Well, no chance of sidewalk astronomy in Monrovia tonight. Bu behind
those clouds are some gorgeous views of the planets Saturn, Mrs and
Jupiter.
Learn what's up this month in my monthly podcast https://youtu.be/M7RtIa9zBYA,
transcript here (and feel free to share!) http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/video/details.php?id=1427
Tonight's weather isn't this "reverse clearing" but still, this is a
very interesting chance in our May Grey/June Gloom weather -
clearing at the coast, high fog lingering up against the mountains.
http://www.scpr.org/news/2016/05/18/60754/la-s-may-grey-unusual-this-year-thanks-to-reverse/
And just as a reminder, our free dark sky star party in the Mojave
National Preserve is June 25th - just two weeks away. Weather
permitting, the Milky Way will be glorious!
A few links and info I have sent our to several of you who plan to
attend:
Our star party is held at the Black Canyon Group Campground (close
to the Hole-In-The-Wall visitor center and campground) in the middle
of Mojave National Preserve. about 170 miles from Monrovia.
A RSVP is required, but there is no charge for the event --
the RSVP is for # of tents/cars. There is a facebook group and you
can RSVP there https://www.facebook.com/events/695749230564590/,
or you can call or email our wonderful coordinator from the Mojave
National Preserve Conservancy David Lanfrom dlanfrom@ncpa.org
or 760-219-4916 - he is the best person to answer more questions.
The directions are here -- the last quarter mile is not paved: https://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Directions to Hole-in-the-Wall
From I-40:/ Exit Essex Road and drive north 10 miles to the junction
with Black Canyon Road. Hole-in-the-Wall is 10 miles north on Black
Canyon Road.
And here is a zoomed in version of the area centered on the Black
Canyon Campground -- https://www.google.com/maps/@35.04204,-115.3879753,2413m/data=!3m1!1e3
It is a very large group campsite, with plenty of parking.
Arrive before sunset (which is at 8:08 p.m.), and there will be a
potluck beginning at about 6 p.m., with rangers from the National
Park Service, members of the Mojave National Preserve Conservancy
and the sidewalk astronomers and all our guests all sharing the
potluck, and a few saying a few words to the group. There is a
large firepit, covered pavilion with 8 picnic tables,
trash/recycling critter-proof cans, a pump with water for washing
dishes, and pit toilets, which you can see if you zoom in close on
the google map. You can also see the circular parking area and the
large sandy/brushy area for tents. So bring a tent, sleeping bag (or
car camp), pot luck or bring something to eat for dinner, there is
room for camp stoves on the picnic tables if you want to cook. The
Conservancy provides lots of drinks, chips, some food, there is
always vegetarian food, but you can bring your own. A local family
often makes tamales (both meat and vegetarian), and/or soup or stew,
again veg/meat.
All the guests come up and spend time at the telescope, white
flashlights are not appreciated at the telescopes, we suggest not
using the flashlight at all at telescopes. As your eyes adapt you
can see very nicely without lights. But our star party is very
informal, and we just ask people to cover flashlights with your
hand, and turn them off at the telescopes, no cell phones or iPads
or other light emitting devices up at the telescopes preferred.
Most people spend time at the tables eating or snacking, or talking
and storytelling at the big fire pit, Dogs are permitted and there
are usually several -- some on leashes and some not, all very nice
dogs. Kids are welcome.
--
Jane Houston Jones
What's Up June 2016:
Saturn opposition, planets and a comet!
https://youtu.be/M7RtIa9zBYA