The weather appears to be looking great for Sunday Night's total lunar eclipse!

Some of your Sidewalk Astronomers will be at Myrtle and Lime streets in Monrovia to give play-by-play commentary, provide views through binoculars or telescopes once the moon clears the eastern-facing buildings/trees. If you have a nice eastern horizon you may want to watch from there for a better and longer show. We won't see the 30-40 minutes due to buildings in the way, but we'll be there from about 7:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Just think, easy parking, and no long lines! Bring your own binos, and maybe even a camp chair.

Here's my September NASA What's Up Podcast, for more details:  https://youtu.be/jXMZmEOGLRc

Here's the timing here on the west coast:

1.     The partial lunar eclipse begins at 6:07 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time. It will last a little more than an hour, and observers can watch as, crater by crater, the moon is engulfed in Earth’s shadow. West coast viewers take note:  when the eclipse begins, the moon won’t have risen yet for you. Moonrise is 6:39 p.m.

2.     The total eclipse begins at 7:11 PDT and also lasts more than an hour, ending at 8:23 p.m.. The moon’s reddish color you’ll see is caused by sunlight refracted through Earth’s atmosphere on its way to light the moon’s surface.

3.     This month the moon skims Earth’s shadow, just as it did in the April lunar eclipse. In April the north pole appeared a bit brighter during totality.  This time, the southern pole will appear a bit brighter, a bit like a partial eclipse.

4.     Then, it’s the whole show in reverse order, ending at 9:27 p.m.


Now, about our twice-a-year star-trek to Mojave National Preserve.  Here is a Facebook Event, in case you want to check it out.  https://www.facebook.com/MojaveNationalPreserveConservancy

Here are the details and directions. If you are willing to share driving or carpool let me know.  At least one of our regular attendees would like to share the driving or carpool. She will be at the Sunday night event, and I can be the go-between to connect you.

Maps of Mojave National Preserve http://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/maps.htm

Star Party Details

When/Where: Saturday October 17th 2015 Potluck starts at 5 p.m. Sunset is at 6 p.m.
Black Canyon Group Campsite, 10 miles north of I-40 on Essex Road, then ten miles north of Essex Road on Black Canyon Road. Allow three hours drive from Pasadena area, and do not arrive after dark, roads are unlit, last half mile unpaved (but good gravel)

What to bring: Camping Gear, layered clothing, food to share, and your personal plate, silverware and cup for the potluck.

Dinner - Potluck or bring a dish to share, breakfast is on your own

RSVP: The event is free, but there is limited space for tents and parked cars, so register on the Facebook Event or email Dlamfrom@ncpa.org or call 760-219-4916

See you under the equinox blood super moon eclipse! :-)  Jane


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Jane Houston Jones
@jhjones @NASAInSight
Whats Up 99th podcast! Lunar Eclipse Sept 27th
https://youtu.be/jXMZmEOGLRc