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502 discussions

by Morris Jones

We're going to keep our telescope optics dry tonight, instead of setting up in Old Town Pasadena. We can't see through clouds either! Saturday night in Monrovia doesn't look too promising at the moment, but I'll give it another day to decide for sure. We'll try again next weekend, April 27-28, same locations -- Friday in Pasadena, Saturday in Monrovia. We'll have an almost-full moon to enjoy and Saturn high overhead. Weather permitting. :) Best regards, Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA http://www.whiteoaks.com Old Town Astronomers http://www.otastro.org

19 years, 2 months

Looking for one or two volunteers 4/20/07

by Jane H Jones

HI Old Town Astro folks I have a request from a JPL colleague for some help at a school star party event on Friday April 20 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Longfellow Elementary in Pasadena. I have another telescope event that night (Sidewalk Astronomy in Pasadena), and I can't be in two places at the same time. He is looking for some enthusiasts who could either: Answer questions about the planets or be excited about their work in science or about science in general (or enthusiastic about answering kids questions) from the K-5th graders. It's the schools star party night. Aim telescopes at moon, Saturn or Venus - I have several simple to use and easy to carry reflectors in the 4.5-inch, 6-inch and 8-inch aperture range if someone has the interest but doesn't have a telescope. I'm happy to lend them out. I'll have an info sheet available with facts about moon, Venus and Saturn, too. I have one volunteer from the JPL Astronomy Club who will help out. He does a lot of school events. I'll help out by creating some star chart handouts for the night, provide some NASA handout material, supply a human solar system activity. If you have the time or the inclination, send me a note, and I'll connect you with Sven, or provide the logistics. I also asked my fellow JPL Astronomy Club members, but we JPLers often live far from work, making it hard to volunteer locally in Pasadena. If you haven't done a school star party before there is usually a flurry of setup, then it seems like in an hour the whole event is over and you take your equipment down and go home. Telescopes with a quick setup time usually are the easiest to use at a school. Let me know if you're interested. Jane -- 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 Saturn Observation Campaign http://soc.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm

19 years, 2 months

New JPL video: "What's Up"

by Jane H Jones

What's Up? There's a new video feature debuting on the JPL web pages today. The new monthly feature, which I host :-), is called "What's Up". It will highlight an astronomical viewing opportunity everyone can enjoy, usually even without a telescope, and usually in the most light polluted sky. All of you on our Old Town Astronomers list know all about light polluted skies - it's where we set up telescopes every month! In April there is a fantastic viewing opportunity all of you can enjoy right from your own back (or front) yard. No telescope required! The moon rises from near Venus on April 21, (which is National Astronomy Day) through April 25, when the moon is above Saturn. Most of the images in the video came my 350+ worldwide volunteers, called the Cassini-Huygens Saturn Observation Campaign. The video is here on the JPL home page : http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/ . On the JPL Education Gateway page is the video plus amateur astronomy resources: http://education.jpl.nasa.gov/amateurastronomy/index.html Here you can download the sky chart which will show you where to find Venus, Saturn, and watch the crescent moon rise in-between the two planets later this month. You might try looking for the moon April 19 or 20 below Venus. it'll be a very thin crescent. Please forward this to your own network of friends or students if you think they'd be interested. Or link to the JPL Education's Amateur Astronomy page http://education.jpl.nasa.gov/amateurastronomy/index.html so that your pals can use the charts, and listen to the video, and use the other great links on the page. I have one more tidbit. April 21 is National Astronomy Day. Mojo will be set up as usual in Monrovia (weather permitting), and possibly in Pasadena on April 20, but I will be in England that weekend. Here is a really nice (and free) astronomy chart for April. It usually is available only by subscription, but the Abrams Planetarium has made it available for Astronomy Day. I know a lot of you are members of other astronomy clubs or may be holding your own observing events on April 21 which is why I am sharing this link. Print it out and enjoy! You might even want to subscribe! I used this chart when I was a brand new amateur astronomer unsure what to aim at. It provided me years of enjoyment! http://www.pa.msu.edu/abrams/SkyCalendar/Index.html Jane -- 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 Saturn Observation Campaign http://soc.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm

19 years, 3 months

JPL Space Art exhibit

by Jane H Jones

I thought some of you might be interested in this exhibit - There will be a talk by the artist, who is a co-worker here at JPL, on March 18 at 7 p.m. followed by telescopes provided by JPL and sidewalk astronomers. Dan says: "I'm giving a talk on Sunday March 18th @ 7pm in conjunction with the "hidden light" show at PMCA. It will be and a Kepler Mission scientist and engineer talking about planet finding as well as space art that is not paintings. The museum has an amazing deck and we were hoping to have a couple telescopes, weather permitting." JPL visual strategist Dan Goods applies some of the complex principles studied at the Laboratory to his artwork in a project called "The Hidden Light," now underway through April 8 at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. Goods' work makes scientific phenomena more accessible and meaningful. The Hidden Light begins with the idea that some physical entities in the universe are hidden or invisible until scientists discover new ways for understanding or seeing them. In the installation, the film projection depicting planets in space is washed out by another projection until the viewer casts a shadow on the wall. The process directly refers to how astronomers at JPL invent tools with which to find and see planets in the far reaches of space that are hidden by the light of stars. By activating the space of the installation, the museum visitor will also discover how to see the unseen. The Hidden Light is presented in the museum's Project Room, a 700-square-foot gallery devoted to installations by early and mid-career California artists. Artists chosen to participate are charged with transforming the space through site-specific installations. With a selection of artists working in a variety of media, the Project Room was designed to present a vital cross-section of the diverse work being produced in California. The museum is located at 490 E. Union St. Admission is free for museum members, $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and students. Call 626-568-3665 or visit www.pmcaonline.org. -- 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 Saturn Observation Campaign http://soc.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm

