-07-25-glacier-point/ And if you're outside tonight at 9:20 p.m., there's a nice bright pass of the International Space Station. If you face South, you'll see it rise on your right and pass very close to bright red Antares just after 9:22 p.m. Keep watching as the station experiences sunset, and fades out completely. Cheers, Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA http://mojo.whiteoaks.com

11 years, 4 months

Sidewalk Astronomy Saturday July 5th!

by Jane Houston Jones

Did you know our Sidewalk Astronomy corner is one of the best places for astronomy in Los Angeles County? We're # 7 (out of 8)! Here's the link to friend Chris Clarke's great writeup. He's been out to Mojave Star Parties, and is a great writer! http://www.kcet.org/living/travel/socal_wanderer/night-sky/stargazing/8-pla… And this month, my What's Up Podcast covers decidedly non-urban views of the Milky Way with images Mojo took our at our favorite desert location, Amboy Crater. ALos long time LA Sidewalk Astronomer George Willis's Milky Way from Mt. Pinos opens the podcast. Here's the link: http://youtu.be/lSejxrjhD_M Finally, if you can't join us Saturday night, do step outside and enjoy views of the moon below Mars tonight, near Mars tomorrow night, and near Saturn on the 7th! Finally, Mojo updated our Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers website, and he wrote a great explanation of the June and July skies. Oh and a call-out to mention we are celebrating ten years of sidewalk astronomy in Monrovia! Ten Years! Where does the time go! Check it out here! http://www.otastro.org/ -- Jane Houston Jones @jhjones @CassiniSaturn @NASAInsight What's Up For July? Milky Way, Pluto to Planets http://youtu.be/lSejxrjhD_M

11 years, 5 months

Sidewalk Astronomy tonight

by Jane Houston Jones

We'll have a very pretty planet and moon pairing tonight. Mars just above the moon to the right. Saturn not to far away on the left. And probably our last good view of Jupiter - getting low in the west until the fall. So come out and join us, or if you are not within the sound of my voice, just step out and look up and enjoy the planet parade! MOre good pairings in this month's What's Up podcast! 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Myrtle and Line Streets, Monrovia, CA What's Up For June? Moon and Planet pairings, Mercury, Comets! http://youtu.be/qSWbSq7vTXk -- Jane Houston Jones Monrovia, CA Jane Houston Jones @jhjones @CassiniSaturn @NASAInSight What's Up For June? Moon and planet pairings, Mercury, Comets! http://youtu.be/qSWbSq7vTXk

11 years, 6 months

Fwd: SpotTheStation

by Jane Houston Jones

Great ISS Pass 8:22 pm tonight! -------- Original Message -------- From: HQ-spotthestation(a)mail.nasa.gov Sent: June 5, 2014 8:57:04 AM PDT To: United-States-California-Monrovia-PM(a)lists.hq.nasa.gov Subject: SpotTheStation Time: Thu Jun 05 8:22 PM, Visible: 4 min, Max Height: 82 degrees, Appears: SW, Disappears: NE -- Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

11 years, 6 months

Mojave National Preserve Star party tonight, sidewalk astro June 7

by Jane Houston Jones

Tonight's star party is a go! Several of you have RSVP'ed and we are looking forward to sharing the magnificent skies with you tonight. Plan to arrive well before sunset so you have time to set up your tent, and share in the potluck dinner. Bring something you like, and a little to share. There are typically many salads, chips and dips, and desserts which are welcome after dark. There is a large covered picnic table pavilion where you can stow your camp stove if you are cooking, and you an leave your pot luck out until you go to bed. Weather has improved somewhat from earlier cloudy forecasts. It will be mostly clear, with lows overnight of 61 degrees (high close to 100 during the day). Bring plenty of water and loose layered clothes. It will be windy - with 8-15 winds and there may be gusts up to 20 mph. We'll have gorgeous views of Mercury and the moon low on the western horizon I hope, then Jupiter, Mars and Saturn. In the morning, for those getting up before dawn, Venus is a real treat. In between, Milky way wonders and other galaxies. We'll hold another dark sky star party here in the fall, probably around the of the 20th anniversary of Mojave National Preserve on October 31. Info: http://mojavepreserve.org/index.php/site/article/star_party_in_the_mojave_n… Clear Sky Chart: http://cleardarksky.com/c/HlWllCpCAkey.html?1 Views from Amboy Crater dark sky night last weekend: Milky Way Rising from Gary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAtUx-iCZBI Photos from Jane and Mojo http://photo.whiteoaks.com/2014-05-25-amboy/index.html -- Jane Houston Jones Monrovia, CA @jhjones @CassiniSaturn @NASAInsight What's Up For May? Saturn, Mars, Comets, Meteor Showers http://youtu.be/4mxFlUCliWg

11 years, 6 months

Sidewalk Astronomy tonight!

by Jane Houston Jones

It may be windy, and the views may not be as perfectly crisp as they can be, but your local Sidewalk Astronomers will be out tonight at Myrtle and Lime Streets in Monrovia from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The winds will determine our end time, but we (at least I) hope we can show majestic Saturn to everyone. Tonight is Saturn Opposition. As the Sun sets in the west, Saturn will rise "opposite" to it in the east. Opposition is when Saturn is closest to Earth, and so it shines brightest for the year, but will be beautifully visible for several more months. Since sunset is about 7:45 p.m. Saturn won't rise above the buildings and trees in Monrovia until about 8:30 p.m., later visible in telescopes. In addition to Saturn, we'll have a easy-to-see treat with the moon near Mars. Those not within the sound of my voice, look up and you can easily see the moon! It's that reddish object to the left of the moon tonight! Look again tomorrow night and notice Mars above the moon! Saturn will be the golden "star" rising on the horizon following Mars after sunset. -- Jane Houston Jones Monrovia, CA @jhjones @CassiniSaturn @NASAInsight What's Up For May? Saturn, Mars, Comets, Meteor Showers http://youtu.be/4mxFlUCliWg

11 years, 6 months

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