Sidewalk Astronomy next Saturday

Weather permitting, we'll be out with telescopes in Monrovia next Saturday the 28th. Starting at about 6 p.m. for 2 -2.5 hours.... The weather scared us out of taking the 3 hour drive to Amboy Crater tonight. We'll post observing intents to go there on this list in case any of you would like to join us. Amboy Crater is BLM land, there really isn't a place to camp on the lava, but there is a huge parking lot and pit toilets. So people with telescopes often just observe all night and pack up in the morning. It's ok to leave before dawn by parking away from the telescopes - on the way out of the parking lot facing out, and careful use of car lights. We're a friendly bunch. There are closer places to observe but none with 360 degree views clear down to the horizon or located with the darkest skies. Amboy is the closest place with a "black" pin on this map: http://cleardarksky.com/csk/prov/California_map.html?Mn=meteorites . We also go to Glacier Point in Yosemite once a year - if anyone wants to combine star gazing with a Yosemite trip. More about that when we find out our date this year. But anyone can head up to Glacier point any non-full-moon weekend Jul through Labor Day and enjoy looks free looks through dozens of telescopes set up by sponsoring astronomy clubs And as a reminder our twice a year Mojave National Preserve Star parties will be on Saturday June 13th 2015 and Saturday October 17th 2015. The Black Canyon Group (near Hole in the Wall campground and the visitor center) will be available Friday night as well. Bring a pot luck item to share if you want to. After we know how many people are bringing telescopes, we can let you know if there is room for more - the telescope platform is rather small - with room for half a dozen scopes for the public star party. -- Jane Houston Jones @jhjones @CassiniSaturn @NASAInsight What's Up For February? PlanetPairs <3 http://youtu.be/NR8HCsog5MM