19 years, 4 months

Spur of the moment Sidewalk Astronomy

by Morris Jones

It's clear tonight in Monrovia, and Saturn is in the evening sky, so Jane and I thought we'd set up our telescopes at Myrtle & Lime. We'll be there from at least 6:00 'til 8:00 p.m. You might have heard that there is a total lunar eclipse today. Unfortunately by the time the full moon rises here in California, the most visible part of the eclipse will be over. We'll have a full moon with no shadows and lots of bright highlights to explore. Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA http://www.whiteoaks.com Old Town Astronomers: http://www.otastro.org

19 years, 4 months

Saturn Viewing Saturday (and Friday, too)

by Jane H Jones

Sorry for the late announcement - we've been busy..... The forecast for Friday and Saturday nights is mostly clear. That means the Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers will be setting up telescopes for public views of Saturn (and the moon) both nights. Venus will also be a beautiful sight, in the west, no telescopes needed. The same locations as every month - (weather will be clear and cold) Friday Night Feb 23, 6:30 -9:30 p.m. Colorado Blvd somewhere between Fair Oaks and Pasadena Avenues depending on parking. 2 telescopes, long lines (there is no room for more telescopes, and we pick them up and move them to get out of the trees and lights. Saturday Night Feb 24, 6:30 9:30, or later if there is a big crowd) Library Park, corner of Myrtle and Lime Streets, Monrovia. Our usual group of astronomers bring 4 to 8 telescopes usually, less crowded, lots of free parking. :-) Website: http://www.otastro.org/ You can always check the weather in the top right of the page. Click on "weather permitting". Other events for the astronomy enthusiast: http://www.mwoa.org/events.htm Jane -- 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 Saturn Observation Campaign http://soc.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm

19 years, 4 months

Cancel Saturn Saturday :-(

by Jane Houston Jones

We've been watching the weather forecasts and satellite images all day and unfortunately, the clouds and rain predicted for tonight are beginning to arrive. I can see the bands of clouds on the western horizon already. So we're officially cancelling our Saturn viewing for tonight. Luckily, we'll plenty more viewing opportunities in the coming weeks and months. If you enjoy weather watching, the National Weather Service website is fascinating. http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/lox/ We have a link to a local weather page from our Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers wepage, too, right next to where we cancelled tonight's event. http://www.otastro.org/ You can watch the storm as it nears on this infrared satellite loop http://sat.wrh.noaa.gov/satellite/satloop.php?wfo=lox&type=ir&size=2 Sorry, we'll rescheule. Jane and Mojo -- Jane Houston Jones Monrovia, CA 34.2048N 118.1732W, 637.0 feet http://www.whiteoaks.com Old Town Astronomers: http://www.otastro.org

19 years, 5 months

Saturn Saturday

by Jane H Jones

This coming Saturnday :-) we are hoping to hold a Saturn viewing event in Monrovia, but the weather forecast is poor. If it is partly cloudy or clear, of course we'll be there - beginning when Saturn is visible at 8 p.m. until 10 or 11 p.m. If it is raining, or threatening rain, we'll cancel the event, and we'll make a note on our website under "Next Sidewalk Opportunity" Our next viewing nights for Saturn and the moon will be February 23 (Colorado Blvd between Fair Oaks and Pasadena Avenues) in Pasadena and on February 24th (Library Park, Myrtle and Lime Streets) in Monrovia. We'll begin at 6 p.m. both nights, but Saturn won't rise above the trees or buildings until after 7 p.m. Meanwhile, sit back and enjoy this article about Saturn. http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/features/feature20070207.cfm Part of my job at JPL is to manage a 350 strong volunteer group called the Saturn Observation Campaign. http://soc.jpl.nasa.gov/members.cfm We have 350 members in 52 countries, and in 45 states of the USA. On Saturday night many of us all around the world will be looking at Saturn from their back yard, or conducting a community Saturn Observing event, or visiting a classroom. If it is cloudy and we can't show Saturn on Saturday, you can look on the link below and see where Saturn is lurking beyond the clouds. And then you can pretend you are looking through the eyepiece of one of the telescopes at Saturn and it's moons. http://www.whiteoaks.com/jane/2007socsaturn/ Hope it is clear Saturday, but luckily we have many more months of prime Saturn viewing! Jane -- 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 Saturn Observation Campaign http://soc.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm

