Today the moon phase is "first quarter" which means you'll see a half moon in tonight's sky. That doesn't make sense does it? Shouldn't it be a quarter moon? Actually the term "first quarter" refers to the fact that the moon is one-fourth of the way through its 29.5 day orbit around the earth. In one week the moon will be half-way through its orbit, but we don't refer to its phase then as "half moon," instead we call it "full moon," which it is! (Homework: What then is "third quarter?") Tonight it should be comfortable and clear in Old Town Pasadena, and we'll be featuring the first-quarter moon and Jupiter. We try for Colorado Blvd. somewhere between Fair Oaks and Pasadena Ave., near Delacey, depending on parking, from 7:30 'til 9:30 or so. Look for Jupiter to the left of the moon tonight -- it will be the brightest object in the sky besides the moon, with a steady cream-colored glow. In the telescope we'll easily see the four giant moons of Jupiter discovered 400 years ago by Galileo. Tomorrow night (Saturday) looks to be a carbon copy of tonight. Many of our astronomers will be set up at the Huntington Library for a special astronomy program, and will give out views through a great variety of telescopes. We'll also have at least a couple at our traditional spot in Monrovia at the corner of Myrtle & Lime, at Library Park, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. A few of us had a good time under a true dark sky in the Colorado Desert last weekend. I did a little astrophotography and wrote up a little trip report: http://mojo.whiteoaks.com/2009/09/21/a-perfect-night-in-the-desert/ First quarter moon brings out lots of telescopes to give out views. Other LA astronomers and clubs will be setting up all over the place, including the big monthly first-quarter star party at Griffith Observatory. I hope you get out and catch some photons! Best regards, Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA http://mojo.whiteoaks.com Old Town Astronomers: http://www.otastro.org Twitter: http://twitter.com/mojo_la