It may be windy, and the views may not be as perfectly crisp as they can
be, but your local Sidewalk Astronomers will be out tonight at Myrtle
and Lime Streets in Monrovia from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The winds will
determine our end time, but we (at least I) hope we can show majestic
Saturn to everyone.
Tonight is Saturn Opposition. As the Sun sets in the west, Saturn will
rise "opposite" to it in the east. Opposition is when Saturn is closest
to Earth, and so it shines brightest for the year, but will be
beautifully visible for several more months. Since sunset is about 7:45
p.m. Saturn won't rise above the buildings and trees in Monrovia until
about 8:30 p.m., later visible in telescopes.
In addition to Saturn, we'll have a easy-to-see treat with the moon near
Mars. Those not within the sound of my voice, look up and you can easily
see the moon! It's that reddish object to the left of the moon tonight!
Look again tomorrow night and notice Mars above the moon! Saturn will be
the golden "star" rising on the horizon following Mars after sunset.
--
Jane Houston Jones
Monrovia, CA
@jhjones @CassiniSaturn @NASAInsight
What's Up For May? Saturn, Mars, Comets, Meteor Showers
http://youtu.be/4mxFlUCliWg