October 2014 - OTEvents - Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers

Clouds and sprinkles for Halloween
by Jane Houston Jones 30 Oct '14

30 Oct '14

Mojo and I were considering taking some telescopes out to Myrtle and Lime Streets Friday night for Halloween, but the forecast doesn't look good enough. In lieu of that, here is my annual Spooky Observing List, including scary named lunar features visible on the moon this week. http://jane.whiteoaks.com/2009/10/30/spooky-halloween-observing/ We are still going on with our twice-a-year Mojave National Preserve Star party, tho the forecast is for up to 18 mph winds, and temps dipping into the 30's at night. So bring layers for your layers. :-) Details here http://www.scribd.com/doc/242322077/Mojave-National-Preserve-Star-Party-Nov… The same day, over at the Kelso Depot within Mojave National Preserve is MojaveFest, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the California Desert Protection Act, which established Mojave national Preserve. The fest , 9-5 p.m. features food, kids activities, ranger-led talks and guided walks, book signings and dance performances. - http://www.nps.gov/moja/upload/Mojave-Fest-Flyer-for-web.pdf What a great way to experience Mojave National Preserve, with the preserve during the day, and they sky above the preserve at night! Jane -- Jane Houston Jones @jhjones @CassiniSaturn @NASAInsight What's Up For Oct? Eclipses, near misses http://youtu.be/gj9MshXoUy0

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ISS pass tonight, Eclipse after midnight, possible comet sighting, Dark Sky Star party Nov 1
by Jane Houston Jones 07 Oct '14

07 Oct '14

Hi everyone, sorry about the cancelled sidewalk astronomy night Oct 4. None of our astronomers were available that night. Mojo and I were in Hawaii, where we attended the Hawaiian Astronomical Society's monthly in-town star party, however. We observed one planet, one star and three moons (2 of Saturn's, and our own moon) in spite of heavy clouds, nearby rain, and even a flood warning over central Oahu. Tonight Tuesday the 7th, look for a 6 minute long ISS pass beginning at 7:03 p.m., reaching a height of 74 degrees, nearly overhead! It appears in the SW and disappears in the NE. That's not all! There is a total lunar eclipse on Wednesday morning. If the sky is clear, the entire event should be visible to the unaided eye from the West Coast. The particulars are as follows (all times are Pacific): partial eclipse begins 2:14 a.m., totality begins 3:25 a.m., greatest eclipse 3:55 a.m., totality ends 4:24 a.m., partial eclipse ends 5:34 a.m. All before sunrise! And that's not all either! There's a partial solar eclipse later in the month (visible in the afternoon of October 23rd). I'll send out another email with save viewing tips before the 23rd., but my monthly podcast gives some details. You all know never to look directly at the sun with special solar filters or glasses, of course. I cover all these things in my monthly What's Up podcast, plus Comet Siding Spring's close encounter with Mars on the 19th. It's unlikely that the comet will be visible, but I show where to look. If it does make an appearance and I see it, or think you can see it with binoculars, I'll be sure to let everybody know. Another exciting month of astronomy is underway! What's Up Video: http://youtu.be/uPQh0JwfEh4 or many versions here, and check out September - it is still relevant: http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/whatsup-archive.cfm What's Up for October flyer, suitable for sharing http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/docs/Whats_Up_October_2014.pdf Mark your calendar for November 1. Although this should be our monthly sidewalk date, it was the only Mojave Campground opening for our twice-a-year dark sky star party. Details here http://www.mojavepreserve.org/, and although the November flyer is not on the website, the May 31 flyer has directions and RSVP info. Free campsite, Bring your own potluck, breafast on your own, RSVP is just so the park knows how many people are coming. -- Jane Houston Jones @jhjones @CassiniSaturn @NASAInsight What's Up For Oct? Eclipses, near misses http://youtu.be/gj9MshXoUy0

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High, bright pass of the Int'l Space Station tonight
by Morris Jones 06 Oct '14

06 Oct '14

From Los Angeles tonight, just a few minutes before 8 p.m., there's a high bright pass of the International Space Station. It will appear low in the southwest about 7:54, and by 7:56 it'll be very high in the sky, slightly to the west, moving from southwest to northeast. It will be very bright, looking like a moving star. Just after 7:57, it will pass into earth's shadow, and slowly fade out of sight in the northeast. If you see it, be sure to wave at the astronauts! For other passes and satellite information, I use http://heavens-above.com Best regards, Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA http://mojo.whiteoaks.com

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No telescopes tonight
by Morris Jones 05 Oct '14

05 Oct '14

It would be our sidewalk astronomy night tonight, but all of the astronomers are scattered and doing other things. Next month's first-quarter moon would be on November 1, but instead of Monrovia, we'll be having our fall visit to Mojave National Preserve. Jane will have more information about that later. Aloha! Jane and I are joining the Hawaiian sidewalk astronomers tonight in Honolulu. :) Best regards, Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA http://whiteoaks.com

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