Free Mars!

Tonight's a big night! It's Mars closest approach, and we'll be out in force in Old Town Monrovia tonight. Library Park, Myrtle & Lime, 9:00 p.m. 'til midnight. If you haven't read the article in the Pasadena Star-News this morning, Jane and I were featured on the front page in the Mars article: <http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_3162189> The weather forecast for tonight looks near perfect. Jane and I plan to bring out our best Mars telescope tonight, a rare Astro-Physics 7.1-inch refractor. Here are some pictures from a visit in April to Library Park for this telescope: <http://www.otastro.org/2005-04-monrovia/> If you're wondering about the later than usual hours for this occasion, it's because the best viewing of the planet comes as it's highest in the sky. If you're looking for the best view, plan to visit the telescope as close to midnight as you can. Besides letting Mars get high in the sky, the lines at the telescopes should be shortest then! If you miss seeing Mars tonight, don't despair -- it won't be much further away on our next trip to the sidewalks on November 11 and 12. For the next couple of months, Mars will be close enough for interesting looks. In addition to November 11 and 12, Jane and I will be travelling to the Borrego Springs Resort on Saturday November 5 in Anza Borrego State Park, and plan to set up for Mars viewing right there at the lovely desert resort. Jane's Mars information page on the Mars opposition has more links, pictures, and events: <http://www.otastro.org/Mars2005/> Best regards, Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA http://www.whiteoaks.com Old Town Astronomers: http://www.otastro.org