Tonight's forecast is "mostly clear," and Jane and I plan to be in Old
Town Pasadena from about 7:00 p.m. 'til 10:00, or until we're too cold
or hungry to stay. :)
While we never know exactly where we'll be, it's always somewhere on the
two-block stretch on Colorado Blvd. from Fair Oaks to Pasadena Ave., and
usually on the north side of the street. If we find street parking (we
usually do), that's where we set up. If not, we can unload near Barnes
& Noble, or near One Colorado, and hand the astro van off to valet parking.
With the moon and Saturn being very far north in the sky, you might find
one or both of us hauling our big dobsonian telescopes across the street
for a less obstructed view.
We should have great views of the first-quarter moon almost overhead in
the sky, and Saturn mid-way up in the east.
I often use the analogy that looking up at the sky from the surface of
the earth is like looking up from the bottom of a swimming pool. It
could be a lot more like that tonight, with upper-level winds bringing
us tomorrow's clouds and rain.
Which brings up the point that Saturday's forecast is not looking good
for sidewalk astronomy. If the "conditions on the ground" look
different tomorrow night, I'll update you right here.
Cheers,
Mojo
--
Morris Jones
Monrovia, CA
http://www.whiteoaks.com
Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers http://www.otastro.org
While the NOAA public forecast for tonight is "mostly cloudy," the
astronomy-specific Clear Sky Clock
<http://cleardarksky.com/c/MnrviaCAkey.html> is actually very promising.
I want to emphasize, though, that a total lunar eclipse is not an event
that requires a telescope to enjoy. There's really no need to travel
anywhere to see it, except perhaps to find clearer skies. If you step
out and see the eclipse as the moon goes in, sits in, and comes out of
the Earth's shadow, it's a very satisfying sight!
Here are the specific times:
Moon rise: 5:32 p.m.
Partial eclipse begins: 5:43 p.m.
Total eclipse begins: 7:01 p.m.
Total eclipse ends: 7:51 p.m.
Partial eclipse ends: 9:09 p.m.
This chart has times for the pacific coast:
<http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEmono/TLE2008Feb21/image/TLE2008Feb2…>
From Library Park in Monrovia, the moon isn't likely to be above the
nearby buildings before almost 7:00. That's when we plan to have the
telescope available. We'll also have Saturn to see. It'll be the
bright golden star right next to the totally eclipsed moon.
And don't forget Jane's "What's Up" podcast:
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/videos/whatsup/whatsup20080219/
Best regards,
Mojo
--
Morris Jones
Monrovia, CA
http://www.whiteoaks.com
Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers http://www.otastro.org
JPL just published Jane's "What's Up" for February, which has a great
explanation of a lunar eclipse, and information about viewing Saturn:
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/videos/whatsup/whatsup20080219/
Now about that eclipse ... :)
The current forecast is "mostly cloudy," which might mean we'll get to
see peeks of the moon through what astronomers call "sucker holes,"
meaning they suck you into going observing when it's really hopeless. :)
Nevertheless, as long as it isn't raining, and there are some breaks in
the clouds, I plan to set up a telescope at Myrtle & Lime in hopes of
catching a few glimpses of the moon in eclipse.
You can see the eclipse from anywhere that isn't cloudy of course, but
we'd love to have you drop by and say "Hi" if you're out and about!
Best regards,
Mojo
--
Morris Jones
Monrovia, CA
http://www.whiteoaks.com
Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers http://www.otastro.org
Tonight (Monday Feb. 18) there's an excellent pass of the International
Space Station over Los Angeles, and if the timing is right, it will be
followed or preceded by the space shuttle, making for a great double
pass. The shuttle is scheduled to undock this morning.
Look in the northwest starting at 5:50 p.m. It will be almost directly
overhead at 5:53, and set below the horizon in the southeast at 5:57.
The shuttle shouldn't be far behind, or ahead. Both will be very bright
and look like moving stars, with no blinking lights like airplanes.
You can create your own satellite pass predictions for your location at
http://heavens-above.com
Don't forget the total lunar eclipse this Wednesday night!
And finally it was great seeing so many of you on the sidewalk in
Pasadena and Monrovia this weekend! We had our first Saturn night, and
some of our biggest visitor counts ever, especially in Pasadena on Friday.
Cheers,
Mojo
--
Morris Jones
Monrovia, CA
http://www.whiteoaks.com
Old Town Astronomers: http://www.otastro.org
In addition to our viewing of the moon and Saturn tonight in Monrovia,
there are a couple of interesting passes for the International Space
Station and the famous decaying spy satellite referred to as USA 193.
First to pass is the spy satellite. It will be magnitude 1.2 at its
brightest, not as bright as the bright planets or brightest stars, but
should be easily visible.
It will first become visible low in the southwest at 6:33 p.m., and
reach its maximum altitude near Mars at 6:35 p.m. It will fade out a
minute later in the northeast.
Then there's the International Space Station (ISS) which has shuttle
Atlantis docked at the moment. It will be the brightest thing in the
sky besides the moon.
ISS will first appear in the northwest at 6:41 p.m., and reach maximum
altitude, almost overhead, at 6:44 p.m. It will enter the earth's
shadow about a minute later.
