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by Morris Jones

It's a clear and slightly chilly night expected in Monrovia. The crescent moon will be out early, and later Jupiter might clear the trees to the east. While tonight's sky is expected to be very transparent (dark), the other atmospheric feature that affects astronomy is scintillation, a measure of how turbulent the air is. Astronomers have a technical term for this: "seeing." The seeing tonight is not expected to be very good, because of different layers of air temperature and upper level winds. That's what gives the slightly watery effect you notice when you view the moon or planets through a telescope, and it gives stars more of a twinkle when you look up at the night sky. Notice the brightest star Sirius tonight due south, and see how it flashes and changes color as its light passes through the turbulent air. It's a little like looking up at the sky from the bottom of a deep swimming pool. But "seeing" is highly variable! If you look for a while, you will have moments when you're looking through air that isn't turbulent, and you can see fine detail: mountain peaks and lava tubes on the moon, cloud belts and swirls on Jupiter. Come take a look if you can. Jane and I have a family engagement tonight so we won't be there, but Todd and Dave and maybe some others are planning to set up from about 6:00 'til 8:00. Best regards, Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA http://whiteoaks.com

11 years, 4 months

Comet visible in your binoculars (just as we get clouds for the weekend)

by Jane Houston Jones

Mojo and I were talking last night while observing a fairly bright comet, which is visible near the familiar constellation Orion. So we thought we should take telescopes out Saturday night. But this morning we looked at the weather forecast, and sadly we are expecting clouds and even a chance of rain this weekend. If that changes, we'll let you know, with short notice, probably on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, if it's clear where you live, definitely step outside with your binoculars and you too can aim your binos at C/2014 Q2 Lovejoy. Its color is unmistakeable. It will appear as a ghostly faint fuzzy blue-green patch much bigger than a star in your binoculars. If you can Identify Orion, the comet is moving North, from parallel to Orion's knee, Rigel. It's now close to the Belt stars, and in a week will be near the Pleiades. I've seen it every night from my front door using 7 x 50 binoculars Here is where to look all month long (for both northern and southern hemispheres) http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/whatsup-view.cfm?WUID=1945 In two weeks, three of Jupiter's moons will scoot across the visible disk of Jupiter, preceded by their shadows - a triple shadow transit! It's a telescopic viewing opportunity (maybe you'll spot one of the shadows through good binoculars) and our Monrovia Corner isn't well suited for this event since it goes on until 11 p.m. on Friday the 23rd of January. Jupiter won't rise above the buildings until 9 p.m. or so. Jupiter is the sole topic of my January What's Up video, you can enjoy it here, and marvel at the images of moons, shadows, eclipse and occultations, all contributed by amateur astronomers around the world, and this month, from one of our local sidewalk astronomers, Jon Philpott! His images appear at 45 seconds into the video and one features a backyard telescope view of Jupiter and the other showing the 4 galilean moons, two right next to each other, with an overexposed Jupiter to see the moons better. Here's the YouTube ink https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWlYTppifhI, and more video formats are here. http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/whatsup-archive.cfm There are lots of other naked eye planets to view this month. That's Venus shining brightly in the west at sunset, with faint Mercury nearby, and Mars above. Jupiter is king this month, visible all month long. You can see Saturn at dawn, too! Thanks all for this month from Jane -- Jane Houston Jones Senior Outreach Specialist, Cassini & InSight Missions @jhjones @CassiniSaturn @NASAInsight What's Up For January? Jupiter http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/whatsup-archive.cfm or http://youtu.be/YWlYTppifhI

11 years, 4 months

Sidewalk astronomy in Monrovia

by Morris Jones

Jane and I are in transit from the east coast right now, but a couple of astronomers are thinking of setting up telescopes at Myrtle & Lime tonight. It's going to get cold later on, so you might catch them early, around 6 or 7. There will be a nice crescent moon and possibly a little Venus. Jupiter rises bright in the east later in the evening, but probably too late for this month's observing. Next month Jupiter should be putting on a good show. Best regards, Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA http://whiteoaks.com

11 years, 5 months

No sidewalk tonight

by Morris Jones

We have two problems with sidewalk astronomy tonight in Monrovia. (a) Jane and I are both road weary from holiday travel, and (b) the weather conditions are expected to deteriorate. We only had one target this month anyway, but it is a nice moon. If it's clear where you are, go have a look! We'll try again in January. :) Best regards, Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA http://whiteoaks.com

11 years, 6 months

Clouds and sprinkles for Halloween

by Jane Houston Jones

Mojo and I were considering taking some telescopes out to Myrtle and Lime Streets Friday night for Halloween, but the forecast doesn't look good enough. In lieu of that, here is my annual Spooky Observing List, including scary named lunar features visible on the moon this week. http://jane.whiteoaks.com/2009/10/30/spooky-halloween-observing/ We are still going on with our twice-a-year Mojave National Preserve Star party, tho the forecast is for up to 18 mph winds, and temps dipping into the 30's at night. So bring layers for your layers. :-) Details here http://www.scribd.com/doc/242322077/Mojave-National-Preserve-Star-Party-Nov… The same day, over at the Kelso Depot within Mojave National Preserve is MojaveFest, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the California Desert Protection Act, which established Mojave national Preserve. The fest , 9-5 p.m. features food, kids activities, ranger-led talks and guided walks, book signings and dance performances. - http://www.nps.gov/moja/upload/Mojave-Fest-Flyer-for-web.pdf What a great way to experience Mojave National Preserve, with the preserve during the day, and they sky above the preserve at night! Jane -- Jane Houston Jones @jhjones @CassiniSaturn @NASAInsight What's Up For Oct? Eclipses, near misses http://youtu.be/gj9MshXoUy0

11 years, 7 months

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, 8 months

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, 8 months

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, 8 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, 10 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, 10 months

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