Planets this week, Sidewalk Astronomy this weekend

Step outside when the sun sets this week for a nice pairing of red rocky Mars and gassy giant Saturn. Then turn yourself around and watch bright Jupiter rising low in the southeast. You won't need a telescope to see these three planets. You just need good horizons, clear skies, and the ambition to step outside. Here is a little feature I wrote for the JPL website explaining what's going on this week: http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/scitech/display.cfm?ST_ID=2198 . I hope you'll share it with your friends. Our Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers website also features these star charts, and July's monthly astro roundup. http://www.otastro.org/ And speaking of the Sidewalk Astronomers, weather permitting, we'll be out with telescopes this weekend. I say weather permitting because there is a slight chance of monsoon thundershowers this weekend here in southern California. You can follow the weather forecast yourself if you'd like to, but we'll update our webpage (top right box) with a weather cancellation if it is warranted. LA weather from NOAA: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=LOX&llon=-118.968747… Weather permitting this weekend: Friday July 11 Colorado Blvd 7:30 - 10 p.m. but we may not be able to see Mars and Saturn or Jupiter - buildings and palm trees may be in the way. Beautiful view of the moon, however. Saturday July 12 Myrtle and Lime, Monrovia 8:00 p.m. - 10 p.m. same planetary disclaimer as above. . Over and out, 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 SOC http://soc.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm What's Up? http://education.jpl.nasa.gov/amateurastronomy/index.html