Orbiting satellites look like moving stars, and follow very different
paths in the sky from airplanes. Their light comes from the sun shining
on them -- they don't produce any light of their own. If it blinks,
it's an airplane. :)
We'll be pointing them both out in Monrovia tonight, but they should be
visible from most anywhere near L.A.
Best regards,
Mojo
--
Morris Jones
Monrovia, CA
http://www.whiteoaks.com
Old Town Astronomers: http://www.otastro.org
It looks to be a beautiful weekend for sidewalk astronomy. Jane and I
will be in Old Town Pasadena tonight, on Colorado Blvd. near Delacey,
from about 6:30 'til 9:30 p.m. We'll be showing the moon, and if you
arrive a little later in the evening, we should have our first looks at
Saturn for this year.
We'll be repeating on Saturday in Monrovia at Myrtle & Lime with our
motley crew of sidewalk astronomers, from 6:00 'til 9:00.
Then on Wednesday evening, February 20th, we plan to have a special
outing in Monrovia for the total lunar eclipse.
The moon will be totally eclipsed from 7:01 p.m. 'til about 7:51 p.m.
For a little over an hour before and after, you'll see the moon moving
into and out of earth's shadow.
If the sky is clear it should be great to see! No telescope required,
but at least one of us will be out at Monrovia at Myrtle & Lime with a
telescope.
Hope to see you there ...
Mojo
--
Morris Jones
Monrovia, CA
http://www.whiteoaks.com
Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers http://www.otastro.org
JPL's new documentary about Explorer 1: Beginnings of the Space age
airs tonight , Saturday the 2nd on KCET at 10 p.m.
I see it also is showing tomorrow (Sunday the 3rd) at 5:00 p.m.
http://www.kcet.org/programs/science-nature/index.php?mID=9356&refer=th
The JPL press release is here:
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2008-008
"Explorer 1: JPL and the Beginnings of the Space Age" will also air
on local and national media outlets. In the Los Angeles area, it will
air on KCET, Channel 28, on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 10 p.m. and Sunday,
Feb. 3 at 5 p.m. The documentary will air nationally on Discovery HD
Theater, with multiple airings beginning Jan. 31.
Thanks to Gary for reminding me to remind you. :-)
Jane and Mojo (in Sarasota, FL on vacation)
--
Jane Houston Jones
Senior Outreach Specialist, Cassini Program
JPL - 4800 Oak Grove Drive, MS 230-205
Pasadena, CA 91109 818-393-6435
jane.h.jones(a)jpl.nasa.gov
Cassini SOC http://soc.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm
What's Up? http://education.jpl.nasa.gov/amateurastronomy/index.html
There are a lot of really interesting multimedia offerings on the JPL
website this month.
On JPL's front page http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm you'll find:
What's Up - a short podcast showcasing a unique view of the night
sky. January's podcast is available, a little later than usual, due
to so much going on in space and science-wise, in January,
including,,,
Cassini at Saturn Interactive Explorer - NASA's first 3-D interactive
mission experience using a web browser.
Explorer 1, the first US Earth-orbiting satellite, launched January 31, 1958
Scroll past the top features to News and Features for:
Cassini finds Rhythm in Saturn's Rings
January 29 - Asteroid zooms by Earth
And finally, NASA and Beatles celebrate anniversaries by beaming
"Across the Universe" into Deep Space.
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2008-019
We'll be offering some special viewing opportunities this month in
addition to our usual sidewalk astronomy on the 15th and 16th of
February. February 20 is the date of a total lunar eclipse, and the
viewing time will be much more convenient than the last one. You'll
be able to view the eclipse in the early evening from moonrise at
about 5:30 p.m., to totality at about 7:00 p.m. and then the eclipse
will be over at about 8:30. We'll send out more info on this sooner
to the date, but will bring some telescopes down to Library Park in
Monrovia on Wednesday the 20th, weather permitting.
Jane and Mojo (in Florida this week)
--
Jane Houston Jones
Senior Outreach Specialist, Cassini Program
JPL - 4800 Oak Grove Drive, MS 230-205
Pasadena, CA 91109 818-393-6435
jane.h.jones(a)jpl.nasa.gov
Cassini SOC http://soc.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm
What's Up? http://education.jpl.nasa.gov/amateurastronomy/index.html
Yes, the bright pumpkin-colored star next to the moon tonight is Mars.
We're in Monrovia tonight, 6-9:30 or so. :)
Cheers,
Mojo
--
Morris Jones
Monrovia, CA
http://www.whiteoaks.com
Old Town Astronomers: http://www.otastro.org
Tonight looks good for you to get out and see the moon and Mars, but
unfortunately Jane and I have to cancel our planned outing on Colorado
Blvd. in Pasadena to deal with family matters.
Luckily the forecast for Saturday night in Monrovia looks even better
than tonight's. We might get lucky and have some good Mars viewing,
even as difficult a target as it is.
So if you're out tonight, don't forget to glance almost straight up and
see a beautiful first quarter moon. Look a bit to the east of it for a
bright pumpkin-colored star, and you'll be looking at Mars. Mars will
be the brightest star-like object in the sky.
Hope to see you on Saturday ...
Mojo
--
Morris Jones
Monrovia, CA
http://www.whiteoaks.com
Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers http://www.otastro.org
