Mojo and I are going to our favorite observing location this afternoon,
Amboy Crater, to try and view comet PanSTARRS just after sunset at 5:57
p.m. From now through the end of March, the comet should be naked-eye
visible very low on the western horizon - low meaning about 10 degrees
above the unobstructed horizon for those at latitude 40 (we are at 34
degrees North latitude here in the LA area), so it will be even a few
degrees lower than that here throughout March. But it will be visible
in April and May (through a telescope) higher and fainter in the sky.
This month, use binoculars to scan the western horizon.
Ten degrees can be measured by holding your clenched fist at arms-length
distance, then with thumb-up, place the bottom of your fist on the
horizon. The top of your fist (put your thumb back down fi
rst)
will be
ten degrees above the horizon. You'll see it's not very high. The
comet's tail will be like your thumb up - because the tail will be
pointing straight up. It's easy to see why -- comets tails point away
from the sun.
Any spot where you have an unobstructed view of the western horizon just
at sunset is where you should look. Here in LA, looking west on the
horizon generally means looking through a hazy (smoggy) or foggy layer
of our atmosphere. The viewing window is just about a half hour after
sunset right now - sunset until about 6:30 p.m. Longer window next week,
but still very low. Watch my video for tips.
Youtube: http://bit.ly/ZzW1bt
You are welcome to join us - sorry for the late notice, we were waiting
to see how the storm affected the deserts before deciding where and when
to go. Amboy, CA 92304 is an unincorporated town in San Bern
ardino
County, in California's Mojave Desert, west of Needles and east of
Ludlow on historic Route 66. It is roughly 60 miles northeast of
Twentynine Palms. Amboy Crater is a BLM landmark with a big parking lot.
It takes us about 3 hours (including a sandwich stop in Barstow) to
get there, and we'll arrive at about 4:30 p.m. to set up our equipment.
It will be cold and windy tonight, so we plan to observe for about 4
hours then drive back home. It is not a campsite, so no tents, but you
can sleep/rest in your car overnight and take a hike in the morning to
the volcanic crater. There are pit toilets in the parking lot.
We set up our two telescopes at the very end, next to the rest room.
http://photo.whiteoaks.com/2011-10-22-amboy/Site%20Pictures/index.html
If you do come, there are some universal courtesy tips to avoid
blinding
the observers. The San Jose Astronomical Association has a great list
http://www.sjaa.net/etiquette.html
To this list, most important is to arrive before sunset. It is
virtually impossible to see the turnoff from Route 66 in the dark, and
you will miss the comet hunt unless your are all ready to look at
sunset. Park with your car lights pointed away from the telescopes
closer to the entrance end of the lot. Switch your car's interior lights
off if you can. We always bring some red carlight repair tape to place
over very small flashlights, leave those big flashlights at home, you
won't need them. No iPad, tablet, cell phones light near the (my)
telescopes, please. Just step away and face your light away from the
telescopes if you'd like to use them. They are fun to use, but will ruin
(this) observer's dark adaption. Bring a chair, layer
s,
binoculars,
hydration. Oh there are trains with lights all night long, but I set up
away from that light. You'll love to hear them in the dark. :-)
Since this is short notice, you may want to consider joining us on May
11 at our campground star party at Mojave National Preserve instead.
Hopefully, the comet will still be visible. The light pollution rules
are a little more relaxed (except right near the telescopes) since it is
a public star party. Last fall's flyer is here with
directionshttp://mojavepreserve.org/index.php/site/article/star_party_in_the_mjave_national_preserve
If you do see the comet from LA let us know! Your chances are good if
you can see the western horizon with no clouds or haze. Try with
binoculars. We'll share what we see, how hard it was, tips and tricks
tomorrow! Wi
sh us
luck!
Jane