- OTEvents - Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers

Sidewalk astronomy tonight Nov 9
by Jane Houston Jones 09 Nov '24

09 Nov '24

Hi everybody, we'll have telescopes out tonight in Monrovia and hope to see you! It looks like it will be clear for awhile after sunset but clouds may move in. We will likely start about 5:30 pm, and our targets will be the Moon, Saturn and perhaps Venus. Here's this month's What's Up video: https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching/whats-up/ "What's Up" is NASA's longest running web video series. It had its first episode in April 2007 with original host Jane Houston Jones. :-) Today, Preston Dyches, Christopher Harris, and Lisa Poje are the space enthusiasts who produce this monthly video series at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Additional astronomy subject matter guidance is provided by JPL's Bill Dunford, Lyle Tavernier, and the Night Sky Network's Kat Troche. The What's Up team celebrates the memory of Gary Spiers, who provided astronomy observing guidance for the series for many years. The Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers also celebrate the life of Gary, who has been a part of our family nearly since the beginning. I'm sure all of you who have visited our sidewalk events, school events, and dark sky events have looked through Gary's telescopes. From Jane and the Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers. <3 -- Jane Houston Jones, retired JPLer Pasadena Bridge Club co-founder and owner Find me on FB, IG http://www.otastro.org/ https://pasadenabridgeclub.com

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Sidewalk Astronomy TONIGHT Saturday Sept 14
by Jane Houston Jones 14 Sep '24

14 Sep '24

Saturday, September 14 is “International Observe The Moon Night“. Imagine astronomy enthusiasts worldwide all looking up tonight. You can look up at home and be part of the party, too! The founding San Francisco Sidewalk Astronomers, and really, all astronomy clubs, have had a habit going back to the 1960's and probably earlier of holding a public first quarter moon viewing event for the public in cities around the country and around the world. The moon is the best public astronomy target, no dark sky needed. Weather permitting, a few astronomers are planning to be at our usual corner of Myrtle and Lime Streets in Monrovia tonight. Mojo and I will be there. I have some Moon Lithos from JPL to pass out. This is our 20th year of Old Town Sidewalk Astronomy, after I was a member of the SF sidewalk astronomers since 1987, when I made a telescope in John Dobson's telescope making class at the San Francisco Academy of Sciences, and that changed my career and life. I think our telescopes will be out sometime between 7:30 PM and 9:00ish PM once the moon crests the Monrovia skyscrapers. :-) Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the sudden death of one of our founding members in late July. Gary Spiers read a notice I posted at NASA JPL about Sidewalk Astronomy in Monrovia in early 2004, and showed up to see what it was all about. He's been an active member and a dear friend ever since. Those of you who are local and have attended our Monrovia Sidewalk events have met Gary, and over the years, his two daughters, with their telescopes over the early years. We miss him so much! Gary proofread my What's Up Podcast script almost since it started in 2007, and many of his astrophotos appeared with credits over the 12 years. This was our favorite public National Park astronomy event with volunteer astronomers since the 1960's. And this episode ends with a photo of Mojo and Gary at Glacier Point, and is also dedicated to Gary in the end credits. Hard to write this email but as I have told many over the decades, the night sky brings comfort. Hope to see some of you tonight. Send in a photo of your moon view tonight if you'd like. Yosemite Nature Notes documented a Glacier Point public astronomy star party Mojo, Gary and I volunteered for, Here's the link: https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=CFC7487A-1DD8-B71B-0B2096D9A018… And here is this month's What's Up video, https://plus.nasa.gov/video/whats-up-september-2024-skywatching-tips-from-n… Jane and the Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers -- Jane Houston Jones, retired JPLer Pasadena Bridge Club co-founder and owner Find me on FB, IG http://www.otastro.org/ https://pasadenabridgeclub.com

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Sidewalk Astronomy tonight Saturday June 24th
by Jane Houston Jones 24 Jun '23

24 Jun '23

Several of our Sidewalk Astonomers will be out at Monrovia Library Park tonight! Come on down once the sun sets! -- Jane Houston Jones, retired JPLer Twitter: @jhjones @otastro Instagram @janehoustonjones http://www.otastro.org/ Astronomy,travel,music,food,cats

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Sidewalk Astronomy April 29
by Jane Houston Jones 29 Apr '23