19 years, 5 months

Monrovia Sidewalk Astronomy tonight cancelled due to cloudy weather

by Jane Houston Jones

Tonight's weather forecast: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain. Probability of measurable precipitation 30 percent. Southeast wind 5 mph. Low 51. Tonight's Clear Sky Clock shows all white - and that means 90% cloud cover: http://cleardarksky.com/c/MnrviaCAkey.html Luckily we had two great sidewalk astronomy nights this week. On Tuesday night LA Sidewalk Astronomer Donna Smith and I set up two homemade reflector telescopes in front of the Glendale Library. We showed a pretty crescent moon and Saturn to nearly 200 people who came to the library either to hear John Dobson's talk or who were at the library.. Last night Mojo and I set up telescopes on Colorado Blvd in Pasadena, and in-between the passing clouds we managed to have some decent moon views to show to the over 200 passersby. By 9 p.m. the moon was totally obscured by cloud, so we left early, and it looks like tonight will be worse, weatherwise. Our next outings, both in Monrovia Possible: Saturday Feb 3. The moon will be one day past full, and won't rise until 7 p.m. so if we do some viewing it will be from about 7:30 - 10 p.m. Confirmed: February 10 - 76-10 p.m. Special Saturn viewing night from about 7:30 p.m. Jane -- Jane Houston Jones Monrovia, CA 34.2048N 118.1732W, 637.0 feet http://www.whiteoaks.com Old Town Astronomers: http://www.otastro.org

19 years, 5 months

Dobson speaks at Glendale Library tonight

by Jane H Jones

Sorry for the late notice - I thought I sent this first event notice a couple weeks ago, but I didn't. This first event is tonight, and I'll be setting up my own homemade 10-inch Dobsonian reflector http://photo.whiteoaks.com/2006-12-02-dobson/slides/IMG_3850.html at the library in Glendale - I made the telescope in John Dobson's telescope making class in 1988. :-) Near the the bottom of this email are our own sidewalk events in January and February. :-) Tonight: Jan 23 - John Dobson will be doing an auditorium and parking lot talk - demo of several of his telescopes at the Glendale Public Library (GPL) Tuesday Jan. 23rd, 7 p.m. GPL is on the corner of Louise and Harvard near Colorado and Brand essentially downtown Glendale. Rain date is Jan 30. Here is the library link: http://library.ci.glendale.ca.us/authors_artists_friends.asp#dobson A few other local Dobson events are below. If you want more info about John's schedule, here is the link: www.sidewalkastronomers.us - click on schedule. Jan. 25 - The Sidewalk Astronomers will be at Nightengale Middle School at 3311 N. Figeroa in Los Angeles on the evening of Jan 25th for Science Night. Jan 26 - Join the Sidewalk Astronomers at Samuel's Florist on the evening of Jan 26 from 6 pm unitl 9 pm. 921 W. Olive Ave., Burbank, CA for more information call 818-846-1722. Jan 27 - John will be at the Griffith Park Star Party. http://www.griffithobs.org/ Star Parties are listed under the "Public Programs" area. http://www.griffithobservatory.org/pstarparties.html The Griffith website states: Those wishing to attend public star parties held at the Observatory will need to secure a timed entry and shuttle reservation for the date and time of the event. To make a reservation, please click here. Jan 28-29 John is giving talks at the Vedanta Center in Hollywood, but I don't have any additional info at this time. If you are interested in this, contact Donna at dsmith1055(a)earthlink.net Here are the next few Old Town Sidewalk Astronomy events: Jan 26 - Old Town Pasadena 6-9 p.m. (we set up on Colorado Blvd between Fair Oaks and Pasadena Avenues, depending on parking) Jan 27 - Old Town Monrovia - Library Park, Myrtle and Lime Streets, Monrovia 5-9 p.m. Feb 2&3 possible near-full-moon sidewalk nights. Saturn is close to the moon Friday night, close to Regulus Saturday night. Feb 6 - if you want to bring a telescope to school, let us know. We'll be doing our 4th annual event at a Monrovia middle school on Tuesday Feb 6th. This is the school's PTA Founders Day, and several hundred students, parents and staff will have a look through the telescopes when they are not indoors at the honors program. Telescope viewing begins at 5:45 p.m. and the event will be over by 7:30 or so. Saturn and Venus will be the observing targets. Our two telescopes are usually enough, but we would welcome a school star party veteran, with telescope. :-) Feb 10 - Saturn Observing Night - in conjunction with the JPL Cassini Mission to Saturn's volunteer program http://soc.jpl.nasa.gov/experience/gallery-archive-stories.cfm, we'll join amateur astronomers all over the world showing the planet Saturn on this night! Monrovia 6-10 p.m., later if there are still interested viewers. Feb. 26 Science Fair at a Glendora Elementary School. Again let us know if you'd like to bring a telescope to Glendora for Science Fair night. Again, veterans of school star parties, let us know if you are interested in helping out. 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Jane -- 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 Saturn Observation Campaign http://soc.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm

19 years, 5 months

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