29 Apr '23

Hi everyone! Several of our Sidewalk Astronomers will be out tonight at the Monrovia Myrtle and Lime corner, from about 7:15 p.m. to 9:00 or so. I won't be there, but will be with you all in spirit, as you look up at the beautiful first quarter moon. I have a lovely photo to share - of my mom and dad doing Sidewalk Astronomy in San Rafael, CA. My dad died yesterday at 95.6 years old, and my mom died Oct 2 last year at 92. Two lives well lived and they were well loved, and made me the inquisitive person I became. Here they are sharing views through their own sidewalk telescopes at their San Rafael church. I often joined them with my own telescopes in the 1990's and early 2000's before I moved south for work at JPL, and Mojo and I discovered our beloved Myrtle and Lime Sidewalk Astronomy corner. Some old timers on this email list probably bumped into my mom and dad on the sidewalks up in Marin County :-) Sidewalk Astronomy with mom and dad http://photo.whiteoaks.com/2007-11-18-churchastronomy/slides/churchastro5.h… My mom was an artist and often illustrated astronomy articles I wrote. Here aremy two favorite writeups she illustrated for the Sidewalk Astronomy newsletter in the 1990's, which definitely led to my love of writing about astronomy, and led me to theMyrtle and Lime corner. <3 http://photo.whiteoaks.com/2009-galileo&me/slides/moonwriteup004.html http://photo.whiteoaks.com/2009-galileo&me/slides/swpleiades.html Over and out from Jane and the wonderful members of our little gang of Sidewalk Astronomers What's Up April from JPL - still awesome! https://youtu.be/MeiGUv5jF5Y -- Jane Houston Jones, retired JPLer Twitter: @jhjones @otastro Instagram @janehoustonjones http://www.otastro.org/ Astronomy,travel,music,food,cats

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Sidewalk astronomy - we'll try again in January! Plus nice moon occultatation of Mars on tuesday
by Jane Houston Jones 04 Dec '22

04 Dec '22

Sorry, but iffy skies + astronomer unavailability led to no sidewalk astronomy this past weekend. We'll try again next month. In the meantime, check out this month's What's Up video from NASA. It's filled with great observing tips - planets and constellations visible with your unaided eye from your city location this month. Here's the link! https://youtu.be/7FyEAPcvErQ Of particular notice is the moon occulting, (passing in front of) Mars. Even with binos this will be visible as the red planet disappears behind the moon. Timing for our timezone: Mars disappears behind the moon 6:31 p.m. and reappears at 7:31, weather permitting Tuesday night December 7th. The video shows a great animation, so you can see what to look for. I highly recommend it, if the expected clouds don't interfere. Take care everyone! Jane and the Sidewak Astronomers -- Jane Houston Jones, retired JPLer Twitter: @jhjones @otastro Instagram @janehoustonjones http://www.otastro.org/ Astronomy,travel,music,food,cats

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Eclipse night rained out!
by Jane Houston Jones 07 Nov '22

07 Nov '22

Hi everyone, I've had a couple questions about the lunar eclipse, which begins at midnight. Sadly we'll be rained out tonight - tomorrow morning, during this eclipse, plus it's too late to be bringing telescopes out for the public this time. But should you have a clearing between midnight and 4 am, and are awake, you mght step outside and have a look Lunar eclipses are great to view with the unaided eye. You don't need a telescope or even binoculars. Here's a great resource, with lots of information about the eclipse. https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2022-november-8 I've copied the times here, so if there is a break in the storm, step outside and have a look! You might be rewarded with a photo using your cell phone :-) When the Eclipse Happens Worldwide — Timeline Lunar eclipses can be visible from everywhere on the night side of the Earth, if the sky is clear. From some places the entire eclipse will be visible, while in other areas the Moon will rise or set during the eclipse. Event UTC Time Time in Los Angeles* Visible in Los Angeles Penumbral Eclipse begins Nov 8 at 08:02:15 Nov 8 at 12:02:15 am Yes Partial Eclipse begins Nov 8 at 09:09:12 Nov 8 at 1:09:12 am Yes Full Eclipse begins Nov 8 at 10:16:39 Nov 8 at 2:16:39 am Yes Maximum Eclipse Nov 8 at 10:59:11 Nov 8 at 2:59:11 am Yes Full Eclipse ends Nov 8 at 11:41:36 Nov 8 at 3:41:36 am Yes Partial Eclipse ends Nov 8 at 12:49:03 Nov 8 at 4:49:03 am Yes Penumbral Eclipse ends Nov 8 at 13:56:09 Nov 8 at 5:56:09 am Yes * The Moon is above the horizon during this eclipse, so with good weather conditions in Los Angeles, the entire eclipse is visible. Before I sign off, here's great resource you might like to have: Guy Ottowell's Astronomical Calendar. It was a wonderful full-year almanac - 2 pages per month, I relied on from the 1980's until 2016. Well, it is back both in a digital and hard cover version. Here is the link if you are interested in a public-friendly list of all the monthly astronomical goings-on, with additional pages explaining things like eclipses. https://www.universalworkshop.com/astronomical-calendar-2023/ Jane and the Sidewalk Astronomers -- Jane Houston Jones, retired JPLer Twitter: @jhjones @otastro Instagram @janehoustonjones http://www.otastro.org/ Astronomy,travel,music,food,cats

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ISS Pass tonight August Sky updates
by Jane Houston Jones 03 Aug '22

03 Aug '22

Hi everyone, first things first: An ISS pass tonight! Time: Tue Aug 02 8:25 PM, Visible: 6 min, Max Height: 48°, Appears: 10° above NW, Disappears: 12° above ESE We should have a few astronomers out at Myrtle and Lime in Monrovia this coming Saturday night, weather permitting. There will be just one main target, the moon, but some astronomers may show some interesting stars, double stars or other objects. Sunset is a little before 8 p.m. but the bright moon will be visible before that, so astronomers may be setting up by 7:30 or so. August is famous for the Perseid meteor shower, but this month, the peak nights will be marred by the moon. You can read more about the perseids, morning planets, and the lovely constellation Cygnus in this month's What's Up for August podcast: https://youtu.be/KdNHpX-u9w0 That's all for now! Jane, and the Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers -- Jane Houston Jones, retired JPLer *:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-: Twitter: @jhjones @otastro Instagram @janehoustonjones http://www.otastro.org/ Astronomy, travel, music, food, cats

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Sidewalk Astronomy Saturday July 9th
by Jane Houston Jones 07 Jul '22

07 Jul '22

As our member David posted on Facebook yesterday: We hope you got up early to see the planet alignment. This iPhone shot is from up on Mt. Wilson on 6/23, showing an over-exposed Moon, Mars, Jupiter & Saturn; followed by the dome for the 60-inch telescope. While we only really have the Moon to view (and perhaps a few double stars or bright "deep sky" objects), we will be on the sidewalk at Myrtle & Lime this Saturday, starting about 8 pm. We hope to see you there! Be like Dave,and come see the moon from the sidewalk, with the Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers. And here is the July What's Up video from NASA - still going strong since April 2007! https://youtu.be/upFsgDxgV70 Jane and the Sidewalk Astronomers -- Jane Houston Jones, retired JPLer *:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-: Twitter: @jhjones @otastro Instagram @janehoustonjones http://www.otastro.org/ Astronomy, travel, music, food, cats

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Bonus ISS pass during tonight's lunar eclipse!
by Jane Houston Jones 16 May '22

16 May '22

Bonus! There's a 7 minute ISS pass to enjoy while you step out to see the eclipse tonight. Highest at 8:26 p.m. 90° above the horizon -- straight overhead. Time: Sun May 15 8:23 PM, Visible: 7 min, Max Height: 90°, Appears: 10° above the SW horizon, Disappears: 10° above the NE horizon. Enjoy! As a reminder, here is a short timeline for us Pacific Time Zone folks so you can step out and look up! *Partial eclipse begins* May 15 (7:27 p.m. PDT on May 15). Note sunset is at 7:47 p.m. tonight *Totality begins* (moon engulfed in Earth’s shadow) (8:29 p.m. PDT) *Totality ends* May 15 (9:53 p.m. PDT) *Partial eclipse ends* May 15 (10:55 p.m. PDT) *Penumbral eclipse ends* May 15 (11:50 p.m. PDT). *Duration of totality:* About 90 minutes. Time and Date has a great graphic! https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2022-may-16 Here's JPL's What's Up video for May, which talks about the lunar eclipse: https://youtu.be/1Bn349KyGzE Have fun and let me know if you have a great view!! Jane and the sidewalk astronomers :-) -- Jane Houston Jones, retired JPLer Twitter: @jhjones @otastro Instagram @janehoustonjones http://www.otastro.org/ Astronomy,travel,music,food,cats

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Lunar eclipse Sunday night May 15
by Jane Houston Jones 13 May '22

13 May '22

Eyes up! We have a really convenient local total lunar eclipse Sunday night May 15th after sunset until about 10 p.m., visible for those of us with clear skies and good eastern horizons. Here is the best link for times and details for where ever you are. https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2022-may-16. Check it out and set it for your times, other than LA locals. Your sidewalk astronomers will not be at Library Park, but if you are there in the park for the Monrovia Days https://www.monroviadays.org/- celebrating the 136th anniversary of our beloved town, look toward the eastern horizon after sunset, opposite the sunset -- and look for moonrise after 8:30 p.m. Eclipses are easily visible with your unaided eyes and binoculars, from home or anywhere, no telescope or crowds are necessary. Locally, the total eclipse begins when the moon is below our horizon *before sunset* on Sunday the 15th. https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/usa/los-angeles Start looking East near sunset 8:30 p.m. (and you'll be looking to the east *on the horizon*, opposite the sunset). Closer to 9pm the maximum eclipse begins, where the entire moon should be visible, and should appear reddish. So a view of the eastern horizon is needed early, which we wouldn't have at Library Park anyway. Between 9:11 p.m. and 10:55 p.m and later you should have a great view, higher in the eastern sky - an awesome view, and I want to see your images, if you get some! Why not find a nice stable spot near a fence in your yard or deck to stablilize your cell phone, and take cell phone photos every 20 minutes or so? The timetable for the eclipse is: 8:29 pm Total eclipse begins 9:11 pm Maximum eclipse begins 9:53 pm Maximum eclipse ends 10:55 pm Partial eclipse ends Some great links: What's Up from NASA: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/skywatching/home/ https://www.space.com/33786-lunar-eclipse-guide.html -- Jane Houston Jones, retired JPLer Twitter: @jhjones @otastro Instagram @janehoustonjones http://www.otastro.org/ Astronomy,travel,music,food,cats

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